Transgender women have been “temporarily” banned from competing in women’s chess events.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE), says individual cases will be considered but would need “further analysis”. It says a decision on a case could take up to two years.
It is a move however that has left chess players and fans divided, reports the BBC. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) considered chess a sport.
Many other sporting bodies have been figuring out policies towards trans athletes. However, chess does not involve physical activity like most sports.
The FIDE told the BBC it hoped to analyse the impact its policies on transgender competitors would have. This means it didn’t want to rush any process used to draft the plan.
A spokesman told the broadcaster: “The transgender legislation is rapidly developing in many countries and many sport bodies are adopting their own policies.
“FIDE will be monitoring these developments and see how we can apply them to the world of chess. Two years is a scope of sight that seemed reasonable for the thorough analyses of such developments.”
Chess chiefs said transgender competitors would still be allowed to enter “open” categories.
Yosha Iglesias, a trans woman professional chess player with the FIDE rank of chess master, claims the policy will cause “unncessary harm” for players. She added: “This appalling situation will lead to depression and suicide attempts.”
While Woman Grandmaster and two-time US Women’s Champion Jennifer Shahade branded the decision as “ridiculous and dangerous”.
As well as barring transgender women from competing, FIDE says trans men who had won women’s tournaments before transitioning would have their titles wiped out.
Cycling’s world governing body has already banned trans athletes from competing in women’s events. While World Aquatics said it will open a new category for transgender swimmers.
However the FIDE told the BBC it wanted to analyse the impact of these policies and did not want to rush this process.
“The transgender legislation is rapidly developing in many countries and many sport bodies are adopting their own policies,” it said.
“FIDE will be monitoring these developments and see how we can apply them to the world of chess. Two years is a scope of sight that seemed reasonable for the thorough analyses of such developments.”
