Chess grandmaster Judit Polgár has declined an invitation from Prime Minister Péter Magyar to become Hungary's next president.
The largely ceremonial role carries a maximum term of five years. Magyar announced the invitation on social media on Sunday, stating he would meet Polgár on Monday and would consider it a tremendous honor if she accepted.
Polgár responded in a Facebook post that she was grateful but unable to accept. She wrote that she did not feel enough strength within her to take on the historic responsibility of uniting a divided nation.
Magyar had pushed for the removal of previous president Tamás Sulyok, who had served since 2024 under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán lost the national election in May. Magyar's Tisza party holds a two-thirds majority in parliament and passed a constitutional amendment to end Sulyok's term.
Magyar described Polgár as a symbol of talent and perseverance, noting her status as the strongest woman chess player in history.