Check out this recent article published on US Chess!
Editor's Note: On August 24, FEMchess hosts its third California All-Girls Scholastic Championship, breaking its previous record of 62 participants with 89 players participating. FEMchess co-founder WCM Allyson Wong has written this piece to discuss her motivation for an ongoing work in closing the gender gap in chess.
This past weekend, FEMchess held its third California All-Girls Scholastic Chess Championship with 89 players, breaking our previous record as one of the the largest all-girls tournament in CA history. It is extremely encouraging to see sustained growth in female participation in chess in Northern California, and FEMchess is proud to have contributed to moving the gender gap needle toward girls. In just one year, US Chess Federation female youth membership has grown 39% (2023/2022), and female composition has grown from 14.5% to 16.6% in northern CA. To continue this momentum, it’s essential for us to continue to organize events specifically for girls to create environments where they feel encouraged, as well as to ensure access to quality coaching, materials, and opportunities, with a special focus on supporting under-resourced youths. Check out this video of the players in action! #playlikeagirl
We are thrilled to announce that, with the generous support from US Women Chess, our 8/24 FEMchess upcoming tournament will be FREE FOR ALL participants! FEMchess' mission is to make chess accessible to all families and to encourage as many girls as possible to compete in a supportive and positive environment. This initiative aligns with our commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing opportunities for young girls to develop their skills and confidence through chess. REGISTER ASAP at https://tinyurl.com/femchesschampionship24
