Rebel Queen - by Susan Polgar (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A real life Queen's Gambit, this captivating memoir tells the story of one of the most renowned women in chess history, Susan Polgar, taking on a sexist establishment and rewriting the rules of what women could achieve against the oppressive backdrop of Cold War Eastern Europe - now in paperback.

Born to a poor Jewish family in Cold War Budapest, Susan Polgar would emerge as the one of the greatest female chess players the world had ever seen--the highest rated female player on the planet and the first woman to earn the men's Grandmaster title. As a teenager in 1986, she became the first woman to qualify for the men's World Chess Championship cycle, later achieving the game's triple crown, holding World Championship titles in three major chess time formats.

Yet at every turn, she was pitted against a sexist culture, a hostile Communist government, vicious antisemitism, and powerful enemies. She endured sabotage and betrayal, state-sponsored intimidation, and violent assault. And she overcame all of it to break the game's long-standing gender barrier and claim her place at the pinnacle of professional chess, before going on to coach other players and build two separate college chess dynasties.

Before her improbable rise, it was taken for granted that women were incapable of excellence in the game of chess. Susan Polgar single-handedly disproved this belief.

Review Quotes

"She made success look so easy that her newly published memoir, Rebel Queen: The Cold War, Misogyny, and the Making of a Grandmaster, which details what she calls her 'heartbreaking' battles with sexism, anti-semitism, a hostile Communist government, and exclusion from major tournaments, comes as a revelation."--Lifestyles Magazine

"Rebel Queen reveals the inner workings of an exceptional mind with honesty and sensitivity. I've known Susan Polgar for over 40 years. She is one of the greatest and most impactful figures -- champion, mentor, writer, doer -- in the entire history of chess. And, as this fantastic memoir makes clear, she's also a masterful storyteller. Hers is quite literally a game-changing life."--Lev Alburt, Grandmaster and three-time US Chess Champion

"Rebel Queen reveals the making of a chess champion, Susan Polgar, from her early childhood to her outstanding adulthood. It tells the story of her resolute personality, fighting for the right for herself and other women to play in tournaments in which women were denied entry for years, and later training talented young men and women to become excellent chess players. A brilliant life. A brilliant book."--Dr. Frank Brady, Member, U.S. Chess Hall of Fame and New York Times bestselling author of Endgame: Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise and Fall - from America's Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness

"[Rebel Queen] should be read by every girl and woman who plays chess and, after they've finished, they should give the book to their male chess-playing friends and encourage them to read it...Polgar's book reads almost like a novel."--The Brooklyn Rail

"An eloquently written and heart-felt memoir from a remarkable woman who as young teenager stared down the Hungarian communist party and the male-dominated world chess establishment to become a world champion. Fans of The Queens Gambit will learn what it was like to be a real-life Beth Harmon."--Ken Rogoff, Grandmaster

"As a novelist my own interest in chess has always been more about the personalities who play the game, their foibles, their eccentricities and passions away from the board and how these human elements factor into important victories and defeats. I had long wondered how Susan's personal life affected her play and of course her relationship with Bobby. It takes courage to write truly about a love affair falling apart in the middle of a cut throat competition. But she has the wisdom and grace to talk about life's disappointments along the way to winning many championships. That makes Rebel Queen a great read."--Fred Waitzkin, bestselling author of Searching for Bobby Fischer

"As the first autobiography by a top female chess champion in history, Rebel Queen is the fascinating and magical story of a tiny Hungarian girl, growing up in the repressive Soviet era, who sets out from the age of three to become the greatest chess master in the world--and she succeeds! Susan Polgar's fascinating and colorful insider view of her interactions and private friendships with some of the chess greats of the century--(from Boris Spassky to Bobby Fischer) is invaluable. This wonderfully recounted memoir will inspire readers to feel empowered to seek their own path to their vision and their dream."--Katherine Neville, NY Times, USA Today, and #1 internationally bestselling author of The Eight and The Fire

"Chess history has its share of great books, but none quite like this--written by a women's world champion about her own journey. Rebel Queen is an inspiring story of perseverance, where the reader walks alongside the protagonist as she overcomes immense challenges. Susan Polgar's victories aren't just her own--they feel like victories for the reader too. But the most remarkable part? Every triumph in this book actually happened. Her battles for equality in a male-dominated chess world reshaped the game forever."--Alexandra Botez, chess YouTuber and influencer

"Comparisons to The Queen's Gambit and Rebel Queen are inevitable. But while Beth Harmon is fiction, Grandmaster Susan Polgar is very real, indeed. Polgar's story about perseverance, competing on a world class stage, and shattering the ceiling for women will be inspiring for many generations to come. Thanks to Susan Polgar, the future of chess seems brighter than ever."--Ken Lee, top blogger for chess.com

"Decorated chess player Polgar offers a granular, behind-the-scenes look at her path to success... Chess lovers will be inspired."--Publishers Weekly

"In Rebel Queen, Susan Polgar has managed to write more than just a chess story. This is a beautiful and, at times, heroic narrative about perseverance against all odds, feminism in the face of adversity, and the power of making the right moves on the board of life."--Keith O'Brien, New York Times bestselling author of Fly Girls and Charlie Hustle

"Susan shows just how incredible achievements can be when fueled by dedication, determination, perseverance, and a fearless fighting spirit. No matter what obstacles came her way, she conquered them all. Our amazing big sister is inspiration for us all."--Judit & Sofia Polgar

"Susan Polgar's journey from the depths of Cold War Hungary to the highest reaches of professional chess is as riveting as it is inspiring. Before her improbable rise, it was taken as scientific fact that women were incapable of excellence in the game of chess. Time and again, Susan proved them wrong. This is no mere memoir. Rebel Queen is the origin story of a real-life superhero."--Gal Gadot

"This is a brilliant self-portrait of a young woman of enormous talent and exacting intelligence figuring out her place in the world. Hungary has a rich intellectual tradition, producing many influential thinkers, scientists, and artists. Grandmaster Susan Polgar is an important part of that tradition. In Rebel Queen, she provides a fascinating look into the experimental educational techniques that made her a champion. Her life should serve as inspiration for many generations to come."--Diana Picasso, art historian and co-founder of Mene 24K Gold Jewelry

"Throughout her career, Polgar rose above considerable challenges: from those who believed that women shouldn't compete against men; from political threats to her and her family; from bitter animosity from a woman champion; and from virulent antisemitism at home and abroad. The game sustained her. A champion's engaging memoir."--Kirkus

About the Author

Hungarian-born Susan Polgar is one of the most decorated female chess players ever.

She was discovered as a child prodigy, when at age 4, she won the Budapest elementary school championship for girls with a perfect 10-0 sore. In 1984, at age 15, she became the youngest ever to earn the world #1 ranking. In 1986, she made history by qualifying for the Men's World Championship but was not allowed to play due to her gender. In 1991, she broke the gender barrier again by being the first female in history to earn the Men's Grandmaster title by norms and rating. She is the only player in history to earn all 6 of the world's most prestigious chess crowns (world chess triple-crown, individual and team Olympiad gold, and world #1 ranking). She became the first player to ever play 1,131 consecutive games, winning 1,112 games while losing only 3! She also broke the record for 326 simultaneous games played with 309 wins, and the highest winning percentage (96.93%).

In addition to her storied career, Polgar founded the Susan Polgar Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to promote chess, with all its educational, social and competitive benefits throughout the U.S., for young people of all ages, especially girls. After her professional playing career, she became the only woman to coach a men's division I collegiate team (Texas Tech 2007-2012 and Webster University 2012-2021). Her teams in the past 10 years have won more world championships, national championships, major titles, and Olympiad medals than all other collegiate chess programs in the United States combined, including a record 7 consecutive final four championships, and 10 consecutive years as the #1 ranked team in the nation.

In 2019 she was inducted to the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame, and the World Chess Hall of Fame in 2023, becoming the only woman to be inducted in both. Susan was the subject of a National Geographic documentary, entitled My Brilliant Brain.