How R Vaishali and Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi’s opposing views on women’s titles have left chess community divided – Firstpost

There have been plenty of talking points in chess recently – from D Gukesh becoming the youngest world champion ever and the rise of India’s golden generation in 2024 that resulted in a golden sweep at the 45th Olympiad to Magnus Carlsen’s recent clashes with FIDE and his ambitions for Freestyle Chess. The latest of those talking points has led to a fierce debate within the chess community – on the idea of abolishing women’s titles in the sport.

Hungarian Grandmaster Judit Polgar, widely regarded as the greatest female player of all time, had recently suggested “deleting women titles” such as Woman Grandmaster (WGM), Woman International Master (WIM), Woman FIDE Master (WFM), Woman Candidate Master (WCM). Polgar, the only woman to ever break into the world top 10, added that the radical idea would be beneficial for female players and help them bridge the gap with male players.

R Vaishali, who had become the third Indian woman to become a Grandmaster in 2023,
was among those backing the 48-year-old’s idea, adding that these titles can create a “false sense of achievement” while adding that they “don’t hold much value”.

Her support for Polgar’s idea, however, was
slammed by Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi, India’s first Woman Grandmaster (WGM), who found it “deeply unfair and hurtful” and was “visibly distraught”.

I saw your article yesterday @chessvaishali , and I was visibly distraught. As India’s first woman Grandmaster, I find it deeply unfair and hurtful that you would suggest abolishing these titles. You mentioned these titles create a “false sense of achievement,” yet they played a… pic.twitter.com/tCifTLqCWW

— Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman (@chessviji) January 9, 2025

How Vaishali and Subbaraman’s opposing views have left the chess community divided

Vijayalakshmi’s post on X received several responses, including from Grandmasters and FIDE Masters and other players, many of whom sided with Polgar on the debate.

“The idea of having women titles in the past was to encourage more women to take up the game. While I understand what Judit and Vaishali are saying, I guess the big question is whether we have achieved parity in terms of the number of female players playing chess? The answer is clearly no,” Singaporean Grandmaster Kevin Goh Wei Ming wrote in response to Vijayalakshmi.

“We need trainers to explain that these female-only titles are good but just a stepping stone to the highest title achievable in chess. Encourage the young ones to work hard and be ambitious and not be self limiting,” he added.

Now I can imagine a woman in top 10. The mindset is the key. @chessvaishali more power to you 💪 https://t.co/Jssr8rjxL0

— Orochimp (@Orochimp12) January 10, 2025

Danish-Scottish GM Jacob Aagard felt Vaishali did not mean to belittle anyone, but ended up opening “a can of worms” with her recent statement.

“Obviously Vaishali did not mean to belittle anyone. You could argue that someone playing in a Women’s tournament should not make such a statement at all, but when you are young and just chatting with a journalist, you have no chance of understanding which can of worms you are opening.

“Regarding the idea itself. It is held by many. I don’t like it for various reason, but there is one that tops everything, which is equal to introducing a Super-GM title, which has also been proposed many times,” said Aagard, the 2007 British Chess Champion.

There were also those who were in support of Vijayalakshmi’s views, including German GM and Women’s European Rapid Champion Elisabeth Pahtz.

“I have a lot of sympathy for this tweet as many of us/my generation, in the past didn’t have any support&the WGM title was important for my chess career. Becoming&being the youngest WGM in Germany gave me my first sponsorship. Times changed indeed but the title is still valuable!” Pahtz wrote in a quote-tweet to Vijayalakshmi’s post.

These titles literally help girls and women receive funding from their federation while at a lower rating. More funding = easier access to playing chess. Therefore reducing the gender gap and giving more opportunities to play and become stronger. https://t.co/14l7PEe7gi

— Sam♟ (@ineedacortadito) January 9, 2025

Another user with the handle @chessbrat described the debate as “silly” as women’s titles were optional to begin with.

“The argument for abolishing women’s titles is always so silly to me because they are OPTIONAL in the first place!!! If ur a woman and u don’t like women’s titles cool!!! Don’t take it!!! Sheesh!!!! More women getting free entry into tournaments will always be a good thing ALWAYS,” @chessbrat wrote.