6th Global Chess Festival Recap

The world has changed, but we and our slogan did not: Chess Connects Us. On the 6th Global Chess Festival 50+ programs were presented online: Talks with world class players who, in addition to chess, have performed exceptionally well in science, art, education or sports. You can find videos of our programs by clicking on the photos on this page also about programming, mathematics, films, interactive classes, simultaneous and chess tournaments, art galleries, presentations about social and educational methods and business strategies.
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Vladimir Kramnik, AI and new chess variants

Judit Polgar talks to former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik about his new project with DeepMind, Alphabet’s Artificial Intelligence company, famous for their revolutionary computer program AlphaZero. They are researching the effect (and viability) of 10 changes to the chess rules. Is chess a more exciting game if you are not allowed to castle? And what if the movement of the pawns is altered? Anyone for Torpedo Chess?
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Champions Talk with Garry Kasparov by Judit Polgar

A highly personal talk between two chess greats Judit Polgar, the strongest female chess player in history and Garry Kasparov, arguably the greatest player that ever lived! They touch on a wide range of subjects including the role of chess in modern education and the work the Kasparov Foundation is doing worldwide. What does a Champion’s life look like after his or her career? And how do they see the future of chess now that AI and AlphaZero are creating a new reality? Is chess a sport and what gender issues should be addressed?
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Chess and Soccer Champions Talk with Simen Agdestein by Judit Polgar

Judit talks to Simen Agdestein, not only Norway’s strongest chess grandmaster for many years, but also a gifted footballer, who made it to the Norwegian national team! They speak about the connections between physical sports and chess, and his work as a trainer and teacher at the Norwegian Academy for talented athletes. And of course about his work as a trainer with Magnus Carlsen, the current Chess World Champion.
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Champions Talk with Chess Scientist John Nunn by Judit Polgar

Judit interviews John Nunn, who at a young age showed a prodigious talent for both chess and science. The two former prodigies speak about the pleasures and burdens of being exceptionally gifted, and how Nunn became an early adapter when computers entered chess. And about the many books he wrote and his study-solving prowess (three-time World Champion!). Language: English
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Champions Talk with Chess Artist Jan Timman by Judit Polgar

Judit interviews Dutch chess legend Jan Timman. They talk about his rich career, both as a player and a highly successful writer. And about their shared passion for the artistic side of chess. Jan is a prolific study composer and firmly believes that the beauty of studies can make you a better player. Language: English
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Dessert with the Polgar Sisters

A talk with the Polgar Sisters led by Yasser Seirawan. From four parts of the world (the Netherlands, USA, Israel and Hungary) Yasser and the three sisters Susan, Sofia and Judit, get together for an enjoyable dessert. The Polgar sisters talk freely about their shared adventures, differences in character, education, gender issues and whatever their mild-mannered yet inquisitive host brings up for discussion. Language: English
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Biggest Milestones by Judit Polgar

A master class by Judit, who looks at highlights of her great career. She shares stories, looks at key moments and shows positions from her games where she had to take crucial decisions. And there are quizzes for the audience! So, let’s play together! Language: English
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Business Lessons from Chess

Morgan Stanley is proud to have numerous chess enthusiasts and competitive players amongst its employees globally, and the firm has run internal, online inter-office championships for over five years. As a game which requires concentration, creativity, planning and foresight, chess also provides a solid grounding in many valuable soft skills, including problem solving, rational thinking, decision making, and strategic planning. These qualities are also invaluable for a career in fields related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, where there are many rewarding career opportunities with large financial institutions. Besides drawing key comparisons between chess and business, Norbert Fogarasi, managing director and head of Morgan Stanley Budapest, will also discuss how AI and humans perform in pattern recognition, which are crucial in both chess and in today’s data-driven financial world. Language: English, Hungarian
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Alina's Adventures in Wonderland / Photo Exhibition by Alina L’Ami

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" has left a lasting impression on me and so did the "Chess Adventures in Judit's land", says Alina L'Ami, professional chess player, photographer and chess promoter. During the past three editions she had the chance to photograph in Budapest, and witness first-hand the Global Chess Festival's explosion of colours, laughter and enthusiasm (or differently said - chess on a colossal scale). The activities, the atmosphere and the people connected by the same passion for chess created a moment that years cannot fade away. "Chess Connects Us" is not just a motto or a hashtag, it is a constant source of inspiration, surprise and wonderment. Lewis Carroll was born in the wrong year...he would have had material not for one but for ten books! Virtual photo gallery
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Developing Social Emotional Skills - Using Chess as a Metaphor for Life

Fernando Moreno, a psychologist and school teacher, explains and shows how working with simple chess positions can help students to solve their social and psychological problems. This approach is successful because the children’s engagement is very high. Instead of being interrogated by a counselor, they can play and learn from each other while reinforcing healthy social-emotional skills at the same time. Language: English
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World Continental Online Youth Team Cup

The 2019 Future Champions of Europe tournament is now followed by the World Continental Online Youth Team Cup in cooperation with the European Chess Union. Four continental youth teams from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe - 64 players in U12, U14, U16 and U18 categories - meet in a historic world online match. The online audience will be able to follow the tournament. Language: Chess
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Motion and Color Across the Board Sofia Polgar's Chess Art

For the chess Olympic champion, the sixty-four squares are not enough to express herself. Sofia Polgar's favorite chess related paintings are presented in this 3D virtual gallery. "Often an idea is just the beginning of a journey to a wonderful, if at times frustrating, creation. Though some of my compositions are planned, others are totally spontaneous. Painting gives me the great satisfaction of creating: I feel totally free and often let the paintbrush lead the way."
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Chess and decision-making in sports

Dr. Tamas Sterbenz, Vice-Rector of the University of Physical Education in Budapest and former coach of the Hungarian national women’s basketball team, looks at chess as a synonym for rational reasoning, long-term planning and conscious decision-making. How can we improve decision-making in other sports, and in everyday life for that matter, by studying chess players? Language: English
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CHESS BEHIND BARS (Chess in prisons) by Carl Portman

Prisons have a major role to play in trying to help rehabilitate prisoners so that they can go back into society and not return. Despite many educational initiatives, reoffending rates are still too high. Chess can and does reach out where other programs fail. Actions have consequences at the board, as in life. Can chess really change attitudes? Can it really reduce re-offending? Can it even save lives? Carl Portman knows through real testimony that the answer to these questions is yes. Change does not happen overnight. It will need society not to judge. You can make a difference.
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THINK LIKE A MACHINE - With Noam Manella and Arthur Kogan

Chess author Noam Manella and chess grandmaster Arthur Kogan are inviting you to an amazing world of chess ideas. They look at stunning moves suggested by powerful chess engines, wonderful finds that even top players missed during their fierce battles. They will show videos from their YouTube Channel that were made especially for the Global Chess Festival. And they will analyse games in their trademark witty and amusing style in an interactive live session. Including quiz questions! Their presentations are based on the new book that Noam Manella wrote together with Zeev Zohar, Think Like a Machine. Language: English
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Chess Playground

Join a Chess Adventure that is presented by Ildiko from Happy Kids for preschoolers and elementary school children. Discover the Chess Palace and the friendly characters that live there. Meet Queen Quenessa and King Crucifer! Learn about the chessboard and the way the chess pieces find their way along the ranks and files of the board in a fascinating way. And answer the questions! Language: English
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Let’s play Maths on the Chessboard

Exciting adventures await those children aged between 8 and 12 who are fond of mathematics. Tales will be told about a treasure-hunting queen, the balance of truth and racing knights. We will attempt to rescue some shipwrecked chess pieces, and preside over a duel between two rooks. We will finish our exploration with a few games of Chess Sudoku. Language: English, Hungarian
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‘Critical Thinking’, chess as a metaphor for life

The chess-themed movie ‘Critical Thinking’ was only released weeks ago. The film is based on the true story of the Miami Jackson Senior High School chess team that created a sensation when they won the U.S. National Championships in Los Angeles in 1998. The team, made up of Latin young men and women of colour from one of the poorest communities in Miami, shattered stereotypes of what kind of person excelled at chess. The film, described by one critic as ‘Dangerous Minds’ meets ‘Searching for Bobby Fischer’, is directed by and stars John Leguizamo in the lead role of the inspirational Miami Jackson Senior High School teacher/chess coach “Mr. T” Mario Martinez. ‘I think the film really shows the horrors, neglect, abandonment and wasted talent you find in these places,’ said Leguizamo in an interview. ‘I wanted it to be real. I didn’t want it to represent Disney. I wanted to show the obstacles these kids are running away from. They’re not just “underprivileged.” It’s a really difficult life.’ The backstage movie ‘Rise Above’ will be screened during the festival. It’s a perfect teaser, making you want to see the whole film and the way chess helped the members of the team shape a better life. As one of the original team members describes it: ‘Chess is the great equalizer.’ The screening will be followed by a talk about ‘Critical Thinking’ with: Scott Rosenfelt – Producer Marcel Martinez – Chess Consultant/Original Team member Language: English
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Chess Songs & Music Videos by Juga

Chilean singer Juga prominently performs at the Global Chess Festival. Her latest chess song and music video Immortal Game inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter movement, was part of the Opening Ceremony. Once again she brilliantly combines her two biggest passions, music and chess. It’s only two years ago that Juga’s first chess song ‘Oh Capablanca’ was warmly received by chess pros and amateurs, making her a welcome guest at top chess events such as the Batumi Chess Olympiad and the World Chess Championship in London.
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Girls Power / David Llada's Photo Exhibition

The exhibition would like to highlight the importance of girls in chess, girls competing in a mail dominated sport. It would like to inspire more girls to challenge themselves to play chess, to compete in chess. To fulfil their dreams whether it is something boys do mostly or not. It is important from the society , from the close family as well to support girls in reaching their potentials. It is important to give them opportunities, it is important to encourage them, It is important to create an environment in the chess tournament the chess society where girls can freely play and compete with boys whithour having gender issues , comments just because of their gender. The game of chess is for girls , for boys for reach and poor, old and young, it is an international language where everybody is equal from the start of the game. Online photo gallery
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The Art of Feedback - How to praise effectively?

Everyone loves to be praised - those who give praise and those who receive it, too. However, the way we do it matters a lot. This presentation helps to understand how we can best support the development of our children, mitigate their anxiety levels during stressful situations, and maintain their intrinsic motivation with the help of how we give feedback to them. Language: English, Hungarian
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Take your pick!

All through the day you can watch a selection of movies. You can watch ‘Rise Above’, a backstage movie about the recently released film ‘Critical Thinking’, based on the true story of a team made up of Latin youngsters of colour from one of the poorest communities in Miami that won the U.S. National Championships. Or ‘Chess Brains’, if you want to find out what goes on in a top chess player’s mind, the chess masters in question being Vladimir Kramnik, Emanuel Berg, Anish Giri, Judit Polgar and Julio Granda. Or watch ‘Judit Polgar 40’, a riveting review of a magnificent career filmed when Judit reached the big 4-0. Or ‘The Polgar Girls’, an animated film introducing the amazing Zsuzsa, Zsofia and Judit Polgar. Or ‘The Polgar Variant’, the story of three girls from one family that made a huge splash in the world of chess.
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It’s OK to make mistakes! - How our mistakes and failures can support us

Why does avoiding failures mean avoiding success? Our approach to making mistakes matters a lot - not only to our own mistakes, but to our children’s mistakes as well. This presentation shows how a growth mindset can turn hardships and failures into success - and how chess can help with that. Language: English, Hungarian

Chess Paintings by Maria Yugina

Maria Yugina’s artwork is modern and timeless, expressing her passion for chess, romance and travel in bold colors and shapes. Her chess-themed paintings pair Cubism with Impressionism in a style that she describes as ‘colorful cubism’. She is a member of the St. Petersburg Painters Union and has had two exhibitions in Bucharest and several more of her chess-themed paintings in Germany, Spain and Sweden. She also holds a green belt in Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. Virtual Gallery
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10 reasons for the chess boom in India

Sagar Shah, the highly active and versatile editor-in-chief of ChessBase India, explains one of the most amazing booms chess has ever seen: the Indian Chess Boom. In a 20-minute presentation he starts with the country’s biggest legend, former World Champion Vishy Anand, who became India’s first grandmaster in 1988. Today India boasts a stunning 66 GMs. Sagar Shah offers 10 reasons why India has been so successful and introduces the people behind the success: the players, the trainers, the sponsors and the parents. Language: English
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Chess Puzzles with Morgan Stanley

Chess puzzles are as old as the game itself and provide a fun tool to hone one’s problem-solving skills. Finding the optimal solution for complex challenges is also useful in many professions, including finance and technology. Professionals at Morgan Stanley’s Budapest office rely on problem-solving skills to support the bank’s global operations, and they also have some interesting chess puzzles up their sleeves for any age group. Challenge your brain and test your chess skills with fun and interesting puzzles. Language: English, Hungarian
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Happy Kids Playing Chess

Discussion with Petra Kim and Ildikó Győri about the benefits of teaching young kids to play chess. Petra Kim is the Director of the Happy Kids International Kindergarten and Nursery in Budapest that is running a pilot project together with the Judit Polgar Chess Foundation. Ildikó Győri is a visual arts and chess teacher at the Happy Kids Kindergarten. How do they see chess as an educational tool and what have been their experiences? What has been the feedback from the parents? And what have been the reactions of the children from the different age groups? Language: English
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Seven-league Tour of Queen Quenessa in the Chess Playground World

We invite families on a short tour with Queen Quenessa, into the wonderful fairytale world of the Chess Playground! Here we can get a glimpse into the challenging everyday lives of fairy tale characters and learn about their thought-provoking, creative, skill-building games. In the meantime, we are also talking about the rules of chess. Language: Hungarian

Champions Education in South America with Oscar Panno

Anna Rudolf interviews Oscar Panno, the first world-class chess player born in South America. The Argentinian grandmaster is a former Junior World Champion and former Candidate in the world championship cycle. After his active career as a player he became a trainer and a promoter of chess as an educational tool. Over the past ten years his ‘Ajedrez with Panno’ foundation has provided a basic chess course to more than 10,000 teachers all around Argentina. Language: Spanish
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Become a Champion! / Judit Polgar presents her brand new book

Many of you have been asking me to write a book for those who are at the beginning of the road and would like to learn about the ins and outs of chess. This book is for them – for you and, in a way, for your siblings, parents, grandparents and friends. For those who are adventuring with you or helping you to navigate in this magical world. For the moment, it is only available in Hungarian. In a short video I am sharing you my motivation and I am leading you through adventures I have had writing this book. Language: Hungarian
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The Role of Strategy in Sports and Business

In the autumn of 2020, at the Global Chess Festival, OTP Fáy András Foundation will unveil to the public the digital version of its financial education training modules that have enjoyed great success over the years. “The Role of Strategy in Sports and Business” will give a taste of these. A raffle will be held among the viewers of the roughly 20-minute video for primary and secondary students, featuring gifts from the Foundation (details of the raffle will be provided in the video for those interested in partaking). Language: Hungarian

8th October 2022 Hungarian National Gallery Free entry