Women in Chess

FIDE Initiative ChessMom: Supporting women on and off the board

"Following overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants during the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Hungary, the ChessMom project will not only continue but expand, ensuring that more players can pursue their chess ambitions without having to choose between career and motherhood."

[Several players participated in the 2024 Chess] ... Olympiad with the support of the ChessMom initiative, which covered the cost of an accompanying caregiver, allowing the players to focus on their games while ensuring their children were cared for.

"The idea for ChessMom was conceived during the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai. Reflecting on its origins, Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Women’s Commission, shared:

“The idea for this project was born during the Olympiad in Chennai. While discussing with commission member Francisco Cruz, we spoke about the clear need for such support. For many women chess players who are planning to become mothers, the fear of pausing or ending their professional careers is very real. ChessMom addresses that directly — showing that it is possible to be both a mother and a competitive chess professional. This initiative is more than logistical support; it is a message that women do not have to choose between motherhood and ambition. It gives hope, security, and dignity to women at a critical moment in their lives.”"

"This announcement [which was posted on the FIDE Commission on Women Chess on 10 May, 2025.]  [It] is a message to all players who are new or expecting mothers: your place in the chess world is secure and celebrated. FIDE encourages you to prepare for participation in your national teams for the 2026 Chess Olympiad. Application details for the next edition of ChessMom will be shared in the coming months."

Source: https://www.fide.com/balancing-moves-and-motherhood-chessmom-initiative-continues/ 

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