I’m very pleased to accept an award from the English Chess Federation, for contributions to women’s chess. Battersea Chess Club has increased female participation from 2% to 15%, while we have been successful in taking the London Chess League from 2% to 9% — in large part due to the women’s league I founded with the help of our club’s Safeguarding Officer, Karina Kowalczyk. We have proven that women and girls play chess at a high level, and will participate wherever chess spaces will welcome them. Eighty-five female players have taken part this year.
This is a recognition of our whole committee both at Battersea and the London Chess League, and to all of our members, who welcome male and female players from all walks of life. I’m very proud that our club has a committee with 50% female officers. The men and women who volunteer to run our club do a fabulous job, and we have made a real impact to the inclusiveness of chess both at Battersea and across the London League.
There is still work to do and it is important that we keep our chess spaces free of misogyny and harassment. We know that if players experience it they won’t come back — and that they need to be able to rely on timely and effective resolution of complaints where misconduct still occurs.
