Cold War Conversations
Rebel Queen: The Cold War, Misogyny, and the Making of a Chess Grandmaster (392)
Published: 15 March 2025 at 00:00 UTC
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Episode notes
Susan Polgar is the author of Rebel Queen: The Cold War, Misogyny, and the Making of a Grandmaster.
Born to a poor Jewish family in Cold War Budapest, Susan Polgar had the odds stacked against her growing up in a sexist and oppressive culture. Yet her father subscribed to the belief that geniuses are not born, but created, so he set out to ensure her success in an unlikely field: chess.
At age 4, she won her first tournament. By 15, she was the top‑rated female player in the world. She was the first woman ever to hold the men's Grandmaster title, chess' highest designation.
The ensuing wins and accolades provided incredible highs to coincide with extreme lows as Polgar's celebrity brought backlash, including sabotage and state‑sponsored intimidation.
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