Péter Magyar, the prime minister, has invited Judit Polgár, the most successful female chess player the world has ever seen, to become Hungary’s president. Polgár is the only woman in the history of chess to have broken the 2700 Elo rating barrier for super-grandmasters. She led the women’s world rankings for 26 consecutive years, achieved a career-best of eighth place on the overall world list, and is a two-time women’s Chess Olympiad champion. The widely respected athlete has not previously taken on any political role.
“Our country needs unity, peace and a president in whom every Hungarian can be proud. The presidency is not a profession, not a job, but the highest form of service. The president’s duty is to serve and to represent every Hungarian.
"The Judit Polgár put forward today as president by recognised figures of Hungarian public life is such a person, which is why I will meet her on Monday and ask whether, until the adoption of the new constitution, she is prepared to serve our country in a new role," the prime minister wrote in his Sunday evening Facebook post (source in Hungarian).
"For decades, Judit Polgár's name has been synonymous with talent and perseverance. As the most successful female player in chess history, she led the women's world rankings uninterrupted for 26 years, while also breaking into the top ten of the overall world list.
