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8 Episodes 2025 - 2025
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.
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.
Episode 3
The remaining players return to battle it out for a place in the semi-finals. They are faced with a giant projection screen, and realise an innovative challenge awaits, a memory test set by the the number one chess player, Magnus Carlsen.
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.
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. The sense of trepidation is palpable as they face a mind-bending chess puzzle called 'the five queens'.
Episode 6
The four remaining players from the second heat face a memory puzzle set by chess superstar and world number one Magnus Carlsen.
Episode 7
The three strongest players from both heats come face to face for the first time in the semi-finals. They meet child prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan in their toughest challenge yet.
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?