World chess body to expand support for new mothers in the game through ‘ChessMom Project’

3 hours ago 5

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Harika Chess Olympiad winner Harika was away from her daughter for over three weeks while she helped India win a historic double-gold in Budapest at the Chess Olympiad. (Express Photo by Anil Sharma)

In a move to support women in sports, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) is set to expand its “ChessMom” project, an initiative that says to help elite player-mothers balance their careers with young families.

The program, which provides financial and logistical support for mothers traveling with infants to top tournaments, will now cover children up to two years old, doubling the previous age limit of one. This expanded initiative will be a key feature of the 2026 Olympiad in Uzbekistan and future World Cup events.

The program was first tested at the 2024 Olympiad in Budapest, where it supported six mothers from around the world, including players from Poland, Georgia, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Namibia, and Eswatini.

As per FIDE, the core goal is to remove a difficult choice that has faced many women in the game.

“We are committed to ensuring that no woman is forced to choose between motherhood and her professional career as a chess player. ChessMom continues to grow, raise awareness, and send a message that mothers who play chess are not alone.” said Francisco Javier Cruz Arce, FIDE Women’s Commission Member and Project Initiator.

FIDE Deputy Chair Dana Reizniece said, “We cannot take all the barriers for women away, but with programs like ChessMom we want to help professional chess players balance their career and personal life.”

For those participants, the impact was profound. Namibian player Rauha Shipindo, one of the first beneficiaries, shared her gratitude.

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“I am so grateful to those who initiated the ChessMom program,” Shipindo said. “If I have a newborn like this, I might weigh in and say, will I stay to look after my little one, or will I go to the Chess Olympics? So it’s combining that gap and closing it.”

The initiative addresses a notable gap in a sport where the representation of women at the highest levels remains a challenge. The ongoing FIDE World Cup in India, for instance, has only one woman registered among its participants.

How Program Works

Under the new framework, up to 10 eligible players will receive support. Key benefits include:

Financial Aid: Reimbursement of up to €1,000 for a caregiver’s travel costs.
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Official Status: The child and caregiver will be considered part of the national team’s official delegation, ensuring access to lodging, meals, and event venues.
Accommodation: National teams will be provided with room upgrades to comfortably accommodate the player, baby, and caregiver.