Susan Polgar Foundation

♟️ About Susan Polgar Foundation

Susan Polgar Foundation (SPF) is a United States nonprofit chess organization founded by GM Susan Polgar in 2002. Its mission is to promote the educational, social, and competitive benefits of chess for young people, with a particular emphasis on expanding opportunities for girls. The foundation supports scholastic chess, national competitions, scholarships, instructional resources, and pathways that connect young players with higher-level competitive chess. SPF is best known for the Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational, the Susan Polgar Foundation National Open for Girls and Boys, and its support of the SPICE Cup. In addition, the foundation provides a free chess curriculum for parents, teachers, and coaches. More than 20,000 people from approximately 85 countries have requested that curriculum. Therefore, SPF combines tournament organization with education and long-term chess development. GM Susan Polgar remains the Foundation’s President and Founder and is its principal public figure. Paul Truong serves as Co-Founder and Vice President. During 2026, SPF organized the 23rd Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational and continued its national youth programs. Moreover, the foundation is preparing two major November events in Bellevue, Washington: the 21st Susan Polgar Foundation National Open for Girls and Boys and the 20th Annual SPICE Cup.

📜 History and Mission

Susan Polgar created the foundation in 2002 after a playing career in which she broke major gender barriers in international chess. From the beginning, SPF focused strongly on providing young players, especially girls, with opportunities to compete, learn, and advance. The foundation later developed several recurring national programs. The Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational became one of its longest-running competitions, while the National Open expanded opportunities for both girls and boys. Meanwhile, SPF also developed educational resources. Its official chess curriculum covers notation, checkmate patterns, opening principles, tactics, and other fundamentals. The foundation designed the material so schools, coaches, and families could introduce chess through a structured program.

🎓 Girls’ Chess and Youth Development

Creating stronger opportunities for girls remains central to SPF’s mission. The Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational brings together leading young female players from across the United States. The 23rd edition took place online on June 6–7, 2026. State chess affiliates could nominate representatives, while qualifying players from earlier SPF events also received opportunities to compete. Players first contested a six-round Swiss tournament. Then, the top four advanced to a knockout playoff. The event offered a $1,500 chess scholarship prize fund, while the winner also received free entry to the 2026 SPICE Cup. In addition, SPF uses seminars, workshops, tournaments, and educational programs to encourage girls to remain active in competitive chess. This approach combines high-level competition with a broader development mission.

🏆 Susan Polgar Foundation National Open

The Susan Polgar Foundation National Open for Girls and Boys (SPFNO) began in 2006 and has developed into one of SPF’s principal scholastic events. The 20th SPFNO in 2025 attracted 470 players across eleven sections. Competitors traveled from several U.S. states and British Columbia, demonstrating the event’s regional and national reach. The 21st SPF National Open is scheduled for November 7–8, 2026 at Hilton Bellevue in Bellevue, Washington. SPF is co-hosting the event with the Washington Chess Federation. The program includes K–5, K–8, and K–12 Championship sections for Open and Girls players, together with one-day scholastic competitions and side events. Furthermore, GM Susan Polgar will conduct a parents-and-coaches seminar, a girls’ workshop, book signings, and a simultaneous exhibition.

🌟 SPICE Cup and Elite Competition

SPF also supports the SPICE Cup, which provides stronger players with access to serious FIDE-rated competition and international title opportunities. The 20th Annual SPICE Cup Open will take place from November 4–9, 2026 at Hilton Bellevue. Susan Polgar Foundation and Washington Chess Federation are co-hosting the tournament. The nine-round Swiss is both US Chess and FIDE rated. It carries a guaranteed $12,500 prize fund, and GM, IM, WGM, and WIM norms are possible. As a result, the foundation maintains a development pathway that stretches from introductory scholastic chess to nationally recognized youth championships and elite norm-level competition.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

GM Susan Polgar serves as President and Founder. Paul Truong is Co-Founder and Vice President. The current Board of Directors also includes Alexandra Botez, Christina Bowlann, Michael E. Cohen, Daro Mott, Bradley Rosen, and Alice Yurke. In addition, the foundation recognizes several long-serving Board Members Emeritus. For tournament operations, SPF also works with experienced organizers and arbiters. In 2026, IA/NTD Judit Sztaray served as Chief Tournament Director of the Susan Polgar Foundation Girls’ Invitational and remains an important operational tournament contact.