India: Indian chess star Divya Deshmukh has taken to social media to call out the rampant sexism faced by female players in the sport. The 18-year-old International Master, who recently competed in the Tata Steel Masters tournament in the Netherlands, expressed her frustration at the constant objectification and disregard for her skills as a player.
“Everything about me was discussed except my games,” Deshmukh wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. “People focused on my clothes, hair, accent, and everything else irrelevant, while completely overlooking my gameplay and achievements.”
Deshmukh, who finished 12th in the Challengers section of the tournament, highlighted the stark contrast between how male and female players are treated. “When a male player gives an interview, the focus is always on their game and their skills. But women players are constantly judged on superficial aspects and their abilities are often downplayed.”
This experience is not new for Deshmukh. She shared that she has faced “judgment and even hatred” throughout her career for things unrelated to her chess prowess. “It’s unfair and disrespectful,” she asserted. “Women deserve equal respect and recognition for their talents, just like their male counterparts.”
Deshmukh’s powerful message resonated with many, including chess legend Susan Polgar. Polgar shared her own experiences of facing harassment and objectification as a female player, further emphasizing the need for change.
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