Why has there never been a female Chess World Champion?

Question

Why has there never been a female Chess World Champion?

Answer 1

Low levels of female participation must be an important factor. Women may be discouraged or obstructed for a variety of cultural reasons. Alternatively, they may not find it interesting, or may refuse to pursue success in the obsessive manner necessary. Probably a combination of all of these things.

I don't think anyone knows what would happen if there was equal participation. Women might or might not achieve equal success in that case. It's not impossible that women have less natural talent for chess and we shouldn't rule it out just because we find the idea uncomfortable. However, it's unproven either way.

The short answer: low participation, definitely; less natural talent; maybe.

Answer 2

In parts of the Earth a woman can't show her face in public.  Patience.:)

Answer 3

Nona Gaprindashvili  was a FEMALE chess world champion.Not a classical world chess champion like Gary Kasparov.The reason for the male dominance in chess is their physical superiority (admit it).Chess tournament could be gruelingly exhausting and a high tension chess game could last hour's women simply lack the energy to play the critical end game.this might be the technical reason.,

Answer 4

What do you mean there has never been a female World

Chess Champion? does the name Nona Gaprindashvili

ring a bell? she was World Champion from 1962-1978.

Answer 5

Females are good at lots of things but chess at an elite level isnt one of them.

Answer 6

I think it is partly because women may not be as interested in chess.  Personally I play chess, but to me scrabble is a much more interesting game.  Of the women I know, most of them know how to play chess, but are not particularly interested in it, though they are very interested and competitive with other games and board games - scrabble, mancala, bridge, etc.  Chess does not seem to appeal to women as much as it does to men.

Answer 7

Chess is played almost entirely by men in the professional rankings. This is because in general, more guys play chess than girls.

It's not because women are less capable than men at playing it; there are many very strong female chess players. The problem is that women in general aren't introduced to board games enough, as some chauvinists think it's a "man's game", and so don't have the head start that most male players have by starting at a very young age. Plus, board games are often considered 'dorky', and there's a lot more pressure on women than men to conform to what's 'normal'.