Hungary’s prime minister, Péter Magyar, has announced plans to ask Judit Polgár—widely regarded as the greatest female chess player of all time—to take on the largely ceremonial role of president.
Magyar said he would meet Polgár on Monday to discuss the matter. “Our country needs unity, peace and a president that all Hungarians can be proud of,” he wrote on social media. “Judit Polgár’s name has been synonymous with talent and perseverance for decades.”
Magyar’s announcement comes after a months-long standoff between the newly elected leader and Tamás Sulyok, the president appointed during former leader Viktor Orbán’s time in power.
Since his landslide victory in April, Magyar has repeatedly called on Sulyok to step down, accusing him of being an Orbán “puppet” who failed to stand up for the country as Orbán’s right-wing, nationalist Fidesz party faced criticism for weakening democratic institutions and undermining the rule of law.
Last week, Hungary’s parliament—where Magyar’s Tisza party holds a two-thirds majority—voted to back a constitutional amendment that included an immediate end to Sulyok’s term. Sulyok then had five days to sign off on the amendment.
The move was criticized by several rights groups in Hungary, including Human Rights Watch, who warned that the rushed constitutional changes to oust the president were “reminiscent of the Fidesz era.” Magyar, however, insisted the changes were necessary as part of a broader effort to loosen Orbán’s lingering grip on the nation.
As news emerged that Sulyok had signed the legislation, ending his time in office, Magyar proposed nominating Polgár as his replacement. The idea was first floated in an open letter signed by 16 prominent Hungarians, including Ernő Rubik, the inventor of the Rubik’s Cube.
Born in Budapest, Polgár—who will turn 50 in a few days—was the top-ranked female player for 25 years before retiring in 2014. At age 15, she became the youngest grandmaster in the world, breaking the record set in 1958 by Bobby Fischer.
Her rise in the male-dominated world of chess—which included victories against several male world champions, including Garry Kasparov in 2002—was captured in the 2026 Netflix documentary Queen of Chess.
Magyar said he would ask her to serve in the new role until a new constitution was passed. The appointment, which must be voted on by parliament but is expected to pass easily given Tisza’s majority, carries a maximum term of five years.
Since being swept into power on the promise of “regime change,” Magyar and his center-right Tisza party have moved quickly to dismantle the pillars of Orbán’s 16 years in power—from suspending news broadcasts by public media outlets with ties to the former prime minister to abolishing the sovereignty protection office, which had allowed intelligence services to access information on individuals and organizations without judicial oversight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Hungarys strategic move to elect a chess prodigy as president
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Wait Hungary elected a chess player as president Who is it
Yes The candidate is Péter Lékó a famous Hungarian chess grandmaster who has been a worldclass player since his teens The move is seen as a strategic choice by the ruling party Fidesz
2 Why would a country choose a chess prodigy for president Isnt that unusual
It is very unusual The logic is that a chess grandmaster symbolizes strategic thinking patience and intelligence The government wants to project an image of a smart nation that thinks several moves ahead both in politics and in global affairs
3 What does the President of Hungary actually do Do they run the country
No Hungary is a parliamentary republic The President is mostly a ceremonial figurehead Their job is to represent the country sign laws and act as a symbol of national unity The real power lies with the Prime Minister and the parliament
4 Does this mean the Prime Minister is a chess fan
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is known for praising strategic thinking and has often used chess metaphors in his speeches He sees the game as a model for political and economic competition Choosing a chess star fits his illiberal democracy narrative of being a smart nonWestern alternative
AdvancedLevel Questions
5 What is the deeper political strategy behind this move
Its a soft power and branding play By picking a globally respected apolitical intellectual the government can
Distract from domestic issues
Polish Hungarys image as a center for highlevel talent and education
Appeal to nationalist pridea homegrown genius representing the nation
6 Doesnt this risk making the presidency look like a PR stunt
Yes critics argue its a symbolic gimmick Since the president has no real executive power choosing a nonpolitician like Lékó is safe for the ruling party It wont change policy but it creates a positive intellectual headline Opponents say it trivializes the office
