Famous Hungarian Chess Players

Judit Polgár is a Hungarian chess grandmaster known as the strongest female player in history. She achieved the title of Grandmaster at a young age, breaking records along the way. Polgár has been a serious candidate for the World Chess Championship and is the only woman to surpass 2700 Elo rating. She has won numerous prestigious chess tournaments and defeated several world champions. After retiring from competitive chess, Polgár became the captain of the Hungarian national men's team and received Hungary's highest decoration. She was also inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame in 2021.

Susan Polgar is a Hungarian-American chess grandmaster who has made significant contributions to the world of chess. She was the Women's World Chess Champion from 1996 to 1999 and became the top-ranked female chess player at the age of 15. Polgar was awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE in 1991 and has won multiple medals at the Women's Chess Olympiad. She is also known for her work as a trainer, writer, and promoter of chess, as well as for her role in organizing tournaments and leading the Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE) at Webster University.

Anna Rudolf is a prominent Hungarian chess player, commentator, livestreamer, and YouTuber holding the titles of International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM). She has achieved significant success in chess, winning multiple national championships and representing Hungary internationally. Rudolf is known for her impressive tournament performances, defeating Grandmasters with high ratings. Beyond her playing career, she is a respected commentator at prestigious chess events, collaborating with major platforms like Chess.com and chess24. She has also ventured into content creation, hosting instructional videos and co-hosting a popular series.

Sofia Polgar is a highly accomplished Hungarian and Israeli chess player, teacher, and artist. She holds the FIDE titles of International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM). Known as a former chess prodigy, Sofia has represented Hungary in multiple Chess Olympiads, achieving outstanding results including team gold and silver medals, as well as individual gold and bronze medals. With a successful career in chess and a passion for teaching, Sofia Polgar continues to inspire and make significant contributions to the world of chess.

Johann Wolfgang Ritter von Kempelen de Pázmánd was a Hungarian author and inventor renowned for his various creations. He gained fame for his chess-playing automaton, The Turk, which captivated audiences across Europe. In addition to this hoax, Kempelen also developed a speaking machine, showcasing his skill in both mechanical engineering and linguistics. His innovative creations not only entertained the public but also contributed to the advancement of technology and automation during his era. Kempelen's professional life was marked by ingenuity and creativity in the fields of invention and performance.

Peter Leko is a Hungarian chess grandmaster known for becoming the world's youngest grandmaster in 1994. Throughout his career, he has achieved notable successes in major chess tournaments such as Dortmund, Linares, Wijk aan Zee, and the Tal Memorial in Moscow. Leko has also represented Hungary in numerous Chess Olympiads and European Team Championships, winning team silver and individual gold medals. He has reached a ranking as high as fourth in the FIDE world rankings and has participated in several World Chess Championships.

László Polgár is a Hungarian chess teacher and educational psychologist known for raising his daughters, the Polgár sisters, to become chess prodigies. He is the author of several popular chess books and is considered a pioneer in child-rearing theory, advocating that geniuses are made, not born. Polgár's experiment with his daughters is highly regarded in the realm of education, with some comparing it to a remarkable feat in the history of human development. He has been both criticized and praised for his unconventional methods.

Richard Rapport is a Hungarian chess grandmaster known for his exceptional talent in the game. Achieving the grandmaster title at a remarkably young age, he holds the distinction of being Hungary's youngest grandmaster. He has showcased his skills by becoming the Hungarian Chess Champion in 2017, solidifying his status as a top player in the global chess community. With consistent success, he has climbed the ranks to become one of the top-rated players in the world, demonstrating his impressive strategic and tactical abilities on the chessboard.

Pal Benko was a prominent figure in the world of chess, known for his significant contributions as a player, author, and composer. He achieved success both as a Hungarian and American chess player, showcasing his skills on an international level. Benko also made a name for himself through his writings on chess and his creation of endgame studies and chess problems. His expertise and creativity in the realm of chess have left a lasting impact on the chess community worldwide.

Andor Lilienthal was a renowned Hungarian and Soviet chess player known for his impressive career achievements. Throughout his long tenure, he competed against numerous world champions, securing victories over notable players such as Emanuel Lasker, José Raúl Capablanca, Alexander Alekhine, and more. He held the distinction of being the oldest living grandmaster at the time of his passing and was the sole surviving member of the original group of grandmasters honored with the title by FIDE in 1950.

Ottó Titusz Bláthy was a Hungarian electrical engineer known for his significant contributions to the field of electrical engineering. He co-invented several key devices that revolutionized the industry, including the modern electric transformer, the tension regulator, the AC watt-hour meter, the turbo generator, and the motor capacitor for single-phase electric motors. Bláthy's career as an inventor began at the Ganz Works, where he conducted experiments that led to the creation of the transformer. His work, alongside fellow engineers, resulted in the invention of the ZBD model alternating-current transformer, which played a crucial role in the development of electrical systems.

Lajos Portisch is a Hungarian chess Grandmaster known for his positional style, earning him the nickname "Hungarian Botvinnik." He was one of the strongest non-Soviet players from the early 1960s to the late 1980s, participating in twelve consecutive Interzonals and qualifying for the World Chess Championship Candidates Cycle eight times. Portisch set records in Chess Olympiads and won several Hungarian Chess Championships. He also won numerous international tournaments during his career and was awarded Hungary's highest national sports achievement award in 2004.

Johann Jacob Löwenthal was a prominent chess master in the mid-19th century, ranked among the top 3 players of the 1850s. Known for his strategic prowess and analytical skills, he made significant contributions to the world of chess. Löwenthal's professional career was marked by numerous successful tournament performances and notable victories against top players of his time. His expertise and dedication to the game earned him a reputation as a formidable opponent and a respected figure within the chess community.

Géza Maróczy was a prominent Hungarian chess player, widely recognized as one of the top players globally during his era. He achieved significant success in competitive chess, earning the prestigious title of International Grandmaster from FIDE in 1950. Maróczy's strategic prowess and exceptional gameplay contributed to his reputation as a formidable opponent in the chess world. His professional career was marked by numerous notable victories and accomplishments, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in the history of chess.

László Szabó was a renowned Hungarian chess player who achieved the prestigious title of International Grandmaster in 1950, following its establishment by FIDE. Throughout his professional career, Szabó demonstrated exceptional skill and strategic prowess, leaving a lasting impact on the world of chess. His contributions to the game were widely recognized, and he was celebrated for his innovative playing style and remarkable achievements in various competitions. Szabó's legacy continues to inspire and influence aspiring chess players worldwide.

Hoàng Thanh Trang is a Vietnamese-born Hungarian chess grandmaster with an impressive professional career. She has achieved notable titles such as the Asian women's champion in 2000 and the European women's champion in 2013. Hoàng has competed in multiple Women's World Chess Championships from 2000 to 2018, showcasing her skills and dedication to the game. Her consistent participation in high-level tournaments demonstrates her commitment to chess and her continuous pursuit of excellence in the competitive chess world.

Ferenc Berkes is a highly accomplished Hungarian chess grandmaster with numerous achievements in his professional career. He has clinched the Hungarian Chess Championship title eight times and also secured the World Under 18 Champion title in 2002. Berkes has participated in prestigious events such as the Aeroflot Open and the Chess World Cup, where he showcased his skills against formidable opponents. Known for his strategic gameplay and consistent performances, Berkes continues to leave a mark in the world of chess through his impressive tournament results and rankings.

Zoltán Almási is a highly accomplished Hungarian chess player, holding the prestigious title of Grandmaster since 1993. Throughout his career, he has secured numerous victories, including nine Hungarian championship titles. Almási has consistently represented Hungary in international competitions, notably participating in 13 consecutive Chess Olympiads. His successes include team and individual silver medals in various events. Known for his strategic prowess, Almási's innovative gameplay has influenced top players like Vladimir Kramnik, making a significant impact on the chess world with his unique playing style and contributions to opening theory.