Overview

• The BBC's 'Chess Masters: The Endgame' features 12 UK chess players competing in matches and puzzles, with a mix of personal stories and theatrical presentation.
• Critics are split on the show’s appeal, with some praising its charm and accessibility while others find it dull and overly contrived.
• Sue Perkins hosts with humor and innuendo, supported by Grandmaster David Howell and coach Anthony Mathurin, who provide commentary and analysis.
• Contestants’ backstories, including overcoming personal challenges like cancer and prison, add emotional depth but are seen by some as underutilized in the format.
• The show’s attempts to dramatize chess with nicknames, moody music, and rapid editing have been both appreciated for energy and criticized as superficial.