Crestbook

KC-Conference with Judit Polgar for CrestBook

We’re now publishing the answers of Grandmaster Judit Polgar to the questions of chess fans posed as part of the “KC-Conference” project. This conference is the thirteenth in total since the start of the project, and the fourth with a truly international character: moreover, questions from members of the Russian KasparovChess forum and readers of the English Chess in Translation were supplemented by questions from the Spanish Ajedrez De Entrenamiento . The conference itself is being published on our site in both Russian and English, and will be published at Ajedrez De Entrenamiento in Spanish.

The material below opens with a detailed biography of Judit Polgar, followed by Sergey Shipov’s traditional essay and selected games with commentary by analysts from our site. In the main section readers will find the answers of the greatest female chess player of all time to the traditional KC-Conference questions on her personal view of chess and its prospects, her career, her chess-playing colleagues, chess politics, and chess books and journalism. Also of great interest are Judit’s thoughts on the problems of improving as a chess player, particularly at a young age, which include a description of the different aspects of the unique family system in which the Polgar sisters grew up. A separate section is devoted to Judit’s thoughts on the place of women in the fierce world of male chess. She also answers questions on her tastes and preferences in various fields of life. Finally, we’re publishing unique photographs from the private archive of this wonderful chess player.

“Prize giving ceremony in Madrid, 1994 when I won my first Category 16 tournament!”

Short Biographical Sketch

Judit Polgar was born on the 23rd July 1976 in Budapest. Unquestionably the strongest female chess player in history, she’s achieved outstanding success in men’s competitions. She can claim wins against World Champions Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, Boris Spassky, Vasily Smyslov, Veselin Topalov, Viswanathan Anand and FIDE World Champions Alexander Khalifman, Ruslan Ponomariov and Rustam Kasimdzhanov, as well as against many other leading grandmasters. She’s been awarded seven Chess Oscars, and been named “Women’s Chess Player of the 20th Century”. She lives with her husband Gusztav Font (a veterinary surgeon) and two children, Oliver and Hanna.

The Hungarian chess player became a men’s international master in 1988 and a men’s grandmaster in 1992. Her current Elo rating is 2710 (32nd in the world). Her highest rating is 2735 (July and October 2005, 8th in the world). She’s headed the female rating list since 1989.

Judit and her sisters Susan and Sofia were brought up according to a unique system worked out by their father, Laszlo, and mother, Klara, who were both teachers. The sisters didn’t go to school but were instead educated at home. As well as their general studies they worked on chess, with the older sisters also becoming strong chess players. Grandmaster Susan Polgar achieved outstanding results, and after winning a match against the Chinese player Xie Jun in 1995 she became the 8th Women’s World Champion. She now lives in the USA. Sofia Polgar is an international master and lives in Israel.

The greatest success, however, was achieved by the youngest sister – Judit. Her talent was soon evident – at six years of age she started to play in tournaments and by nine the Hungarian Chess Federation had established her rating at 2080. At seven Judit played blindfold games against masters, while at 11 she beat Grandmaster Vladimir Kovacevich in a tournament game. Judit won her first international tournament when she was nine, and at 12 and 14 she won the Boy’s World Championships in those age groups. She claimed her first prize of $1000 when she was nine, winning one of the tournaments of the New York Open.

In the Women’s Chess Olympiads of 1988 and 1990 she became an Olympic Champion as part of the Hungarian team (together with her sisters Susan and Sofia, and also Ildiko Madl), posting the best individual results (in 1988 on board two she conceded her opponents only half a point in 13 games!). After the second Olympiad win (aged 14!) Judit began to play exclusively in men’s tournaments. That decision looked natural, as already as a 12-year-old Judit had achieved a rating of 2555, which was 35 points higher than the rating of the then Women’s World Champion, Maia Chiburdanidze.

Judit was awarded the title of (men’s!) international grandmaster in 1992 at the age of 15 four months and 28 days, becoming the youngest grandmaster in the world at that point, and surpassing Bobby Fischer’s achievement by a month. In January 1996 Judit’s rating reached 2675 and she entered the World Top 10 for the first time.

She’s taken part in the official men’s World Championship qualifying cycle on a number of occasions. Back in 1993 she became the first female chess player to qualify to take part in an interzonal tournament. In the 1999 FIDE World Championship in Las Vegas she reached the quarterfinals, where she lost to the future winner, Alexander Khalifman. In 2005 she took part in the “tournament of eight” in San Luis (Argentina), finishing eighth. She narrowly lost a 6-game Candidates Match to Evgeny Bareev in Elista in 2007. At the 2009 FIDE World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk Polgar lost on tie-breaks in the third round to the future winner, Gelfand (inflicting the only defeat he suffered in the whole tournament). She finished 4th at the 2001 European Championship in Ohrid.

Polgar has won or finished among the prizes in a great number of international tournaments, including those at the highest level. Her most notable successes are winning: the Hungarian Championship (1991), Hastings (1992), Madrid (1994 – with a 2778 performance, 1.5 points ahead of Kamsky, Bareev and Salov), Leon, Spain (1996), the US Open (1998), the Hoogeveen tournament (1998, 2001 and 2003), Bali, Indonesia (2000 – ahead of the then reigning FIDE World Champion Khalifman and his predecessor Karpov), Malmo (2000). Among her significant successes are: the OHRA Open in Amsterdam (1989, sharing 3rd place with Gelfand), the Madrid International in Linares (1992, sharing 2nd place behind Karpov), the Reshevsky Memorial in Manhattan (1992, 2nd place), the Donner Memorial in Amsterdam (1995, 3rd place ahead of Seirawan, Khalifman, Morozevich, Salov and Shirov), Vienna (1996, sharing 3rd place with Kramnik and Leko behind Karpov, Topalov and Gelfand), Linares (1997, 5th place ahead of Ivanchuk, Short, Gelfand and Shirov – Kasparov was the winner), Dortmund (1997, 5th place ahead of the then FIDE World Champion Karpov), Wijk-aan-Zee (1998, sharing 6th place and winning a game against the overall winner Anand), Merida (2000, 2nd place behind Shirov), Linares (2001, sharing 2-6th places behind Kasparov, against whom she drew both her games).

Judit’s greatest achievement might be considered to be her second place at the Wijk aan Zee tournament in 2003 (8/13, with no losses). Only Anand finished half a point ahead of her, while a point or more behind were Kramnik, Topalov, Karpov, Ponomariov, Grischuk, Ivanchuk, Shirov and Radjabov.

On her return to chess after an extended break connected to the birth of her son Oliver, Judit played in the super-tournaments in Wijk aan Zee (2005, shared 4th place with Kramnik, Adams and Grischuk – Leko was the winner) and in Sofia (2005, shared 3rd place with Ponomariov, behind Topalov and Anand but ahead of Kramnik and Adams). After another break from chess activity due to the birth of her daughter Hanna Judit successfully appeared at the small but prestigious Essent tournament in Hoogeveen (2006, shared 1st place with Mamedyarov, winning both games against the then leader of the world rating list, Topalov), and then in Biel (2007, shared 3rd place, Carlsen was the winner). In a 6-player tournament in Vitoria, Spain, Judit shared 3rd place behind Topalov and Ponomariov and ahead of Kasimdzhanov and Karpov. Her last appearance to date at Wijk aan Zee was in 2008, when she finished in 9th place with a 50% score.

Judit has frequently represented Hungary at team events. The greatest success came in the 2002 Olympiad in Bled, when the Hungarian team won silver medals (Judit had the 3rd best result on the 2nd board, after also playing a few games on the 1st). In 1999 the Hungarian team finished 2nd at the European Team Chess Championship (Judit had the best individual result on the 2nd board). At the 2000 Olympiad the Hungarian team finished without medals, but Polgar had the best performance on the 2nd board (2772). Great interest was aroused by Judit’s rapid chess victory over Garry Kasparov in the Russia – Rest of the World match that took place in Moscow in 2002, as it was the first time in history (and not only in chess but also in other sports) that the highest rated man had lost to the highest rated woman.

She’s played in a number of high profile exhibition matches. In 1993 she won a match against former World Champion Boris Spassky 5.5:4.5. In 1995 she defeated Dutch grandmaster Jeroen Piket 6:2. In 1996 she won a match against Junior – the computer World Champion at that time. A rapid chess match in 1998 against Anatoly Karpov, who was then the official FIDE World Champion, ended with Judit winning 5:3. Another rapid chess match against Viswanathan Anand in Mainz in 2003 was a fierce struggle without a single draw and finished with Judit losing 3:5.

Judit has always taken an interest in non-classical forms of chess. She’s played a few times in the Amber Tournament in Monaco (her best result was 5th place in 1993). In 1998 she shared 1st place with Anand at the prestigious Wydra Memorial (rapid chess) in Israel. In 2007 Polgar finished 4th at the Blindfold World Cup (6 chess players took part and the winner was Bu Xiangzhi, who Judit beat). In the 2001 Rapid Chess World Cup in Cannes, France, Judit reached the semi-final, where she lost to Bareev (who lost to Kasparov in the final). In the Blitz World Championship in Israel (2006) she shared 5th place with Gelfand (the winner was Svidler).

After that period of moderate chess activity related to the birth and taking care of her two small children, 2010 marked the fully-fledged return of Judit Polgar to contemporary chess. Among her greatest successes were: winning a rapid chess exhibition tournament in Mexico (2010, winning matches against Ivanchuk and Topalov), a crushing victory in a rapid chess match against David Navara (Prague, 2010) with a score of 6:2, sharing 1st-4th (3rd on tiebreakers – there were 167 grandmasters in the tournament) at the 2011 European Championship in Aix-les-Bains, France and, finally, getting into the quarterfinals of the FIDE World Cup 2011 in Khanty-Mansiysk, where after defeating such well-known grandmasters as Movsesian, the tournament’s rating favourite Karjakin and Dominguez, Judit, in what’s already become a tradition, lost to the tournament’s future winner, Svidler. The numerous fans of this wonderful chess player admire her combative and creative style of play, and don’t doubt there’s still a lot more to come.

Books and documentaries have been produced about Judit Polgar, while she recently published her own book aimed at children (with illustrations by her sister Sofia), called “Chess Playground”.

“Together with my lovely sister Sofia sightseeing in New York, 1992”

Sergey Shipov on Judit Polgar

Judit Polgar is the greatest female chess player of all time. She’s never been, and is unlikely ever to become, the Women’s World Champion, as that’s a goal that makes no sense. The Hungarian queen is so superior to all other women (including her sister Susan Polgar), that you can only talk about her in the context of men’s chess.

Judit has spent her whole career only playing against men and I see that as one of the reasons for her rise. The stronger your opponents, the greater the demands, and the more you have to push yourself to achieve your goal. But that factor is only third in order of importance. What comes first is still the colossal natural talent of the youngest Polgar. Her extraordinary abilities. As they say, it’s God given – and that’s that!

The second reason for her success is the unique family in which Judit grew up. The atmosphere of chess fanaticism created by Laszlo Polgar, the head of the family, and his older daughters, was the fertile soil on which the divine seed fell. The talented child had no doubt why she’d come into the world. From childhood onwards she studied with the best coaches, worked a lot and devoted herself entirely to her goal – which is why she became great.

If you created such conditions for the youngest child in millions of multiple-children families it’s by no means certain that even a single one of them would grow into a chess player… never mind a chess player of Judit Polgar’s level. She’s a phenomenon. Unique.

Judit Polgar’s mission on Earth has, by and large, already been completed – she’s successfully destroyed the remnants of male chauvinism. She’s proved that women are capable of competing with men at the very highest level. All the preconceived notions about the fundamental superiority of the stronger sex above the weaker in chess, and about an upper limit for women, have turned out to be wrong.

I’ve commented on many of Polgar’s games and I’ve never found myself bored. She always plays with great invention and is capable of seeing hidden resources in positions and posing her opponents unexpected problems.

Judit’s natural style is dynamic – she plays for complications and is always ready to sacrifice for the initiative. Her attacking potential is great and multi-faceted. However, her long stay among the elite has forced the warlike Amazon to moderate her fervour and master all the means of combat, including stubborn defence, patience and taking the psychology of her opponents into account. Of course, Polgar never became a technician on Kramnik’s level, but she was still able to grow into a player almost devoid of weaknesses. Except, perhaps, that her sense of danger isn’t at the elite level. Sometimes she gets carried away with activity, though that recklessness merely adds to the number of her fans. Bold play, shooting from the hip – what could be more beautiful in chess?

I’m endlessly amazed by the fact that getting married and giving birth to children hasn’t led to a serious lowering of Judit Polgar’s level of chess. Who could have imagined that family matters and an entirely natural lack of time and energy for preparation wouldn’t be reflected in her results? But that’s how it is.

I was there in person to see our Madonna play at the 2011 European Championship in Aix-les-Bains and also at the 2011 World Cup in Khanty-Mansisyk. It was simply incredible! Judit demonstrated colossal drive, a will to win and high class chess. Just as in her best years… though it’s still not certain which years will be considered her best.

I don’t want to get ahead of myself and predict how Judit the grandmother will play chess. I hope many of us will live to see and appreciate that.

One way or another, after centuries have passed all of us will be registered in small print in the Great Book of Life as contemporaries of the great Polgar.

“Receiving honorary citizenship of Buenos Aires in 1994”

Selected games

Polgar – Bareev (Hastings, 1992/93) – commentary in Russian (Alexander Shershkov).

Polgar - Anand (Wijk aan Zee 1998) – commentary in English (Khalifman, Baburin).

Polgar – Anand (Dos Hermanas 1999) – commentary in Russian (Vasily Lebedev).

Polgar – Smirin (Istanbul 2000) – commentary in Russian (Alexander Shershkov).

Polgar – Fressinet (Istanbul 2000) – commentary in Russian (Andrei Terekhov).

Motylev – Polgar (Chalkidiki 2002) – commentary in Russian (Alexander Shershkov).

Polgar – Kramnik (Wijk aan Zee 2003) - commentary in English (Rogozenko).

Polgar – Svidler (Wijk aan Zee 2005) – commentary in Russian (Roman Viliavin)

Polgar – Kasimzhanov (San Luis, 2005) – commentary in Russian (Sergey Shipov).

Polgar – Bareev (Elista, m/5 2007) – commentary in Russian (Vasily Lebedev).

Gelfand – Polgar (Wijk aan Zee 2008) – commentary in Russian (Vasily Lebedev).

Polgar – Topalov (Dos Hermanas 2008) – commentary in Russian (Vasily Lebedev).

Polgar – Gelfand (Khanty-Mansiysk, m/2 2009) – commentary in Russian ( Valery Aveskulov).

Pantsulaia – Polgar (Aix les Bains, 2011) commentary in Russian (Sergey Shipov).

“A wonderful memory from Kona, Hawaii, where I won the US Open in 1998”

1. Chess

vasa:

- Why do people play chess?

Because it’s a great game! :)

- Do you think chess is exhaustible?

No, chess is too complicated.

- What is modern chess ultimately – sport, science, art or something else?

In the last decade it’s become more and more sport.

Johan Kocur:

- What’s your opinion about the future of chess? Chess has entered the computer era during the last few decades, which has had a profound influence on over the board creativity. Personally I like the idea of Fischer Random or Chess960. It doesn’t seem to be making a breakthrough, though. (CiT)

I think chess has become very different in recent years with so much information and having 6 million games in the database along with different analysis engines. It’s really made chess very complicated. Actually, I think that lately the games have become much more interesting than let's say 5 years ago. A lot of them are really complicated and sharp! Really entertaining for the audience! To be honest, I never was a big fan of Fischer-Random.

Jose Luis Sobrero:

- Do you think that the progress of programs such as Rybka, Houdini, Fritz, Robolito and others will bring an end to classical chess or, on the contrary, strengthen it? Do you envision any alternative to this, such as changing the initial position of the pieces? (AdE)

I prefer to have the chess I’ve been playing for 30 years :) It’s still interesting for me so I’m not looking to make any changes like that.

Yuan Eu Liao:

Dear Judit, First of all, I’d like to say that I saw you score 12½ out of 13 in Thessaloniki 1988. Even if you were only 12 at that moment and I was in my twenties, back then it was almost impossible not to fall in love with you! Seriously now, I’ve been a big fan of yours ever since. - Are you optimistic about the future of chess? (CiT)

I’m generally an optimistic person, so yes, I think chess has a future! Us chess players have to think in bigger dimensions. What chess also desperately needs is a great PR team, because chess is everywhere, in films, advertising, education and art in every culture!

David Ganymar:

- What are your hopes for the game of chess in the long term? Do you like the idea of non-classical games like Fischer Random, and reduced-time chess? (CiT)

I like all the time controls – blitz, rapid and classical. Each time control has its weaknesses and from the sporting point of view it’s interesting to play with different time controls. On the other hand, I’d very much like to see us only have one type of time setting for blitz, rapid or classical, because it’s very difficult to play each tournament with a different increment and control. It can make a big difference!

- Your chess is monumental, and I respect you for doing it. Are there any other things that you think are like chess in that regard? (CiT)

I’m happy that you like my chess! Chess is a very complete, well thought-out game, which is why people have been playing it since ancient times.

Juan Carlos:

I'm from Mexico and I send you cordial greetings. I wish you peace and good health. - Do you think everyone should play chess? Or is it just for some people? (AdE)

Thanks. When I played and won the tournament in Mexico City in 2010 it was an amazing experience. People really do love chess in your country! I think it would be great if chess could get into schools and most children would have the opportunity to get to know the game at least a little, but of course being a professional isn’t for everyone.

Серегааа:

- What can chess be compared to, and why? :)

Life. In chess I use psychology, logical thinking, preparation and such important skills as dealing with losing and winning and overcoming my own mistakes. It requires creativity, critical thinking and much more.

Adin Garrido:

- I’m a chess amateur from Colombia, or more precisely from the world capital of Vallenato... In a world dominated by men... there are rare cases of women, but very important women, who have made an impact on the history of man, including: Cleopatra, the last queen of the ancient Egypt of the Ptolemaic dynasty... Joan of Arc was a heroine, a warrior and a French saint... Marie Curie, a pioneer in the field of radioactivity, who was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize... Mother Teresa of Calcutta for her service to others ... and of course YOU, as a Sportswoman, Artist and Scientist in the universe of the 64 squares... - What do you like most in the chess universe? (AdE)

First of all, thanks very much for your nice words! In chess the most unbelievable thing for me is that it’s a game for everybody: rich, poor, girl, boy, old, young. It’s a fantastic game which can unite people and generations! It’s a language which you’ll find people "speak" in every country. If you reach a certain level you find a very rich world! Art, sport, logic, psychology, a battlefield, imagination, creativity not only in practical games but don’t forget either how amazing a feeling it is to compose a study, for example (unfortunately that’s not appreciated these days but it’s a fantastic part of chess!).

vasa:

- How do you rate the intellectual level of modern chess professionals?

You simply can’t generalise about it, but one thing for sure is that we’re ready to learn from our mistakes, which is very important.

- Is it true that chess develops the intellect?

Chess improves thinking skills because the game itself is very complex.

Washington Luiz dos Santos:

- I would like to know if you, or any other chess player you know, links the chess aptitudes (thinking, planning, absolute patience and the pursuit of victory) to another part of their lives on the rest days. For me, they match perfectly with videogames, where the instincts of chess blitz suit so well… (CiT)

The way I grew up chess has been the main part of my life. I use my chess thinking when I do other things in life. I use my logical thinking maybe more often than I should, because life isn’t logical :) I use my calculation skills and creativity when I’m cooking or playing with my kids. It taught me to deal with victories and defeats! I don’t play computer games :)

“Giving a simul in Central Park, New York, 1992”

2. Career

vasa:

-When did you realise that chess was your destiny? Or did you simply have no choice? :)

I was 5 years old when I started to play chess. It was kind of natural because my older sisters, Susan and Sofia, were already playing, so a small sis always wants to do what the bigger ones like :) I became very successful at a very young age and when at 12 I won the gold medal in the Olympiad it was practically obvious that chess would be the road for me!

Carlos Pujol:

I was rooting for you at the World Cup; I felt guilty when my fellow countryman Leinier Dominguez lost to you :( - Can you recall the point of no return, when you decided that you really wanted to dedicate your life to chess? (AdE)

When I realised that different people have different jobs and people asked me what I would be when I grew up. It wasn’t a question any more by the time I was in the top 50 in the world and number 1 on the women’s rankings.

Hayley:

- Just a simple question: what motivates you to play chess? Thank you. (CiT)

I believe motivation is one of the most important things one has to have after playing for many years. After all, I love the game and can play for enjoyment. When this year I tied for first in France at the European Championship after playing some of the greatest games of my life against Pantsulaia and Iordachescu it was a fantastic feeling again. The motivating force is playing well :)

Andrea Martin:

- I wonder what motivates you before and after a game, and what inspires you to continue playing chess? (AdE)

Before a game I have to be prepared and it’s interesting to discover the opponent’s weaknesses. It’s a challenge to get the opening preparation the way I want it. After the game a lot depends on the result and the quality of the game. After my game against Pantsulaia from the EU 2011, for example, I was walking on air. :) So the motivation is that I can play games like that which give a lot of joy not only to my fans but also to myself!

Elena:

Good luck. I wish you well and hope you get into the top 10 big time! You deserve to be there and you'll make it if you put your mind to it :) I LOVE YOU!! - How do you manage to withstand the pressure during games and also motivate yourself to win? (AdE)

If you do your "homework" well you can be sure you’ll feel more relaxed. Make sure you have a walk or rest before the game because the most important thing is to be focused during the game itself! If you get tired by preparation you won’t have enough energy left for the whole game, and we all know that a single blunder can ruin all the work done beforehand!

Adin Garrido:

- If you were asked to choose the best game of your life, which would you choose and why? (AdE)

I’m very proud that I’ve played lots of nice games, some of which were great, but if I have to pick then the one against Anand in 1999 in Dos Hermanas. It was a Najdorf Sicilian and I sacrificed two pieces and kept the initiative for the whole game. I was proud of the move 28.b3 paralysing any black counterplay. It doesn’t happen often that I can win in that style against a World Champion!

vasa:

- Which move do you consider the very best you’ve ever made in your career?

That I became a chess player :).

- Which combination gave you the most satisfaction?

Shirov-Polgar, Buenos Aires 1994, in the Sicilian theme tournament. It was really amazing :)

- The best novelty you’ve played and refuted?

One of my best novelties was in the game Polgar - Berkes, Budapest 2003. The g4 move was always "my move" :) 14. g4

- Did you ever feel yourself to be a chess playing genius during a game? : )

In some of the games mentioned I felt cool :)

Carlos Pujol:

- Could you tell us what you consider your best attacking game? (AdE)

One of the best was Chernin - Polgar, New Delhi 1990.

Valchess:

You’re widely acknowledged as a master of combinational middlegames. - But which “positional” game do you consider your best?

For example, Polgar - Anand, Wijk aan Zee 1998

- Which of your endgames would you single out?

One of the latest endgames I won: Polgar - Guseinov, Aix les Bains 2011 European Championship.

Martin Rodriguez:

- Which is the most brutal game you’ve ever played? (AdE)

One of my toughest games was Polgar-Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2003. It was long and tiring and I saved an endgame against one of the best players in the world!

- Which was your worst move? (AdE)

I like to forget the bad things and focus on the good! :)

Carlos Pujol:

- Your worst game ever? (AdE)

Even if I have one I don't want to remember it :)

Yuan Eu Liao:

- What aspects of your play do you think you should try to improve? (CiT)

There’s always a need to improve in every part of the game. The opening was never my strong suit.

Chess Fan:

- Did you ever want to trade your attacking style of chess for something more positional and strategic like that of Karpov or Kramnik? (CiT)

I appreciate the way Karpov and Kramnik play but never wanted to trade – not that we could :)  Actually Kramnik has been playing pretty sharp and entertaining chess lately!

Soviet School:

- What is your favourite time control?

Blitz is always fun! Otherwise all of them are ok, but all classical tournaments should be played at the same control. Just don’t change it in every tournament.

Armando Scharlau Pereira:

- On time controls: which do you think is closest to ideal, considering the respective forms (blitz, rapid and classical)? (AdE)

There’s no ideal.

вв:

- Which tournament do you currently consider your very greatest sporting achievement in chess?

The 2011 World Cup in Khanty Mansiysk.

Valchess:

You’ve played a lot of matches. - Which was the most memorable and why?

I played against Spassky in 1993 in my home town of Budapest and won the match 5.5-4.5. It was a great feeling to play the champion shortly after he’d had his re-match against Fischer. The games were very interesting and full of tension, and each day we had about 1000 people in the ballroom of the hotel where the match took place. A fantastic atmosphere!

vanabsten:

- How do you rate your performance at the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk?

I’m extremely happy with it, as it was one of my best ever results! What a fight against Dominguez! It was also memorable for me from a sporting point of view!

Jonathan Ramirez:

- We all know that at the time you gave birth to your baby you stopped playing tournaments and when you came back you found you weren’t as good at first, but then you rapidly rebounded and today we have the pleasure of seeing you again above 2700 Elo. Was it difficult for you to accept that you were in bad shape after the time you'd spent as a mother, and that you returned without the results you expect? (AdE)

It was very difficult to accept that I had worse results than before but what was much more painful was that I was playing horribly for a certain period of time. I had to find the balance in my life again – how to train and get back the motivation and ambition for chess. It’s very hard to accept for a top sports person that you fall beneath your level. But I know that in my life family is top of my list of priorities, and because chess gives me happiness and pleasure I’m still ready to compete!

- Despite starting with some low points, was it easy to rebound and get back to 2700 Elo? (AdE)

No. I had to realise that organisers and chess players kind of saw that my time had past, which was really annoying, but..... :) I was ready to start again and climb back :)

Jim Cheyne:

- You first topped 2700 on the FIDE list in January 2003, and then you did it again in September 2011. Was one of those milestones more pleasing for you than the other? If so, which one, and why? (CiT)

The first time is always more special, but this time also gave me a lot of pleasure!

Adin Garrido:

- Are you interested in being among the current top 10 players? If so, what are you doing to achieve that, and if not, why not? (AdE)

Of course I’d love to be, but for that I’d need to work on my chess much harder and for longer hours, also going to more tournaments. I’ve been doing many other chess-related activities lately, including working on a chess book.

Jason C.:

- Do you believe you can still rise to your highest potential, i.e. surpass your previous #8 ranking and/or rise above your previous record 2735 rating? (CiT)

In ratings yes, I can go higher.

Chess Fan:

- Do you have any future goals like breaking a 2750 Elo rating or any other unfulfilled chess desire? (CiT)

My main desire is to play good games which I can remember for a long time!

Angelo Piantadosi:

- As your absolute fan, can I hope that you’ll always keep fighting to conquer the World Championship title? It’s hard, I know, but I believe you can do it. At least you’re the only woman who can achieve that.(CiT)

Thank you very much for the supportive words!

Nima:

- Did you ever think that the title of World Champion was within your reach? If so, what prevented you from getting there? (CiT)

I was never that close, but I did play the best and in one game I could beat anybody!

Gildar:

- You’ve played in World Championships and Candidates Matches, but never made it to the very top. Is your goal still to gain the World Championship title?

Dreaming :)

- You’re a good blitz player. Have you ever played on the internet?

Yes I have, but I prefer playing in real life!

- Which game has made the greatest impression on you in the last year?

One that comes to mind is Jobava-Potkin, Aix les Bains, which was a brilliant game. Nowadays there are lots of interesting games!

- Where did you most enjoy playing? Where would you like to return to?

Mexico was amazing in 2010. The enthusiasm in Latin America is unbelievable! I’m always happy to play in Spain and in Buenos Aires!

Verny Alvarado (CRC):

- How many times have you played and won the senior championship in Hungary? (AdE)

I played once and won in 1991. All the top players were competing and with that victory I broke Fischer's record and became the youngest grandmaster ever at that time!

sundararajan ganesan:

- Why don’t you visit India and play in the grandmaster tournaments organised here (your previous and only visit so far was to New Delhi, perhaps a decade ago!)?

If I got an invitation for an interesting event I’d consider it for sure. Actually, it’s already been two decades since I played in New Delhi :)

wowa1:

- Who helped you to achieve such success over the course of your career?

Firstly, my parents and sisters. I also had trainers and it was a long and continuous road to achieve the results I did.

Jason S:

- Do you have a current chess coach or do you prepare yourself? Who is your second during tournament play? (CiT)

I have training partners, and I’ve also worked with Almasi for many years. My husband usually accompanies me to tournaments.

Valchess:

- Do you have a manager, permanent coaches and seconds?

No manager. Training partners, yes.

- Are you satisfied with the number and quality of your tournament invitations?

Invitations are always welcome :).

- How established are your plans for future appearances?

Joseph:

- Do you plan on playing in any more tournaments this year or next? (CiT)

Daniel Silva:

- Greetings and hopefully you’ll tell us your plans and/or future projects. (AdE)

I’ll play in Gibraltar later this month. I’m working on a chess book which should be published this year. I’m also promoting the Chess in Schools program in the European Union.

Yafazuda:

- What tournaments do you plan to participate in next year? I'm from Colombia and hopefully one day you’ll come to give us a simul; I’d love to play you. (AdE)

I'd be happy to visit Columbia again!

Paul:

- I just want to know whether you ever wanted to quit the game? Why? (AdE)

Adin Garrido:

- Have you been dejected at some point in your career? (AdE)

vasa:

- Could you say whether you’ve ever wanted to give up chess?

Of course I’ve had periods when I’ve been very upset by my play, but to quit completely – no!

- Or if you’ve ever wished you’d never heard of the game?

Never!

“Analysing with World Champion Boris Spassky during the match played in Budapest in 1993 (I won!)”

3. Chess players.

vasa:

-Have you ever had the feeling during a game that you were playing against a genius?

On the first few occasions I played Kasparov. He has an incredible energy and you do feel kind of paralysed :) But later that disappeared and I could fight back!

Elena:

- Who is your favorite chess player of all time? (AdE)

Valchess:

- Your favourite chess player?

There are many players I like and even players who aren’t the best sometimes play amazing ideas and games!

Yuan Eu Liao:

- Which strong chess player in history do you admire most: (a) as a player, and (b) as an overall person? (CiT)

As a chess player, Kasparov, and as a person, Lilienthal. He was always very optimistic and friendly, simply an extremely positive person. Everybody loved him!

- Who has been the best in history in your view? (CiT)

I have respect for all the champs and the good old players as well!

Jose Sarmiento:

- Who do you consider the best player the world has ever seen? (AdE)

At different times different players.

Jose Luis Sobrero:

- If you were to rank the ten best players in history, who would they be and in what order? (AdE)

Methos5000:

- Who in your opinion was the best male world chess champion? (AdE)

Valchess:

- The three chess players you consider the strongest ever?

Generally I don’t really like picking a few people from history, but if I have to, then: Fischer, Kasparov and Karpov.

- The three most talented players ever?

I’ll name one – Tal.

- And can you name those to whom you could apply the term “genius”?

Ivanchuk, Carlsen and Anand.

vasa:

- Which world champion’s games do you consider closest to your own?

Tal’s.

- Which of the great dead players would you like to play?

I like to play against people who are alive :)

- How would blitz matches between Judit Polgar and Jose Raul Capablanca and Alexander Alekhine finish if those players were in top form? Please be frank and honest.

No idea.

Daniel Silva:

- If today you were given the opportunity to play any player you wanted, whether past or present, who would you want to play, and why? (AdE)

Fischer in his best times!

Redmar Damsma:

- When you were young, was there any player whose games you would study in particular? (CiT)

I’ve studied most of the champs, but Keres’ 100 Best Games had a big influence on me. I was 9 when I first studied it.

- Was there any player whose style you wanted to adopt/imitate? (CiT)

Kasparov had great King’s Indians!

Methos5000:

- Which past players would you say have most influenced your style and still inspire you? (AdE)

I can’t pick one, and these days I can be amazed not only by tactics, but also by positional ideas.

AAMN:

- If I’m not mistaken you were acquainted with Fischer. Could you say something about him? Thank you.

When I met him in 1993 it was amazing to meet him in person. Unfortunately that meant I could see his paranoia and I had real pity for him :( I still appreciate his chess!

Soviet School:

- What was your experience of Bobby Fischer when he was with your family? (CiT)

Greg Capace:

- When Bobby Fischer visited you and your family in Hungary, did you or any of your sisters play any kind of chess with him? (Fischer Random or regular chess) What were the results? Also, I loved the documentary “My Brilliant Brain” on your sister! Thanks! (CiT)

He was always busy explaining the prearranged games, which he was convinced about. I had a chance to play him only once at Fischer Chess when we were in pairs. In principle he didn’t want to play against me at all because at the time there was talk about possibly having a match between the two of us. He wanted to keep it so we’d be able to say that it was our first encounter!...

Armenia:

- What’s your opinion on Levon Aronian?

A very talented, bright and clever guy!

suman chatterjee:

- I want to know, in your opinion who is the most attacking player you have ever met? (CiT)

Shirov.

- Please tell me your view about the Indian GM Vishy Anand. (CiT)

A fantastic chess player. What a talent! He chooses openings in a very clever way and uses his energy very professionally. I like that he wants to show on the board that he’s the best....

Jay-R G. Cabbab:

- Madam Judit, who do you consider to be the strongest player among active grandmasters?  (CiT)

Carlsen, if I have to pick only one.

vanabsten:

- A win against who is most important for you?

Carlsen :)!

вв:

- You’ve more than once met Magnus Carlsen at the board. What impression did you get of him as a chess player? Where does his strength lie?

I had the feeling that he plays chess in a very calm way. He has lots of self confidence and patience and is a huge talent. In some very simple and roughly equal positions he can win easily! At least that’s how it seems after the game.

Jose Luis Sobrero:

- What’s your opinion on the episode in Linares 1994 when you faced Kasparov, and the video shows that he let go of a piece and then ended up moving it to another square? (AdE)

Carlos Pujol:

- Do you think chess players can do something at the board they’ll never do in real life? (thinking about Kasparov’s Nd7-c5-f8) (AdE)

It was a real pity that it happened.To explain the whole story would take up too many lines.

Valchess:

- It seems that in a game against you Kasparov took back a move. Looking back many years later on that sensational and never publicly clarified episode what do you now feel?

I like to live for today and tomorrow. I don’t like to chew over things I can’t change.

Koadik:

- What do you think about Anand's performance in comparison to the other big players like Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi and Levon Aronian. I wonder what you think about their styles, and if you think their level is superior to that of Anand, or is it just a streak? (AdE)

You have to understand that Anand is over 40 so the main challenge he has is himself – whether he can find the motivation and sense of challenge to keep on fighting for the crown. Carlsen is extremely good in tournament chess but I’m not so sure about matches. He also doesn’t have too much experience in match play. With Aronian you never know. In the next few years he’ll still have chances of fighting for the crown. Nepomniachtchi is extremely talented but he needs to gain a lot of experience and be very focused on his goals to challenge the players mentioned above.

- What do you think about Kasparov coaching Nakamura, and how specifically might Nakamura benefit from a coach of that caliber? For example, Carlsen mentioned that Kasparov taught him how he should study chess. (AdE)

To work with such a historic player as Kasparov is something special. Even if he didn’t show concrete lines in preparation it would give the player’s self-confidence a boost. Sometimes only one small idea or sentence from Kasparov might give a lot! Besides, his opponents might also get a little confused psychologically.

Jose Sarmiento:

Who do you consider: - The best Latin American player? (AdE)

I played the top players some years ago, Granda who’s still number 1 in Peru, Morovich from Chile, Milos from Brazil. There are youngsters coming through like Jorge Cori from Peru.

Methos5000:

- Among today's grandmasters who seem to you to be the most talented and strongest, regardless of Elo rating? (AdE)

Kotlyarov_Sergey:

- Which contemporary grandmasters (for example, among the participants of the latest Tal Memorial) do you sympathise with most?

Gildar:

- Which young Russian players (up to 25 years old) do you think stand out? Which of them could in future compete for the World Championship?

Karjakin, but to be a champion you need many things to be there at the same time.

Valchess:

- Have the current young talents (Carlsen, Nakamura, Nepomniachtchi, Giri, Caruana, someone else?) brought something fundamentally new to chess or do they, as has always been the case, simply play chess well?

The new generation grew up on technology, databases and analysis engines. They just see chess from a different perspective and focus much more on the sporting side of chess and being real professionals.

Bill Breidenthal:

Hungary has produced many great players in the past - Szen, Maroczy, Charousek, for example. - Were you aware of them growing up, and did you see yourself as especially Hungarian in your understanding of chess? (CiT)

Yes, I also studied their games.

Verny Alvarado (CRC):

- What do you think of Janos Flesch? (AdE)

There are many entertaining stories about him.

phisey:

- Judit, long matches have long since disappeared, but what, in your opinion, would be the outcome of a potential 24 game match for the Hungarian title between you and Peter Leko?

To be honest I’m not in favour of such a long match. It would be a match where three outcomes were possible.

- Do you consider yourself the strongest chess player in your country?

No, but one of the best! I think Leko, Almasi and myself are pretty close now.

Chess Fan:

- Who are the 3 toughest GMs you’ve ever faced and what particular problems did you have with those? (CiT)

There are many grandmasters who are extremely tough to play.

Jonathan Ramirez:

- We know that over the course of your career you’ve faced great chess players like Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. Who has really been the opponent who’s caused you the most problems in a game or who’s been the rival that you who’ve felt invincible against, and why?

Juan Carlos:

- We all have someone who makes us uncomfortable when playing, someone we feel plays better than us; what player bothers you the most? (AdE)

Jay-R G. Cabbab:

- Could you please tell me the most difficult opponent you’ve played? Thank you.

Kramnik, because I’ve had many fights against him and couldn’t beat him YET :) in a classical game.

vanabsten:

- Why do you play so unsuccessfully against Kramnik?

sean lawler:

- Why do you have such a hard time against Kramnik? (CiT)

He plays very calmly and is very well-prepared.

Adin Garrido:

- XV Univé Tournament in Hoogeveen. In the second round Vladimir Kramnik defeated you in your 20th classical game together, and you’ve never beaten him. Why is that the case, and what do you feel dealing with him before, during and after every game? (AdE)

Probably I’ll have to change tactics when I play him next.

Juan Carlos:

- Have you lost a game against a child? (AdE)

In a simul.

- Do you think a player can always keep winning? (AdE)

No, and by the way if you lose sometimes it just makes the winning taste better :)!

“With my great sisters when we were travelling together to tournaments!”

4. Chess politics

Valchess:

- Do you take an interest in the political and organisational aspects of chess life? Are you ever planning, like your sister Susan, to start working actively as a chess organiser or official?

I’m involved in organising a chess day in Budapest. We had it for the 5th time on November the 19th. Here’s a link: "Polgár Chess Day 2011" video I might organise more events in future.

Polgár Chess Day 2011

vasa:

- How do you assess the outcome of the FIDE Presidential Election?

I don't. I hope that someday chess can have a positive image and a president we all accept and respect!

phisey:

- Who did you support – Ilyumzhinov or Karpov?

I can’t vote.

phisey:

- What’s your opinion on the activity of the European Chess Union (ECU), which is run by Silvio Danailov?

I hope he’ll make big steps in the EU with the Chess in Schools program.

vasa:

- What’s your opinion on Carlsen’s withdrawal from the Candidates Matches?

I was surprised.

- Will you be present at the Anand-Gelfand match in Moscow next spring?

I wasn’t planning to be there. I’m sure I’ll follow it closely on the live coverage.

Armando Scharlau Pereira:

- Does something need to be done about draws without a fight? (AdE)

Yes, and I think restricting draw offers until a certain move is a good option.

Dymko:

- How, in your opinion, should we fight against the abundance of draws and is it necessary to fight that phenomenon?

Yes, it’s important to fight against it. Also, as chess players we have to change our attitude and make as few short draws as possible. Mainly it has to be done in tournaments outside of the world championship cycle, as there’s too much tension there.

Yafazuda:

- Did you like the Tal Memorial this year? What do you think of an elite tournament like this where almost all the games are drawn? (AdE)

Koadik:

- What do you think about the number of draws in tournaments like the Tal Memorial, in terms of its effect on the events? (AdE)

We have to make a distinction between a short draw and a great fighting draw, for example Aronian - Carlsen or Nepomniachtchi - Aronian. A draw is a normal result in chess but sometimes drawn games can be more interesting than decisive ones! If you at least play at an amateur level where you can also follow the moves and ideas and not only the result then you can enjoy many of the drawn games. Chess is a fight where both players would like to win and both of them want to avoid losing. To lose a game is a really bad feeling, especially seeing as you might sit there for 6 hours and the next day there’s another challenge ahead. Players don’t see only one game but also think about the next rounds. Actually, if someone can hold a worse position it might give the player almost the same feeling as if he’d won the game. Don’t forget that it’s much easier to lose than to make a fighting draw!

Brian Chalega da Silva:

- I would like to know if you like the football score (3-1-0) system and what tiebreak system you find most reasonable: rapid matches, S-B, number of wins, …? Thanks, Brian Chalega da Silva. São Paulo, Brasil. (CiT)

Dymko:

- What do you think about the “football” points system?

I believe in general that all systems have their drawbacks, but it’s very important to stick to one because then eventually it will even out. The worst thing is that there are many different systems for deciding tiebreaks. I think the most reasonable is to take the results against each other, then the number of wins (this also inspires people to play decisive games) and then the number of wins with Black.

WinPooh:

Judit, do you share many chess players’ fears about the draw death of top-level chess due to the dominance of opening theory? If yes, then which means of fighting against that seem most effective to you:

- drawing openings by lots - a wholesale switch to Fischer Chess - changing the existing rules of chess (banning castling until the 20th move, and so on) - changing the tournament point system (the football system, and so on) - your own suggestion?

The feeling I have is that in the last few years there have been far more interesting games at the top level. I think that with the millions of games in the database, too much information and analysis engines, chess has taken a different road in many of the openings. In general, many of the players have more self confidence with all that information behind them. I think it’s a must to have good commentary at every chess event so the audience can understand more of the situation before judging the players: the players’ preparation, the psychology of the game, the tournament situation. Chess players themselves have to share some inside info with chess lovers so they can understand more if the outcome of the battle is a draw. For example, when I played against Anand in Dortmund 1997 I’d lost a number of games in previous years and had kind of had enough. I went for a drawing line, which was very boring, it’s true, and not my thing, but losing is much worse! I stopped his winning run and in the next tournament I played against Anand I won a great game in Wijk aan Zee!

Yuan Eu Liao:

- Do you like the idea of rapid and blitz rating lists? Do you have any personal idea on modernizing chess? (CiT)

I’d support the idea of having rating lists in blitz and rapid but only if we can stick to the same time controls in every international event!

- Do you have any personal suggestions regarding the problems of cheating in chess? (CiT)

Very serious sanctions are needed and no exceptions! A playing ban lasting years and also a financial penalty are needed.

Koadik:

- Do you think the current champion should qualify for the title, or should it be determined by ratings, as in other sports like tennis? (AdE)

vasa:

- Fans have already lost count of FIDE’s experiments. Do you consider the current system for determining the world champion to be optimal? Which system, in your view, would it be right to settle on? - Should the World Cup be included in it as a part of the qualifying cycle? - How should the challenger be determined – in matches or in a tournament? - How much time should the cycle last – 2 or 3 years?

I believe it shouldn’t last too long so two years maximum for a cycle. I think generally a tournament would be more interesting with the top two playing for the crown. A simple system is needed so professionals and amateurs alike can easily follow it!

“At the Chess Olympiad in Thessaloniki where I scored 12.5/13 and Hungary won gold! Left to right: myself, Susan, Sofia, Madl and team captain Janos Tompa”

5. Books, journalism and the internet

Redmar Damsma:

- I would like to know what your favourite chess book is. (CiT)

vasa:

Judit, could you tell us: - Which was your favourite chess book in your childhood?

I loved Keres’ 100 Best Games, Rook Endings by Levenfish and Smyslov and Dvoretsky's endgame book. Endgames are very important for all levels. Also “Learn from the Legends” by M. Marin. You can always learn a lot from books where players analyse the games themselves!

- Do you read chess literature nowadays?

Mainly chess magazines like New in Chess.

Verny Alvarado (CRC):

- As a child and/or adolescent, what tactics book attracted your attention and left an imprint on you? (AdE)

I used the Encyclopedia of Chess Combinations.  I’d solve tactical puzzles in different chess magazines, and there’s also a book called Attacking Manual.

дикий муцио:

- Which five chess books would you take with you on a long journey?

A book from a good player analysing his own games (for example, Gelfand’s My Memorable Games) , endgame books and a collection of studies.

WinPooh:

Your “Chess Playground” manual was recently released. - Are you planning to write another chess book? If yes, then what sort of book will it be – a manual, a game collection, a philosophic tract or something else?

In Hungarian there’s already Chess Playground 2. I’m still working on THE chess book where I’ll cover my games and build up in an educational way through my own games. I’m working a lot on that. Hope you like it :)!

Mike Schwartz:

Hi, Judit. You and Michael Adams are my two favorite players. Even though you have very different styles, you both have a direct and simple way of playing that almost makes it look easy. So of course I bought the book of your games, “Judit Polgar: The Princess of Chess” by Tibor Karyoli and I’m enjoying your games very much.

Thank you!

- My question is, do you plan on releasing a games collection soon with your own annotations? That would really be something. Don’t deprive us of your insights into attacking play! :)

It’s going to be published this year but it’s still under "construction" :) There will certainly be many things people don’t yet know about my chess :)

Washington Luiz dos Santos:

- Will there be any book with your classic (and fantastic) games in the future? The world of chess needs games like those you’ve played… (CiT)

Actually it’s been very interesting working on the book. I enjoy it very much but it takes up lots of my time :)

Valchess:

Judit, a few questions that are traditional for our conferences: - How do you rate the level of contemporary chess journalism? Are there, for example, genres or publications which you feel are lacking?

Talking more about the personal insights of the players would interest me. Why do they change an opening system, the way Kramnik switched to e4? How do they find the motivation? How can you recharge before the next tournament if there are only a few days in between two events? Why do they walk so much during a game? It would be good to somehow find a language where players are also happy to express their feelings. For example, Svidler is always very open, which is great!