Chess.com Partners With Legend GM Judit Polgar To Support 2024 Global Chess Festival

Chess.com is excited to announce we're once more partnering with legendary GM Judit Polgar to support the 2024 Judit Polgar's Global Chess Festival. The event will take place on September 17 at the Hungarian National Gallery and on September 18 at the Intercontinental Budapest in Budapest, Hungary.

The festival will allow attendees to participate in games, workshops, demonstrations, and chess tournaments on the day off of this year's Chess Olympiad, also happening in Budapest. Fans will also have the chance to meet prominent figures in the sport, like famous players and content creators.

The event, now in its 10th edition, follows its mission to share the beauty of the game and connect people through chess. In 2023, thousands of people of different ages and backgrounds joined to celebrate, play, and learn about chess:
 

This year, the festival will offer numerous chess-related activities as well. One of the main attractions is a simultaneous exhibition with Judit herself. The strongest woman in the history of the game will play against eight communities (via vote chess), including creators and representatives from different fields. Fans will be able to enjoy the live broadcast of select games from the simul on Chess.com's Twitch and YouTube channels, which will include live commentary and an interview with Polgar. 

Other activities include a book signing with the Polgar sisters, a chess Mini Game Competition, an art exhibition, the Chess Palace Adventure Trails for kids, and, of course, a chess tournament. Fans can also attend the 4th EDU Chess Summit on September 18, where multiple guest speakers will discuss chess as a tool to help educate and develop essential life skills. You can learn more about the festival and register for each attraction on their official website.

Chess.com will also host four #ChessConnectsUs arenas to get you warmed up for the festival. Any member can join for a chance to win a private group lesson with Judit and premium Chess.com memberships. You can learn more about the arenas below:

• Dates: August 24, August 31, September 7, September 17
• Start time: 2:30 p.m. ET / 20:30 CEST / 12:00 a.m. IST. On September 17, the arena starts at 12 p.m. ET / 18:00 CEST /  9:30 p.m. IST.
• Format: Two-hour arena
• Time control: 3+1
• Prizes
  • 1st: Private group lesson with Judit Polgar* & three-month diamond membership
  • 2nd: two-month diamond membership
  • 3rd: one-month diamond membership
  • Top four players who participate in all arenas: Private group lesson with Judit Polgar*
  • Random participant: one-month diamond membership

* Judit Polgar will host one private group lesson for the eight winners

To play in the arenas, you must first join Judit Polgar's ChessConnectsUs club.

On September 17 at 2:30 p.m. ET / 20:30 CEST / 12:00 a.m. IST, ChessKid will also host a seven-round Swiss tournament for players under 13. The event's winner and one lucky random participant will also be able to participate in Judit's private group lesson.

Are you excited for another edition of Judit Polgar's Global Chess Festival? Then tune in to our live broadcast on September 17 to watch Polgar playing the simul, and check out the festival's YouTube channel for more content from the event.