Polgar Chess Center began its roots on Saunders Street in Rego Park. The club is the end result of a dream that Susan had as a child. This club began in 1997 with the aim to help children of all ages do better in school as well as develop many important life skills. The club has members from the age of 4 to over 70. Most of these members are from New York but some even come from out of state and many players from around the world have visited the club. Susan instructs the advanced classes and her quality staff of chess instructors teach the other class levels.

"This is an excellent club; it's not that formal," said Grandmaster Alexander Stripunsky, 34, co-winner of the 2005 U.S. championship, who, like Polgar and other chess masters, resides in Forest Hills. The Center gives weekly lectures and holds tournaments of many different time controls, including rapid and blitz. There is also a very well-stocked chess shop with the best book selection we've seen anywhere (offline at least) on these shores. There are different membership levels to participate in the different activities and tournaments. The base adult membership is $249 per year with discounts for scholastic and senior members. The classes available are Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.