Rory Kennedy's 'Queen of Chess' examines the life and career of Judit Polgár, who became the first woman to reach the top 10 in chess rankings. The film highlights her upbringing in communist Hungary and her challenges against male dominance in the sport. It focuses on key moments, including a controversial 1994 match against Garry Kasparov.
Judit Polgár, born in communist Hungary, was raised by her father László Polgár as part of an experiment to prove that genius is cultivated rather than inherited. Homeschooled alongside sisters Susan and Sofia, the Polgár daughters structured their daily lives around chess training, focusing on openings, positional play, and endgame theory. This rigorous approach challenged both state strictures and the male-dominated nature of elite chess, operating from a small Hungarian apartment.
Susan Polgár won multiple international women's chess championships, while Sofia achieved recognition in youth and adult tournaments. Judit emerged as the most precocious, becoming the youngest grandmaster at the time. In 1994, during the fifth round of the Linares tournament—described as the Wimbledon of chess—she faced world champion Garry Kasparov, who held the title from 1985 to 2000. The match featured a controversial touch-move incident where Kasparov appeared to release and reposition a piece, going unpenalized despite camera footage.
The documentary presents this encounter without verdict, emphasizing its symbolism in a game where Polgár's legitimacy faced scrutiny. Polgár refused women-only events, competing in open categories where scrutiny was intense. She defeated multiple world champions, including Kasparov in later matches, and reached the top 10 worldwide—an unprecedented feat for a woman. Throughout her career, she encountered sexism, including dismissive commentary and questions about her stamina and temperament.
Kennedy's film uses archival footage, interviews, and tournament clips in an observational style, mirroring chess's methodical nature. It includes reflections from the sisters on their upbringing, acknowledging its intensity without judgment. The narrative traces Polgár's ascent from teenager to chess history figure, showing how her discipline dismantled gender barriers through sustained excellence rather than activism.