BBC Launches New TV Competition to Find the Next ‘Chess Masters’
The BBC is set to launch an exciting new TV competition to find the next generation of ‘Chess Masters’. The show, which will air on BBC Two and iPlayer, will feature passionate and highly-skilled players from all backgrounds competing in rapid chess games over eight episodes, with one player ultimately being crowned the winner.
Catherine Catton, BBC’s Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Live Events, expressed her enthusiasm for the new show, stating that in a market saturated with competitions focusing on physical feats, they are excited to showcase a competition that highlights strategy and smart-thinking. The format, developed by Curve Media, aims to make chess entertaining and accessible for all viewers.
Chess, classified as the fastest growing sport in the world, has seen a surge in popularity, with six million regular players in the UK alone and 605 million adults worldwide. The game has attracted famous fans such as Will Smith, Madonna, Anthony Joshua, and Lily Cole. In 2021, chess was the most watched game on Twitch, and in February 2023, it was the most downloaded app from the iPhone store.
Camilla Lewis, Executive Producer at Curve Media, described Chess Masters as a warm, inclusive, and clever series that will showcase the emotional and strategic stakes of the game. The show will provide amateurs of all ages with the opportunity to compete with the best, offering unique insights into the psychological and practical gameplay of chess.
The series is being supported by the English Chess Federation, with Malcolm Pein, the organization’s Director of International Chess and External Relations, expressing his excitement for the upcoming competition. Pein believes that chess’s ability to transcend boundaries of age, sex, language, and culture makes it a perfect fit for the national broadcaster.
Chess enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the return of the game to television screens, and with Chess Masters, they will have the opportunity to witness the 64 squares come to life in an innovative format. The show aims to attract millions of new players and inspire those who have yet to begin their chess journey.