Rory Kennedy's Chess Doc: Unveiling Judit Polgár's Rise

Director Rory Kennedy has unveiled her latest project, "Queen of Chess," at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. This documentary delves into the extraordinary 15-year journey of Hungarian chess prodigy Judit Polgár. Kennedy expressed deep admiration for Polgár's accomplishments, noting her consistent status as the top female player for 26 years and her record-breaking youngest grandmaster achievement.

Polgár's dominance extended to defeating elite male players, including Garry Kasparov, and she remains the only woman to have entered the world's top 10 chess players. Kennedy was compelled to share this story, which she felt was surprisingly underrepresented. The film promises to illuminate Polgár's impact on the sport.

Kennedy also spoke about personal reflections, acknowledging recent profound losses within her family. She discussed the upcoming series about her late cousin, John F. Kennedy Jr., and her granddaughter Tatiana Schlossberg, who bravely chronicled her health battle. Kennedy emphasized the courage shown by her family members during difficult times and the importance of appreciating their legacies.