Chess giant recognized during Women's History Month

Susan Polgar Honored in New York City

Chess giant recognized during Women’s History Month event.

Written by Cory Chandler

International magnate and Texas Tech University chess ambassador Susan Polgar was a featured honoree during a Women’s History Month celebration hosted by New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr.

Polgar, director of Texas Tech’s Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE) and coach of the Knight Raiders, was one of five city leaders honored at the event, co-sponsored by the Women’s City Club of New York and The League of Women Voters of the City of New York.

“Ms. Polgar captured her first world title by winning the World Chess Championships for girls under 16 at the age of 12 in 1982,” Thompson said.

“In 1986, Ms. Polgar broke the gender barrier in becoming the first woman in history to qualify for the Men’s World Chess Championship at the age of 16. Though she qualified, her gender kept her from participating, and in response the World Chess Federation eventually was forced to change its rules and admit women players. She earned a men’s Grandmaster title five years later.”

Here is the full article.