Chess is a game of war between the white and black armies. Throughout human history, men were on the battlefield and women stayed home. True, there are a few exceptions like Joan of Arc, but this a war game and generally women have a hard time relating  to it on that level. Also, this game is very mathematical and deals with spatial relationships with the pieces; it is a known fact that men are more wired to see patterns in spatial relationships than women vis a vis that women have a more difficult time reading maps as compared to men. Women are more linguistic than men and word games appeal to them more. Now before you say that I am sexist there is plenty of documentation to support my statements. However, there are always exceptions that some women are mathematically oriented and some men are more linguistically gifted.      

My wife is learning chess and I think It's HOT that a woman knows how to play..! And, thanx for the link batgirl.

I do not really know why girls do not play chess. Perhaps it is because people who play chess are thought of as being nerds (although many are not) (I am though). Perhaps it is because the most important piece is the king, suggesting that males are better than females (which is not true). My sister is a pretty smart person, but she thinks that chess is boring and not worth playing. Anyway, I am glad there is at least one more female in the world who likes playing this game. Maybe in the future females will play more.

Hi Ginny,

It's me.  Actually, at the local chess club I've noticed how there are VERY FEW women, and I've wondered why that is.  (I don't have an answer.)  There are some very outstanding female masters/grandmasters out there, but I don't see very many in tournaments or at the club.  It's cool that ur teaching ur mom. 

I think, at least here in Colorado, women get big social penalties for directly competing with one another.  Heck, they play bunko out here.  Bunko!  A game of complete chance!

I totally disagree but some people categorize chess enthusiasts as nerds.  No!  Chess players have social lives; this stereotype should be crushed... 

" I don't know if it is the image like batgirl says .."

Batgirl didn't say that; Gothgirl15 said that.

 

I have, however, explored the historical roles of women in chess in an article called, Love, Sex and Romance in Chess.

I am playing a lady right now.  I have played another lady twice.  Both are on this website.  I don't know if it is the image like batgirl says or if it's another factor.  I asked my daughter about chess and she said "Chess is difficult".  She is a smart young lady.  She has graduated from high school with a 3.5 grade average.  She took some college level courses while in high school.  I think it is because ladies and men are wired different.  They have different interests.  I think in general chess does not appeal to ladies as it does to men.

Just joined up 2nite.  I've been playin on Yahoo for the last few months but it's getting boring.  I agree, there's no girls out there playin.

I totally agree with u. I mostly think it's not that women don't know how to play but worry to much about how it will appear on their image. I say that if they are lucky enough to be able to go to chess events they should go. Mark my word. Missing out stinks and that comes from experience.

You might be interested in my (rather long) article on the origins of organized women's chess in the United States.