Series 1
Twelve rising stars of the UK’s booming chess community battle it out.

01 Episode 1
29mIn 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.
2025-03-10
02 Episode 2
29mThe five remaining players from the first heat return to the Great Hall to battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals.
2025-03-17
03 Episode 3
29mThe 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.
2025-03-24
04 Episode 4
29mIn 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.
2025-03-31
05 Episode 5
29mThe five remaining players from the second heat return to the Great Hall to battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals.
2025-04-07
06 Episode 6
29mThe four remaining players from the second heat face a memory puzzle set by chess superstar and world number one Magnus Carlsen.
2025-04-14
07 Episode 7
29mSix semi-finalists face child prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan in their toughest challenge yet.
2025-04-21
08 Episode 8
29mThe 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?
2025-04-28


