Welcome back to Interviews with Immigrants — the podcast that cuts through the politics and celebrates the heart, humor, and humanity behind real immigrant journeys. I’m your host Andrea Szew, immigration attorney and the face behind Szew Law Group, where thousands turn each month for US immigration guidance — but this show is about life, legacy, and the stories that deserve to be told.
In this episode, I sit down with chess legend Susan Polgar — the real-life trailblazer who was changing the game long before Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit made chess a global phenomenon ♟️👑. Born in Hungary 🇭🇺, Susan takes us from learning chess at just four years old to becoming the first woman to earn the Grandmaster title through traditional norms — breaking barriers in a world that wasn’t built for her.
We talk about the Polgar experiment — her father’s belief that “geniuses are made, not born” — and what it was really like growing up under that intense training. Susan shares the challenges she faced as a young girl competing against men, the resistance she encountered, and how she pushed through to redefine what women could achieve in chess.
She also opens up about her move to the United States 🇺🇸, the cultural shock of how little respect chess had here, and why she made it her mission to change that — not just by winning, but by teaching, mentoring, and building opportunities for the next generation of players, especially girls.
If this episode made you think, inspired you, or gave you a new perspective on chess or immigration, please share it, leave a review, and subscribe so you don’t miss more powerful stories on Interviews with Immigrants.
📧 Need Immigration Help?
Email: info@szewlaw.com
☎️ Call: (310) 477-0047
💬 WhatsApp:
https://wa.me/message/YRQOCMEPEULUL1 📅 Schedule:
https://szewlaw.com/contact/#SusanPolgar #QueensGambit #Chess #WomenInChess #ChessGrandmaster #ChessLife #ChessCommunity #ChessHistory #GothamChess #BotezLive #AnnaCramling #ChessInterview #ImmigrantStories #InterviewsWithImmigrants #WomenWhoLead #Trailblazer #BreakingBarriers #ChessPlayers #ChessCulture #USImmigration #ImmigrantJourney #SuccessStory #HungaryToUSA #FemaleEmpowerment
What is Interviews with Immigrants?
Welcome to the “Interview with Immigrants” Podcast! Join me, Andrea Szew, an experienced immigration lawyer with one of the Top YouTube Channels on US immigration, as I delve into the captivating and inspiring stories of immigrants. This show aims to cut through the political noise and reveal the real heart, humor, and humanity behind every immigration journey. Discover stories that will surprise and potentially change your perspective on immigration.
Subscribe to the show on YouTube and Follow wherever you get your podcasts! It is on all platforms.
_____________
I'm Andrea Szew, top U.S. immigration attorney and creator of one of YouTube’s most-watched US immigration channels, inviting you into powerful, emotional, and often hilarious conversations with people who’ve made the journey to the USA.
Forget the politics - this podcast is all about the people. Each episode uncovers raw, uplifting, and unexpected stories that go beyond visas and green cards to reveal the heart, grit, and humor behind every immigrant experience.
Whether you're curious about immigration, love personal stories, or need a dose of inspiration, this show will surprise you and might even shift the way you see the world.