26 Apr 22
@earl-of-trumps saidI have a more prosaic explanation.
*In my opinion*,,
Men are more aggressive and will use chess (as an example) to dominate other people.
Women - aka the fair sex, are not so enthused.
Oh, and without proof, I do not believe that women are as smart as men in certain areas.
--------------------------
PS: My above is not a complete answer. There is something strong to be said for a male's
insatiable appetite to discover and explore, explore *anything*
I play a lot of OTB competitive chess. Each player starts with 1hr 45m on their clock. So games can last for 3h 30m. 3h 30m staring intently at a chess board in complete silence. I don't think that activity appeals to most women.
Women are less weird than men.
I lived in Raleigh for a while. I didn't play much chess in the 5 years I lived there. The chess club was clear across town, about a 20 mile drive. I went one time, 5 min tournament, double round robin. There were 2 women there. I easily beat one lady. Then I was paired against a young cute little 17 year old gal. She was barefoot and wearing a sundress. Little old hillbilly girl beat me 2/0. I was dumbfounded. She countered my Yougoslav attack like a pro, and soundly beat my dragon. She was 1789 and last year's 16 year old girl's state champ.
Later I took the club's champion's king, as he left it en prise. The TD allowed it, gave me a win, the club champ, an NM was furious.
I decided not to return.