Chess Masters: The Endgame is a reality TV show where chess players compete for the title of champion. The show is hosted by Sue Perkins, with expert insights from chess Grand Master David Howell and Anthony from The Traitors. Each episode features six players battling against each other while sharing their thoughts during the games.
The show has an interesting mix of contestants, including a former bouncer who learned chess in prison, a father who played chess with his children while battling cancer, and women who overcame challenges to succeed in a male-dominated game.
While the stories of these players are inspiring, the show itself has received mixed reviews. Some feel it could have been a meaningful documentary about real chess communities instead of a competition with dramatic nicknames and exaggerated commentary.
Chess Masters Filming Location
The series was filmed at the Cardiff Coal Exchange in Cardiff, Wales. This historic building was once a major hub for the coal trade and is now used for events, concerts, and TV productions.
The high-ceilinged hall where the matches take place gives the show a grand but slightly cold and empty feel.
The Coal Exchange is a grand architectural and historical testament to the city’s pivotal role in the 19th and early 20th-century global coal trade.
Constructed in the Renaissance Revival style, its main hall served as the bustling epicenter where coal merchants, ship owners, and agents negotiated contracts, even witnessing the first million-pound deal.
As the heart of the South Wales coalfields, it dictated global coal prices, reflecting the era’s industrial might.
Though the coal industry’s decline led to periods of disuse, the building, now a listed structure, has been repurposed into a hotel and event venue, preserving its legacy while adapting to modern needs.
Despite its dramatic setup, many viewers feel the show lacks real excitement. Some of the editing choices make contestants look silly, and the forced commentary takes away from the true skill and strategy behind chess. Still, for those who love chess, it offers a chance to see real players and their personal stories.
