The International Chess Federation decided to ban transgender players

August 18, 2023 – 13:49

The entity clarified that this prohibition is “temporary” until a new regulation is defined, although it could take “years”.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) announced the decision of suspend “temporarily” the participation of players transgender in women’s competitions, waiting for a new regulation, which could take years as warned.

“In the case of a transition from a man who becomes a woman, the player will not have the right to participate in women’s events, until FIDE makes a new decision”said in a statement on Friday the organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The agency informed that this resolution will be taken “within two years”so during that period trans players will not be able to compete in women’s competitions.

Pending this opinion, the FIDE indicated that people who have changed their gender they do not have any restrictions to play in the general section.

This measure does not apply to transgender men to compete in men’s categories, but these athletes will lose the women’s awards won before their transition, the agency said.

According to FIDEthe gender transition process “has a significant impact on the status of a player and her future eligibility for tournaments”, without giving details about her motivations.

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Criticism by transgender players

“I don’t think I’m smarter than most cisgender women and I don’t think my pre-transition years gave me any advantage,” said the trans player. anna valens in an article published by The Mary Sue portal.

It should be noted that the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the International Swimming Federation took steps to prevent the participation of transgender athletes in women’s competitions.

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