The International Chess Federation (FIDE) temporarily banned transgender players from women's tournaments. Although the measure is in line with regulations adopted by other associations, the decision was criticized by several people.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) temporarily bans transgender players from women's tournaments, reports the British public service media BBC. Individual cases are believed to require a "full analysis", so a decision could take up to two years.

In the past period, several associations have been similarly determined. The International Cycling Union stepped in after Austin Killips , won one of the women's races. Taking into account the latest scientific results, instead of the previous regulation based on the level of the testosterone hormone, transgender competitors were completely banned from female competitions. At the same time, the men's race was renamed to men's/open race, and transgender cyclists can compete in it without restrictions.

The International Swimming Federation (World Aquatics, formerly FINA) acted similarly, which also banned transgender athletes from women's competitions. However, an open category has been announced for the Berlin stop of the World Cup series in October, in which 50 and 100 meter competitions will be held in all swimming disciplines.

Although FIDE's move fits into this line, it was attacked by both sports fans and players. 

One transgender chess player, Yosha Iglesias, said the new regulations would cause "unnecessary harm" to competitors. "This shocking situation leads to depression and suicide attempts," he believed.

Women's Grandmaster and two-time US Women's Champion Jennifer Shahade also criticized FIDE's decision, saying the regulation was "ridiculous and dangerous". "It is clear that no transgender player was consulted when this was created...I urge FIDE to withdraw the guidelines and start over with better advisors," Shahade said.

British MP Angela Eagle, who was one of the winners of the 1976 British Girls' Under-18 Chess Championship, said: "There is no physical advantage in chess unless we believe that men can play better than women in the first place - my chess career I spent it being told that women's brains are smaller than men's and we shouldn't be playing."

In its decision, FIDE also announced that it would cancel the women's titles that were won by transgender men even before the federation's current decision.

"Transgender legislation is developing rapidly in many countries, and many sports organizations are adopting their own regulations," read the association's statement.

FIDE will monitor these developments and see how we can apply them to the world of chess. Two years is a time frame that seemed reasonable for a thorough analysis of such developments

- wrote FIDE.

Source: Hungarian Nation

Cover image: Illustration - Photo: International Chess Federation (FIDE) Facebook