Susan Polgar

(b. 1969)

U.S. Chess

Hall of Fame

Inducted 2019

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Susan Polgar immigrated to the United States in 1994. The top-ranked woman in the world at 15, in 1991, she became the first to earn the grandmaster title by norms and rating. Polgar won the Women's World Rapid and Blitz Championships in 1992. Her victory in the 1996 Women's World Championship also made her the first triple crown winner. Polgar won 12 Olympiad medals (five gold, four silver, three bronze) and led the U.S. to second place in 2004. She was undefeated in 56 games played on Board One. Polgar has coached men's college division I teams at Texas Tech University (2011-2012) and Webster University (2012-2018) to a record seven consecutive national championships.

Susan Polgar's Hall of Fame Plaque

Notable Games

Susan Polgar at the Awards Ceremony for the 1996 Women’s World Chess Championship

Photographer unknown

Susan Polgar at the Awards Ceremony for the 1996 Jaén, Spain, Women’s World Chess Championship

1996

5 x 7 in.

Photograph

Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame

Judit Polgar, Susan Polgar, and Alisa Galliamova during Award Ceremony at the 1992 Women’s World Blitz Championship

Photographer unknown

Judit Polgar, Susan Polgar, and Alisa Galliamova during Award Ceremony at the 1992 Budapest, Hungary, Women’s World Blitz Championship

1992

3 ½ x 5 ⅛ in.

Photograph

Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame

Press

4/3/2019: Webster University — In the News: Stroble on 'Top Women in Higher Education,' Polgar Hall of Fame induction, SVO events

4/3/2019: The Journal — Webster head chess coach inducted into U.S. Chess Hall of Fame

4/2/2019: Hungarian Free Press — Susan Polgar was Inducted into U.S. Chess Hall of Fame

4/1/2019: Saint Louis Mag — Grandmaster Susan Polgar played me in my first-ever game of chess. Here's how badly I lost.

3/27/2019: Saint Louis Chess Club — 2019 U.S. Chess Championship: Susan Polgar Interview (video)

3/22/2019: Webster-Kirkwood Times — Webster University's Susan Polgar Named to U.S. Chess Hall of Fame

3/19/2019: Chess Base — The U.S. Championships Kick Off

3/18/2019: St. Louis Public Radio — Barrier-Breaking Grandmaster Youngest Woman To Be Inducted In Chess Hall of Fame