Susan Polgar

Inducted 2019 (U.S.) | 2023 (World) 1969 -

Hungary

Biography

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 and 10 consecutive years (2012-2022) as the #1 ranked collegiate chess team in the nation.

Notable Game

Zsuzsa Polgar vs. Jean-Luc Costa

1-0 San Bernardino San Bernardino 1987 Opening: Rubinstein Opening Round: 6 ECO: D05

Susan Polgar at the Awards Ceremony for the 1996 Jaén, Spain, Women’s World Chess Championship (1996) | Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame

Judit Polgar, Susan Polgar, and Alisa Galliamova during Award Ceremony at the 1992 Budapest, Hungary, Women’s World Blitz Championship (1992) | Collection of the World Chess Hall of Fame