FIDE Commission for Women's Chess Meeting

Ruth Haring at the Chess Olympiad, watching the legendary Nona Grapindihasvilli play blitz

On Saturday, Sept. 29, the FIDE Women's Commission held its workshop to provide an overview of the past two years' activities. Several FIDE events were highlighted including: - 22nd European Chess Club Cup for Women 2017 (Antalya Turkey, Oct. 2017) - Women's World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2017 (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Dec. 2017) - European ACP Women's Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2018 (Tblisi, Georgia, April 2018) - European individual Women Chess Championship 2018 (Vysoke Tatry, Slovakia, April 2018) - Women's World Championship Match 2018 (Shanghai, China, May 2018) The Commission’s discussion mostly focused on the highest levels of women’s play, with laser focused discussion on equalizing the prize funds between Open and Women’s fields. The participants in the Commission workshop noted that there is a lack of women in FIDE at all levels of the organization. This includes players, coaches, and organizational leadership. None of the three candidates for President is a woman. US Chess was well-represented at the Commission meeting with Ruth Haring, Sophia Rohde, Beatriz Marinello and Carol Meyer in attendance.

US Chess was able to show the Girls in Chess video to the participants noting that it was well received. Several people also made the point about our emphasis on growing the base of girls in chess.

https://youtu.be/9iOJ6QHHwmQ

Of additional note:

- GM Nigel Short was present at the Women’s Commission meeting.

- There was substantial interest in the Women’s Commission meeting, with interest from more participants than could be accommodated. The meeting was moved to a larger room to accommodate everyone. This is (perhaps) a sign that the times are changing.