Mechanical Engineering World

Dorsa Derakhshani is a world-class chess player whose life changed because of a single tournament.

Born in Iran, she earned the elite titles of International Master and Woman Grandmaster through years of hard work. However, in 2017, her career hit a major obstacle.

During an event in Gibraltar, Dorsa chose not to wear a hijab while playing.

This decision angered the Iranian Chess Federation, which responded by banning her from the national team.

Around the same time, her brother was also sanctioned for playing against an Israeli competitor.

Faced with this injustice, Dorsa refused to let her talent go to waste.

She moved to the United States to start a new chapter.

She joined Saint Louis University, where she balanced her education with professional chess.

By switching to the U.S. Federation, she found a supportive environment that valued her skill over her clothing.

Today, Dorsa continues to work toward becoming a full Grandmaster.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that true talent requires freedom to grow. When her home country chose strict rules over her achievements, she found a new home where both her ambition and her personal rights could thrive.