A local chess competitor has taken the crown in a brand new BBC Two series.

Having first represented England aged ten, Thalia Holmes is now the first ever winner of 'Chess Masters: The Endgame'.

With the finale airing last night (28 April), the high-stakes contest has followed 12 rising chess stars compete over eight episodes.

The Chester student and instructor hopes her appearance on the show will help more people come to the game.

Speaking ahead of the final, she told Chester Nub News: "I hope that what's shown on the series is that chess can be a really fun pursuit.

"For me, one of the reasons why I wanted to go on to the show in the first place was because I want to teach other people about chess.

"I want to get other people as enthusiastic about chess as I was as a junior player, for example.

"I just want to spread chess to as many people as possible in any way possible."

Thalia also offers chess coaching sessions in Chester, citing the feedback from her students watching the show as "incredibly rewarding".

She added: "It has made me feel really proud.

"The best part of it is the people from my chess club, the junior chess club, that have been watching it - the ones that I coach and stuff.

"When I come and see them, they're all super excited and all ready to learn about the games that I've been playing on the show."

You can find all episodes of 'Chess Masters: The Endgame' on BBC iPlayer.

If you are interested in chess lessons with Thalia, check out her website for prices and availability here.