Here is the full story of my announcement. I plan to reunite with my sisters to represent Hungary in future Olympiads. I hope to have the paperwork done ASAP with FIDE. Here is a picture from the press conference in Budapest.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Susan, don’t give up. Don’t move. You have our full support. We’ll vote the bums out in the next election. I hope you’ll change your mind.
If you leave, I’ll never renew my USCF membership.
Another sad chapter for US chess.
This is terrible. Will you continue to sponsor chess events in America?
We hate to see you leave, Susan. Is there any chance you’ll reconsider?
Always deleting posts you don’t like, he Susan. I wish you would REALLY leave! April Fool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why do you want to let those rats win? Fight back.
Susan:
You are mean! I stayed up just to see if you made the announcement but it is CLEARLY an APRIL FOOL’S HOAX. Back to to Hungary? SPICE TO MICE?
I have to enjoy your sense of humor. I was tempted to translate your announcement and email it to our 800 readers in latin america but by the time you cleared it up you might have to move to Hungary for real!
keep your chin up! This joke should make the New York Times. I heard your husband is a marketing major, I am one as well. Good PR and way to catch the headlines.
SUSAN POLGAR RENUNCIA A LA USCF Y SE MUDARA A HUNGRIA! I would’ve enjoyed have done this on our page, but right now the rage in Latin America was the firing of the Head Coach of the Mexican National soccer team and the hunt for his replacement.
Smile!
A.Munoz
womancandidatemaster.blogspot.com
This was a great April Fool’s Day joke! The set-up over a period of days was genius. Hats off to Susan & Chessville for making me laugh and pulling this one off.
I am not active with the USCF, so I am absolutely ignorant of the political situation. However, being born and raised in another country, with a different language and culture, I understand the desire to move back home. There is nothing that compares to hearing your own language, tasting your food, hearing your music, feeling your homeland. Best of luck to you, Susan!
This website has been a refreshing and informative experience. I hope you continue this website….
Kamalakanta
I initially thought it might not be an April Fools joke until I read the photo caption. I recognized the Polgar sisters’ outfits from an earlier event in Budapest…not from a recent “press conference”:
Link.
I’m glad Susan and Paul are staying in the U.S. to promote chess.
Speaking of April Fools jokes, there’s another one on Chessbase ‘Just uncovered – the Fischer Archives’…
Im sure this is a hoax by Susan. ; ) She is much too passionate and disciplined to leave SPICE at Texas Tech because of a few grumpy pld men at USCF.
I didnt find the Fischer archive funny at all, especially since Bobby died just a few months ago. Chessbase has no class!!
If this really an April Fool hoax, Susan, I’ll leave your blog. I don’t see this one is a good candidate for April Fool.
Susan, it took me 5 minutes of shock and inner turmoil to realize that it might be an April’s fool’s day hoax.
If it’s not, I am shocked and disappointed. I guess the US can turn off the brightest stars i.e. Fischer, and now i.e. S. Polgar.
My guess is that this is a half joke: You are not going to really leave the US but more it is an expression of your true hardships against the system.
April Fools!
This picture was taken nearly one year ago when Susan, Judit and Sophia gave simultan to around 100 people.
Great joke!
These comments just go to prove how many fools really respond to this blog
Susan, if this is not a joke you chose a really bad day to announce it.
thats sad for us
“These comments just go to prove how many fools really respond to this blog”
Fooled me, you’re right, bro. Even thought of movin’ to Hungaryia to watch new blog there, can’t live without it.
Dear GM Polgar,
I’m very sad to learn that you will be leaving, though, I understand. You will be so very missed. All you have done, all you have worked for, is not in vein. You have done so much, for so many here in the U.S….you fight more for chess than any other person and without you, there will, indeed, be a large void in the chess community within the U.S.
Will you still maintain this blog?
We will miss you…but, you must do what makes you happy…and seeing you in competitions again will be exciting.
But, it’s sad to know that you will not be giving simuls here, going to schools to teach children of chess….
We’ve lost our greatest chess ambassador. We will miss you.
Sincerely,
“Seneca”
This is an April fool’s joke? If so, then it’s not a funny one. We need you Susan….American chess, that is. If you wanted to scare a lot of fans…you certainly did!
Please….tell us it’s just an April Fool’s Joke!
Please….
This has to be an April Fools joke. But I would not blame Susan for leaving the USA. The US has treated her terribly. The US has treated Hillary poorly also. Sexual discrimination against women is rampant in USA.
WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!
HAH HAH HAH!
Feel the burn baby!
I am sad for those baby seals trapped in Zsophie’s painting!
I vote that we petition her to free them immediately and deliver them to my restaurant in Japan immediately!
Iron Chef supports Susan Polgar!
To April Fool or not April Fool — that is the question!:)
I’m very sad to hear this news. We just lost our greatest chess ambassador ever. I hope Bauer, Berry, Hough and Goichberg are happy now.
Thanks for everything you’ve done. You’ll be sorely missed.
Not a good time to make this announcement – are you serious?
Why shouldn’t it be serious? Who on earth would want to be in the same company with Goichi, Laffernati, Alanie, Payni, and Sloani? I applaud her courage.
Gee, I’m sorry to hear this. We had so much hope for reform in the USCF not long ago.
In support of all you have did for chess in the United States, I am pretty sure I will not renew my Uscf membership and actually I will petition and protest against their efforts to draw my hundreds of acquaintances and friends away from the organization. I am very sad that you are leaving us Susan, you were our last hope! I hope on the other hand that Paul and yourself make it safely and soundly back to Hungary and that combined with your sisters you all can make the chess world a better place! But please if you ever manage FIDE, dont forget about us chess lovers here in the States, We will need you!! Ill write more later but all of my heart goes out to you and Paul on this day. YOUR EFFORT AND WHAT YOU HAVE DONE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN!
Your friend in chess,
Jimmie Beatty
Maryland USA
Aw, come on Jimmy!
Stiff upper lip and all of that!
Cheerio!
The Masked PAwn
I would hope this is merely an April fool’s joke. If it is, then it is a very cruel one. So, I assume that Mrs. Polgar would never be so cruel as to joke about such a serious issue.
Thus, it is probably true. GM Polgar, you will be missed. But, we must all remember, no one person is indespensable. There must be someone to step up and fill the void that is left when Mrs. Polgar leaves. Her work must not be left unfinished, though, I can only imagine how much it has taken a toll on her personally and in other ways.
Someone needs to step up and help fill this void now left. Irina Krush….will you be our next great chess ambassador?
Someone will step up…it needn’t be a Polgar. Adding a female face to the American chess scene really has helped our sport. And, there are many talented female masters that can fill the void left by Mrs. Polgar in time…
Good bye Mrs. Polgar, thank you for what you’ve done, but we will go on and in the overall scheme of the universe….it will not matter.
As Spock always said: “Live long, and prosper.”
chess in America existed before Susan, chess in American will exist in America after Susan. You can bet on that. However, the work that Susan has done is appreciated and duly noted.
I like pie.
“SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: I’m moving back to Hungary”
Yeah….rrright…..and FIDE announced the new redesigned chessboard with 9×9 squares, which will be the official chess board, not a chess variant. Also, Bobby Fischer was sighted on the streets of Atlantis.
And all this on April 1st 🙂
Gabor
A tremendous loss for Lubbock and TTU & the Knight Raiders as well.
Sam in Lubbock
I live in the same town as the author of the article (Phil Innes) that was posted on Chessville. Though I don’t know him well, this does not seem like his kind of humor, and I fear that it is all too true.
I am saddened by this turn of events.
Thank you Susan for all you’ve done to promote chess in the US.
Heart felt best wishes to you and your family as you go forward.
Yours,
Eric Strickland
The spice one was the clincher for me. Ha Ha.
Note that there is no corresponding announcement on the Texas Tech web site. I’d think they’d have to say something, only to cover their embarrassment at Susan leaving so soon.
Hence, I’m betting on a April Fool’s prank. 😀
M.I.C.E??
You had me until I read that.
good one!
Nice touch Especially to have the article on the other site
Happy April Fools Day!
OK, I’m gullible. The faux photo, and the change to Marshall Institute of Chess Excellence are give aways.
I believed it because of the article posted on Gambit http://gambit.blogs.nytimes.com/
Am rather confused.
-Eric
Good riddance! Finally, USCF can work towards its goals without distracted by two freaking foreigners. I nominate Payne and Alarie, two true patriotic Americans for the board.
“clean up america”: you have no idea of what really matters do you? Susan and Paul have done so much for chess in America, and we’re going to lose so much if they leave. Stupid comments like yours are really discouraging to the rest of us.
Here are some of the colorful quotes from Mr. Brian Lafferty, supporter of Ms. Alarie, one of the people behind the recall drive to get rid of Paul and Susan:
“What a piece of sh*t she is. Not that it’s at all surprising.”
“As*hole = Kenneth Sloan”
“”Oh John, you are so ignorant…”
“A notation on the web site says it has been assigned to a judge. I suspect it has been filed. Bravo to the plaintiff!”
“…At this point, IMMHO, bankruptcy would be the best medicine this organization could ever be given. Get a Trustee in Bankruptcy in and the EB out; freeze the assets; restructure the organization.”
Oh Susan that was painful. Very funny.I think you have an idea of how wonderful you are and how many people you touch. You’re beautiful inside and out.
You got me! I can’t believe fell for this april Fools prank the same way I fall for traps on the chess board.
anon 4:29pm, so what? I want Susan and Paul gone. Their fellow board members want them out too. We’ll do anything to get them out of here. They should go back to where they belong.
If this is a joke, it isn’t funny..it hurts a lot of people. Susan, you have so many fans…not just “fans” but people that need you here for the future of chess here.
You know how much you matter to everyone when you read the reactions. You see that so many people here respect you, and admire your work and know that we need your prescence to keep chess alive in this country.
Who could ever fill your shoes? You’ve done so much for so many. I know it must be tough putting up with all the politics of the USCF and the idiots who want to post negative things about you here on this blog.
But, you’ve proven time and time again that you are a fighter, a winner, and you are such a role model to so many young people here in the U.S.
I would, as so many would, like to see you compete again. But, even if you leave the USCF (which I couldn’t blame you at all), you will always be a hero to so many.
Never forget this.
Now…if only Judit would join you here and form an even stronger “Polgar foundation” that would be super!
I hope it’s just a joke.
Because as Shakespeare said, “parting is such sweet sorrow.”
Lafferty, you’ve been asked many times by the management on this blog not to post here. Do you have a problem with comprehension?
I’m glad to hear the news. I hope they’ll leave permanently. The USCF is doing fine without them. I hope Donna, Harry and Brian will start a recall petition against Polgar too. Go Donna, Harry and Brian. You’re the greatest.
Let Lafferty post. He truly represents the USCF.
Eric,
i went to the website you posted, I am beginning to believe that this is no longer a hoax.
http://gambit.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/29/drive-to-recall-member-of-chess-federations-board-is-under-way/#more-187
I see the anti-Polgar idiots are out now and posting. Well, you shall be met with an army of people that know, trust, and believe…and know WE NEED, Susan for the future of chess, especially scholastic chess, in the U.S.!!
So, come on Lafferty, and any others that say negative things towards GM Polgar. She knows she is loved here, needed by many, respected by all decent people, and we will prevail over the naysayers.
I think the anti-Polgar few have really underestimated how truly influential and wonderful and respected Susan is….and they are gaining nothing by trying to abuse her name.
She is a hero…and that is just the way it is.
So, for every negative idiotic comment posted…there will be a dozen that show how much we, the chess playing community of all ages, in America truly appreciate GM Polgar’s work…what she does every single day…for us and our sport!
She will not quit…she is a fighter and will win…and I say begin a new chess organization that truly represents U.S. chess….we don’t need the USCF…we need a new organization and with enough support it can happen.
It’s time.
Do it.
Begin anew….
Susan….we need you!
I would have preferred the Lopez (after Ruy Lopez) Institute for Chess Excellence. Tech would then have sent out their LICE chess team to compete against other colleges. The condition for being on the team would of course be that all members would be required to play the Spanish Opening when possible.
Sincerely,
Dr. Karlsson
Faculty Advisor for the Knight Raiders chess club
Proud member of the LICE Group!
Happy April 1st.
I don’t think this is a joke. If it is a joke, it is neither a nice nor a funny one, and Susan wouldn’t do that to all of us. I’m so sad. :'(
To the USCF clown(s) who are posting here bashing Susan and Paul: Okay, have your fun without having to admit who you are, but these mean-spirited comments show what you’re really like, and it won’t be any wonder in a few years when the USCF dies for good. You ever wonder why Susan has so much more support than you? Well, she’s a total class act and, to put it mildly, you are not. Do you really think that stupid comments like “they should go back where they belong” will make people like you and vote for you? Are you that dimwitted? (Considering the current state of the USCF I would be inclined to say yes.)
People like you try my faith in the goodness of humanity.
Anon 6:51pm said it right. Very well put.
Susan, I wish you wouldn’t go (I really really wish you wouldn’t go!), but I also can’t blame you for wanting to get out of all the dirty politics, having to work with people like that. Best of luck to you!!
After much thought we rejected many other possibilities such as the Nimozowitsch Institute for Chess Excellence or NICE since its often said that “Nice guys finish last”. That would have discouraged our team members. Or Reti Institute for Chess Excellence, RICE, since that could confuse our competitors. Another name discussed was the Vidmar (after the great late Jugoslavian Grandmaster Milan Vidmar) Institute for Chess Excellence or VICE but we feared our opposing teams might leave when our guys arrived (FIDE is seriously considering drug testing in order for chess to become an Olympic Sport). So in the end MICE won out.
Sincerely,
Dr. Karlsson
Member of the NICE(?), RICE(?), VICE(?) or MICE(?) Group
Happy April 1st.
http://www.cis.uab.edu/sloan/ChessGames/SloanVsSloan/
Sloan,Sam (1950) – Sloan,Kenneth (1750) [A00]
US Open Cherry Hill, NJ (6), 02.08.2007
[Fritz 10 (30s)]
37MB, Fritz10.ctg, BREITER A00: Irregular Openings
1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 e5 3.h3 last book move
3…Nc6 4.d3 White has a cramped position
4…Bb4+ [4…Be6 5.Nf3-/+ ]
5.c3=/+ White threatens to win material: c3xb4
5…Be7 White is behind in developement [5…Bc5 6.Nf3=/+ ]
6.Nf3 [6.Qb3 Nf6= ]
6…Be6 [6…Nf6=/+ ]
7.0-0? [7.Qa4 Qd7= ]
7…Qd7 [7…h5 8.g5 Qd7 9.h4-/+ ]
8.Ng5 [8.c4!? looks like a viable alternative 8…dxc4 9.dxc4=/+ ]
8…Bxg5-/+ 9.Bxg5 h5 10.f3 f6 11.Be3 [11.Bd2!?-/+ ]
11…Nge7-+ 12.b4 d4 13.cxd4 [13.Bd2 hxg4 14.fxg4 Bd5-+ ]
13…hxg4 14.fxg4 Bd5 15.Bxd5?? the pressure is too much, White crumbles [15.b5 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 exd4 17.bxc6 Qxc6+ 18.Rf3 dxe3 19.Na3-+ ]
15…Nxd5 [15…Qxd5?! 16.b5 Nxd4 17.Nc3-+ ]
16.Bd2 Rxh3 17.e4 [17.e3 cannot change destiny 17…Nxe3 18.Bxe3 Rxe3-+ ]
17…0-0-0 18.exd5 [18.Kg2 Rdh8 19.Rg1 Ndxb4 20.d5 Nxd3 21.Be3 Rxe3 22.Nd2 g5 23.Qf3 Rxf3 24.Kxf3 Nd4+ 25.Ke3 Rh3+ 26.Rg3 Rxg3+ 27.Nf3 Rxf3+ 28.Kd2 Qa4 29.Rc1 Qxa2+ 30.Rc2 Qxc2# ]
18…Qxd5 19.Nc3 Qxd4+ [19…Qh1+ 20.Kf2 Qh2+ 21.Ke1 Qg3+ 22.Rf2 Rh1+ 23.Ke2 Nxd4# ]
20.Rf2 Rh1+!! Deflection: h1
21.Kg2 [21.Kxh1 Qxf2 Deflection]
21…Rxd1 [21…Rh2+! 22.Kxh2 Qxf2+ 23.Kh1 Rh8+ 24.Bh6 Rxh6# ]
22.Rxd1-+ Qxg4+ 23.Kh1 Rxd3 24.Rdf1 Qh3+ [24…Qh3+ 25.Kg1 Rg3+ 26.Rg2 Rxg2# ] 0-1
White is a convicted felon who lied to the public about being a master.
Great April Fool’s Day prank! I’m amazed at how many people are still taking this seriously. Folks, this is just a JOKE by Susan, Paul & Chessville, perpetrated for everyone’s amusement. Even the Texas Tech authorities are laughing and playing along. Everybody take a deep breath and have a good laugh. 🙂
April fool (99.9%); a shock nevertheless.
April fool (99.9%); a shock nevertheless.
It couldn’t be much more obvious that this is an April fools’ joke. Judging by many of the comments on here, a chess player’s reputation for intelligence is unjustified…