Judit Polgar vs Vladimir Kramnik
Judit Polgar vs Vladimir Kramnik: head-to-head — careers, honours, key numbers and why the rivalry matters.
Why compare Judit Polgar and Vladimir Kramnik?
Kramnik, a former World Champion, was one of Polgar's contemporaries, representing the elite level of competition she faced throughout her career.
Judit Polgar
Key numbers
- Peak rating2735
- FIDE rating2675 (June 2026)
- Peak rankingNo. 8 (January 2004)
- Top-rated womanFrom January 1989 until retirement in 2014
Top honours
- GrandmasterAchieved in 1991
- FIDE 100 AwardAwarded as the best female player of the past 100 years in 2024
- Inducted into the World Chess Hall of FameIn 2021
- Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Stephen of HungaryReceived in 2015
VS
Vladimir Kramnik
Key numbers
- FIDE Rating2753 (June 2026)
- Peak Rating2817 (October 2016)
- Peak RankingNo. 1 (January 1996)
- Olympiad Gold Medals1
Top honours
- Classical World Chess Champion2000–2006
- Undisputed World Chess Champion2006–2007
- Chess Oscar2000