Barrier-Breaking Grandmaster Youngest Woman To Be Inducted In Chess Hall Of Fame

[Sherman A1]

A Webster University chess coach will today become the youngest woman to be inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame.

Susan Polgár was the first woman to win the coveted grandmaster title through traditional tournament play in 1991. The Hungarian-born champion has broken gender barriers in the male-dominated chess world during a career that spans five decades.

“There will be naysayers, and there will be men that don’t want to see women succeed, especially in a male-dominated field,” she said. “But don’t let that hold you back — just work harder and prove them wrong.”

Many consider Polgár one of the most famous players in the world. She became the first woman to qualify for the men’s world chess championship, in 1986. She’s won five Olympic chess championships.

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/barrier-breaking-grandmaster-youngest-woman-be-inducted-chess-hall-fame