Thalia Holmes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
.jpg) Holmes in 2025 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2004 (age 21–22) |
| Chess career | |
| Country | England |
| 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.
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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 trans people in chess.[8]
References
- 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- 1 2 Barden, Leonard (29 April 2025). "Ukraine's Vasyl Ivanchuk, 56, sets new landmark for chess veterans". Financial Times. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ↑ Lewis, Chris. "Radio Interview – Thalia Holmes". Shropshire Chess. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- 1 2 "Chess Masters: The Endgame contestants and presenters unveil the secrets behind its timeless and universal appeal". BBC. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
External links
- Thalia Holmes rating card at FIDE