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Judit Polgar, widely regarded as the greatest female chess player of all time, has declined Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar's offer to become the country's next president.
Polgar announced her decision in a Facebook post.
"I do not feel capable of taking on the historic responsibility of uniting a divided nation, and therefore I cannot accept the invitation. I will do everything within my power to support the republic's new, independent and respected president in achieving these goals," she wrote.
Magyar later wrote on X that he had spoken with Polgar, whom he described as "a living legend of Hungary," and that she had explained why she could not accept the nomination.
"I regret her decision, but I fully respect it. I am grateful that she took my request so seriously... I also regret that communication mistakes resulting from my joy and enthusiasm, driven by my unconditional confidence in her, may have contributed to a situation that influenced her decision. The responsibility for those mistakes is mine alone," Magyar wrote.
On July 19, Magyar said he intended to ask Polgar to become Hungary's next president, describing her as someone who could symbolize national unity.
Earlier, amid pressure from the ruling Tisza party, President Tamas Sulyok signed a constitutional amendment that brought his presidential term to an end. Sulyok was widely regarded as an ally of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban.