By Devansh Singh
Imagine a tournament where a 14-year-old Magnus Carlsen once battled for norms, and where Fabiano Caruana secured three consecutive grandmaster norms to cement his rise to the elite. Laszlo Nagy did not just observe these moments - he made them possible. His willingness to support players like Peter Leko when they were young and financially constrained speaks to an organising philosophy that values talent over immediate profit.
From the spark ignited by the 1972 Fischer-Spassky match to his transition from a military college teacher to a global chess organiser, Laszlo's journey is a testament to unwavering dedication. He is the man behind the legendary First Saturday tournaments. He is a pillar of the chess community whose impact on the game's professional development is immeasurable.
Laszlo Nagy with the world's youngest-ever grandmaster, Abhimanyu Mishra
If you are a professional player, I am pretty sure you have played in one of his tournaments.
Abhimanyu Mishra, Sagar Shah, Divya Desmukh, Dhruv Thota, Rohit S, Leon Luke Mendonca, Rakshitta Ravi, Raja Rithvik R, Divya Deshmukh, Prraneeth Vuppala, Manish Anto Cristiano F, Shahil Dey... and the list will keep going on as hundreds of chess players achieved their IM or GM norms in Laszlo's events.
Devansh Singh: Can you tell our readers a little about your journey?
Laszlo Nagy: I was born in 1957 and spent my early career in science. I studied Chemistry at Debrecen University until 1981 and served as a teacher of military chemistry for ten years. However, in 1992, I pivoted toward my true passion, becoming a professional organiser in Budapest. Today, I am a proud husband and father of three sons.
DS: How did your military background help you organise a tournament every single month for 35 years?
LN: In the late 80s, I spent six months studying military management at the Timoshenko Academy in Moscow. That training was vital. It taught me the discipline, logistical planning and "maniacal enthusiasm" required to run a world-class event every month without fail for over three decades.
DS: What was it about the 1972 Fischer-Spassky match that shifted your path toward chess?
LN: It wasn't just one specific move, but the incredible global atmosphere of that era. Chess was at the centre of the world's attention. That energy stayed with me and eventually convinced me that organising tournaments was my true calling.
DS: Which famous players have played in your tournament?
LN: Many legends have passed through Budapest, including Magnus, Caruana, Nakamura and Peter Leko. We have also seen many talented Indian players find their footing here, including young stars like Divya, who have gone on to do great things for the world of chess.
Laszlo Nagy with Bai Adelard
DS: How do you spend the other three Saturdays of the month? Is there a day you relax?
LN: I never truly step away from the board. Once the First Saturday event ends, I relax by playing correspondence chess. It's my way of staying connected to the game's beauty and logic without the stress of organising.
DS: Before the internet, how did you track down players to invite them to Budapest?
LN: It was a very old-school process! I used phone calls and a fax machine. It took a lot more patience and persistence to build a field of players back then compared to today.
DS: If a player is feeling low after a loss, what Hungarian dish do you recommend?
LN: I always suggest our famous chestnut purée with whipped milk cream. It is a sweet, traditional Hungarian treat that serves as the "perfect medicine" to cheer up a frustrated player.
DS: Besides chess and chemistry, what is one surprising hobby you have?
LN: I am a very active correspondence chess player. I usually have 20 to 30 games going on at the same time, which keeps my analytical mind sharp even when I'm not physically at a tournament.
DS: What is the one thing every player should pack for a First Saturday event?
LN: A laptop is essential for preparation in the modern game! But more importantly, bring a fighting spirit and a genuine love for the competition.
DS: If you could send a message to the 90-year-old Laszlo in the future, what would you say?
LN: I would tell him: "You did a great job for the world of chess. You worked hard for the players, and now you can give your soul to God with a peaceful heart, knowing your legacy is secure".
DS: Any final advice for new organisers and players?
LN: To succeed, you must truly love chess and, more importantly, you must love the players. Treat them with respect, work for your name, and the rest will follow.
Editor's note: The line that I loved from the interview of Nagy was, "When I am listening to the holy silence of chess, that makes me happy". What a guy!
If you want to experience the hospitality of Laszlo and Hungary, check out the schedule of GM and IM Norm tournaments on the First Saturday official website.
In 2024, we were lucky to have a proper interview with him | Video: ChessBase India
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