Ukranian chess grandmaster Anna Muzychuk is willing to forgo two world titles in a bid to fight misogyny.
After negotiating with the organisers in November, World Chess Federation – or FIDE – announced that women would not have to “wear a hijab or abaya” during the 2017 World Chess Championships in Saudi Arabia. Instead, according to FIDE’s official website, the women could wear dark blue or black formal trouser suits with high necked white blouses.
But Muzychuk was having none of it.
According to a Facebook post, Muzychuk said she was not going to Saudi Arabia, “Not to play by someone's rules, not to wear abaya, not to be accompanied getting outside, and altogether not to feel myself a secondary creature.”
Anna’s sister and fellow grandmaster Mariya also announced she would skip the tournament, owing to the same.
In a few days I am going to lose two World Champion titles – one by one. Just because I decided not to go to Saudi Arabia. Not to play by someone’s rules, not to wear abaya, not to be accompanied getting outside, and altogether not to feel myself a secondary creature. Exactly one year ago I won these two titles and was about the happiest person in the chess world but this time I feel really bad. I am ready to stand for my principles and skip the event, where in five days I was expected to earn more than I do in a dozen of events combined. All that is annoying, but the most upsetting thing is that almost nobody really cares. That is a really bitter feeling, still not the one to change my opinion and my principles. The same goes for my sister Mariya - and I am really happy that we share this point of view. And yes, for those few who care - we’ll be back (sic)!Anna Muzychuk in her Facebook post
The grandmaster has been asserting her stance against misogyny since November thsi year. In a Facebook post written in November, Anna said, “Everything has its limits and headscarves in Iran was more than enough.”
However, it is important to note that the organisers of the World Chess Championships have also decided on a dress code for men: dark blue or black formal suits and white shirts – either open necked or with a tie
According to Quartz, Saudi Arabia chose to host the World Chess Championships, ironically, to show how the country is opening up under crown prince Mohammad bin Salman.
The winner of the Open will get $250,000. The women’s tournament winner would take home $80,000.
Indian ace shooter Heena Sidhu, too, had made a statement against misogynistic dress code by refusing to wear the hijab for competing in an Airgun competition in Iran, saying that compelling foreign tourists or guests to wear a hijab is against the spirit of the game.
(With inputs from FIDE, Quartz)
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