Free Republic

She is far and away the strongest female chess player that ever lived. [Note: She has always declined to play in competitions limited to females, which is why she never won the Women's World Championship.] At times she was in the top ten of the overall world rankings, but in the last three years, due to the birth of two children, has dropped back a little in her preparation and results. But as everyone can see from her recent tournaments this remarkable lady is on the rebound. Interviewing Judith Polgar [born July 23, 1976, in Budapest, Hungary] implies some kind...

Why so few women chess masters? America's top female player ponders the question. FOREST HILLS, N.Y.--Don't let appearances deceive you. Susan Polgar, the pretty, gracious and friendly 35-year-old mother of two boys who sat down with me recently over cookies and tea, is a killer at chess. In fact, Ms. Polgar is currently the top-ranked woman player (and No. 11 overall) in the U.S., and No. 1 among women on the active list (and No. 199 overall) in the world, according to FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs). "When I was more active, I was ranked among the top 100 overall...