The inaugural FEMchess All-Girls Scholastic Chess Tournament took place on August 20, 2023, in Fremont, CA, showcasing the growing interest of young girls in the game. With over 60 enthusiastic female participants, the event also underscored the potential for female players to thrive in the traditionally male-dominated world of chess. As of April 2023, females represent only 12% of US Chess Federation members.
Uniting for a Common Goal
The FEMchess All-Girls Scholastic Chess Tournament stood out as one of the largest girls-only scholastic chess events in California in recent years. With players converging from various corners of the state, it was inspiring to witness girls of all ages coming together under one roof, united by their passion for the game. This event exemplified the power of chess to break down barriers and create a sense of community.
Championing the Cause: US Chess Women
A significant contributing factor to the tournament's success was the support of US Chess Women. The sponsorship of this all-girls tournament not only showcased their dedication to advancing women's chess. The special video greeting from WGM Jennifer Shahade, two-time US Women's Chess champion and Director of US Chess Women, provided a source of inspiration and encouragement for the young participants, reminding them of the endless possibilities that await them in the world of chess and beyond.
Jennifer Shahade shared her thoughts on the event: “The great turnout at the FEMchess All Girls Scholastic Tournament is a testament to the growth of women's chess and the determination of young girls to excel in the game. I loved to see such a vibrant and enthusiastic community coming together to celebrate chess. US Chess Women was honored to award a grant to support FEMchess’ mission to empower girls in chess and to support their inaugural all-girls tournament. A huge congratulations to Allyson and her team for the success of this tournament. We look forward to their continued push to promote girls in chess.”
The Hamilton Chess Team from Novato, CA, demonstrated their commitment to promoting chess among girls by bringing their female players to participate in the tournament. Their involvement highlighted the importance of providing additional opportunities for young girls in the chess arena. Director of the Hamilton Chess program, Abel Talamantez, shared his thoughts on the event: "It was a pleasure to bring some of the girls from the Hamilton Chess Team to the FEMchess All-Girls Championship not only to support more girls playing chess, but also to support the amazing work of Allyson as both a TD and organizer! It was a wonderful experience for all our players and they loved the friendships and camaraderie as much as the competition. Congrats!”
Talamantez also kindly provided annotations of a game between two of his students:
Additionally, FIDE International Arbiter and Chess.com Director of Chess Club Relations Dr. Judit Sztaray, represented Chess.com to support the event and highlighted the role of online platforms in fostering inclusivity and accessibility, allowing players to connect and compete regardless of geographical boundaries. Dr. Sztaray shared her feedback on the event: "As a representative of Chess.com, it was truly inspiring to witness the dedication and energy of the FEMchess team executing an amazing event. I had a lot of fun connecting with girls and their families and it was fun to see the enthusiasm of the participants at the FEMchess All-Girls Scholastic Tournament. This event showcased the importance of creating opportunities where girls can come together to learn and grow in chess together. Can’t wait to see what this new school year brings to this organization and girls in chess in general!”
The success of this inaugural all girls tournament was a team effort. Special thanks to US Chess Women for sponsoring this event and to WGM Jennifer Shahade for sending a warm video greetings to encourage the plays. Thank you to Hamilton Chess Director Abel Talamantaz for bringing his team to compete, to Dr. Judit Sztaray for representing Chess.com to support the event. Last but not least, big thanks to our FEMchess management/coach team WCM Kally Wen (Assistant Head Coach), WCM Aksithi Eswaran (Coach), and Kavya Sasikumar (co-founder) for being amazing floor TDs!
Empowerment through Chess: FEMchess's Mission
FEMchess, established in 2020 as a student-led nonprofit run by nationally ranked and titled chess players, has set out on a remarkable journey with the goal of helping bridge the gender gap in chess. Their mission is not just about teaching young women how to play the game, but also about instilling a sense of confidence and competitiveness in a positive environment.
One of FEMchess's most impactful initiatives involves partnering with school districts to provide lessons to unhoused girls. Through partnerships with schools, such as Fremont Unified School District McKinney-Vento (lacking stable housing) student services, FEMchess is extending its reach to girls facing challenging circumstances. By leveraging chess to create connections and friendships, FEMchess is nurturing a supportive environment for these girls to thrive.
Melissa Espinoza, Fremont Unified School District Family Liaison Student Support Services shared “FEMchess’ dedication to providing free chess lessons and tournaments to underserved students, particularly to Title-1 and girls lacking stable housing, is a testament to their commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.”
Allyson Wong, president and co-founder of FEMchess, shares the organization's mission: "For the unhoused young girls, FEMchess's mission extends beyond the chessboard. Our goal is to use chess as a tool to uplift these girls, encourage them, and help them gain confidence by building friendships with other girls through a shared love of chess. By fostering a supportive environment that transcends their circumstances, FEMchess instills in these girls a sense of self-confidence. In conjunction with FEMChess, serving as Board of Director of Fremont Education Foundation (FEF), a public non-profit serving Fremont Unified School District, I hope to work with FEF to provide support and empower these students to excel.”
To relive the excitement and passion of the tournament, you can watch the event video here.
The inaugural FEMchess All-Girls Scholastic Chess Tournament showcased the power of chess to bring together girls from diverse backgrounds and encourage them through competition and camaraderie. FEMchess hopes to pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse chess world. Learn more about FEMchess and their mission at femchess.org.
Categories
Archives
- October 2024 (8)
- September 2024 (23)
- August 2024 (27)
- July 2024 (44)
- June 2024 (27)
- May 2024 (32)
- April 2024 (51)
- March 2024 (34)
- February 2024 (25)
- January 2024 (26)
- December 2023 (29)
- November 2023 (26)
- October 2023 (37)
- September 2023 (27)
- August 2023 (37)
- July 2023 (47)
- June 2023 (33)
- May 2023 (37)
- April 2023 (45)
- March 2023 (37)
- February 2023 (28)
- January 2023 (31)
- December 2022 (23)
- November 2022 (32)
- October 2022 (31)
- September 2022 (19)
- August 2022 (39)
- July 2022 (32)
- June 2022 (35)
- May 2022 (21)
- April 2022 (31)
- March 2022 (33)
- February 2022 (21)
- January 2022 (27)
- December 2021 (36)
- November 2021 (34)
- October 2021 (25)
- September 2021 (25)
- August 2021 (41)
- July 2021 (36)
- June 2021 (29)
- May 2021 (29)
- April 2021 (31)
- March 2021 (33)
- February 2021 (28)
- January 2021 (29)
- December 2020 (38)
- November 2020 (40)
- October 2020 (41)
- September 2020 (35)
- August 2020 (38)
- July 2020 (36)
- June 2020 (46)
- May 2020 (42)
- April 2020 (37)
- March 2020 (60)
- February 2020 (38)
- January 2020 (45)
- December 2019 (35)
- November 2019 (35)
- October 2019 (42)
- September 2019 (45)
- August 2019 (56)
- July 2019 (44)
- June 2019 (35)
- May 2019 (40)
- April 2019 (48)
- March 2019 (61)
- February 2019 (39)
- January 2019 (30)
- December 2018 (29)
- November 2018 (51)
- October 2018 (45)
- September 2018 (29)
- August 2018 (49)
- July 2018 (35)
- June 2018 (31)
- May 2018 (39)
- April 2018 (31)
- March 2018 (26)
- February 2018 (33)
- January 2018 (30)
- December 2017 (26)
- November 2017 (24)
- October 2017 (30)
- September 2017 (30)
- August 2017 (32)
- July 2017 (27)
- June 2017 (32)
- May 2017 (26)
- April 2017 (37)
- March 2017 (28)
- February 2017 (30)
- January 2017 (27)
- December 2016 (29)
- November 2016 (24)
- October 2016 (32)
- September 2016 (31)
- August 2016 (27)
- July 2016 (24)
- June 2016 (26)
- May 2016 (19)
- April 2016 (30)
- March 2016 (37)
- February 2016 (27)
- January 2016 (33)
- December 2015 (25)
- November 2015 (23)
- October 2015 (16)
- September 2015 (28)
- August 2015 (28)
- July 2015 (6)
- June 2015 (1)
- May 2015 (2)
- April 2015 (1)
- February 2015 (3)
- January 2015 (1)
- December 2014 (1)
- July 2010 (1)
- October 1991 (1)
- August 1989 (1)
- January 1988 (1)
- December 1983 (1)