[Brazil] Round table on future of women's chess in Mato Grosso do Sul

On March 27, 2026, the Chess of the Future Project, Ô Rei – Chess Club, and the Brazilian Women's Chess League hosted a focused dialogue titled "The Future of Women's Chess in Mato Grosso do Sul." The event was held at the Center for Reference in Sports and School Culture in Campo Grande.

The session featured Gina Dourado R. Leite, a prominent advocate for Brazilian women’s chess. A postgraduate in Pedagogical and Technical Chess and a CBX Assistant Arbiter, Leite is the founder of Ô Rei – Chess Club, a volunteer for the Brazilian Women's Chess League, and an organizer for the Cavaleiros do Centro Community.

The dialogue regarding women's chess addressed several cross-cutting themes central to the competitive and social experience of the game, including:

• State-Led Democratization: Participants emphasized the vital role of the government in the massification of chess. This includes specialized teacher training for school programs, as highlighted by Marcelo Miranda (Fundesporte) regarding the School Sports Program of Mato Grosso do Sul (PRODESC), which currently operates in 50 of the state’s 79 municipalities.
• Gender Equity in Public Policy: The group evaluated the effectiveness of state policies in fostering gender parity within school-level tournaments.
• Addressing Participation Gaps: There was a formal acknowledgement of low female representation in chess, a disparity that becomes even more pronounced in senior categories.
• Socio-Economic Factors: The discussion touched upon the "double burden" of domestic labor, noting that women often dedicate more time to family care, while men historically benefit from more leisure time to pursue the sport.
• Diversifying the Chess Experience: Beyond high-level competition, the panel stressed the importance of therapeutic chess, family-oriented play, social/recreational spaces, and the inclusion of neurodivergent practitioners.
• Safety and Integrity: Participants discussed actionable strategies to prevent harassment in chess environments. Key priorities include the clear communication of reporting channels and ensuring that all complaints are managed with transparency and professional rigor.

Acknowledgments
The event organizers extend their sincere gratitude to the State Secretariat of Tourism, Sport, and Culture (SETESC) and the Sports and Leisure Foundation of Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDESPORTE) for their essential support. This gathering served as a genuine forum for active listening, the exchange of experiences, and collective learning.