About
Judit Polgár is a Hungarian chess grandmaster widely considered the strongest female chess player of all time. She holds the distinction of being the only woman to be ranked in the world's top 10 and the only woman to achieve a rating over 2700. Polgár is also the only woman to have competed in the final stage of a World Chess Championship. She was the top-rated female player globally from 1989 until her retirement in 2014.
Career Timeline
Youngest International Master
Becomes the youngest International Master at the time, showcasing her prodigious talent.
Grandmaster at Age 15
Becomes a Grandmaster, breaking Bobby Fischer's record for youngest GM at the time.
World's Top 10 Ranking
Enters the world's top 10 rankings, a feat unmatched by any other woman.
Draws Garry Kasparov
Draws a game against Garry Kasparov in a rapid tournament.
World Chess Championship
Participates in the FIDE World Chess Championship tournament.
Retires from Chess
Retires from competitive chess to focus on family and chess education.
Chess Education Advocate
Continues to promote chess education and remains an influential figure in the chess world.
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Last updated: February 25, 2026