Hungarian chess player Gedeon Barcza was born on 21 August 1911 in Kisújszállás. He developed serious interest in chess only in his university years. By that time he already made some success which made him popular within the young crowd in Hungary. His world ranking was 16th (in December 1951). According to Chessmetrics his highest rating is 2683.

Barcza never became world champion, but he was an outstandingly successful teacher, chess player, Chess Olympiad champion, eight-time Hungarian champion, master trainer and chess writer. He has participated in 8 Chess Olympiad with the Hungarian team. He played first in 1936 in the third unofficial Chess Olympiad where he won gold medal for his team. He came back much later in 1952 in the 10th Chess Olympiad where he ranked 12th individually and 6th in team. In 1954 in Amsterdam he won individual gold and he placed 6th again with the team. In 1956 he won individual silver and team bronze. The next three Olympiads in 1958, 60 and 62 did not bring medals for him or his team. However in 1968 he won individual bronze again and Hungary placed sixth in team. During his Olympic career he won one each of the three medals, and one gold and bronze in team.

Interesting facts: 

There is a sports club in Budapest named after Barcza where chess players are trained and they also organize in-house competitions.

He died on 27 February 1986 in Budapest.