15 Facts About Pal Benko

Pal Charles Benko was a Hungarian and American chess player, author, and composer of endgame studies and chess problems.

Pal Benko learned to play chess aged eight from his father, but he did not compete in tournaments until age 17 due to World War II.

Pal Benko eventually escaped to his home, only to find that his brother and father had been sent to Russia as laborers, and his mother died as the war neared its conclusion.

Pal Benko made rapid progress once he began tournament play and became Hungarian champion by age 20.

Pal Benko was awarded the title of International Master in 1950.

Pal Benko remained imprisoned for 16 months, attaining release after Stalin's death.

Pal Benko emigrated to the United States in 1958 after defecting following the World Student Team Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 1957.

Pal Benko finished eighth in 1959 and sixth in 1962.

Pal Benko finished in first place in eight US Open Chess Championships, a record.

Pal Benko's titles were: 1961,1964,1965,1966,1967,1969,1974, and 1975.

Pal Benko moved to the United States, but it was not until 1962 that he appeared on the US team.

Pal Benko defeated four players who held the World Champion title at some point.

In later life, Pal Benko was a tutor to many up-and-coming players from his native Hungary; his students included the Polgar sisters and Peter Leko.

Pal Benko died in Budapest on August 25,2019, at the age of 91.

Pal Benko was awarded the title of International Master of Chess Composition by FIDE, and was inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame in 1993.