Chess official calls for more research as decision to block transgender women from events draws fire

Earlier DU thread: International chess body bans transgender women from women's competitions

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Source: Associated Press

Chess official calls for more research as decision to block transgender women from events draws fire

BY JAMEY KEATEN
Updated 5:52 PM EDT, August 18, 2023

GENEVA (AP) — A top global chess official Friday called for more research into whether factors such as hormone levels and physical endurance might have an impact on players’ abilities at the male-dominated game. Her comments came after the world chess federation was heavily criticized for its decision to block transgender women from official women’s events.

The Switzerland-based federation FIDE said the decision, set to take place Monday, would stay in effect until the federation does an assessment of the issue.

Critics, including advocacy groups and some European players and federations, have derided what they call an unnecessary and discriminatory policy that appears to foster “trans panic,” with one former British women’s champion calling for the world federation to reverse its decision.

Dana Reizniece-Ozola, the deputy chair of the chess federation’s management board, insisted the goal of the new regulations was “actually to increase the rights of the transgender persons and allow them being registered under their new gender” in its official directory.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/transgender-women-barred-chess-reizniece-ozola-ed459bffb8d22f6058e0230c773d2dff