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Does chess have a sexism problem?

Women in chess say they’ve faced discrimination and harassment.

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 ´óÏó´«Ã½ 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 ´óÏó´«Ã½ 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: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
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

Available now

15 minutes

Last on

Wed 14 Feb 2024 03:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Tue 13 Feb 2024 18:50GMT
  • Wed 14 Feb 2024 03:50GMT

Podcast