Don’t underestimate Vishy

Pioneering Susan promotes chess for progress
Nov 10, 2013 – S. Sujatha
Age Correspondent
Chennai

In 1991, the eldest of the Polgar siblings, Zsuzsa, achieved a global first when she became a grandmaster among men by winning three GM norms and attaining a 2,500 elo rating. Her accomplishment was a huge success not only to her family, which had two more girls plying the trade, but the women’s fraternity in general, who are indebted to her for showing them the path.

Unlike her youngest sister, Judit, who still plays only in the open section, Zsuzsa, who changed her name to Susan after marriage and a subsequent move to the US, entered the world women’s championship cycle, as she wanted a platform to promote chess.

“The time came, when I needed a goal and since I already had the GM title, I decided to play for the ultimate women’s crown,” said Susan, who is leading the commentary team at the World Championship match between Anand and Carlsen.

By then, Susan, who accidently discovered a chess board in a cabinet at her home in Budapest when she was four, had travelled a long way to turn a promoter of the mind game. “My father was against my move to the US, as he felt that I wouldn’t be able to meet the family often,” Susan said.

As they say, love is blind and Susan, 44, doesn’t regret it, though she missed their support when she was raising her two sons. “Judit is married and living in Budapest. My parents and her in-laws were of great support to her. But despite that women need to slow down or even take a break when the children are young and need our attention,” she said.

“Women who love the game and are ambitious, by all means, should follow their passion. When it comes to relationship, they should pick a partner who will support and not get shocked to hear about your two weeks’ travel to a tournament,” she added.

Susan, who started a chess centre 13 years ago, is now actively promoting chess among girls through her Polgar Foundation. Following the success of scholastic chess in vogue in the US, she helps children continue the game of chess even at college level by tying up with universities.

“Even if they don’t grow up to make a living out of chess, they at least would have an education (at substantially less cost) to bank on,” she added.

Susan on Anand: Don’t underestimate Vishy. When he puts his mind into something, he can be extremely dangerous. I do find a change in him in recent times. I am sure he is not going to play like Korchnoi (who played even in his 80s). But I am sure, like Kasparov, Vishy would always follow the game.

Susan on Carlsen: Magnus has taken the world by storm. He is even invited to mainstream talk shows in the US. He is charismatic and people like him because of his personality. The world is curious to know if he is ready to be a king. Despite huge rating difference (Carlsen is 95 elo more than Anand), he may not be.

Source: http://www.asianage.com