Why are women increasingly closer to men in chess?

In Spain, all chess championships are mixed, unlike what happens in almost the entire world. Then, an absolute classification and another feminine classification are established.. The International Federation (FIDE) seems interested in following that path, as its president, Arkady Dvorkovich, has acknowledged to EL MUNDO, but it follows it with caution.. A good example is the Veterans World Championships being held these days in Italy, where men and women compete separately.. It may be a coincidence, but the Spanish route, imperfect and criticized, has led to the first surprises.

Last weekend the Spanish Championship ended in Marbella in which Sara Khadem, famous because she fled Iran by refusing to wear the veil, fought almost the entire tournament in the first tables. They finished in tenth place, tied on points with the sixth place, with only one defeat in nine games.. Marta García, champion in 2022, finished with the same score and eleventh. No less notable was the performance of Sabrina Vega, who only made half a point less and defeated the grandmaster Maksim Chigaev. She was twentieth of 96 participants.

The three (and some more, like Eihartze Buiza) played without complexes against many of the best chess players in Spain, who no longer see it as a bargain that they have to face a woman. It is not the first time that a player shines in the tournament either.. Olga Alexandrova was third a few years ago – she did not win due to excessive honesty – and the young María Eizaguerri has triumphed in several Spanish championships in lower categories, not only in the children's categories.. In 2021 he won the national mixed under 18.

There are more and more recent examples: a few weeks ago, Tatiana Grabuzova won the women's gold and finished fourth in the absolute classification, tied on points with José Candela (bronze). The Moscow-born player believes that one of the most determining differences between men and women is energy and physique, something that attenuates after the age of fifty, which is why in veteran tournaments she does not feel at a disadvantage.

Why is there a difference?

Not even that factor is universally accepted, like the sociological and cultural aspects. International teacher and coach David Martínez, who has been working with Sara Khadem since April, assures that he does not see any disadvantage in her physique.. He says this with knowledge, because he is now the coach of the Spanish men's team, but he has been the coach of the women's team for years.. “The women I have worked with have plenty of strength and are very prepared to endure a four-hour game,” she says.. “Aside from that, if that were a reason, they would play quick games much better and that doesn't happen.”

Divis, as he is known in the world, points out another factor, which is no longer taboo: «Cases of sexual harassment, especially on social networks, are by no means an exception.. All the players I trust have told me very unpleasant episodes. It's something disgusting, much more than what you might think from the outside.. I am sure that there are a million bullies in the world and that some of them are chess grandmasters.

Susan Polgar, former world champion, also defends that this causes numerous abandonments among girls. It is no coincidence that a few days ago the Women in Chess foundation was born, whose main objective is “to create a more inclusive and safe environment for women in chess competitions.”

Possible Spanish queen

David Martínez changes third and also highlights the ability to compete and the extraordinary future that Sara Khadem has. «Can fight for the female world number one. He has a lot of room to raise 100 Elo points and, taking away Hou Yifan, who barely plays, and Judit Polgar, who is retired, that would be enough. Sara doesn't have to feel inferior to anyone. “I'm not satisfied with him reaching the top 10 in the world.”.

Divis is also very happy about the Spanish Championship that his girls have played, with whom he has been in the national team for many years: «I have been very happy. It was great to see them. “It has been a Spanish championship with a very high female level.”

Is the formula of not separating men and women the correct one then? «It has a defect: the women's classification is a little more…. murky, because it is decided in games against people who have nothing to do with it. The advantage is that this way they play the absolute and it is a pleasure to see that they face great masters and do it well..

«I couldn't say if this narrows the gap between men and women, but I do know that Sabrina, Marta and Sara are much better off playing this tournament than a women's championship.. The formula is not one hundred percent fair,” concludes Martínez, although just this year Sara played against Marta and won, so there has been less controversy.. «Maybe we should think of another formula, but I can't think of a perfect one.. A separate feminine would be fairer for everyone.. and also shit.

The coach ends up remembering a phrase from Sabrina Vega: «Chess is one and it does not have a last name.. It's not women's chess. It's chess and, at most, there is a women's category. I am very clear that the championship has to be mixed. “It's a fantastic invention.”