For years now, chess fans and publishers have besieged me at world competitions, asking me to tell the story of my life. At first I objected, saying that my life is the sum of my achievements in chess, which have been amply covered by the media. But the fans would reply: what about the educational experiment into which my sisters and I had been born, and my childhood, and my successes? These stories, they contended, would make interesting reading for a wide audience. They ultimately convinced me by suggesting that the story of my career and my struggles might help other women, like me, who want to compete on the world stage while also being a wife and mother.

As a perfectionist, I immediately knew that I would not be satisfied with any book I could write myself. Though dozens of writers around the world offered to write my story, I did not find a single one to whom I could entrust it. One's life is, after all, a very private affair.

After long consideration, I called András Kepes, and asked him whether he would be interested in writing such a book. I have known András almost since childhood. I love his television programs and his books, and have always enjoyed his view of the world. Over the last twenty years, he has interviewed me and my family several times on his programs. Once in a while we would run into each other on the street, and end up standing there talking for an hour and a half. I figured that, at the very least, I wouldn’t be bored during the book-writing process. True, András is no chess writer – in fact he barely knows the moves – but this lack of specialist knowledge might even be an advantage, by enabling him to connect the arcane world of chess with a larger readership. This book, after all, would be less about chess, and more about the dreams of parents, about education, the capacities of female intelligence, and the struggles of a family.

I suggested to András that instead of interviewing me in the manner of most such books, he should instead join me on a regular basis as I went about my activities. He could speak to my family and friends, as well as to my opponents, and then form his own opinion about my career. I confess that I was curious about how an observer like András would see my life.

Our conversations extended over two years, during which time our families frequently got together. The book project developed into a true friendship. I have learned a lot from András, and he tells me these two years have been constructive for him as well. In any case, rarely have I ever laughed as much as I did during our meetings.

Now that the book is finished, I find myself a little anxious. Am I really the person who appears on these pages? This is just András’ take, after all. At moments like this, one is astonished to see what a complex series of relationships make up a life. I owe thanks to so many – including my rivals – for my life and career turning out as they did. I would have liked for all of them to appear in this book, but this is obviously impossible. I do hope, though, that no one close to me will take offense at anything in the book.

Thanks offered at the beginning of a book might seem a mere formality, but I must stress how grateful I am to my parents, Klára and László, for raising and educating me, and to my sisters Susan and Sofia, who remain my best friends to this day, to my husband Guszti, who is my main support, and to my children Olivér and Hanna, who one day will read this book and understand that they were always the most important thing in their mother’s life.  

Judit Polgár