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Five thousand visitors, guests from more than 15 countries, and nearly 30 interactive programmes filled the Hungarian National Gallery on 26 September for the 12th Judit Polgar Global Chess Festival. Organised by the Judit Polgar Chess Foundation, this year’s event placed critical thinking at its core.
In a world where the boundaries between what is real and what is fake are becoming increasingly blurred, it is more important than ever to question our first impressions, weigh up our options and consider the consequences of our decisions. The festival demonstrated how chess can help us do exactly that – through play and for all ages.
One of the most spectacular programmes, Think Moves Ahead, brought together the worlds of chess and illusion. The joint performance by Judit Polgar and magician Benedek “Benedict” Béres highlighted what chess players and illusionists have in common: both look for what others do not yet see, question first impressions, and strive to stay one move ahead.
In the Master Relay Simul, Judit Polgar, Sofia Polgar, Zoltan Almasi, Krisztian Szabo, Yona Kosashvili and Gellert Karacsonyi took turns at the boards, continuing games started by one another. This meant that participants constantly had to adapt to new situations and playing styles – turning the chessboard into a true training ground for flexible thinking.
One of the festival’s most unusual thought experiments, The 65th Square, brought together Judit Polgar, Sofia Polgar and Zoltan Almasi in an unconventional game that went beyond the traditional chessboard’s 64 squares. The game centred on three questions: Can I do it? Should I do it? What happens if I do it? – exploring freedom, responsibility and the consequences of our decisions.
For the first time, the RubikChess Tournament was open to the general public, bringing chess and the Rubik’s Cube together in a two-player team competition. Throughout the day, visitors could also enjoy chess tournaments, family programmes, workshops, quizzes, demonstrations and playful challenges designed to put their thinking skills to the test.
“I want our children to have the courage to ask questions, form their own opinions and make good decisions. To think critically. Chess is the perfect tool for developing these skills because it is a game. And we all love to play,” said Judit Polgar.
For the eighth consecutive year, Morgan Stanley was the festival’s main sponsor.
The message of the day was simple: information alone is not knowledge, and while technology provides us with ever more powerful tools, the responsibility for our decisions remains our own. Just as on the chessboard: question, evaluate, think ahead – and only then make your move.
Results:
Chess Challenge Tournament
1. Zsombor Bernad
2. Tetsuaki Sanada
3. Adam Tompa
Oldest participant: Gyula Obrecsany, 84
Youngest participant: Chenxiao Zhang, 5
Best U16 female player: Bodza Ilku
Best U16 male player: Ivan Aveskulov
Battle of Generations Tournament
1. Daniel Por, Attila Por
2. Damira Mikulas, Adam Mikulas
3. Istvan Toth, Zsombor Istvan Toth
RubikChess Tournament
1. Emod Jankovics, Botond Laszlo
2. Andras Orban, Peter Talaber
3. Krisztina Illenyi, Peter Illenyi
Youngest participant: Abris Kelemen
Oldest participant: Sandor Csermann
Best female player: Krisztina Illenyi
#GlobalChessFestival #JuditPolgar #HungarianNationalGallery #2026
