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Thalia Holmes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thalia Holmes
CountryEngland
Born2004 (age 20–21)

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.

Biography

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Chess Masters: The Endgame
Final Game
Richie Kelly vs. Thalia Holmes
abcdefgh
8
g8 black king
b7 black pawn
g7 black pawn
a6 black rook
e6 black pawn
h6 black pawn
a5 black queen
d5 black pawn
e5 white knight
g5 black bishop
a4 black pawn
c4 black pawn
d4 white pawn
a3 white pawn
e3 white pawn
g3 white pawn
b2 white pawn
c2 white queen
g2 white bishop
h2 white pawn
f1 white rook
g1 white king
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh

Holmes played chess from a young age and first represented England aged ten.[1] Holmes attended Haberdashers’ Adams School in Newport and was a member of the Newport Chess Club.[2] She studies history at university.[3]

In 2022, Holmes was the winner of the under-18s Shropshire Megafinal of the UK Chess Challenge.[4]

In 2025, Holmes participated in the inaugural series of the BBC Two competition Chess Masters: The Endgame.[5] Her nickname on the show was "The Tactician," due to her aggressive and tactical style of play.[6] She won the show, beating "The Strategist" Richie Kelly in the final game.[7][8][9]

Holmes is a transgender woman and has said that she participated in the show for the "representation" of women and trans people in chess.[6]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Lewis, Chris. "Radio Interview – Thalia Holmes". Shropshire Chess. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Chess Masters: The Endgame contestants and presenters unveil the secrets behind its timeless and universal appeal". BBC. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  7. ^ Barden, Leonard (2 May 2025). "BBC Two's Chess Masters: The Endgame divides opinions as winner is crowned". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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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