The 42-year-old, made a grandmaster at the age of just 15 and is widely considered the strongest female chess player of all time, will use the role to help develop chess across the globe, FIDE say.

Since her retirement from competitive chess in 2014, Polgar has focused on chess education and chess promotion, creating the Chess Palace educational programme which is already being introduced in schools across Hungary and China.

The Hungarian has also written a series of books for children called Chess Playground.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich claimed he is "very glad" to welcome Polgar to the team.

"She has great experience both as a top player and as an organiser of international events," he said.

Dvorkovich added: "Her enthusiasm in promotion of chess is enormous.

"Judit is greatly respected by the global chess community and I am sure that she will play an important role in the future work of FIDE."

Polgar herself said she is "looking forward" to taking on the role.

"I am confident that FIDE will become a more agile organisation, supporting our professional athletes and organisers, as well as the millions and millions of chess lovers," she said in a statement.

"My primary personal goals are to increase chess’ impact in non-formal education; finding and fostering talent; and do more for equality of opportunity across gender, social or economic and age differences."

In August 2015, Polgar received the Order of Saint Stephen, the highest state distinction in Hungary, having held the women’s world number one spot consistently for 16 years from January 1998.