Watched the three episodes so far and sort of enjoyed them. Not really into the nicknames and the puzzles and the game of random chess and the doubles chess (all of which, I suppose, makes up 80% of the show). The presenters are really trying to "big up" the drama, too. None of which chess needs - it's great, and dramatic enough, as it is. But at least there's some chess on terrestrial TV!
Derek
I was a Contestant on the Show and read with great interest most of the comments here ,even the negative ones. So just to clarify a few things :-none of the participants ever suggested that they were more than keen amateur players but were indeed proud and pleased that they were part of a programme designed to introduce chess to the general public and raise awareness of the game as a fun pastime/hobby etc.
They gave up their spare time to do so for no financial gain whatsoever but were thrilled that they were promoting chess. Therefore, I find some of the criticism aimed at them unfair and unwarranted.
For my own part my best playing days are obviously behind me. But in my youth I won some Majors and also the British Intermediate in 1991( if i remember correctly ) plus several club championships including one in 2023. There were many successes in the strong Armed forces events so no longer a strong player perhaps but no patzer either.
Therfore, just to dispel a further myth I did not miss Qg6 , I simply chose not to play it ! My intention from early on after Thalia played h6 was to try and land a piece on g6 .But that move had to be prepared and part of that prep was to swop off the white squared bishops to accentuate the weakness on the white squares. However , even before the opportunity arose to play Qg6 i had intended to allow Bxe3+ (sacing the pawn ) and just stick the King in the corner whereupon the attack continues .
But in a sudden rush of blood to the head I (too) quickly thought I can just play Qf2 ( still + on SF by the way ) save the pawn and keep the attack going.
However, the Queen hadnt even settled on the square when i realised it wasnt as good and consequently knowing I had made an inferior move when short of time it subsequently played on my mind for several moves afterwards and I blundered the knight. - Sound familiar anyone ??
Who of you havent been on the wrong end of this exact scenario ?
And just for the record I have seen it reported in various outlets that I missed the perpetual.
Wrong again. I didnt miss that either I simply opted not to play for it as I was still playing for the win.
Worth a watch, I don’t know if all episodes will be chess related
Cheers
Mark