The Chase is a popular television quiz show where contestants compete against a professional quizzer known as the "Chaser," who tries to prevent them from winning a cash prize. The show originated in the UK and has since been adapted in other countries, including the US.

Format and Gameplay

• Contestants and Chasers : Typically, a team of four contestants plays against one Chaser per episode. The Chasers are expert quizzers, with notable UK Chasers including Mark Labbett, Shaun Wallace, Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan, and Darragh Ennis

• Rounds :
  • Cash Builder : Each contestant answers as many questions as possible in one minute, earning money for each correct answer (£1,000 in the UK version).
  • Head-to-Head Round : The contestant tries to move their earned money down a seven-step board into the team's prize fund without being caught by the Chaser. They can choose to start closer to the Chaser for a higher offer or further away for a lower offer. Both contestant and Chaser answer multiple-choice questions simultaneously, moving down the board with each correct answer. If caught, the contestant is eliminated and their money is lost

• Final Chase : Contestants who survive the head-to-head rounds work together to answer as many questions as possible in two minutes to build a lead. The Chaser then has two minutes to catch them by answering questions from a separate set. If the Chaser catches the team, the contestants win nothing; if not, the prize fund is split among them. If all contestants are caught in earlier rounds, one contestant plays the Final Chase alone with a smaller head start

Versions

• The original British version airs on ITV and is hosted by Bradley Walsh

• The American version, adapted from the UK show, airs on the Game Show Network and ABC, following a similar format with some variations in prize amounts and rules

The show is well-known for its intense head-to-head battles between contestants and the Chaser, combining quick thinking and strategic risk-taking to win cash prizes

. In summary, The Chase is a quiz show where contestants face off against a professional quizzer in multiple rounds, aiming to accumulate and protect prize money through individual and team efforts.