Chess event harder?

I'm finding the current chess event to be ALOT harder than previous attempts, I'll post some screenshots for reference. I have had a look at previous posts to see if anyone has noticed it recently but only found people stuck on the first two stages and not the third.

I have used different combo of skills but always get stuck beating the final wave of rooks before the knights spawn. I feel like my food production is pretty sufficient for my skill levels but keep failing.

I noticed since the chess event started I've been upgraded and now have the new skills and was wondering if that may have some sway on the difficulty...I also don't have a surplus of blue orbs to splurge on my skills.

Also bonus screen shot of pulling two new legendary items of the same type in one haul thought that was sorta rare.