In a prolonged weblog put up right now, the open-source web chess server, Lichess, introduced they’ll formally finish all cooperation with each the U.S. Chess Federation and Saint Louis College Chess Membership (STLCC), citing two high-profile, sexual misconduct instances involving grandmasters Alejandro Ramirez and Timur Gareyev. Here is a short abstract of the problem: In February, chess commentator and writer Jennifer Shahade publicly accused grandmaster Alejandro Ramirez of sexual misconduct. Her allegations sparked a swift and extreme backlash in opposition to Ramirez, who was pressured to resign from the Saint Louis Chess Membership (STLCC), earlier than being completely banned by the USA Chess Federation (US Chess). The allegations additionally uncovered obvious failures at US Chess and STLCC. But, neither group has confronted any critical scrutiny or accountability for his or her dealing with of the case.
And Ramirez shouldn’t be the one one. In keeping with interviews and paperwork reviewed by Lichess, one different outstanding American grandmaster has additionally been accused of sexual misconduct by a number of ladies, elevating additional troubling questions on how chess organizations take care of such issues.
Lichess has determined to cease cooperating with each organizations as a result of critical considerations about their accountability. We won’t present them with help, and we won’t promote their occasions. Ladies and women in chess already face an uphill battle. They deserve a protected and supportive setting. However too typically, they encounter abuse, harassment or worse. And too typically, they really feel powerless to report it or search justice. It is time to assist break the silence. Lichess urges US Chess and STLCC “to publicly acknowledge their previous errors, be extra open with the general public, and maintain those that have interaction in misconduct accountable.”
Whereas they acknowledge US Chess has taken some steps to enhance its processes, Lichess mentioned “each US Chess and STLCC have didn’t display an vital facet of accountability — a willingness to acknowledge and tackle previous shortcomings.” They added: “We don’t assume that reconciliation can be doable with out this acknowledgement.”
