Judit Polgar's speech at the World Cadet Chess Championships

The FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships 2019 are in play in the Chinese city of Weifang, Shandong Province. Between August 20th and September 1st, the brightest chess players in the age categories U12, U10 and U8 will compete for their first medals in their chess careers.

Official website: http://2019wccc.imsa.cn
(You can also fin the tournament profile at Chess-Results)



A former chess prodigy herself, Judit Polgar was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony, where she gave the following speech:

"Dear Organizers, parents, coaches and last but not least kids,

I am very pleased to be here personally in the city of Weifang with so many talented kids from all continents, who are participating at the Cadet tournament.

I remember playing my first game against a Chinese talented player, her name was Xie Jun in Thessaloniki 1988 Chess Olympiad when I was just 12 years old and won the first gold medal for Hungary. Since then I have played countless interesting and fighting games with Chinese players and witnessed their success in Chess Olympiads and candidate tournament. I would like to express my respect for the players from China as both in Women and Open section they are the reigning Olympic Champions.

It is great to see kids from so many different countries. Chess is a common language, it gave me so much learning experience, success and happiness but of course it was not for free, I had worked hard during my professional carrier for 3 decades.

I strongly believe that the game of chess gives kids great challenges on the chess board and valuable life experience while competing and travelling around the world. By travelling to tournaments I got to know different cultures which shaped my personality and enriched my vision in life. Hope you'll experience a similar journey through chess.

For all participants, I would like to wish beautiful and fighting games in a FairPlay manner.

Congratulations to the organizers for having this wonderful youth event."


(Photos courtesy of the Chinese Chess Association)