A Queer’s Gambit? Gender Dynamics in the Italian Chess Community

The practice of chess constitutes a social universe filled with cultural relationships, power dynamics, and identity nuances. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in this activity, a phenomenon driven primarily by two factors: the success of the television series "The Queen’s Gambit" served as a catalyst, bringing the public's attention to the game, and the growing accessibility of online platforms has partially democratized the practice of chess, allowing a wide range of people to actively participate in an interactive digital environment.

The aim of this research is to analyze the community of chess players in Italy, with the goal of exploring the intersections between gender, identity, and inclusivity within this specific context. In particular, we focus on a significant event that took place last year: in August 2023, FIDE (the International Chess Federation) issued a new policy regarding the participation of transgender individuals in chess competitions. According to the provisions of this policy, titled “FIDE Regulations on Transgender Chess Players,” individuals transitioning from male to female are temporarily excluded from participating in official women’s events, pending further analysis by FIDE and a final decision.

To investigate how the Italian chess community has responded to this provision, we have adopted a qualitative methodology that includes semi-structured interviews and focus groups conducted during tournaments and chess gatherings, along with a digital ethnography of online spaces dedicated to discussing chess practices.