Emilia Castelao

Emilia Castelao is one of the rare chess historians working at the intersection of academia and the chess world. A PhD candidate in Comparative History at Central European University, her dissertation examines how the International Chess Federation (FIDE) evolved from an organization focused on unifying the game into an institution of cultural diplomacy. She holds a BA in History and Global Affairs from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters in Advanced International Studies from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

Beyond her academic work, Emilia serves as a member of FIDE's Historical Committee and is the CEO and co-founder of the Women in Chess Foundation, a nonprofit she launched in 2023 to address systemic barriers facing women in chess. The foundation focuses on advocacy, safe-play guideline reform, and marketing support for women's chess events. In its first year, the foundation raised over $10,000, all reinvested into the chess community through programs like the Advocates Initiative and WICF-Chessable Scholars.

Emilia is also an accomplished chess photographer whose work has appeared at major events including the Chess Olympiad in Budapest. She brings a unique perspective to chess content, combining rigorous historical research with grassroots advocacy and visual storytelling. Her writing, photography, and foundation work make her one of the most distinctive voices in the chess community today.