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Sue Perkins hosts this high-stakes chess contest, following 12 rising stars of the UK’s booming chess community as they battle it out to be crowned champion.
Sue Perkins
Self - Presenter
David Howell
Self - Commentator
Anthony Mathurin
Self - Commentator
Streaming availability information not available
2025
In the first of two heats, six talented players from across the UK arrive at Cardiff’s former coal exchange. They face a brain-boggling puzzle and a high-stakes speed chess battle.
The five remaining players from the first heat return to the Great Hall to battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals.
The four remaining players from the first heat return to the Great Hall to battle it out for a coveted place in the semi-finals. They are faced with a giant projection screen, and realise an innovative challenge awaits - a memory test set by world number one chess player Magnus Carlsen.
In the second heat, six new players face a gruelling game of speed chess and a puzzle called 'the raging rook', which allows the players to showcase their mastery of one of the most powerful pieces.
The five remaining players from the second heat return to the Great Hall to battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals.
The four remaining players from the second heat face a memory puzzle set by chess superstar and world number one Magnus Carlsen.
Six semi-finalists face child prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan in their toughest challenge yet.
The four finalists return for the last time to the Great Hall, ready to be put through their chess-playing paces like never before. Who will lift the winner’s trophy?
