Chess got really toxic
Sexism, Cheating, And Nightclubs: Inside The Dark Heart Of Modern Chess
Chess is taking over schools, nightclubs, and the internet. And it's never been more toxic.
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The Lede
Chess has never been more popular, but its ugly side has also never been more exposed. The same characteristics that have driven its popularity online — an easy-to-understand eight-by-eight grid, a strategy without chance or luck — have also made it a cheater's paradise. Meanwhile, rampant sexism festers at chess' heart.
Key Details
- Sexism persists in every level of the game. In 1990, according to the US Chess Federation, only four percent of chess players were women. Today it's 14 percent.
- The seedier side of internet culture has also wormed its way into chess. "The biggest downside to what I do is I don't always feel safe," said Swedish player Anna Cramling.
- Chess is also an extraordinarily easy game to cheat at and there's no easy remedy.
