I’d like to introduce myself to you if we’ve not met before. My name is Aga Milewska, and I am the new Director of Women’s Chess for the English Chess Federation.
With the increased popularity of chess among women and girls (thanks partly to the brilliant Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit), we are encouraging all chess clubs to organise a special event aimed at helping female players get involved in competitive and social chess. Your event could take various forms – a social get-together, a friendly match or rapidplay tournament, for example. If the event is accessible and welcoming to everyone, the chances are it will also be popular! I would be very happy to help you publicise your event, and to post a report about it afterwards on the ECF website.
The other bit of good news I’d like to share with you is the return of the over-the-board Women’s 4NCL Women’s League. The first 2021-22 4NCL Women’s League weekend will take place on 11th-12th December at Woodland Grange Hotel, Leamington Spa, and teams are most welcome. For more information I can refer you to the 4NCL website – https://www.4ncl.co.uk/fide/womens/information.htm
That’s all for now. I wish you a very happy festive season and many enjoyable games of chess in the weeks ahead. If I can be of any help at all, please do get in touch by emailing me at director.womenschess@englishchess.org.uk
— Aga Milewska, ECF Director of Women’s Chess
[picture courtesy of Chess and Bridge]