International Chess Federation Bans Trans Women from Competing in Women’s Events

Originally posted 8/19/2023

The International Chess Federation, better known as FIDE, has banned transgender women from competing in women’s chess events. According to the Switzerland-based federation, “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.”

“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,” FIDE’s statement read.

Additionally, the federation stated that women’s titles now held by trans male players “are to be abolished.”

If you’d like to contact FIDE to ask them why and/or suggest they revise their policies, here is their contact information:

FIDE Headquarters

1007 Lausanne, Switzerland

Avenue de Rhodanie 54

Tel: + (41) 21 6010039

Email both:

office@fide.com

federations@fide.com