I would imagine it's not a joke. His comment is factual if you interpret "women" and "men" as a population and in context of chess performance(not in general).

I would imagine it's not a joke. His comment is factual if you interpret "women" and "men" as a population and in context of chess performance(not in general). > Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize. Assume good faith.