• Judit Polgár is the focus of a new documentary, “Queen of Chess,” chronicling her rise to grandmaster at 15.
  • The documentary premieres at Sundance and will stream on Netflix; director Rory Kennedy and Polgár discuss the film.
  • Musician Quinn Christopherson performed as the Get Lit guest and talked about his album Write Your Name In Pink and new music.
  • Three local art shows — Gideon Appah, Musah Swallah and Terrance Cummings — открыты through February.

Judit Polgár: From prodigy to the center of a new documentary

A new documentary, Queen of Chess, shines a long-overdue spotlight on Judit Polgár, the Hungarian prodigy who became a chess grandmaster at just 15. The film, directed by Rory Kennedy, explores Polgár’s rise in a male-dominated sport and the personal choices that shaped her career.

The documentary premieres at the Sundance Film Festival and will be available to stream on Netflix. Watch the trailer here:

Watch: Queen of Chess trailer — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pmJgtLKBXg

Polgár and Kennedy join the conversation in the documentary to revisit the pressures of youth competition, the family environment that cultivated her talent, and the ways she challenged chess’s gender norms.

Quinn Christopherson: New music after Tiny Desk success

Also featured on the same WNYC episode, Quinn Christopherson flew in from Alaska to perform as the Get Lit musical guest alongside Ocean Vuong. The NPR Tiny Desk winner discussed his latest work and new music tied to his album Write Your Name In Pink.

Christopherson’s intimate songwriting and recent visibility position him as an artist to watch this year. For listeners looking to explore his sound, his album is available on Bandcamp: https://quinnchristopherson.bandcamp.com/album/write-your-name-in-pink

Local art to see now: Appah, Swallah, Cummings

  • Gideon Appah — “Beneath Night and Day” at Pace Gallery highlights everyday life in Ghana through photography and mixed media. The show runs through Saturday, February 28.

  • Musah Swallah — “Between Worlds” at Ethan Cohen Gallery blends Ghanaian and Western visual languages with vibrant paintings on canvas, wood, and cork. The pop-up runs through the end of the month.

  • Terrance Cummings — “Art for Change” at the Arts Council of Princeton uses layered, colorful work to probe race, class, and shared humanity. That exhibition continues through Feb. 7. More info: https://artscouncilofprinceton.org/event/art-for-change/

Why this episode matters

The WNYC episode brings together three creative worlds: a landmark documentary about one of chess’s most consequential figures, fresh music from an emerging songwriter, and art shows that invite cultural conversation. Each segment highlights artists who push boundaries — whether in chess, song, or visual art — and offers accessible entry points for audiences eager to engage.

For fans of chess history, documentary film, indie music, or contemporary art, this episode delivers a concise package of recommendations and viewing opportunities.

Image Referance: https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/all-of-it/episodes/quinn-christopherson-shares-some-music-how-judit-polgars-became-chess-grandmaster-15-local-art-shows-gideon-appah-musah-swallah-and-terrance-cummings