Before The Queen’s Gambit: The Real Story of Susan Polgar

Welcome back to Interviews with Immigrants — the podcast that cuts through the politics and celebrates the heart, humor, and humanity behind real immigrant journeys. I’m your host Andrea Szew, immigration attorney and the face behind Szew Law Group, where thousands turn each month for US immigration guidance — but this show is about life, legacy, and the stories that deserve to be told.

In this episode, I sit down with chess legend Susan Polgar — the real-life trailblazer who was changing the game long before Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit made chess a global phenomenon ♟️👑. Born in Hungary 🇭🇺, Susan takes us from learning chess at just four years old to becoming the first woman to earn the Grandmaster title through traditional norms — breaking barriers in a world that wasn’t built for her.

We talk about the Polgar experiment — her father’s belief that “geniuses are made, not born” — and what it was really like growing up under that intense training. Susan shares the challenges she faced as a young girl competing against men, the resistance she encountered, and how she pushed through to redefine what women could achieve in chess.

She also opens up about her move to the United States 🇺🇸, the cultural shock of how little respect chess had here, and why she made it her mission to change that — not just by winning, but by teaching, mentoring, and building opportunities for the next generation of players, especially girls.

You’ll hear powerful insights on breaking stereotypes before they take hold, the pressure of being “the first,” and how her immigrant journey shaped her mindset, resilience, and legacy. And yes — we talk about The Queen’s Gambit and how Susan’s real-life story compares to the fictional Beth Harmon.

🎧 Available to listen everywhere:
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/interviews-with-immigrants/id1792940158?uo=4
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If this episode made you think, inspired you, or gave you a new perspective on chess or immigration, please share it, leave a review, and subscribe so you don’t miss more powerful stories on Interviews with Immigrants.

🎧 New to the show? Start here on YouTube:
 Brazilian comedian Jade Catta-Preta 🇧🇷🎤 — https://youtu.be/m5rP4HL-FgA
Mexican-American chef Aarón Sánchez 🇲🇽🔥 — https://youtu.be/iF2gwzmaQJ4
Hong Kong-native fashion creator Leo Chan 🇭🇰🗽 — https://youtu.be/X7UwahYAQtc
Argentinian-born actor & restauranteur Guillermo Zapata 🇦🇷🍷 — https://youtu.be/cYFrMfsgL3I
From India 🇮🇳 to Michelin: Chef Sujan Sarkar — https://youtu.be/9lvVQfmdMTY

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