Thalia Holmes

Last updated

Thalia Holmes
Thalia Holmes (cropped).jpg
Holmes in 2025
CountryEngland
Born2004 (age 20–21)
Peak rating 1719 (September 2025)

Thalia Holmes (born 2004) is an English chess player. She won the inaugural series of the BBC Two competition Chess Masters: The Endgame in 2025.

Contents

Biography

Chess Masters: The Endgame
Final Game
Richie Kelly vs. Thalia Holmes
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In this position, Kelly played Qf2. A better move would have been Qg6. [1]

Holmes played chess from a young age and first represented England aged ten. [2] Holmes attended Haberdashers’ Adams School in Newport and was a member of the Newport Chess Club. [3] She studies history at university. [4]

In 2022, Holmes was the winner of the under-18s Shropshire Megafinal of the UK Chess Challenge. [5] She admires Latvian chess grandmaster Mikhail Tal. [6]

In 2025, Holmes participated in the inaugural series of the BBC Two competition Chess Masters: The Endgame. [7] [6] Her nickname on the show was "The Tactician," due to her aggressive and tactical style of play. [8] She won the show, beating "The Strategist" Richie Kelly in the final game. [1] [9] [10]

Holmes is a transgender woman and has said that she participated in the show to improve the representation of women and trans people in chess. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 Barden, Leonard (2 May 2025). "BBC Two's Chess Masters: The Endgame divides opinions as winner is crowned". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2 May 2025.
  2. ↑ Titherington, Dherran (24 April 2025). "Chester chess player one of final four in BBC Two series". Chester Nub News. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  3. ↑ Pandey, Geha (24 April 2025). "Former Newport grammar school student eyes winner's trophy in BBC Two's Chess Masters: The Endgame finals". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  4. ↑ Pandey, Geha (29 April 2025). "How winning BBC Two's Chess Masters: The Endgame reignited former Newport school student's love for chess". Express and Star. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  5. ↑ Elwell, Nick (25 July 2022). "Shropshire chess youngsters check in to do battle for Gigafinals spot". Shropshire Star. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  6. 1 2 Barden, Leonard (29 April 2025). "Ukraine's Vasyl Ivanchuk, 56, sets new landmark for chess veterans". Financial Times . Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  7. ↑ Lewis, Chris. "Radio Interview – Thalia Holmes". Shropshire Chess. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Chess Masters: The Endgame contestants and presenters unveil the secrets behind its timeless and universal appeal". BBC . Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  9. ↑ Doggers, Peter (29 April 2025). "Thalia Clinches Trophy In BBC's 'Chess Masters' Final Episode". Chess.com. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  10. ↑ Pandey, Geha (29 April 2025). "'The best day of my life': Former Newport grammar school student, 20, wins BBC Two's Chess Masters: The Endgame". Shropshire Star. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
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