Judit Kicks Ass at Euro Championship

Playing some of her most brilliant and exciting chess in years, Judit Polgar finished in a three-way tie for first place at the European Individual Championships in Aix Les Bains, France. Although the tiebreaks may not favor Judit with an outright victory, in this blog she is the winner of the event, since this is a decidedly pro-Judit blog (and anyone who has a problem with that is likely to receive a cyber-boot in their virtual tuckus--you've been warned).

One of Judit's many brilliant combinations from the tournament:

Polgar - Iordachescu, Round 10
Position after 15...a6

Here Polgar showed her legendary courage with 16.cd!, sacrificing the bishop for a long-term attack, which led eventually to a won endgame for the rather plump (but still quite sexy) Hungarian genius. Way to go, Judit! (You can play through the game here.)

This is the first time Judit has taken first place in this strong event, which bodes well for her recent return to full-time chess. It is her second stellar result in six months, following her stunning victory over both Ivanchuk and Topalov at the UNAM Quadrangular in Mexico City last November.