International Chess Federation sparks anger with breast enlargement sponsor for women’s chess

Chess governing body derided for ‘misogynistic’ deal, although record sponsorship is welcomed by others

Chess has only 39 female grandmasters out of around 1,300 overall, but in recent years it has done far more to promote the women’s game

For a sport that has struggled to attract female players, the news that chess has just agreed the biggest ever sponsorship deal for the women’s game would usually be universally welcomed.

But the decision of chess’s governing body, Fide, to partner with the breast enlargement company Motiva is facing growing criticism from some female players, who have called the decision “gross” and “misogynistic”.