Featured Talk by GM Judit Polgar: Breaking into the Top Ten
Join us at 6:30pm for this unique oppurtunity to see a chess legend!
A personal talk about growing up in a unique, chess-centered family, rising into the world’s top ten, and the decisive moments and lessons from my encounters with Garry Kasparov.
The talk will be followed by a 20–30 minute Q&A session, as well as time to take photographs and get autographs from GM Polgar.
Photo: Global Chess Festival.
About GM Judit Polgar
Judit Polgár is a Hungarian chess grandmaster widely recognized as the strongest female chess player in history. She broke several records, including becoming the youngest grandmaster at age 15 and being the only woman to reach the top 10 in the world rankings. Polgár is also known for her aggressive playing style, having defeated 11 world champions, and has since focused on promoting chess education through the Judit Polgar Chess Foundation.
Career achievements
Youngest Grandmaster: She broke Bobby Fischer's record by becoming a grandmaster at age 15 years and 4 months.
Top-ranked player: At a peak rating of 2735 in 2005, she was the only woman to ever be ranked in the top 10 of the world's absolute rankings and reach a rating over 2700.
World Championship: She is the only woman to have reached the candidates stage of the World Championship cycle.
Dominance over world champions: During her career, she defeated 11 current or former world champions in rapid or classical chess, including Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov, and Anatoly Karpov.
Team achievements: She was a member of the 2014 Hungarian Olympiad team that won a silver medal and won numerous other medals in Olympiads.
Playing style Polgár was known for her aggressive and attacking style, frequently prioritizing an attack on the king.
Post-retirement activities
Chess education: She now focuses on promoting chess as an educational tool through the Judit Polgar Chess Foundation, which she established in 2012.
Author and commentator: She has authored chess books and works as an expert commentator at major chess tournaments.
Other roles: After retiring from competitive chess in 2014, she served as the captain and head coach for the Hungarian national men's chess team.
