Chess Masters - The Endgame

[Calyx72]

Anyone watched this? I was just told about it and have binged the lot so far!

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/10/chess-masters-the-endgame-review-so-dull-its-almost-unwatchable

The review I just found is awful though. Says “it is all faintly reminiscent of the IT Crowd episode when Moss gets involved with “street Countdown” as though that’s a bad thing 😆

I loved it so far and can’t wait to find out who wins.

DH plays chess at a county level and wasn't really interested but I persuaded him to watch it, thinking it might be better than he expected.
We kept watching through this series but don't think either of us would bother again. It's too superficial for him and I found the hammed up presentation cringey.
Sorry for the negativity but it's good you're enjoying it.

I totally get it. I am watching the full games though and enjoying and learning from those. It is a bit bake-off and cringe but I am starved for accessible chess on tv 😆

As DH said, there’s a good chess program to be made-this ain’t it. TheChess Princess? 🙄

Yeah I know. Cringe. But chess on TV without it being too dense and difficult! It could have been great and they did make it bad. I have enjoyed watching the full games though!

I thought it was OK but being the BBC felt they had gone for a diverse list of “characters” rather than the best chess players, same as in the Sewing Bee etc. The camera views were often poor and the chess related games staged in a silly way to produce a “surprise” winner rather than showing them doing the puzzles. I don’t understand why they needed 2 non chess presenters one and the chess master or just the chess master would have been better but the BBC loves its presenters

Agreed. Yes it was the Sewing Bee, Bake Off template down to the music. Also agree about the presenters (and as mentioned above, the nicknames)