Cairns Chess Queens Award
Funding Amount
$100,000 for up to five players over five years
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
Cairns Chess Queens Award
Overview: The Cairns Chess Queens Award is designed to encourage more US female chess players to become Grandmasters. The award was established July 4, 2024, and will run through July 4, 2029.
Award Amount: $100,000 total for up to five players over the next five years who earn the Grandmaster (GM) rank.
Geographic Scope: United States
Eligibility:
Focus Areas: Encouraging exceptional achievement by US female chess players in reaching Grandmaster rank
What They Don't Fund:
Background: Sponsor Dr. Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield notes that worldwide there are only 42 female GMs compared to more than 2,000 male GMs. Only 2% of all GMs are female, with none ranked in the top 100. The first Cairns Chess Queens Award was presented to GM Irina Krush, who became the first and only female player to earn the rank of GM while playing for the US.
Contact: Saint Louis Chess Club
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
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