{"id":15817,"date":"2024-09-27T13:21:40","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T12:21:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/?p=15817"},"modified":"2024-10-02T17:22:34","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T16:22:34","slug":"from-pawn-to-queen-empowering-girls-to-rise-in-chess","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/from-pawn-to-queen-empowering-girls-to-rise-in-chess\/","title":{"rendered":"From Pawn to Queen: Empowering Girls to Rise in Chess"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">As awareness grows about the low participation of women in chess, England Women\u2019s Coach Lorin D\u2019Costa discusses their development in the UK. What key challenges must be overcome to inspire more girls to get in touch with the game?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15830\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15830\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Lorin with girls in chess. (Credit: Lorin D&#8217;Costa)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A young Italian girl sat across the board, her eyes focused on the pieces, blocking out everything around her. Lorin D\u2019Costa, her opponent, couldn\u2019t help but admire her skill and focus as she played under the pressure of so many watching eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This happened in 2019, at a major European chess tournament in Germany with nearly 2,000 players. In the fifth game, Lorin faced this 21-year-old player, who quickly became the center of attention. He was amazed at her concentration, even though he was used to playing in big events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut then I thought after the game, should she have to be used to this?\u201d Lorin says. \u201cIs it fair that she has so many men watching her, but I don\u2019t have anyone to distract me? Is this just part of being a woman in chess\u2014or in other areas of life? Is that good or bad for me or her? I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lorin has long been involved in the world of competitive chess. Beyond his own success as a player, he founded She Plays To Win (SPTW), an organization that focuses on providing more opportunities for girls to learn and compete in chess, aiming to address the gender imbalance in the sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Female participation in chess across Europe, including England, was approximately 7%, according to the European Chess Union in 2019. Apart from countries with a strong chess culture, such as Georgia, Russia and Poland, where they are really pushing chess, most other nations are believed to have similar rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A wide range of attitudes towards female chess players over the years encountered by Lorin. While these views often depend on the individual, some comments still stand out and worth paying attention to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One incident that happened while he was coaching young players in Austria during the European Championships with the English kids. A 9-year-old boy stated, \u201cI think I should always beat girls because girls are stupid, so I should win.\u201d However, he had lost more games against girls than the boys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe story is from a long time ago,\u201d Lorin recalls, \u201cbut it still was quite shocking to hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another example comes from Susan Polgar, one of the greatest female chess players in history. \u201cI had never beaten a healthy man,\u201d she said. Whenever she beat a top player, he always complained of a headache or he was ill or something, because he didn\u2019t want to say that he lost the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/susan-polgar.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15819\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/susan-polgar.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/susan-polgar-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/susan-polgar-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/susan-polgar-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/susan-polgar.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15819\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/susan-polgar.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/susan-polgar-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/susan-polgar-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/susan-polgar-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Famous female chess player Susan Polgar repeats the quote from her past on social media. (Credit: @SusanPolgar)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese attitudes maybe are old, and I think that\u2019s probably something you have to ask the girls,\u201d says Lorin. \u201cBut I think more a case of this, we just have too few women play. That\u2019s the thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs a manager, the kind of comment or attitude is a shame,\u201d he says. \u201cGirls should just want to play chess for the love of the game, but instead, they have to play and put up with comments that fit what people expect to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With deep insights into the unfair treatment and disparity in numbers faced by women in chess, Lorin reflects on how societal pressures influence their participation both on and off the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>That\u2019s maybe a societal problem rather than just a chess problem.<\/p>\n<cite>Lorin D&#8217;Costa<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>As an International Master who plays for England, it wasn\u2019t until he competed in the 2004 World Under 20 Championships in Cochin, India, that he realized there were no English girls being sent to the tournament\u2014because they didn\u2019t even have one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In hindsight, he attributes this lack of representation to the fact that most girls tend to stop playing chess around the age of 12, during secondary school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Top players rarely come from girls who give up chess at a young age. \u201cSo that\u2019s mostly what we\u2019re trying to do here&#8211;to get more girls aged 5-9 to get into chess and stay into chess, to create this community where they can compete with each other,\u201d says Lorin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This has also become the core challenge SPTW seeks to address: How can they encourage girls not only to start playing chess but to continue as they grow older, particularly past the age of 12?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, despite the obstacles, Lorin is hopeful. \u201cBut attitudes are changing,\u201d he says. \u201cNowadays, these comments are fewer and fewer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For decades, Lorin has always shown respect to the opponents he\u2019s encountered. When they sit down to chat, many are willing to open up about their experiences in the game, offering insights into both highs and lows of their journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The stories of women like Antoaneta Stefanova, the 2004 Women\u2019s World Chess Champion, remind us how far we\u2019ve come\u2014and how far we still have to go. During their dinner together, Antoaneta reflected on her own experiences in the chess community, sharing the difficulties she had faced along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe young girls now, they don\u2019t know how bad it was for me in the 1990s,\u201d Antoaneta said. Lorin asked, \u201cIt\u2019s still bad, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYes,\u201d she admitted, \u201cbut it was much worse for me because I was the only girl.\u201d She was about 18 at the time, and the challenges felt overwhelming. Antoaneta described her situation as \u201csink or swim\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her determination stood out as she pushed through the challenges of a male-dominated environment. She ultimately decided, \u201cEither I quite or I really want to play chess, and I just dealt with it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now in her 40s, Antoaneta acknowledges, \u201cLook, I helped make it better, but there\u2019s still more we can do.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s sad that these things happened,\u201d Lorin agrees, \u201cbut hopefully, they can be changed. We can improve every we address this kind of attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While progress has been made, Lorin knows that overcoming these attitudes is only part of the challenge. Beyond the biases, another factor contributing to the gender gap in chess is the social element, especially when it comes to keeping girls engaged after the age of 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of Lorin\u2019s students is highly talented, but chess isn\u2019t her top priority. She\u2019s more interested in other sports and doesn\u2019t feel the drive to commit more time to chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lorin often finds himself competing with her social life. \u201cI\u2019m trying to get her to play chess, but it\u2019s hard when I\u2019m up against her neighborhood friends,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The problem is, if she attends a chess tournament, she might miss out on social activities. \u201cThere are so few girls. They think it\u2019s going to be boring,\u201d Lorin explains. In June, a 13-year-old student hesitated to join a London tournament, then pointed to two other girls and said, \u201cIf they go, I\u2019ll go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moments like this remind Lorin how much girls depend on social connections to stay engaged. \u201cIf there are only 4 girls and 150 boys at a tournament, that\u2019s not fun for them. But if there are 40 girls, they\u2019re more likely to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Creating that sense of community is a key mission of She Plays To Win. Lorin, as a male coach, does what he can\u2014sending emails to girls and parents, urging them to participate, and building connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15866\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-2-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-2-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15866\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-2-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-2-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Lorin with a girl. (Credit: Lorin D&#8217;Costa)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In August, 15 girls from his program travelled to Barcelona for a tournament. \u201cI pushed hard for this,\u201d Lorin says. He thought about more than just the chess\u2014where they would stay, how they could socialize, if they\u2019d have time to explore the city and enjoy themselves as a group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lorin\u2019s dedication goes beyond teaching chess. He\u2019s working to create a supportive community where girls can thrive, both on and off the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two years ago, while browsing the English Chess Federation (ECF) website, Lorin stumbles upon an omission. Under the \u201ccommunities\u201d section at the top, it listed junior, senior, international, and other categories\u2014but there was no stage for women\u2019s chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lorin was taken aback. \u201cI thought, \u2018Wait a minute, all these girls are learning from me and She Plays To Win, but the national body ECF, they don\u2019t have a page,\u2019\u201d he recalls. For a coach dedicating his career to promoting girls in chess, this is a stark reminder of the visibility challenges women face in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without hesitation, he sent an email to the ECF. \u201cI know a lot of people there,\u201d Lorin explains, \u201cso I said, \u2018You don\u2019t even have a page on your own website. How can I possibly tell the girls to sign up to English Chess Federation?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remarkably, within a week, the ECF staff responded. They had rectified the issue, and now a dedicated women\u2019s chess page was live. It obviously was a small but significant victory. The ECF is clearly working hard to improve. They regularly hold women\u2019s tournaments, with recently one scheduled at the end of August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The website lists a Director of Women\u2019s Chess, who has been dedicated to organizing these events and, over the past three years, has consistently pushed for funding. \u201cWhat we can see is everything is improving, but still a little lonely,\u201d Lorin acknowledges. Moments like this show there\u2019s always more to be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s where She Plays To Win comes in. The organization is focused on promoting girls\u2019 chess across different age groups, supporting girls and young women in primary school, secondary school, and universities up to the age of 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-sptw.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-sptw.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-sptw-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-sptw-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-sptw-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-sptw.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-sptw.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-sptw-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-sptw-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin-with-3-girls-sptw-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Lorin with members of She Plays To Win holding their shirts. (Credit: Lorin D&#8217;Costa)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, SPTW has about 1,500 girls on their list from across the UK, representing a wide range of ages and experience levels. Chess offers more than just competition\u2014it builds strategic thinking, resilience, and confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For young girls, there are not just game skills; they are life skills. Learning to think ahead, make calculated decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances helps girls develop mindset that will serve them in any career they pursue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It also teaches them how to handle both victories and setbacks with grace, lessons that extend far beyond the chessboard. As stated on the SPTW website, \u201cIt\u2019s time to give more girls the best possible opening move in life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the launch of SPTW, five English girls have become Women FIDE Master, which is the first title for chess. &#8220;What\u2019s happening is some girls are achieving this, and other girls are saying, \u2018We want to do it too,\u2019&#8221; Lorin explains. \u201cOne of the ways we can grow is by girls inspiring other girls to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A young girl who joined the very first online lesson SPTW held. In just four years, she became a FIDE Master, and today she ranks in the top five in the world for girls under 12, with a current rating of 2,118.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe is very social,\u201d Lorin says, \u201cWe gave her the opportunity to play on the squad and meet other girls.\u201d This connection has been key\u2014not only in forming friendships but also in helping her develop her chess skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lorin is quick to point out that, while SPTW played a role, her success is ultimately driven by her own determination. \u201cWe\u2019re just a small part of it. We cannot claim the success of it. But even if it\u2019s very small, I\u2019m happy to say it was a small piece of the celebration,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was her self-motivation that truly propelled her to where she is today. \u201cShe\u2019s really created a good friendship, but also the chess aspect has really helped her grow,\u201d Lorin adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the successes, SPTW still faces challenges when it comes to reaching more girls and keeping existing members engaged. \u201cWe\u2019re still a long way from reaching out,\u201d Lorin admits. \u201cBut we don\u2019t have budget for advertising.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To keep the community informed and engaged, SPTW sends out monthly emails, updating members on what\u2019s happening within the organization. \u201cEvery month, we write to them about what we\u2019re doing,\u201d Lorin says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This September, they plan to introduce a reform, including a detailed calendar of events. Additionally, the SPTW website features a dedicated \u201cJoin\u201d page, making it easy for new members to sign up and become part of the growing chess community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking to the future, Lorin envisions a chess world with true gender equality with 50% men and 50% women. But with current female participation hovering around 7%, he acknowledges there\u2019s a long way to go. \u201cSo even if we get 35%, 40% women in total, that would be really, really good,\u201d says Lorin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMany girls don\u2019t know how to get into it. They\u2019re scared a little bit, whatever, lots of reasons,\u201d Lorin says. His mission is to help break down those barriers, encouraging more girls to give chess a try and, finally, fall in love with the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin--4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15867\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin--4.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin--4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin--4-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin--4-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin--4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15867\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin--4.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin--4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin--4-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/lorin--4-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Lorin with a member. (Credit: Lorin D&#8217;Costa)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As a coach, Lorin\u2019s advice to girls starting out in chess is simple yet profound: believe in yourself and understand that success in chess isn\u2019t about intelligence. \u201cIt\u2019s not about whether you\u2019re smart enough, because you are,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, he emphasized perseverance. \u201cThe main thing is how you have some resilience to understand chess, especially in the beginning. You lose\u2014like I lost my first five games when I was nine years old in my first tournament\u2014but I was willing to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many girls, Lorin explains, are discouraged after a negative first experience. \u201cA lot of girls tell me, \u2018If I have a very negative experience the first time, I don\u2019t want to go again.\u2019\u201d That\u2019s something SPTW is actively working to address. \u201cThe first time they play in a tournament, then we will keep them in, and then they will get good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His key message is about believing in themselves, especially when things are tough. \u201cThey have to stay strong and realize that with chess, you don\u2019t always win or you hardly ever win at the beginning,\u201d Lorin says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a learning process, chess is a tough game\u2014that\u2019s the beauty of it. You have to face challenges, play with more experienced players, and even lose. But what did you learn? How are you improving for the next time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/sptw-girls.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15863\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/sptw-girls.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/sptw-girls-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/sptw-girls-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/sptw-girls-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/sptw-girls.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15863\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/sptw-girls.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/sptw-girls-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/sptw-girls-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/sptw-girls-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Girls in SPTW display their trophies. (Credit: Lorin D&#8217;Costa)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In a video featured on the She Plays to Win website, several girls share why chess has been so beneficial to them. \u201cChess has helped me achieve,\u201d one girl says. Another adds, \u201cChess helps me learn sportsmanship, and I found it really fun because I like thinking logically.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For others, the impact goes beyond the game. \u201cChess helped me become a more confident person,\u201d one girl shares. Another explains, \u201cChess helped me to think ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the girls sums up her experience by saying, \u201cChess has taught me to overcome failure, learn from my mistakes, and it\u2019s allowed me to travel the world and make connections with lots of people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In chess, when a pawn reaches the end of the board, it could be promoted to a queen. Similarly, girls could achieve their unlimited potential through chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With persistence and the right support, more girls will not only enter the world of chess but also excel in it. The future of chess is bright, and women are an essential part of it. \u201cStay strong, understand that becoming good at chess takes time, and you\u2019ll learn to love and enjoy the game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-512x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-512x1024.jpg 512w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-150x300.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-770x1540.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-768x1536.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-293x586.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-512x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-512x1024.jpg 512w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-150x300.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-770x1540.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-768x1536.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/09\/img-6895-293x586.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Gender Equality in Chess Index Country Ranking (Source: FIDE Commission for Women&#8217;s Chess, 2023)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As awareness grows about the low participation of women in chess, what challenges must be overcome to inspire more girls to learn the game?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1076,"featured_media":15818,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[373,138,374],"class_list":["post-15817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised","tag-chess","tag-feminism","tag-girl"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - 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