Bengaluru: Susan Polgar, the first female chess player to earn a Grandmaster title, embarked on a historic journey in 1992 when she participated in the Women's Candidates tournament in Beijing. Despite her father, Laszlo Polgar's, reservations, Susan went on to score a crushing 9.5 points out of 10, leaving a lasting impact on the chess world.
The tournament was held at a luxurious resort in Shanghai, which provided a serene atmosphere for Susan to focus on her game. However, her emotional state was put to the test due to tensions with her boyfriend at the time. Fortunately, she had the support of her team member, Grandmaster Bent Larson, and his wife, a professional psychologist, who helped her calm down and prepare for the games.
Susan's performance was impressive, with her winning nine out of ten games, including a draw against Serbian player Alisa Maric in round six. She finished the tournament undefeated, three points ahead of the second-placed Nana Ioseliani.
However, FIDE rules dictated that Susan play Ioseliani in a match to determine who would face Xie Jun in the Women's World Championship match. The match ended in a 4-4 tie, and the winner was decided by a drawing of lots. Susan's heart sank when she picked the silver medal from the two identical boxes, ending her Women's World Championship shot.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Susan's historic run in the 1992 Women's Candidates tournament cemented her place in the chess world, and she went on to win her first women's world title in 1996.
