World’s Top Chess Federation Restricts Transgender Biological Males Competing in Women’s Tournaments
The International Chess Federation, often referred to by its French acronym FIDE, has restricted transgender biological males from competing in women’s tournaments.
Last week, the organization said that they have been receiving increased applications from players who claim to be transgender and want to play against players of the sex they identify as.
“Change of gender is a change that has a significant impact on a player’s status and future eligibility to tournaments, therefore it can only be made if there is a relevant proof of the change provided,” the FIDE said.
Decisions on each player would take up to two years to complete, the organization said.
“In the event that the gender was changed from a male to a female the player has no right to participate in official FIDE events for women until further FIDE’s decision is made,” the announcement continued.
