Sue Perkins teams up with Traitors star to revive boardgame's popularity on TV

The BBC has played a bold opening move in its new chess series by naming Sue Perkins as the host.

A chess show last appeared on screen 40 years ago, but the game has become “cool” again, thanks to hit The Queen’s Gambit and ’s song Mastermind.

bosses now hope Chess Masters will recapture the magic of The Master Game, which ran from 1976 to 1983.

Sue will be joined by former Traitors contestant and chess coach Anthony Mathurin, who is looking forward to taking a “deep dive into the intense inner psychological battle” involved in the board game.

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He will be flanked by three-time British chess champion and grandmaster David Howell.

Sue said: “I’m so excited to be hosting Chess Masters, where 12 talented amateurs from across Britain are pitted against one another in the ’s oldest game. I’m there to help us understand what’s going on in the players’ heads and make sense of what’s happening on the board.”

The presenter added: “We’ve been waiting over 40 years to see chess back on our TV screens. Chess Masters will make that wait worthwhile.”

David said he was incredibly excited about the eight-part series, which will air on BBC2 next year. “I cannot wait to invite viewers into the subtleties and intrigues of the game,” he said. “We’ve the perfect selection of contestants, reflecting it is a game for everyone.”

English Chess Federation director Malcolm Pein said: “Everyone is hugely excited. When Taylor Swift waxes lyrical about chess ­openings, you know chess has become cool.”

A chess app was one of the most popular on iPhones last year. Six million people play regularly in the UK, and famous fans include Madonna and Leonardo DiCaprio.

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