Abolish Women's Chess Titles ?

Women can play in the mens section.

Any race, nationality, sexual orientation who demands there "own" anything. Especially those who feel that they "deserve" their own tournaments (or gyms, or whatever) but are still allowed to compete in the other demographs that they apparently want to be segregated from (it is so demeaning. Its almost 2010 - woman don't need there own anything . . .  if woman are stil nervous about things as trivial as playing chess then the solution to that issue isn't given them there own tournaments and pretending that they are "equal" . . . ridiculous and wrong).

Wherever there is a minority, there will probably be something to cater for that minority - bars, clubs, groups (take a look at the wide range on this site for starters). Women chess players are a minority. Fact. And when you're in a minority, it's often a relief to meet people who are in the same position. I don't actively seek other female opponents on chess.com, but playing the occasional girl is nice... especially after reading pages of drivel on the men vs. women thread.

I find it incredibly amusing when some of you guys whinge about sexism and double standards. It's like you're searching for a way to feel like you're suffering under the burden of discrimination when, in reality, you could just focus on your own game and not worry about what the ladies are doing. Is it really affecting your daily life that much?

I'd have no problem if you started a male only tournament. I'm sure that lots of girls wouldn't care either... seeing as only a small number of us care enough to post in the many men/women threads here.

Failing that, you could always try dressing in drag if you're really that desperate to infiltrate women's only tournaments.

Right you 'orrible lot! consider yourselves told! 

It's a tricky issue lol

Oops... little too combative? I should have stuck a few of these - - in there.

It's been a bad day. What with the ironing board breaking, the washing machine overflowing, and a glass breaking when washing up.

I'll get back to the kitchen.

I think it will help women's chess more in the long run if they're encouraged to compete on an equal footing with men.

This is my feeling. There are a lot of pursuits that are categorized by gender but organizers strive to make them as equal as possible. In chess, there is no attempt to have men and women compete on equal footing.

By stating earlier that I find women's only tournaments demeaning (and I also think it is that type of thought process - Woman's Only Anything-  that makes people not respect women) you should infer that "getting to the kitchen" is pretty much the exact opposite of what society should preach. Get out of the kitchen and play/ compete/ socialize with everyone else instead of hiding in your comfort zones.

Couldn't agree more.

But...  I like my kitchen. The world outside is so big and scary.

There's a difference between the following 2 things:

1) Having a club/organization to promote a certain activity for a certain minority group

2) Having lower-grade sub-standard recognitions for that minority.

Imagine if Aboriginal students were able to earn sub-standard university degrees, such as "Aboriginal BSc" or "Aboriginal PhD." (of course, the real BSc and PhD's would be far superior to these "Aboriginal" versions) How would that scenario play out?

On the other hand, it makes perfect sense to have groups/organizations/clubs that cater to the needs of Aboriginal students.

So is this really affecting our daily life that much? Nope, not mine. Similarly, if we were to have "Aboriginal university degrees," it wouldn't affect me either. But does that mean I won't comment about it when a discussion arises? Sure I will. Oh and by the way, it does seem to be affecting the daily lives of certain females, such as Barbara Jepson. I don't care much for this, but she's certainly quite sensitive to it.

Its that type of thought (albeit sarcastic) that makes people think women still need special help to get by in the world. Are men's tournament chess pieces too heavy for you to pick up? Must be a rough way to go through life - relying on clubs that promote your fears. Me? I'll hope to see more women compete in tournaments and other activities, with men, not created because people think you are weak. Thats all woman's clubs are. Men's club = sexist. Woman's clubs = empowering . . . nope. Not even close.

Yes, excellent point about sub standard university degrees.

I realise that I went off topic. I was focusing on the posts that were talking about women's only tournaments, and women asking for 'things of their own'... something to that effect.

But I didn't address the actual title of the thread. My mistake. With regards to the proposed abolishment, I'm torn. I need to think about it in further depth.

I've never understood why they are separated in the first place.  This isn't tennis.  Chess is for everybody, but so is fishing, just tends to be mostly guys who do it.  I assume its the same with Chess.  I personally don't know one single female who actually plays the game but for those who do I don't understand why they can't be considered for the same titles.      

A WGM should really be called a Grand Mistress....

they're very few black grandmaster at the moment too, if fide created BGM type titles with lower standards to obtain them. I bet they would be an uproar.

Also if fide made easier titles for Americans I would refuse it no mater how much stronger it made me appear from having a title next to my name

I just don't understand why women aren't upset about fide implying they need easier titles to have a chance to get one.

They could be, but they would likely be discouraged if they always lost in the highest sections. I'm sure the world women champion is happy now because she would lose miserably in the real one. I'm just saying. The women's titles or at least tournaments are encouraging more women to play especially if they can play with each other. In an ideal chess world, we wouldn't need them, but since no woman has ever been good enough (besisdes maybe Judit Polgar but even she was far from it) to contest the world championship, they make a women's class. I'm not sure on how many new women play because of them though, because if it doesn't get more women playing, it's just unfair to the 2700+ players who have harder competition.