Poker Pro Jennifer Shahade Files Lawsuit Against U.S. Chess

Poker pro and two-time U.S. women’s chess champion Jennifer Shahade announced a lawsuit against U.S. Chess last week. The suit alleges discrimination, retaliation, infliction of emotional distress, defamation and libel, invasion of privacy, and violating the New Jersey RICO Act.

Last year, the Team PokerStars pro resigned from the federation as director of the U.S. Chess women’s program, alleging the organization offered “hostility instead of support” and “consistently minimized or ignored” her allegations of sexual assault.

“As a victim and whistleblower, I am fighting back against campaigns to silence me or speaking up about sexual violence in chess,” she said in announcing the suit. “It’s been my lifelong mission for women and girls to thrive in this game. I have fought many battles on the chess board and at the poker table, but this fight for a better chess world is the most important one.”

Numerous Allegations

Shahade had worked with U.S. Chess since 2006 and took on the role as director of the women’s program in 2018. After years of working with female chess players, she came forward alleging two instances of sexual assault against her by prominent grandmaster Alejandro Ramirez.

The Wall Street Journal later reported that the federation “failed to act or effectively investigate” her allegations. More women then reached out to Shahade detailing their own stories of sexual misconduct by Ramirez. He later resigned from roles at the St. Louis Chess Club and as coach of the St. Louis University chess team.

Time’s up. pic.twitter.com/ItOv73lTX7

— Jennifer Shahade (@JenShahade) February 15, 2023

Charges Not Taken Seriously

Even after Shahade’s allegations were made in 2020 and additional complaints in 2021, including the assault of a 15-year-old girl, Ramirez was still named as coach of the U.S. women’s team at the World Chess Olympiad in India in 2022, which included more than 100 minor female competitors, according to Shahade.

“With the truth out, I was hopeful, perhaps naively so, that I could help reset the pieces and forge a better future within U.S. Chess especially for our girls and children,” she noted on SubStack after her resignation from the organization. “Instead of support, I was greeted with hostility. My tweet – the one that finally instigated consequences – was criticized by U.S. Chess.

The lawsuit also names U.S. Chess President Randy Bauer and writer Peter Tamburro as defendants. Bauer is alleged to have covered up the complaints and faced calls for his resignation. U.S. Chess has denied the allegations and told Chess.com, “We will defend ourselves vigorously.”