The English Chess Federation has been accused of sexism after rejecting two female candidates for a top role promoting the game to women - and instead handing it to a man.

One applicant, a senior HR executive aged in her 40s, wasn't even interviewed for the ECF's director of women's chess post, it is claimed.

She is an expert player who specialises in recruiting women to male-dominated fields.

The other, a chess-playing lawyer in her 30s, said she was offered the "opportunity" to shadow the male candidate who was eventually successful.

The directorship, which carries a meagre £5,000pa budget to promote chess to women and girls nationally, was previously held by former England international Sarah Longson.

However it was abolished in February after laying vacant for several months, and then only reinstated following a series of complaints.