From a media release:

CANWEST DECLARES CHECKMATE WITH ORIGINAL SERIES ENDGAME

• Thunderbird Films produced series slated for Showcase Spring 2011

Canwest Broadcasting proudly announces the pick-up of Endgame, Thunderbird Film’s much-anticipated drama series in association with Front Street Pictures. The one hour, 13-episode series is set to premiere Spring 2011 on Showcase.

Endgame is an original drama series centering around a brilliant chess master. Using the skills that made him chess champion of the world, Arkady Balagan solves the crimes that mystify others. Traumatized by the murder of his fiancée, Balagan has become a prisoner in his luxury Vancouver hotel, terrified to step outside. To pay his bill, Balagan starts solving mysteries – using an unlikely band of hotel employees and chess fanatics to do his legwork. Arrogant, brilliant and charismatic, the Russian-born Balagan is able to envision his unknown opponent’s motives and moves. He imagines events, interviews the living and the dead, and runs conflicting scenarios – all in his head. And we get to watch right along with him as he solves crimes that baffle the police. In Endgame, we see genius at work.

Production on Endgame is scheduled to begin this Summer 2010 with casting announcements forthcoming.

Endgame is developed and produced by Thunderbird Films in association with Front Street Pictures. It has been commissioned by Canwest. The impressive creative team behind Endgame includes creator and showrunner Avrum Jacobson (ReGenesis, Republic of Doyle) and Executive Producers Michael Shepard and Harvey Kahn.