Queens in the shadow of kings – sociological notes on the historical process of women’s discrimination and emancipation in chess

Abstract

The article concerns the unequal position of men and women in chess. This inequality is currently manifested in the male-dominated population of chess players, gender determined differences in the game level attained, and financial discrimination. Historical analysis shows that over the centuries chess has been regarded as a pastime suitable for both men and women. It was only the process of institutionalization of chess as a sport (and turning it into serious leisure activity, in R. Stebbins’ typology), which took place in the era of industrial society, that discrimination against women in chess came about. The emancipatory activities of women in this field, dating back to the second half of the 19th century, were commented on in the chess press in two ways, which are referred to in the text as the “Steinitz narrative” and the “de Coubertin narrative”. Both of these perspectives have remained resilient to this day, accompanying the progress in equalizing the position of men and women in chess that were seen in the 20th and 21st centuries.