World Chess Championship: GM Judit Polgar loves the pressers, so do we

World Chess Championship: GM Judit Polgar loves the pressers, so do we

On August 16, 2014, the queen has made her last move. Judit Polgar, the greatest female chess player in history, has retired from competitive chess. Statistics would also tell you that the 38-year-old Hungarian is the greatest sportswoman of all time, that too without ever competing in a women’s world championship.

Judit did not want to play with women because they posed no challenge for her; besides, she was good enough to beat the strongest of men. She has defeated 10 world champions. She has been the world No.1 woman player for 25 years. She has been one of the world’s top players for a couple of decades. She had broken the record of Bobby Fischer to be the world’s youngest Grandmaster. She was once ranked No. 8 among men.

Gukesh vs Ding World Chess Championship 2024 Game 10 LIVE

Yes, chess allows women to compete with men, but it has not always been so. It was Judit’s eldest sister Susan who fought for that right.

The Polgar sisters — the middle one Sofia too was a strong player — were taught chess by their father Laszlo. Judit, though, was a prodigy.

As the game is only warming up, here is something to read. Judit Polgar, the greatest woman that has ever moved a piece on the chessboard, has compiled some interesting quotes from the press conferences, which have been delightful

Some of my favorite sentences (quotes & questions) that describe honesty, personality, ethics, work ethics, soberness, a sense of humor, self-confidence, tension, pressure, human factors, and the love of chess – all that #DingGukesh is about. Enjoy and think about them!

“I kind of believe in Fischer’s quote, I believe in good moves.” (#Gukesh on if he believes in numerology)

“I have very good memories in the Queen’s Indian. I play White like Black, but a tempo up.” (#Ding)

“I am losing hair from my head watching these games.” (@MauriceAshley, master of ceremonies)

“It is based on miscalculation.” (#Ding on a praised pawn sacrifice)

“I thought maybe I might even have some chances. But OK, it was just a misjudgment of the position.” (#Gukesh)

“Sometimes I play with the white pieces like black. But this time I pushed forward for advantage” (#Ding)

“I just like playing chess” (#Gukesh on refusing early draw)

„My opponent outplayed me – again – in the opening.” (#Ding)

“Are you having fun?” (#MauriceAshley to both players)

“The draw can be broken at any point so that is too early to talk about tie-break” (#Ding on who is the favorite of the tie-break.)

“I wouldn’t want to cheat at any point.” (#Gukesh on an imagined situation when he can check the engine during the game)

“Today I didn’t have any chance, so maybe I will use it for the future.” (#Ding in the same situation with a big smile on his face)