Imagine a chess match where one player is blindfolded, yet still manages to checkmate their opponent with ease. That’s exactly what happened when Judit Polgár, the legendary chess prodigy, faced off against Alec Baldwin at the Sundance Film Festival. In a private home in Park City, Utah, the actor sat across the board from Polgár, who, despite her visual disadvantage, swiftly secured victory. But here’s where it gets even more fascinating: this wasn’t just any chess player—it was Judit Polgár, the woman widely regarded as the greatest female chess player of all time, and the only woman to ever break into the top 10 rankings among all chess players, male or female.
Polgár’s extraordinary story is the focus of Rory Kennedy’s new documentary, Queen of Chess, which premiered at Sundance. Kennedy, who initially knew nothing about Polgár, was stunned by her achievements. “I was approached by a producer friend, Steve Nemeth, about doing a documentary on her,” Kennedy recalled during a visit to Deadline’s Sundance Studio. “I had no idea who Judit Polgár was, but after some research, I was floored. She held the number one position among women chess players for 26 years, broke Bobby Fischer’s record as the youngest Grandmaster ever, and achieved feats no woman in chess had ever accomplished.”
And this is the part most people miss: Polgár’s journey wasn’t just about talent—it was about overcoming immense challenges. Born in Hungary during the Communist regime, she faced skepticism and resistance in a male-dominated field. “When I defeated my first Grandmaster at age 11, the man couldn’t handle it,” Polgár shared. “I heard he was banging his head against an elevator afterward. People often dismissed my wins as luck or a bad day for them. If I had been a boy, I think my achievements would’ve been acknowledged much faster. It took time to prove myself, but eventually, the chess community accepted me as ‘one of us’—one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever received.”
Polgár’s story echoes the themes of The Queen’s Gambit, the 2020 Netflix series that captivated audiences worldwide. “It was an amazing series,” Polgár noted. “I enjoyed it a lot.” Interestingly, Netflix will also be the home for Kennedy’s documentary, set to stream globally after its Sundance debut on February 6th. “Given the success of The Queen’s Gambit, Netflix was my first call,” Kennedy explained. “They were immediately on board, and we’ve had a wonderful partnership in bringing this exciting sports film to life.”
But here’s the controversial part: Was Polgár’s success solely due to her talent, or did her father’s unconventional parenting methods play a role? Kennedy’s documentary delves into this question, exploring how Polgár’s father turned her and her sisters into chess geniuses through what Kennedy calls an “experiment” in parenting. Polgár’s rivalry with champion Gary Kasparov is also a highlight, adding another layer to her remarkable legacy.
As we reflect on Polgár’s achievements, it’s impossible not to wonder: How much of genius is innate, and how much is shaped by environment? And in a world where gender biases still persist, how many more Judit Polgárs are out there, waiting to be recognized? Let’s discuss—what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Watch the full conversation in the video above, where Polgár and Kennedy dive deeper into her extraordinary life and career. Deadline Studio at Sundance, presented by Casamigos, brings you this inspiring story of talent, determination, and breaking barriers.
