Chess: World No 11, Anish Giri, leads She Plays to Win women to unlikely victory
The She Plays To Win chess team, which was expected to struggle in the top division of the 4NCL, achieved an unlikely victory after hiring world No. 11 Anish Giri. The team, which promotes women's chess, navigated league rules requiring mixed-gender participation by bringing in elite male players.
Why it matters
The story highlights the intersection of gender-focused sports advocacy and the competitive realities of elite-level league play.
The She Plays To Win team (from left): Akshaya Kalaiyalahan, Alisha Vyas, Abigail Riis Weersing, Ruqayyah Rida, Eline Roebers, Anish Giri, Andreea Navrotescu and Sophie Milliet. Photograph: Chess Outlook The She Plays To Win team (from left): Akshaya Kalaiyalahan, Alisha Vyas, Abigail Riis Weersing, Ruqayyah Rida, Eline Roebers, Anish Giri, Andreea Navrotescu and Sophie Milliet. Photograph: Chess Outlook Leonard Barden on chess Chess Chess: World No 11, Anish Giri, leads She Plays to Win women to unlikely victory Newly promoted SPTW were expected to be outclassed in the top division of the 4NCL British League, but proved a revelation
Prefer the Guardian on Google She Plays to Win Lionesses, the all-female team which won successive promotions to the first division of Britain’s Four Nations Chess League (4NCL), were expected to be outclassed in the top flight, but instead proved the revelation of the opening weekend of the new season.
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