All-female chess team told they must include a male player

Only 11% of rated chess players are female, so in an effort to address the imbalance the top division of the 4NCL requires teams to field at least one player of each sex.

She Plays to Win is a charity organisation which encourages schoolgirls and young women to take up chess.

Team member, Oxford University student Emily Maton, 18, said: “I love the logical aspect of chess, it’s such a challenge, you really get to think.

“Most people are supportive but we do still face some comments, people telling us we don’t belong, that we’re going to struggle at that level, that we’re good ‘for a girls’ team.”

Having earned the right to compete in the top division, Maton is frustrated that the rule could lead to changes to the team.

“It obviously has great intentions. It’s a really good effort to try and get more women playing that top level, but I don’t think they ever expected a female team to get promoted and for that to become a problem”.

She said the team may have to include a “token man”.