Does chess have a sexism problem?

What in the World

• Episode: Does chess have a sexism problem?
• Website: What in the World
• Feed URL: https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/w13xtvrv.rss
• Duration: 00:15:15
• Published: 2024-02-13 15:30

Netflix’s award-winning series ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ brought to light some of the sexist attitudes people have towards women competing in chess. It’s all fiction, but how much of this happens at real chess tournaments?

Matt Graveling, a BBC Sport reporter explains how the professional world of chess works, including why there’s a Women’s Chess Championship and what it takes to compete.

A BBC reporter in Mumbai, Cherylann Mollan, takes us through what hurdles women in India have to deal with when competing. International Master Divya Deshmukh recently posted on Instagram about the issues she faces as a woman in chess. She said people often focus on her appearance instead of her skill.

And two female chess players tell us about what barriers they’ve seen for women in the sport.

Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Alex Rhodes Producers: Imogen James, Emily Horler and Benita Barden Researcher: Marcia Veiga Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks