Series 1
Season 1 • 2025
0Twelve rising stars of the UK’s booming chess community battle it out.
Episodes
1. Episode 1
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.
2025-03-10 • 29 min
2. Episode 2
The 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 • 29 min
3. Episode 3
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.
2025-03-24 • 29 min
4. Episode 4
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.
2025-03-31 • 29 min
5. Episode 5
The 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 • 29 min
6. Episode 6
The four remaining players from the second heat face a memory puzzle set by chess superstar and world number one Magnus Carlsen.
2025-04-14 • 29 min
7. Episode 7
Six semi-finalists face child prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan in their toughest challenge yet.
2025-04-21 • 29 min
8. Episode 8
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?
2025-04-28 • 29 min
