A Spalding Chess Club member is to appear on a new reality TV show based on the game.
Craig Richardson (33) is one of 12 competitors on Chess Masters: The Endgame, the first episode of which was broadcast on Monday night (March 10).
The blurb for the show hosted by Sue Perkins says: “Across eight episodes, passionate and highly skilled players from all backgrounds will battle it out across a series of brainteasing puzzles and intense eliminators before one will be crowned Chess Champion.”
Craig who has been given the nickname ‘The Python’ for the show said: “I took it up after watching The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix.
“Before that, I only knew how the pieces moved from having played with my dad when I was younger.
“When I saw The Queen’s Gambit, I was just captivated by it. It was during Covid so I couldn’t go out to a club or anything. So basically, I was self-taught via YouTube videos and books.
“As soon as the pandemic finished, I got a coach and I joined a club and went from there really.
“Now I’m playing chess for Lincolnshire and I help to run a club as well.
“It’s really hard to say why I fell in love with chess. I guess it just spoke to me personally.
“Chess is competitive and the improvement comes through discipline, patience, self-motivation and persistence and I really like that.
“I really like sports where it’s just you competing against others and your success comes through you and you only and your own hard work. You can’t blame your mistakes on anyone else, it’s just you and I like that in a sport.”
Craig says he’s passionate about promoting chess in the UK and that’s why he signed up for Chess Master: The Endgame.
“I think this show would be a good introduction for people who don’t play because you’re watching amateur players compete in a fun and wholesome environment.
“You’ll see all different characters and you’ll see how passionate people are. You’ll also see that it can be fun and enjoyable.”
The show airs at 8pm on Mondays on BBC Two.
