Judit Polgar
GM · Hungary · born 1976 · peak 2735
Photo: Przemysław Jahr / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The strongest female chess player in history, and a fearless attacker.
Roast Judit's real games
See the blunders even a GM makes - a real engine finds them, AI explains each in plain English. Free.
Roast Judit on chess.com →Who is Judit Polgar?
Judit Polgar is a Hungarian grandmaster widely regarded as the strongest female player of all time. She broke into the overall world top 10 and beat eleven current or former World Champions over her career.
Playing style
Polgar played sharp, aggressive, attacking chess - sacrifices, kingside assaults, and fearless complications. She never played in women-only events, competing with (and beating) the very best men.
Signature openings
- Sicilian Najdorf
- Ruy Lopez
- King's Indian Defense
- Italian Game
Career highlights
- Highest-rated female player in history (peak 2735)
- Beat 11 current or former World Champions, including Kasparov and Carlsen
- Youngest player to break Bobby Fischer's record for youngest GM at the time
- Reached the overall world top 10
What you can learn from Judit
Attack with conviction. Polgar's fearless, sacrificial style shows that initiative and king safety decide games. Go for the throat when the position calls for it.
Did you know?
- Raised in a famous educational experiment by her father to become a chess prodigy - it worked spectacularly.
- Refused to play women-only tournaments, insisting on facing the world's best.
- Now a renowned chess educator and commentator.
Find out why YOU lose
Free. Paste your chess.com or lichess username and a real engine explains every blunder.
Analyze my games →