Chess Is Not A Physical Sport. Then Why Do Men And Women Compete Separately?

News18

4 days ago

Although chess is not a physical sport, men and women often play separately to promote inclusivity, address historical gaps, and encourage more female participation
India's Divya Deshmukh triumphed over compatriot Koneru Humpy in a thrilling tiebreak to win the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup on Monday. The 19-year-old secured a solid draw in the first rapid game and went on to clinch the title by winning the second. Humpy, the reigning women's world rapid champion, was beaten in what became an all-Indian final.
This prestigious victory not only earned Divya Deshmukh the World Cup title but also the Grandmaster title, making her the fourth Indian woman to achieve this status after Humpy, R. Vaishali, and Harika Dronavalli.
A Golden Era For Indian Chess
Divya Deshmukh's victory adds to the shining chapter of Indian chess, which is currently experiencing a golden age. From D Gukesh defeating Magnus Carlsen, to Praggnanandhaa besting him twice, and the men's and women's teams clinching gold at the Chess Olympiad, India has firmly established itself as a global chess powerhouse.
Four Grandmaster Wins In A Row
For her exceptional performance, Divya Deshmukh received $50,000 (approximately Rs 41.6 lakh) in prize money, while Humpy earned $35,000 (around Rs 29.1 lakh).
Why Men And Women Play Chess In Separate Events
Although chess is not a physical sport, men and women often compete in separate events. This is largely due to historical underrepresentation of women in professional chess. Separate tournaments and titles like Woman Grandmaster (WGM) were introduced to encourage participation and offer more opportunities for women to compete and progress.
These categories help bridge the gap in numbers, offering visibility and financial incentives. Women are free to compete in 'Open' tournaments (which include men), and many do, though men competing in women's events is rare.
Difference Between World Champion And World Cup Winner
The World Champion holds the most prestigious title in chess and is determined through a series of elite matches, culminating in a challenge to the reigning champion.
By contrast, the FIDE World Cup is a high-stakes knockout tournament. Winning it is an enormous achievement and often acts as a qualifier for the World Championship cycle, but it does not bestow the World Champion title.
Is Playing With Black Really A Disadvantage?
In chess, white pieces always make the first move, offering a slight strategic edge. White gets the chance to set the pace and shape the game early, while black must react.
At the Grandmaster level, this advantage is minimal, but white statistically wins more often than black, akin to starting a race just a step ahead.
How Are Chess Elo Ratings Calculated?
Each player begins with an initial Elo rating, typically around 1500. When two players face off, the winner gains points from the loser. The number of points exchanged depends on the rating gap:
Beating a higher-rated player = more points gained
Losing to a lower-rated player = more points lost
Beating an equally rated player = moderate gain
It's a dynamic system that constantly adjusts based on performance, reflecting a player's current form and skill rather than just past results.
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News sports Chess Is Not A Physical Sport. Then Why Do Men And Women Compete Separately?
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