Main content

Judit Polgar - the chess champion who defied stereotypes

How the Hungarian chess prodigy overcame sexism in her sport and defeated all-time greats like Russian World Champion Garry Kasparov.

In 1991, the Hungarian chess prodigy, Judit Polgar, became the youngest Grandmaster ever at the age of 15. She speaks to Robert Nicholson about her unconventional childhood and how her extraordinary career defied expectations for female players. This programme was first broadcast in 2015.

PHOTO: Judit Polgar (EPA)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Mon 23 Nov 202003:50GMT
BBC World Service

More episodes

Previous

The 'Blind Maradona'

Next

Maradona and the "Hand of God" goal

See all episodes from Sporting Witness

Broadcasts

  • Thu 19 Nov 202010:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Fri 20 Nov 202000:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Mon 23 Nov 202003:50GMT
    BBC World Service

Olympic history

Olympic history

The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history

Sporting Witness Films

Sporting Witness Films

Watch sporting heroes tell their stories of astonishing achievement

Podcast

  • Sporting Witness

    Personal stories of amazing moments from sporting history told by people who were there