A Belarusian-born Israeli chess commentator has been sacked by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) after making sexist comments at the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Astana, Kazakhstan.
On Tuesday, Smirin was commentating a live broadcast of the ninth round of the tournament, with his commentary partner, Luxemburg’s Fiona Steil-Antoni.
It was the first time Smirin commentated in English – he usually commentates in his native language of Russian.
When a viewer asked whether the female chess player they were commentating about can make a “grandmaster norm” in the women-only event, Smirin asked: “She’s a woman grandmaster or what?” referring to 19-year old Chinese chess player Zhu Jiner.
“Why does she want to be like men grandmasters in this case?” he continued. “It’s possible basically to make a men norm in a woman tournament?”
All chess players regardless of gender can become grandmasters, once they obtain a rating of 2,500 and above — which several female players have.
The woman grandmaster title, however, is only for women and requires a rating of 2,300.
Steil-Antoni objected, saying “Of course, why not?”
“I don’t know,” Smirin said. “For instance, why women can play with men, and men cannot play with women? Today it would be like everyone for parity! I didn’t say it openly, sorry. Private conversation.”
Steil-Antoni then recalled a remark Smirin had made earlier: “You said that [GM Aleksandra] Goryachkina is playing like a man, yeah? It’s also not….”
Smirin responded, saying “Yeah, it’s true. She played in the Russian Championship Superfinal. A small minus she made, but it was a very strong tournament. Also she had a 2600+ rating recently.”
Steil-Antoni asked, “Yeah, but what does that have to do with playing like a man? Only men can play well?”
“No, but she’s playing in positional style, a very strong endgame,” Smirin countered.
The following day, FIDE announced Smirin was sacked from his job as an official commentator for FIDE.
“During yesterday’s Women’s Grand Prix live broadcast, one of the announcers expressed some very embarrassing comments,” an official statement from FIDE said.
“Although we have great respect for Grandmaster Ilya Smirin as a chess player, the views he expressed on air are completely unacceptable, offensive, and do not represent any of the values that FIDE stands for.”
“Therefore, we unreservedly apologise to all those who were offended. Additionally, GM Smirin will not continue as a FIDE commentator with immediate effect.”
“FIDE not only strives to increase women’s representation in professional sports and official positions but also to change the perception of chess as purely a men’s world. Our community has to be a place where women feel safe and respected. Therefore, any action that carries disrespect, sexism or physical, verbal or emotional assault is unacceptable.”
Before the statement was released, FIDE’s Director General, Israeli grandmaster Emil Sutovsky had tweeted that Smirin would apologise during the 10th round, hinting that he may stay in his job as a commentator at the tournament.
“I spoke to GM Smirin,” he tweeted. “He sincerely apologized, and promised to bring an apology on air tomorrow.”
Smirin’s comments led to a wave of criticism on Twitter, including one from former women’s world champion GM Susan Polgar, who demanded a public apology from Smirin.
“For the record, I have known GM Smirin for more than three decades, including our college days in Minsk,” she tweeted.
“I always had a good relationship with him and respected his chess. I hope that this is just a bad day. I would be highly sad and disappointed if this is how he truly feels.”
Uzbek-born American Woman Grandmaster Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova joined in the debate, tweeted: “Isn’t it a pure form of discrimination? How can such a man work in the official @FIDE_chess broadcast of such an important women’s event?”
US chess champion Jennifer Shahade also joined in, tweeting: “Gross to see such sexism in the broadcast for a women’s event… Fiona did a great job in an uncomfortable convo she never should have been in.”
Smirin was interviewed by the BBC, saying he was “slightly puzzled” by the backlash.
“But what I said during the broadcasts was perhaps slightly impolite but nothing more,” he said.
“And most of it clearly was a joke. If we will continue like that, the very words ‘man’ and ‘woman’ risk to disappear rather soon. I want to stress that I did not want to hurt anyone, I love and respect chess and women. And I do not like hypocrisy.”