On the occasion of Mother’s Day, FIDE and the Women’s Commission express appreciation for the many women who contribute to the chess world while also raising families.
Balancing the responsibilities of motherhood with a professional chess career is no easy task, and we acknowledge the dedication, strength, and perseverance of these remarkable players.
In this spirit, FIDE is proud to announce the return of the ChessMom project for the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. This initiative reflects FIDE’s continued dedication to supporting women in chess, particularly those who are mothers or expecting.
Following overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants during the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Hungary, the ChessMom project will not only continue but expand, ensuring that more players can pursue their chess ambitions without having to choose between career and motherhood.
In 2024, six mothers were selected for the inaugural program:
- Alina Kashlinskaya (Poland)
- Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia)
- Yuliia Osmak (Ukraine)
- Aster Melake Bantiwalu (Ethiopia)
- Rauha Shipindo (Namibia)
- Nolwazi Nkwanyane (Eswatini)
These players participated in the Olympiad with the support of the ChessMom initiative, which covered the cost of an accompanying caregiver, allowing the players to focus on their games while ensuring their children were cared for.
One of the most inspiring stories came from Rauha, Shipindo, a Namibian player who competed in her national qualifier just two weeks before giving birth, and then went on to represent her country at the Olympiad, accompanied by her baby and a caregiver.
“I am so grateful to those who initiated the ChessMom program. It is trying to close the gap that is there for women. If I have a newborn like this, I might weigh in and say, will I stay to look after my little one, or will I go to the Chess Olympics? So it’s combining that gap and closing it,” Rauha Shipindo said.
For Rauha, ChessMom was more than logistical assistance – it was the chance to compete at the highest level without sacrificing her role as a new mother.
The program provides financial support to players with infants under one-year-old, allowing them to travel with a companion who can care for the child during competition. As Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, explains:
“I think it is important that women in chess feel supported. We cannot take all the barriers for women away, but with programs like ChessMom we want to help professional chess players to balance their career and personal life.”
Francisco Javier Cruz Arce, member of the FIDE Women’s Commission and project co-initiator, reaffirms this mission:
“We are committed to ensuring that no woman is forced to choose between motherhood and her professional career as a chess player. We are happy that ChessMom continues to grow, raise awareness, and expand. We want mothers who play chess to know that they will not be alone. FIDE is here to support them every step of the way.”
The idea for ChessMom was conceived during the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai. Reflecting on its origins, Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Women’s Commission, shared:
“The idea for this project was born during the Olympiad in Chennai. While discussing with commission member Francisco Cruz, we spoke about the clear need for such support. For many women chess players who are planning to become mothers, the fear of pausing or ending their professional careers is very real. ChessMom addresses that directly — showing that it is possible to be both a mother and a competitive chess professional. This initiative is more than logistical support; it is a message that women do not have to choose between motherhood and ambition. It gives hope, security, and dignity to women at a critical moment in their lives.”
This announcement is a message to all players who are new or expecting mothers: your place in the chess world is secure and celebrated. FIDE encourages you to prepare for participation in your national teams for the 2026 Chess Olympiad. Application details for the next edition of ChessMom will be shared in the coming months.
