Many girls leave chess because they do not feel welcome or supported. Their experiences deserve to be heard.
An editorial project by KOBF
Her game.Her story.
Queen’s Story is a writing competition and book project about girls and women in chess. We want to understand why girls leave, what helps them stay, and how to make chess a more inclusive environment to grow in.
Submissions openGirls & women in chessInternational stories
This project is in collaboration with
FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess00 / Project proposal
Queen’s Story
A writing competition and book project about young women in chess.
Women aged 15 and older can write about their experiences with chess when they were younger. Selected essays will be edited for a book published through Amazon KDP. Book proceeds will support FIDE projects for women and girls in chess.
We want to give women a place to share their stories, encourage girls to keep playing, and support organizations working to make chess more inclusive.
Five judges will review submissions in two rounds. They will use the same criteria for writing, creativity, storytelling, and answering the prompt.
Minimum prize pool: $2,000 USD
Planned awards: $500 for first place, $300 for second, $200 for third, and ten $100 Excellence Awards. Judges focus on each writer’s story, regardless of chess rating.
01 / The Book
The Queen’s Story collection
Stories that can help chess welcome more girls.
Queen’s Story will collect personal essays from girls and women whose lives have been shaped by chess. Some learned at home. Some played in tournaments. Some found a mentor, took a break, or decided to come back after a hard loss.
We are collecting these stories to learn what pushes girls away from chess and what helps them stay. We hope clubs, federations, and families will listen and use what they learn to make chess more inclusive.
SUBMISSIONS AROUND THE WORLD
Stories submitted so far
Browse the countries represented and see how many submissions have come in from each.
—stories
—countries
02 / What belongs inside
A moment that mattered
A tournament, mentor, setback, friendship, or realization that changed your relationship with chess.
Your honest perspective
The joy and the difficulty, written in your own voice and grounded in your experience.
A move forward
What you learned, what you want to change, or what you hope another girl will carry with her.
03 / KOBF’s Queen’s Move
KOBF events
Chess events that bring girls together.
Queen’s Story is part of KOBF’s Queen’s Move project. Through events and tournaments, girls can meet other players, learn from women in chess, and enjoy playing together.
Book proceeds will support FIDE projects for women and girls in chess.
Susan Polgar book signing
A chance for the community to meet Susan Polgar and celebrate her book.
Queen’s Across the Borders
Girls from more than nine countries joined this online chess tournament.
Queen’s Move Festival
A day of chess and activities for girls and their families.
All Girls Chess Tournament
A tournament where girls can compete, meet other players, and enjoy chess together.
Competition rules
Queen’s Story welcomes personal stories about growing up with chess. Please read these entry guidelines before submitting.
Who can enter
Women aged 15 and older from anywhere in the world may enter. Your story should draw on your experience with chess when you were younger.
Your story
Write about 800 words in the language you prefer. Frame it as a letter to your younger self and use the three questions in the submission form to help shape it. AI tools may not be used to generate, write, translate, or edit any part of your story or author introduction; all submitted writing must be your own.
Verification and consent
Submit through this website and provide the requested details. Verify your chess connection with a FIDE or federation ID, or a letter from your coach. Entrants under 18 need parent or guardian consent.
How stories are judged
Chess rating does not affect judging. The judges consider grammar, creativity, storytelling, and how well the story follows the prompt. The panel may include up to five judges.
Prizes and deadline
The prize pool is $2,000: $500 for first place, $300 for second, $200 for third, and ten $100 Excellence Awards. Entries received after the announced deadline are not eligible for prizes. The deadline will be posted here.
Publication
Selected stories may be included in the Queen’s Story book. Publication permission is requested separately in the submission form. Winners will be announced on KOBF’s official Instagram and this website.
Open submissions
Add your voice to Queen’s Story.
Tell us about a chess experience that shaped you. The Queen’s Story editorial team reviews every submission for possible inclusion in the book.
Story prompt
Write a letter to your younger self about your experience with chess. Use the questions below to help shape your story; you do not need to answer them one by one:
- Think about a time when you struggled to stay interested in chess or thought about quitting. Tell your younger self what happened.
- If you kept playing, tell your younger self what helped you continue. If you stopped, tell your younger self what led you to leave.
- Tell your younger self what chess clubs, federations, and organizations could do to make chess a more inclusive environment for girls.
Your details are collected only to review your submission, contact you, and document the permissions you choose.
Kindness On Board Foundation
Stay connected to the work.
Learn more about KOBF programs, events, and opportunities supporting young people through chess and education.