My commentary of the week
Many people asked me about my training regiment for a big event. Well, one of the most important parts of training for me is physical fitness. I cannot stress this enough. I worked very hard on my physical condition before World Championships, Olympiads, Women’s World Chess Cup and big events like the NYC Mayor’s Cup.
Being physically fit is my secret to be able to play every game at every Olympiad without a break. Being fit also played a major role in me breaking 4 world records for playing 326 players simultaneously and 1,131 games consecutively in nearly 17 hours. I gave the same advice to my American teammates at the 2004 Olympiad.
To be a good chess player, you must be physically, mentally and emotionally fit. Good luck!
Fighting for chess and for our children
Many people also asked me why “waste” so much time fighting against the chess status quo. The answer is very simple. Chess is one of the greatest games in the world. I love this game. I love what this game can do for our children. I see with my own eyes what chess can do for my own children and countless children that I teach.
If all of us just sit back and say nothing, do nothing and just allow the same chess politicians to ruin this game year after year, where will that lead us? If I did not stand up and fought for women’s rights, women may still not be allowed to compete in the World Championships.
Just 20 short years ago when I was the first woman to qualify for the “Men’s” World Chess Championship, I was not allowed to compete because I “am” a woman. Many things have changed.
But it is not enough. Many things still must improve and I cannot do it alone. I need your help. Organized chess still lack sponsorships, directions and strong leaderships. Millions of young children play chess across America and around the world. They need positive role models and we as parents, coaches and teachers must do our jobs to guide them, nurture them and help them.
We cannot compromise our ethics, principles, integrity and honesty. The best interest of our children must come first. You can do your parts with your children or students at your local clubs or schools. Together, we can make a difference.
The latest USCF election really opened up my eyes. I always knew that chess politics is bad. But I had no idea how low it has sunk. To see that some chess politicians are willing to harm tens and thousands of young children who are members of the USCF for the sake of revenge and personal vendetta clearly crossed the line for me.
I would like to personally thank all of you for countless positive and encouraging emails and messages about some of these serious issues. It is time to unite and fight for our children and the future of our wonderful game! Thank you for your support!
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
www.SusanPolgar.com
www.SusanPolgarFoundation.org
Susan,
what kind of exercise regime did you follow in order to prepare for the big events?Running?gym?
How many hours a day do you practice chess?
thank you for your time;)
Hi Susan,
I just created a petition to urge the USCF to adopt a kids first policy. The link is at http://www.tatiana.net/iccl/index.cfm?Page=forums&forumID=13
Here is what I wrote:
Dear chess community,
I am writing this letter to ask you to sign up for an account and to urge the USCF to formalize a ‘children first’ policy in regard who serves and represents the USCF. Recently, a person was elected to the USCF Executive Board with a questionable history; and many of us feel him unsafe to have around our kids. However, this petition is not about this person at all, but it is meant to urge the USCF to adopt a ‘children’s first’ policy to help ensure that all formal USCF representatives that work with our children are kept safe.
Please join me to petition the USCF and urge them to adopt policies that will keep our young children safe. Feel free to write any comments regarding this issue, but please stay on track. The focus here is not about the person who was recently elected, but it’s focus is letting the USCF know that this is an important issue to us, and to please adopt a ‘kids first’ policy to keep our kids safe.
Sincerely,
Gregory Alexander
USCF College Committee, CCL TD, former ICCL Director
Take care Susan, and thank-you for all of your hard work.
Susan,
Some players say it weakens one’s results to takes breaks away from their board during their game.
Other players say the opposite, that the body needs to stretch, and it gives the mind a fresh look at the game when they return.
I suspect neither approach is the best for all people, that some need to stretch more than others.
I wonder whether some might say “Staying at the board is better, and those who are more physically fit can do that for longer uninterrupted periods”?
*** What is your style in long time control games: do you make an effort to avoid leaving the board? Do coaches leave this recommendation up to each student?
Thanks.
Gene Milener
http://CastleLong.com/
Creatine monohydrate is a supplement that most men take (it enhances athletic performance in sports which require explosive bursts of energy) which has been shown to increase memory retention, something useful for chess. It’s legal in sports and if you ban it in chess tournaments you promote the stereotype of male chess players as being unathletic. Also caffeine is what gets most people through a long day. Being physically fit helps too. I think chess players might want to work on their trapezius so they don’t get sore necks. Well I guess that depends whether chess players hold their cheeks in their hands a lot.
Hi Susan,
Could you pls post the being fit part of your message to the girl’s blog too. Great message for them.
Thanks,
Kirsten
“Anonymous said…
Creatine monohydrate is a supplement that most men…” Most?
I just love your message in support of the children. I am with you 100%. keep up the good work.
chess must have a very clean image for all children.
Susan: You made list of great Women Chess Players in history besides Vera Menchik and Judit Polgar:
Name Nationality b.
Akhmilovskaya, Elena Russia 1957
Alexandria, Nana Georgia 1949
Bikova, Elizaveta Russia 1913 1989
Chiburdanidze, Maia Georgia 1961
Galliamova, Alisa Russia 1972
Gaprindashvili, Nona Georgia 1941
Graf-Stevenson, Sonja Germany/USA 1914 1965
Ioseliani, Nana Georgia 1962
Kosteniuk, Alexandra Russia 1984
Kushnir, Alla Russia 1941
Levitina, Irina Russia 1954
Polgar, Zsuzsa (Susan) Hungary 1969
Qin Kanying China 1974
Rubtsova, Olga Russia 1909
Rudenko, Liudmila Russia 1904 1986
Xie Jun China 1970
Zhu Chen China 1976
Zvorikina, Kira Russia 1919
I think Vera Menchik is the greatest player of all time
Kudos to you, Susan, for being such a good role model for young chess players.
On the issue of the USCF executive board elections, maybe Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times would be interested in looking into the recently elected board member. Kristof has had a series of Op Ed pieces in the Times over the last few years exposing the plight of young girls who are forced into prostitution in Third World countries. Didn’t the newly elected board member brag about frequenting under-age prostitutes on his website?