The Master Game
The Master Game is a
Presented by Jeremy James with expert analysis from
As a theme tune, the later series of this programme used the Disco '78 version of Ennio Morricone's "Come Maddalena".
History and technique
The Master Game's producer, Robert Toner, recalled previous work for the coverage of the
The result was the creation of a special invitational
Added to this intensive, unorthodox production method were the ground-breaking animated board and pieces created by designer John Bone and the technicians at BBC Bristol. This effect was achieved using a glass chess table on which the moves were made by a cloaked and gloved player. The piece symbols seen on-screen were actually on the underside of the pieces themselves, which were filmed from beneath in reflection, to correct for the left/right reversal that resulted. In addition to this, the expert commentator could use an electronic pointer, illuminating the squares to graphically indicate the ideas being discussed. The effect that combining all of these elements produced had never been previously achieved and is remarkably similar to a high quality, digitally produced, modern multimedia chess presentation, yet was created using only puppetry techniques,
Series details
The series were variously directed by Geoff Walmsley, Sandra Wainwright and Jill Dawson.[3]
Knock-out format, domestic field:
- Series One (1975-76)
First Prize: £250
Participants:
- Series Two (1976-77)
Participants:
.International field adopted:
- Series Three (1977-78)
First Prize: £1250
Participants:
- Series Four (1978-79)
Participants:
Twin group format adopted:
- Series Five (1979–80)
First Prize: £2500
Participants: A) Walter Browne (runner-up), Vlastimil Hort, John Nunn, Helmut Pfleger; B) Robert Byrne, Lothar Schmid (winner), Michael Stean, Viktor Korchnoi.
- Series Six (1980-81)
First Prize: £2500
Participants: A) Robert Byrne, Svetozar Gligorić, Vlastimil Hort, Nigel Short (winner); B) Jan Hein Donner, Bent Larsen, Tony Miles (runner-up), Lothar Schmid.
- Series Seven (1981-82)
First Prize: £2500; Second Prize: £2000
Participants: A)
- Series Eight (1983) - "The 'missing link", never broadcast due to industrial action. The programmes, taped in English in Bath, was later dubbed into German and shown by NDR.[4]
Participants: A)
References
- ISBN 0-563-17437-4
- ISBN 0-563-17916-3
- ^ "The MASTER GAME". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ISBN 978-3-8068-0718-9
- ^ Robert Byrne (27 December 1983). "Chess - Tony Miles Defeats Karpov AndWinsBathTournament". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 27 December 2011.