World Chess Federation announces the appointment of Grandmaster Judit Polgar as the Honorary FIDE Vice-President.

Mrs. Polgar will focus her efforts on chess development all over the world, including promoting chess in schools, popularization of the game and improving the level of tournament organization. GM Judit Polgar is the strongest female chess player of all time. At a classical rating of 2735, Judit was ranked № 8 chess player in the world in 2005.

Since her retirement from competitive chess in 2014, GM Polgar has been focusing on chess education and chess promotion. By 2018, the Budapest-based annual Global Chess Festival brought together more than 300 participating events and locations across 46 countries. Mrs. Polgar has also created the Chess Palace educational program, which is already being introduced in primary school curricula in Hungary and China. Furthermore, Grandmaster Polgar authored “Chess Playground”, a series of popular children's books translated into several languages.

In August 2015 Polgar received the Order of Saint Stephen - the highest state distinction in Hungary.

“I am very glad to welcome Judit to our team,” – said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. “She has great experience both as a top player and as an organizer of international events. Her enthusiasm in promotion of chess is enormous. Judit is greatly respected by the global chess community, and I am sure that she will play an important role in the future work of FIDE.” added Mr. Dvorkovich. Arkady Dvorkovich was elected as the new FIDE president in October 2018; new FIDE management team includes renowned chess grandmasters & organizers Nigel Short, Viorel Bologan & Emil Sutovsky.

“I am very much looking forward to working together with Arkady and his excellent team in extending the reach and appeal of chess worldwide.” – said GM Polgar in her statement. – “I am confident that FIDE will become a more agile organization, supporting our professional athletes and organizers - as well as the millions and millions of chess lovers. My primary personal goals are to increase chess’ impact in non-formal education; finding and fostering talent; and do more for equality of opportunity across gender, social or economic and age differences. Last but not least, chess needs to reaffirm its very special place in the 21st century, conquering new platforms and capturing new audiences. It will be a most exciting challenge for me to assist on this unique mission.” – Judit Polgar concluded.