The International Chess Federation (FIDE) CEO Emil Sutovsky remarked that removing women-only events from the International calendar will deprive many women players of a chance to develop under the false pretence of growing by competing with men. Speaking during the fourth leg of the 2024-25 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix happening in Nicosia, the capital city of Cyprus, Sutovsky said, “If we were to remove all the possibilities to compete in women-only events, if we were to remove the possibility to support travel and so on, I think we would deprive many of these talents of opportunity under, I think, a false pretence that we will try to prove that women can grow in Open tournaments, better than they can by competing in women-only events. “Once again, never restricting, but any women player should have a chance to compete and excel in girls-only or women-only events. But, of course, also to provide an opportunity to play in open events and compete on par with the best.” Story continues below this ad Unlike other sports like cricket, …