On October 1st, 2025, the Judit Polgar Chess Foundation hosted the annual Biz Chess Experience at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace in Budapest.
A New Format with a Masterclass
This year introduced a new format, highlighted by a captivating masterclass led by legendary grandmaster Judit Polgar. In her session, The Game of Strategy – How I Beat Garry Kasparov, Polgar took the audience on a journey through her career highlights. She shared the mindset and preparation behind her historic win against Kasparov, and offered leadership lessons drawn directly from the chessboard.
Spirited Competition
In the afternoon, attendees joined a friendly yet competitive six-round chess tournament. Ashwin Subramanian emerged as the winner with 5 points, followed closely by Matt Thomas with 4.5 points, while Kseniya Badrakova secured third place with 4 points.
Beyond competition, the event carried a deeper mission: supporting the Judit Polgar Chess Foundation’s efforts to promote education, creativity, and social inclusion through chess. Donations raised during the event will continue the activities of the foundation.
The Biz Chess Experience 2025 was more than just a tournament—it was a celebration of learning, networking, and giving back. By blending high-level chess with professional insights, it showcased how strategy on the board can inspire success in business and beyond.
We also acknowledge the impressive performances of Ernő Mesterházy, Tamás Nádasi, Dr. Daniel Yarur, Bálint Mesterházy, Balázs Mesterházy, Maria Jose Yarur, Claudia Larraguibel, Dr. György Bártfai, Béla Ignácz, Daniel Böhm, Dr. Gusztáv Font, Prof. Szilveszter Vizi E., and Kristóf Baráti.
A special thank you goes to the arbiter, Judit Sztaray, for her invaluable contribution.
