Sunday, February 22, 2026

Divya Deshmukh calls out sexism and misogyny in Chess

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NEW DELHI: Indian chess star Divya Deshmukh has referred to as out the problem of sexism and misogyny within the sport following her participation within the Tata Metal Chess Match in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands.

The Worldwide Grasp completed twelfth with a rating of 4.5 out of 13 within the match that had gamers like Hans Niemann and Harika Dronavalli.

In her social media put up on Sunday, Deshmukh expressed her disappointment on the means feminine gamers are sometimes handled by spectators. She revealed that regardless of her robust efficiency and satisfaction in her video games, the main focus of the viewers was diverted to irrelevant points equivalent to her garments, hair, and accent.

“I’ve been wanting to deal with this for some time however was ready for my match to be over. I obtained instructed and in addition myself seen how ladies in chess are sometimes simply taken without any consideration by spectators, ” Divya wrote in her Instagram put up.

“I performed a number of video games which I felt had been fairly good and I used to be happy with them. I obtained instructed by folks how the viewers was not even bothered with the sport however as a substitute targeted on each single attainable factor on this planet: my garments, hair, accent, and each different irrelevant factor.

“I used to be fairly upset to listen to this and I believe is the unhappy fact that individuals when ladies play chess they usually overlook how good they really are, the video games they play and their power. I used to be fairly upset to see how all the things was mentioned about in my interviews (by the viewers) besides my video games, only a few folks paid consideration to it and it’s fairly a tragic factor.

“I felt it was unfair in a means as a result of if I am going to any man’s interview there can be means much less judgment on a private degree, precise compliments in regards to the recreation and the participant. I really feel ladies are underappreciated, and each irrelevant factor is concentrated on and hated on whereas guys would in all probability get away with the identical issues.”

Addressing the broader concern confronted by ladies within the chess neighborhood, she referred to as for equal respect, emphasizing that ladies shouldn’t be judged primarily based on irrelevant standards however slightly acknowledged for his or her expertise and achievements.

“I believe ladies face this every day, and I’m barely 18. I’ve confronted a lot judgment, together with hatred over time for issues that don’t even matter. I believe ladies ought to begin getting equal respect, ” Deshmukh concluded, shedding mild on the necessity for a extra inclusive and honest therapy of feminine chess gamers within the sport.

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