Chess legend Judit Polgar declined an offer from Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar to become Hungary’s president on Monday, July 20, 2026. Magyar, a pro-European conservative, had nominated Polgar—widely regarded as the greatest woman to have played chess—as a non-political figure to help enact a “regime change” following Viktor Orban’s 16-year hardline tenure.

Polgar posted on social media that she did not feel she had the strength to take on the historic responsibility of uniting a divided nation and therefore could not accept the invitation. However, she pledged to support a new, independent, and respected President of the Republic in achieving these goals.

This nomination came shortly after Magyar removed the unpopular president Tamas Sulyok through a constitutional amendment. Magyar expressed regret over Polgar’s decision but said he respected it, describing her as “a president of whom all Hungarians can be proud.”

Sources