Queen of Chess Review: How the Greatest Female Player Checkmated Sexism
Netflix's documentary Queen of Chess offers a vibrant yet uneven portrayal of Judit Polgár, the Hungarian chess prodigy who shattered gender barriers in the male-dominated world of competitive chess. The film chronicles her remarkable journey from a six-year-old tournament winner to the woman who defeated legendary grandmaster Garry Kasparov, but critics argue it lacks the emotional depth needed to fully capture her complex story.
A Prodigy's Early Triumphs and Challenges
Judit Polgár's chess career began spectacularly in 1981 when, at just six years old, she won her first tournament, outplaying seasoned Hungarian opponents. Her prize was a Boris Diplomat Bd-1 Electronic Chess Computer, and her fierce competitive spirit was already evident. "I was a killer," Polgár recalls in the documentary. "I wanted to kill my opponents. I would sacrifice everything to get checkmate." Archive footage shows the young Polgár with a determined scowl beneath a fierce bowl cut, marking the start of a career that would challenge chess's patriarchal norms.
Her upbringing was part of a psychological experiment orchestrated by her father, László Polgár, an educational psychologist who aimed to prove that geniuses are made, not born. He implemented a rigorous training regime, banning traditional school and weekends to focus solely on chess. "Every day was a working day," the documentary notes, highlighting the intense pressure and dedication required.
Battling Sexism and Political Obstacles
Queen of Chess delves into the numerous hurdles Polgár faced, including:
- Sexist attitudes: The chess establishment often dismissed women, with critics claiming they lacked the mental ability for the game. Polgár and her sisters, Susan and Sofia, faced outrage for competing against male grandmasters.
- Political interference: Hungary's communist regime, threatened by the family's ambitions to compete internationally, confiscated their passports to restrict their travel.
- Personal sacrifices: The documentary touches on the emotional toll of being part of her father's experiment, though some viewers feel this aspect is underdeveloped.
Polgár reflects on these challenges with weariness, stating, "I had to prove myself 10 times more than if I'd been born as a boy." Despite her extraordinary achievements, she acknowledges that for some, they will never be enough.
The Rivalry with Garry Kasparov
At the heart of the documentary is Polgár's intense rivalry with Garry Kasparov, the revered former world champion. Kasparov initially doubted her approach, remarking, "The way she played chess was not compatible with the best way to handle Garry Kasparov." However, after 14 tense games, including a notorious 1994 match where Kasparov violated the "touch move" rule, Polgár emerged victorious at age 26.
Kasparov's reaction at the time was a dismissive handshake, but in the documentary, he concedes, "She delivered." This victory solidified Polgár's status as a trailblazer, though the film's portrayal of this rivalry is critiqued for its flashy style over substance.
Critiques of the Documentary's Approach
Directed by Emmy-winning Rory Kennedy, Queen of Chess spans 90 minutes but leaves viewers wanting more. Critics describe it as a "garish, skittish account" of Polgár's rise, featuring grainy footage, jarring neon graphics, and an aggressive soundtrack by female-fronted post-punk bands. The emotional depth of Polgár's story feels underdeveloped, with key aspects like her relationship with her father only briefly explored in the final moments.
When asked about being part of her father's experiment, Polgár responds with uncomfortable laughter and silence, eventually saying, "Of course, in one hand it is not a nice way of being part of an experiment. But my father was the one who showed me the beauty of chess." A contributor notes, "Judit Polgár was a guinea pig. The fact that she achieved all these things that her father dreamed of and still remains a very normal and pleasant person, that's ... some sort of a miracle."
Ultimately, Queen of Chess captures the highlights of Polgár's career but falls short of delving into the full complexity of her experiences. It is available for streaming on Netflix, offering a glimpse into a remarkable life that continues to inspire chess enthusiasts and advocates for gender equality alike.
