ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

JULY 20, 2026 00:59

Updated: JULY 20, 2026 01:52

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar declared on social media Sunday that he intends to nominate chess grandmaster Judit Polgar as the nation's upcoming president.

"Judit Polgar's name has long represented talent and perseverance," Magyar stated in his message.

He emphasized her remarkable chess achievements, including five Chess Olympiad titles and her status as an international grandmaster, whose journey appears in the 2026 Netflix film Queen of Chess.

Early triumphs featured her role in Hungary's 1988 women's Olympiad victory with sisters Zsuzsa (Susan) and Zsofia (Sofia), plus Ildiko Madl, which ended Soviet supremacy.

Polgar mainly faced male opponents, entering the global top 10 and becoming the sole woman to exceed the 2700 rating mark tied to Super GM status.

The greatest female chess player of all time

Considered the top female player ever, she held the women's world rankings for 26 straight years. A standout win came when she beat Garry Kasparov in September 2022.

In August 2015, former President Janos Ader presented Polgar with the Order of Saint Stephen, Hungary's top honor for those whose skill and resolve drive societal progress.

Polgar grew up in a Jewish Budapest family impacted by the Holocaust, losing relatives while her grandparents survived Auschwitz. The family keeps strong Israel connections, with sister Sofia and parents relocating there.

Sulyok: the amendment weakens the rule of law

President Tamas Sulyok approved a constitutional change from Magyar's Tisza party that ended his term at once, Reuters reported Saturday.

The measure supports Magyar's push to dismantle structures from ex-Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Magyar noted voters backed these reforms after his April election win.

Sulyok signed due to legal compliance yet cautioned it undermined rule of law. "The seventeenth amendment marks a turning point in Hungary's constitutional democracy," he said, warning of a risky precedent.

Orban condemned the moves, claiming "Tyranny is no longer a threat but reality. If this could be done to the President, tomorrow, no one will be safe." Fidesz has seen resignations and falling support since the April loss.

The amendment set term limits for lawmakers to 12 years, for Constitutional Court judges to retire at 70

The change caps lawmakers at 12 years and mandates Constitutional Court judges retire at 70, compelling Orban ally Peter Polt to exit.

Parliament Speaker Agnes Forsthoffer will serve as interim president from Monday until a successor is selected.

"Judit Polgar's path reflects consistent achievement," Magyar added. "Her acclaim stems not from politics but from talent, effort, resilience, and integrity."

"Personally, I would view it as a great honor if she accepts," Magyar said.

Jerusalem Post Staff and Reuters contributed to this report.