Story 1: 🧵I was 13 years old and my dad saw a prominent English Grandmaster at a prize giving ceremony and suggested I had a picture taken with him.
I asked and he kindly obliged.
He put his arm round me for the photo, but then also groped my arse on the way down…
Dear Abuser
Just because you’re a better chess player than me does not mean you will win at this game of chess you’re playing with the scare tactics.
You will not silence me AGAIN.
I am stronger now and I will not let you hurt more women.
This ends now 💪🏽
@marshal
Wow, the men on this thread are embarrassing.
A man announces he has a vasectomy (a completely normal operation to stop him having kids) and men jump on here and call him a woman????
I’m guessing it’s these same men who just knock up random girls and abandon them instead 🤦🏽♀️
I released my first story about the sexual assault seen in the chess world one week ago.
I then got a letter from a law firm regarding defamation and demanded I take down the tweets.
I emailed back to refuse, and within 24 hours, my email has had multiple hacking attempts… 🤔
🧵Yesterday, I received a letter from a law firm representing their client, in relation to Story 1 and Story 2, with claims of defamation.
I have never mentioned any names.
Just to clarify, Story 1 and Story 2 are actually about different people! 🤦🏽♀️
Really??!
People think I’m now actually anti-women because I believe trans women are women??
Where is the sense??
It doesn’t need to be one gender v another all the time.
Just because I’m trying to fight for women to be safer, does not mean I’m anti-men either 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
Popping some good news on Twitter/X for once!
A casual walk in Central Park turned into a proposal 😍❤️
And followed by the biggest glass of champagne! 🍾
I’m so happy! ☺️
#NewYork
#proposal
#engagement
What is wrong with the chess world?! Anti-trans now??? 🤯
Do you think they went through the transition to get an advantage?!
Don’t you think they’re getting treated badly enough?
Did you even ask women how they feel? Did any complain?!
WAKE UP!
Please help to end abuse to women in chess.
There are to many cases of sexual assault, misogyny, discrimination, racism & general mistreatment.
Women are being silenced too.
This fund will help support women get thru this.
Please share and support!
This
@lularobs
bashing has to stop! You wonder why there are so few women who play
#chess
when this is the sh*t they get?!
She’s inspired tons of women to play the game, regardless of why
If you don’t like her tweets, fine - just block her.
There’s ZERO need to be spiteful.
Story 2: 🧵 I have two older brothers and so have always been friends with lots of boys all my life.
I have been told that it’s this reason that I “got what was coming to me”, because I was “one of the lads”.
Just because I trusted them, it does not mean they should misuse it.
The thing I love most about
#chess
is that I get to make amazing friends from all over the world.
So, I was super excited when I could catch up with
@irene_sukandar
and
@IM_Rosen
in London!
Took them for very British lunch and had a good ‘ol catch up…
🧵 I’ve now had 33 women approach me with horrific stories of sexual assault and psychological abuse in the chess world.
I know more have also confided in their friends and other officials.
But what has surprised me is the number of men who also quit because of this! 😱
UPDATE: 🧵 I released 4 stories about some horrific experiences in the chess world, which involved sexual harassment on a minor, racism and rape.
After these stories came out, several other women came forward about their own experiences, highlighting the toxic culture.
Story 3: 🧵Being chosen to represent your country at something is the highest honour you can have.
Playing chess for England was a dream for me.
But sadly others did not feel the same.
I will never forget people suggesting I shouldn’t play because I “didn’t look English”
The attacks against me have been interesting. I’m apparently playing a victim card & I’m a bitter woman who hate all men.
They’re upset there’s no proof or specifics.
So, over the next 7 days, I will release a detailed story each day.
I have enough to maybe last a year.
If there’s a story where an under-age girl is being groped/harassed & one name immediately comes out of multiple people’s mouths…
Regardless of whether he was the culprit in that particular incident or not, how can someone with that reputation be so well respected in chess? 🤔
It wasn’t until I was 18 that I was 100% sure, after he congratulated me on being “legal in all countries”.
He sent me a message saying he was excited to spend quality time together at a chess event and he would be packing “special boxers” for me.
I pulled out of that event…
Story 4: 🧵The 4NCL (AKA British Chess League) was revolutionary for women’s chess IMO.
Every single team HAS to have one female player.
This encouraged more women to play and brought us opportunities.
But sadly it also meant that the event was rife with sordid events.
Not being funny, but have you noticed that all the men who take the piss out of women’s chess and constantly highlight that women are “not as good as men” are the ones with low ratings themselves?
I can’t recall the top, top GMs complaining about women’s chess so much.
This morning, the
@Independent
published an article featuring my stories about the prevalence of sexual assault in chess.
It’s quite tough to read it back, and it really highlights the need that change is required.
To those asking about stories 5-7; I’m really sorry, I’m just not in a position to post them atm.
Both legally & mentally.
These couple of weeks have really taken it out of me and I’m seriously struggling.
So, I need some time to deal with it.
Plus, don’t wanna get sued 🙈😢
Just to clarify, people…
If a drunk girl turns up to your room, it doesn’t mean anything goes once she’s in there.
She CAN say NO. She CAN change her mind.
Plus… if she’s drunk, you should be looking after her, not taking advantage! 🤦🏽♀️
🧵OK, this has got to stop.🧵
Sexual assault is not a hobby.
Young girls are not prey.
Institutions can’t turn a blind eye and consider themselves innocent.
If you know and don’t do anything, you’re an accessory… a facilitator.
It’s been about 48hours since my
@TimesRadio
interview about misogyny and sexism in chess dropped, and it’s been a tough couple of days.
I wanted to send a message to all the women out there who get what it’s like.
This video is for you xx
He proceeded to tell me that he has been using the magazine as fantastic “nighttime reading” but he may need a new copy soon as his is not in a a good state anymore.
I thought I knew what he meant but I thought it wasn’t possible.
I'm not being funny, but if you hear a story that an English chess GM assaulted a young girl & you're worried that people may think it's you...
Then that says wayyyy more about your character than it does of anyone else's.
Before you blame others, maybe take a look at yourself.
And this is why she’s one of our most legendary female chess players…
I couldn’t have said it better.
Perhaps my emotion and everything that it’s bringing back has made me struggle to put it into words.
But THANK YOU, Susan.
I hope more women feel strong enough to speak up!
The big dilemma
A few days ago,
@SChevannes
bravely posted about some of the horrific sexual harassment/abuse incidents she encountered. While most in the
@X
chess community were sympathetic and offered support, a few (as always) demanded for her to name specific names. They
I saw that same Grandmaster at an event when I was 15.
He saw me on the cover of CHESS Magazine and said I was “developing nicely”.
I said “Yes I’m at my best ever rating now” and he said “No I mean in other ways…”
This was the cover of the chess mag
I thought it could be innocent, even though it was a full squeeze.
I was only 13 after all.
I thought, maybe it was his way of saying congratulations…
But then he winked at me as I left.
I felt so creeped out
I didn’t talk for hours after & couldn’t compute what it meant.
To any woman who has ever suffered sexual harassment or abuse in the chess world…
I want you to know that it was NOT your fault.
No matter what people tell you.
If you ever need a friendly ear, from someone who gets it, please don’t hesitate to get in touch xx
I think I’ve lost faith in humanity.
Look how many people have liked this post.
There are so many people who genuinely think like this.
What kind of world are we living in??!
@NicKeaney
@graemeburton
So sorry to hear this - can I ask where this voucher was for? Perhaps don’t share exactly, but the rough area?
Just that a scarily similar thing happened to me after I bought a
@Groupon_UK
...
Should I not agree to this, they stated that he will not let matters rest.
They have given me less than 48 hours to respond and the deadline is tomorrow at 5.30pm.
Are there any lawyers following me who can explain what my rights are in this case?
So I guess my point is to women out there… even if you’re close with men, they don’t have a right to take advantage.
If you think something isn’t right, definitely make people aware of it.
Don’t let it be seen as “the norm”.
I wish I spoke up sooner.
I never really blocked that many people from Twitter before, but I think this may become a regular daily occurrence now.
Why are there so many absolute sickos out there???
🧵I’m shocked and disgusted by this attitude.
We’re not saying that something special happens in chess that is not seen elsewhere, but it’s certainly prevalent and shouldn’t be happening.
Also, being wasted is not justification for rape! NOTHING IS!!!
This attitude is vile.
They have demanded that I remove Story 1, Story 2 and two other tweets that they believe to be defamatory towards their client.
They have also stated that I am “required” not to re-publish these allegations about him in future (on any medium). Their exact words.
Since coming out with my stories, I’ve been approached by many people about all the corruption in the chess world and it’s horrifying!
So many sexual assaults being ignored, titles being given fraudulently, rating points bought/sold…
Why is this all allowed?!
It’s 2023 and I already have seen multiple sexist, racist and anti-trans tweets today.
Why can’t everyone just treat people like people and show respect?!
Will we ever get to a time where that will happen?!
@latefrnt
I was always surrounded by older men at events, just naturally because of how it was.
But most of the men knew how to behave and were actually really supportive and great.
It’s the select few who ruined it.
But def measures need to be put in place.
My bestselling
#chess
book has been sold out everywhere in English, but thanks to Beth Harmon, so many kids want to play!
I’ve got my hands on a few copies, so if you want a personal message in time for Xmas, message me ASAP :)
#QueensGambit
#presents
To all the men claiming that they’d “suddenly get a FIDE title if they were a woman”…
You do realise that there’s nothing stopping you claiming a women’s title?
Last I checked, the FIDE guidelines do not say you need to be a woman.
So, please claim away!
🧵 After speaking to multiple women from all over the world, it’s clear that abuse is a regular attendee at chess events.
Whether that’s sexual abuse or psychological abuse, it’s happening at each chess event all over the world.
There’s an abuse of power that needs to stop.
“They don’t want to ruin the image that chess is a gentleman’s game.”
International chess master and world-renowned chess coach Sabrina Chevannes tells
#TimesRadio
why sexual violence and misogyny drove her away from competing.
@SChevannes
|
@StigAbell
|
@AasmahMir
Are certain chess organisations standing up to the big boys now?!
This stance gives off quite a powerful message.
It may seem like a small thing, but it could be the start of something if others start thinking about morals and values in chess.
🧵 Warning ⚠️ Rant ahead! ⚠️
I keep getting tagged in posts my
@GM_RayKeene
who has written an article about several women who are engaging in important debates at the moment.
I didn’t bother reading at first, but now I have, I’m quite appalled and frankly, disgusted.
Isn't it ironic that
@GM_RayKeene
wrote a nasty article trying to portray that I said things that would be ground for libel, but falsified information in the article.
Instead now, I am the ones with grounds for a libel case against him and
@TweetTheArticle
Smart move, GM! 🤦🏽♀️
A traumatic memory for me was meeting a world-renowned GM for the first time.
He added me on Facebook first, ahead of a tournament he knew we were both attending.
He was so charming; compliments, witty banter, true listening and understanding.
What a gent! Or so I thought…
I became friends with a guy who assaulted me, but was made to feel like it was my fault.
I feel so disgusted at myself, I can only describe it as some kind of Stockholm Syndrome.
It was only until it happened TWO more times that I realised how wrong it was
I told a couple of people what had happened and they replied with “Oh that’s Classic “X””, and laughed it off.
I was made to believe that it was normal and he does it all the time.
What’s worse is that I ended up hanging out with him during the event, as my roommates were
Memories from 9 years today according to FB!
Playing for England in the Olympiad in Tromso.
I think I remember confusing
@thelittlehat
by seeming like I played the Caro Kann, but then playing it Sabrina style 😅
#chess
#teamGB
@Azuremooncity
@DrProudman
“It’s a kiss” 🤦🏽♀️
Tell me… if your football coach at school grabbed you and kissed you each time you won a match, would you be ok with that too?!
I tried to tell the other women who he was friends with but they wouldn’t believe me.
Everyone thought he was a charmer, a lovely guy.
Even when I did hang out with him, I was terrified to be alone with him. So I knew something wasn’t right.
But I still didn’t come forward
There’s a lot of negativity about chess in my feed atm, so I thought I’d use this tweet as a chance to shout out to some incredible men in chess.
@LozHCooper
and
@LennartOotes
- I think they both saved my life with their support 💕
And
@Cambridge_Uni
team - you were amazing!
I don’t know how to describe it, but this is one of the situations I’m most ashamed of, as I could’ve done something to stop it happening to others.
But he somehow had a way with people & everyone considered it to be normal.
I was told I was being dramatic if I brought it up.
Just taken home my new puppy and I’m obsessed already.
Should I just put an OOO reply on saying I’m basically never gonna be able to do any work ever again??
#chowchow
#dogmum
#newpuppy
#puppy
Lots of my female friends playing in the World Rapid Chess Teams Championships, which starts today!
Good luck everyone!
But most importantly... please stay safe.
I got there and he did give me the key, did leave me alone… and I did get some sleep!
I was so grateful.
Until I woke up and he had one hand on my boobs and one down my pants…
I was so freaked out, I didn’t know what to do.
I started to hyperventilate but could form words
Have you noticed that tons of successful entrepreneurs use Twitter threads to show off their knowledge and position themselves as a thought leader?
Therefore, I thought I’d do a Twitter thread to explain why they’re so effective and useful! 👇🧵
This week, I’ve had a tooth extraction and been dealing with a rib subluxation!
But it’s still not as painful as dealing with this chess malarkey and reading some of these Twitter comments! 🤦🏽♀️
It was a tournament starting at grassroots, to help inspire girls all over the country to play.
The final ran alongside an adult women’s event where our top females all turned up to support!
Thank you
@thelittlehat
!
Every parent and girl loved it.
The ECF did not.
@ParallaxiMaxime
@SmilingPawn
@lularobs
I’m sorry - why do you need a title to be an ambassador for
#chess
or inspire others?
Frankly, I think this is more of an issue.
People being too elitist and making others feel unwelcome.
Chess should not be like that - it’s one of the only beautiful games that connects ppl
I chatted with him for a couple of weeks, every single day.
I wasn’t attracted to him, but I did really enjoy chatting to him.
The tournament arrived and I explained that I was flying in and I would land at 9am, so I’d be pretty tired, as the game wouldn’t start til 7pm.
He tried to kiss me and then I backed away.
He started “manoeuvring” his hands and I squealed.
He looked at me and said “Is this not OK?”
I said “absolutely not”.
He said “you looked like you wanted it.”
I ran out the room and hid in the women’s toilet for a couple of hrs
Story 1: 🧵I was 13 years old and my dad saw a prominent English Grandmaster at a prize giving ceremony and suggested I had a picture taken with him.
I asked and he kindly obliged.
He put his arm round me for the photo, but then also groped my arse on the way down…
Just ask them what happens to money coming in to support the Olympiad teams…
Let’s just say the men’s get a nice hefty fee and the women are lucky to get expenses…
HUGE NEWS!!
Of the thousands who applied, I am 1 of just 150 creators selected for the
#LIcreatoraccelerator
on
@LinkedInUK
!
They are literally investing thousands of dollars in us & believe we're the future of the platform 🤯
I'm so insanely proud! ☺️
#creator
#contentcreator
Can someone please tell me what it is about me that people immediately assume I’m thick?!
Why am I constantly talked down to and people suggest that I’m unintelligent?
In chess, is it because I’m “just” a WIM?
Or is it a gender/race thing?
I’d really like to understand
If a woman gets assaulted, the first reaction should not be:
“Prove it, Bitch!”
Sexual assault is notoriously difficult to prove, as you had to be there. DNA is also not enough.
But women are finding it difficult enough coming forward.
Don’t make it harder for them.
He was already there and kindly suggested that I could actually nap in his room for a few hours before my room was ready.
He was going to be out of the room anyway, so he would just meet me, give me his key and then I could sleep.
Again… what a gent! Or so I thought…
@GM_RayKeene
Please don’t try to force me into doing something I don’t want to do.
You’re suggesting this because it suits YOU.
Why don’t you consider the effect that will have on others first?
And please just wait until the rest of the stories are out.
There’s plenty more.
These are not as serious as other stories I have, but I wanted to highlight how the English Chess Federation has operated over the years.
It’s not professionally run, nor does it show support towards female players.
I’m sure I have several people who can attest to all above.
When I turned 18, I was told I was required to do criminal check before I was allowed at the World Youth with u18s.
No other 18 year olds had to do this…
I did not understand why I was treated like this continually.
It always made me feel different… uncomfortable.
Just exhausted reading all the ways I could have edited a screenshot better, as if that’s clearly the more pressing issue rather than a predatory and toxic culture 🙄🙄