Jewish chess legend Judit Polgar on Monday turned down Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s offer to join his push to break with the Viktor Orban era as the country’s president.

The pro-European conservative had nominated Polgar, widely considered the greatest woman to have taken to the checkered board, as a figure from outside politics to help carry out his promise of “regime change” from Orban’s hardline 16-year tenure.

“I do not feel I have the strength to take on the historic responsibility of uniting a divided nation, and so I am unable to accept the invitation,” Polgar posted on social media.

“I will do everything in my power to support a new, independent, and respected President of the Republic in achieving these goals,” she added.

After ejecting unpopular President Tamas Sulyok by constitutional amendment last week, Magyar backed Polgar late on Sunday as “a president of whom all Hungarians can be proud.”

“I regret her decision, but I respect it,” Magyar said on social media after Polgar’s announcement.

Polgar, who will turn 50 on Thursday, was born into a Hungarian Jewish family and played chess along with her sisters from a very young age. She was the top-ranked woman chess player for 25 years before retiring in 2014, and commands widespread respect in Hungary.

But Magyar faced criticism for pushing ahead with her nomination on Sunday, a day after pledging a public consultation on the matter.

After her........

© The Times of Israel