Judit Polgar Quotes

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Judit Polgar

Profession : Celebrity

Birth : July 23, 1976

When the Ladies Chess Club was founded in London in 1895 and the first international women-only competition took place two years later, most clubs and competitions didn't accept women at all.

Judit Polgar

During most of my playing career, the performance gap between men and women was slowly narrowing. Federations began providing more coaching and competitions for girls and women.

Judit Polgar

From the moment of my birth on 23 July 1976, I became involved f in an educational research project. Even before I came into the world, my parents had already decided: I would be a chess champion.

Judit Polgar

But in 2002 I had a miscarriage, at 13 weeks. And funnily enough after that I had my best-ever tournament result, in January 2003.

Judit Polgar

My husband supports me a lot - he would probably go higher in his field if he didn't.

Judit Polgar

Of course I got angry when I lost and maybe would cry in my hotel room afterwards. But I would never show it. I didn't want the men's pity. I didn't want to share my pain with them.

Judit Polgar

There is no better training for chess than swimming. On a Friday evening I like to put in a good long session of breaststroke at the pool near where I live in Budapest with my husband, Gusztav, and my two children.

Judit Polgar

I started playing chess in the Eighties, but it is only recently that people have begun to appreciate the importance of physical exercise for chess players. You really need to be in good condition to be able to sit for four to six hours and still maintain your concentration.

Judit Polgar

Being a professional chess player is not very family-friendly and I am away quite often playing tournaments, sometimes for 12 days at a time. I catch up with Gusztav every day on Skype and email but even though I miss them, I don't make a point of ringing the children every night.

Judit Polgar

When I get back home, I want to spend as much time with my family as I can. I love just being at home and not having to rush off anywhere so on Saturday morning I might make a big breakfast with freshly-squeezed orange juice, yoghurt, eggs and bacon.

Judit Polgar

I'm convinced that if my goal hadn't been to be in the absolute best category I can, I would not have been able to be for 26 years the number one in the ladies' category.

Judit Polgar

I was very successful from a very young age... there was never a bad period.

Judit Polgar

I was very lucky to be a part of a family where I got all the support I needed and I think this was essential for me to be able to reach my results.

Judit Polgar

There are two ways to have educational chess in schools, either through after school programs or using chess as a tool in classrooms to improve children's thinking.

Judit Polgar

I do hope in Ireland children in schools can experience the richness of chess and it's positive effects.

Judit Polgar