I also think it’s psychological.
Men are natural hunters by instinct and have an easier grasp on tactics and prefer more complex situations. Men are naturally more competitive and have a "killer instinct".
Also, perhaps, it's because (in the majority of cases), me can focus on something very specific for a period of time, whilst women prefer to focus on less complex situations and also more on multiple tasks and range related rather than to focus on one specific task.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that women don't possess a killer instinct or are not tacticians, I'm just referring that men are that way for the most part, and it's more natural for them.
This is just my honest opinion
^ There might be something to what you said.
A few years ago, I watched a program about the sexes, and a point was raised that men enjoy games with simple goals and complex rules; for example, U.S. football. The goal is simple: get to the endzone. However, football rules are complex. It's the same for NBA basketball, simple goal of putting the ball in the hole, with many complex rules and time-limits. Chess is the same, with the simple goal of capturing the enemy king, but many complexities along the way.
Many women think things like football is stupid or a chore to try to learn, so maybe there's a natural dislike (in general) for chess as well.
Originally posted by thaughbaerAnd the player on this site with the highest differential of won/lost games is also female. Check my profile.
That's 1 then. 1/17150... seems fairly good. It's a lot better ratio than those that understand the offside rule.
Richard and Andy
And I understand baseball, basketball, hockey and football better than most chessplayers.
Originally posted by bill718Both of these arguments could apply equally well for men.
I think there are 2 reasons for the lack of female players.
1. There are so many other things for ladies to do, they simply choose something else. Chess is a low priority.
2. Relationships seem more interesting to ladies than tactics, because of this I don't think chess interests most ladies.
Originally posted by caissad4Ah.. but do you know who Richard and Andy are ? Because therein lies the joke. In any case you weren't meant to read my post.. it was made off-air.
And the player on this site with the highest differential of won/lost games is also female. Check my profile.
And I understand baseball, basketball, hockey and football better than most chessplayers.
Originally posted by EinZweiDreiReally ? I assume you mean with "ladies" switched for "men".. ok I'm game.. I'll give it a go.
Both of these arguments could apply equally well for men.
2. Relationships seem more interesting to men than tactics, because of this I don't think chess interests most men.
Hmmm.... ummmm... oooo... aaaaa.. nooooooooooooooo.... FAIL
Originally posted by thaughbaerIf you say so.
Really ? I assume you mean with "ladies" switched for "men".. ok I'm game.. I'll give it a go.
2. Relationships seem more interesting to men than tactics, because of this I don't think chess interests most men.
Hmmm.... ummmm... oooo... aaaaa.. nooooooooooooooo.... FAIL
The real reason fewer females than males play chess is remarkably simple,like most competitive things in life female humans are for the most part and with obvious and not so obvious exceptions simply not quite as competitive minded as most male humans and,as a consequence are less willing to 'play games' to a similar or greater standard of excellence as that which is often displayed by male chess players. It is I feel sure in the year 2011 fashionable to 'attack' any person who makes what some people call 'politically incorrect' statements, however a simple truth is a truth nevertheless and no person should be unwilling to state facts which can be verified,regardless of personal abuse received from the 'politically correct set--------aLR
Originally posted by RECUVICI don't think it's necessarily accurate to lump all competition together when drawing distinctions between male and female competitive drive.
The real reason fewer females than males play chess is remarkably simple,like most competitive things in life female humans are for the most part and with obvious and not so obvious exceptions simply not quite as competitive minded as most male humans and,as a consequence are less willing to 'play games' to a similar or greater standard of excellence as that ...[text shortened]... rified,regardless of personal abuse received from the 'politically correct set--------aLR
Nor do I think there's enough information to imply a single causative factor for gender difference in participation or performance in chess. There are reasons other than hard-wiring along gender lines that people do or don't pursue certain hobbies. Granted, sometimes hard-wiring is the reason, but sometimes it isn't.
It's probably a nuanced answer, is all I'm saying.