What is the percentage of female chess players in Ireland, and how many professional female chess players do you have?

The percentage of female chess players in Ireland is around 5%. We have about 5 to 6 professional female chess players who are actively competing in Ireland and other countries. Some of them are also involved in teaching and chess streaming.

What are the main projects and areas of responsibility of the Irish Chess Federation Women’s Commission?

The main project of the Irish Chess Federation Women’s Commission is straightforward: we aim to encourage as many women as possible to play chess. We’re still a small federation and are in the process of developing these initiatives. We would love to see that number increase. While we certainly don’t want to neglect adult women players, our primary focus should be on junior girls. I believe that targeting this group is key to growing participation and encouraging girls from a young age to enter the chess community.

What events and initiatives have you planned for this year?

The main event I have planned for this year is the Irish Women’s Championship 2025. While we host this event annually, I’m looking to change our approach. My goal is to make it more inclusive for participants of all ages and skill levels. I see it as a celebration of Irish Women’s Chess, with the ultimate aim of transforming it into an Irish Women’s Chess Festival. I want to prioritize building community, not just competition.

I have several other initiatives planned to encourage tournament organizers to create more women-friendly events. I’d love to see more prizes for women and female juniors in Irish tournaments, as this isn’t always common practice.

Additionally, I want to create a more welcoming environment for women, and I have a few ideas in the works to achieve this.

In the near future, I also plan to introduce team tournaments that require at least one female player. While I recognize it may take time to adapt this in the Irish scene, starting with small steps, like one-day fun rapid or blitz tournaments, could lay the groundwork for more serious events down the line.

Do you have any tips on how to get more females involved in chess?

To get more women involved in chess, we need to address some logistical issues. In many chess federations, tournaments often start at late hours, leading to games that finish late at night. This can make it difficult for women to find safe transportation home. It’s important to recognize that many women may hesitate to attend tournaments if they don’t feel secure traveling alone during late hours. Even subtle changes, like adjusting starting times by one or two hours, can make a significant difference.

Additionally, establishing women-only spaces is crucial for cultivating a sense of community. While this may take time in some federations, it would be a vital step in creating an environment where women feel safe and welcome. Building a strong community among women players, where newcomers are accepted and supported, can ultimately encourage more women to engage in chess.

Master Class Vol.16 - Judit Polgar

In this video course, experts (Pelletier, Marin, Müller and Reeh) examine the games of Judit Polgar. Let them show you which openings Polgar chose to play, where her strength in middlegames were, or how she outplayed her opponents in the endgame.