The Hidden Pattern – challenges chess girls face in competitions

What 106,000 young chess players reveal about gender gaps in education is revealed by an extensive study of youth chess ratings. This article is distilled from a panel discussion at the Mindsets Chess in Education Conference, produced by the National Scholastic Chess Foundation (NSCF) and the Kasparov Chess Foundation, and held in New York City in December 2025. It uncovers the challenges chess girls face in chess competitions.