Denes Boros

Originally from Budapest, Hungary, Grandmaster Denes Boros currently attends a master’s degree program in psychology at Webster University in St. Louis, and may continue for his PhD. He began his collegiate studies in Hungary, but transferred to Webster University in St. Louis for the opportunity to study under Susan Polgar and her SPICE program.  

Boros was six years old when his brother taught him how to play chess, and he has since played for 20 years.

“I was very interested in chess because the board seemed huge,” he says. “It felt like a magical game. I was fascinated to see how everything unfolded. When you see the symmetrical board, it looks so serene, but after fifteen or twenty moves it can get very chaotic.”

Boros earned his GM title in 2009, and now plays in tournaments to allow other players to earn their own titles -- and because the game stays challenging for him, too. His study of psychology has come in handy during matches, and Boros believes every chess player has the potential to become a good psychologist: The discipline made him more aware of his emotions, which helped him improve. He also considers chess a form of communication, and part of communication involves persuasion.

When he finishes school, he hopes to stay in the U.S. not only to continue playing chess, but also to teach players how to use psychology to better their game.  Ultimately, he would like to become a psychologist or sports psychologist.