This Week, I'm looking back at BBC2's Chess Masters.

Was this a chess show played by humans; or a human interest show using chess as a metaphor? Because the programme fell between stools and made depressingly little sense.

Plus! Some words about Genius Game, the ITV show you would enjoy.

Look, you're on Mastodon, and Genius Game is the most Mastodon show since Only Connect. And it's got David Tennant!

http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Weaver%27s_Week_2025-05-04

#WeaversWeek #GameShow #ChessMasters #GeniusGame #OnlyConnect

I love the #ChessMasters show but gosh, the latest episode took my stress levels through the roof!

I only managed the first puzzle only in the puzzle challenges, and David Howell dominating three contestants at once got my blood way up.

#chess

Watching #ChessMasters, largely because it's in the #OnlyConnect slot. I agree with many on here, it needs far more proper analysis and explanation of the chess and less naff talking heads, faux tension and over the top excitement by the experts. Maybe I should watch the full games on iPlayer?

I do like the puzzles as well but again, we need more analysis of those.

OUR PUBLIC @chesscom DATABASE IS OUT NOW!

Link: https://foxstudiosscratch.space/chess-database

#fss #foxstudiosscratch #chess #chessmasters #dev

We've been enjoying Chess Masters: The Endgame. It's a sort of chess Bake Off, with Sue Perkins as host, and some endearing contestants. The show is helping my daughter learn about the game, and I've particularly been enjoying the puzzles (an aspect of chess I hadn't really explored).

Reviewers and the nerds of Mastodon all seem to hate it though. Oh well. My main criticism is that 30 minute eps are insufficient for explanation and analysis.

#ChessMasters #TV #Chess

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

I'm glad to see #TheStudio is as good as everyone says.

Feels like we're spoiled for good #television at the moment, what with that and #1923, #WhiteLotus, #Daredevil, #Adolescence and #Severance.

Plus #HighPotential was pretty fun, #ChessMasters is back on the BBC, #WheelOfTime somehow keeps getting renewed, and the US version of #HIGNFY #haveIGotNewsForYou has started to get better.

BBC4 really pushing #ChessMasters and who can blame them when it's as utterly appalling as it is?

#TOTP