In a prolonged weblog put up as we speak, the open-source web chess server, Lichess, introduced they may formally finish all cooperation with each the U.S. Chess Federation and Saint Louis College Chess Membership (STLCC), citing two high-profile, sexual misconduct circumstances involving grandmasters Alejandro Ramirez and Timur Gareyev. This is a quick 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 towards 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 severe scrutiny or accountability for his or her dealing with of the case.
And Ramirez is just not the one one. In accordance with interviews and paperwork reviewed by Lichess, one different outstanding American grandmaster has additionally been accused of sexual misconduct by a number of girls, elevating additional troubling questions on how chess organizations take care of such issues.
Lichess has determined to cease cooperating with each organizations as a consequence of severe issues about their accountability. We is not going to present them with help, and we is not going to promote their occasions. Girls and ladies in chess already face an uphill battle. They deserve a secure and supportive setting. However too usually, they encounter abuse, harassment or worse. And too usually, 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 interact in misconduct accountable.”
Whereas they acknowledge US Chess has taken some steps to enhance its processes, Lichess stated “each US Chess and STLCC have did not display an vital side of accountability — a willingness to acknowledge and deal with previous shortcomings.” They added: “We don’t suppose that reconciliation will likely be doable with out this acknowledgement.”