Emilia Castelao is a first year PhD student from the United States who researches chess history and the International Chess Federation (FIDE) as an institution of cultural diplomacy. She did her master’s at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, where she wrote her thesis on chess as a cultural movement in the Soviet Union. She has been working in chess since 2022 as a photographer and historian on the Historical Committee at FIDE. In 2023, she launched the Women in Chess Foundation with her co-founder, Michael Duke.
WICF operates three core programs, and is hoping to expand in the upcoming year. The first is the Advocacy Initiative, which provides independent advocates at chess tournaments. These advocates are trained to ensure a safer environment for players, offering emotional support and resources to those who may face harassment, discrimination, or other challenges. Their presence helps foster a culture of inclusivity and protection in a traditionally male-dominated space.
Their second major program is the WICF-Chessable Scholars initiative, which offers free training to 11 junior girls from around the world, with instruction from top Grandmasters. These scholars also receive free access to Chessable courses and financial support to attend international tournaments. The program currently includes girls from ten countries, including England, Palestine, Morocco, and the U.S., offering them both mentorship and the tools to develop their skills at a competitive level.
The third pillar of the foundation is the Safe Policy Program, which provides consultations to chess federations to help them establish SafePlay guidelines. One of WICF’s significant achievements in this area is its work with the European Chess Union, which is in the process of adopting SafePlay policies developed in collaboration with the foundation.
The Women in Chess Foundation recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, marking a milestone in its efforts to support women in the game. Over the past year, the foundation has raised over $10,000, all of which has been reinvested into the chess community through its various programs. They recently went to the Chess Olympiad in Budapest in September to promote their organization.
Photo: Emilia (right) and Board Member, Lula Roberts, at the WICF Booth at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest.