“To become a professional, you have to train a lot, which I did from a ...” — Judit Polgar Quote

To become a professional, you have to train a lot, which I did from a very early age. Of course, it helps if your character is very competitive and you have patience and perseverance.

I started to become internationally successful starting at the age of 9.

I started playing chess in the Eighties, but it is only recently that people have begun to appreciate the importance of physical exercise for chess players. You really need to be in good condition to be able to sit for four to six hours and still maintain your concentration.

There is no better training for chess than swimming. On a Friday evening I like to put in a good long session of breaststroke at the pool near where I live in Budapest with my husband, Gusztav, and my two children.

Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed.

I personally think that we can win the World Cup. We are improving with every game. With such a young average age in the squad we can only carry on improving.

In the age of television, image becomes more important than substance.

It is unthinkable for a Frenchman to arrive at middle age without having syphilis and the Cross of the Legion of Honor.

I think I don't regret a single 'excess' of my responsive youth - I only regret, in my chilled age, certain occasions and possibilities I didn't embrace.