Chess Masters: The Endgame - Season 1

First aired: 3/10/2025 8 episodes

Twelve rising stars of the UK’s booming chess community battle it out.

Episodes

1. Episode 1

Aired: 3/10/2025

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.

2. Episode 2

Aired: 3/17/2025

The five remaining players from the first heat return to the Great Hall to battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals.

3. Episode 3

Aired: 3/24/2025

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.

4. Episode 4

Aired: 3/31/2025

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.

5. Episode 5

Aired: 4/7/2025

The five remaining players from the second heat return to the Great Hall to battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals.

6. Episode 6

Aired: 4/14/2025

The four remaining players from the second heat face a memory puzzle set by chess superstar and world number one Magnus Carlsen.

7. Episode 7

Aired: 4/21/2025

Six semi-finalists face child prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan in their toughest challenge yet.

8. Episode 8

Aired: 4/28/2025

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?