There's so much emphasis in the professional chess that seeing someone as a genius chess player can be mistaken for obsession. I think the number one thing that you need as a strong chess player is the ability to concentrate and focus. And of course, ther as chess queen shows, there have been many women who have been up to the challenge. The world at large generally doesn't give women,. gender minorities the same ability to a, take big, big swahs of time off to playin competitive chess events., she says.