Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar has declined an offer from Prime Minister Peter Magyar to become Hungary’s president, rejecting the opportunity to play a central role in efforts to move beyond the current political era led by Viktor Orban. The announcement came Monday in Budapest, following Magyar’s nomination of Polgar as a non-political figure to help realize his promise of a “regime change” after Orban’s 16-year tenure.

Polgar, widely regarded as the greatest female chess player in history, cited the immense responsibility involved in the role as her reason for declining. In a social media statement, she said she did not feel she had the strength to unite the nation’s divisions but pledged to support the eventual elected president in fostering a new, independent, and respected leadership. Polgar, who will turn 50 on Thursday, held the top female ranking in chess for 25 years and retired from competitive play in 2014.

Magyar had formally proposed Polgar’s candidacy on Sunday, just days after the government removed unpopular President Tamas Sulyok through a constitutional amendment. Calling Polgar “a president of whom all Hungarians can be proud,” Magyar expressed regret over her decision but said he respected it. The nomination drew criticism for its haste, as Magyar had pledged public consultation on the matter days earlier. Following Polgar’s refusal, Magyar apologized for any miscommunication but maintained that his Tisza party had sought public input.

Political analysts characterized the nomination process as a misstep for Magyar’s premiership. Szabolcs Pek of the Iranytu Institute think tank described it as a “communication blunder” and suggested Polgar’s refusal could ultimately benefit Magyar by allowing for broader involvement of party supporters ahead of a subsequent nominee. Magyar indicated that his party planned further meetings this week to identify the most suitable candidate for the presidency, which requires parliamentary approval. The Tisza party holds a two-thirds majority in parliament, giving it decisive influence over the selection.

Had Polgar accepted, she would have been backed unanimously by Magyar’s party. She remains the only woman to have ranked among the world’s top 10 chess players overall. Polgar has frequently spoken out about the sexism she encountered in the male-dominated chess world, highlighting the additional challenges she faced to prove her skills. Her victories include notable wins against male world champions, such as Garry Kasparov in 2002. Her career has drawn comparisons to the Netflix series "The Queen’s Gambit," which she has praised for its attention to detail.