Netflix to Premiere 'Queen of Chess' Documentary on Judit Polgár at Sundance 2026

The global streaming giant Netflix has officially announced the production of a new feature-length documentary titled "Queen of Chess," which chronicles the trailblazing career of Hungarian chess icon Judit Polgár. Widely celebrated as the most accomplished female chess player in history, Polgár’s journey from a child prodigy to a world-class competitor will be showcased to international audiences. The film is slated to make its prestigious world debut on January 27, 2026, as part of the opening lineup for the Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Rory Kennedy—an Academy Award nominee and Emmy winner known for her investigative depth and cinematic storytelling in works like "Last Days in Vietnam"—the documentary explores the high-stakes world of elite chess. A central narrative thread of the film focuses on Polgár’s fierce ambition to compete against and defeat Garry Kasparov. During the peak of Polgár's career, Kasparov not only dominated the world rankings but also famously voiced skepticism regarding the inherent ability of women to reach the absolute pinnacle of chess mastery, a challenge Polgár was determined to meet head-on.

The documentary provides a detailed look at the unconventional "family experiment" designed by Judit’s father, László Polgár. A visionary Hungarian educational psychologist, László operated under the firm conviction that "geniuses are made, not born." To prove this pedagogical theory, he homeschooled his three daughters—Susan, Sofia, and Judit—with chess as their primary academic focus. This intensive upbringing was intended to demonstrate that women could achieve world-leading success in intellectually demanding fields if provided with the proper environment and specialized training from early childhood.

Judit Polgár’s professional trajectory was marked by a series of unprecedented milestones that reshaped the sport. By the age of 12, she had already secured a spot in the FIDE top 100, ranking 55th in the world in January 1989. In 1991, at the age of 15 years and 4 months, she broke Bobby Fischer’s long-standing 33-year-old record to become the youngest Grandmaster in history. Her statistical legacy remains unmatched: she is the only woman to ever enter the world’s top 10 rankings, peaking at 8th place in July 2004, and the only female player to surpass the elite 2700 Elo rating mark. Over her career, she achieved the remarkable feat of defeating eleven current or former world champions, including titans of the game such as Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, and Vladimir Kramnik.

To construct this comprehensive portrait, the production team utilized extensive, intimate interviews with Judit Polgár, her family members, and prominent figures within the international chess community. The film also incorporates a treasure trove of previously unreleased archival footage, offering a rare look at her development and competitive spirit. The creative team behind the project includes cinematographer Imre Juhász and executive producer Gábor Harmi. The documentary is framed as a profound study of how individual excellence can dismantle entrenched gender and social barriers within the world of professional sports.

Following its high-profile premiere at Sundance—a venue where Rory Kennedy has a long history of presenting her award-winning work—"Queen of Chess" will be available for global streaming on Netflix starting February 6, 2026. The filmmakers intend for the project to serve as an enduring testament to Polgár’s resilience and her role in challenging fundamental assumptions about human talent and potential. By highlighting her historic victories, the film aims to inspire viewers to reconsider the boundaries of what is possible through dedication and the defiance of tradition.