Chess Boxing

Photo from ‘Chessboxing: Combining physical strength with intelligence’ article on Daily Sabah

Edited by Michelle Ho

Have you ever heard of chess boxing? Probably not, right? Well, chess boxing is an intriguing sport that combines chess and boxing. And yes, this is a real thing. Chess boxing was invented  in 1992 inspired by a comic book by Enki Bilal, a French artist. The sport was then brought to life and adapted by Lepe Rubingh. More than a decade later, the first bout of this sport was held in Berlin.

The rules of chess boxing are pretty simple. There are 11 rounds alternating between chess and boxing. Starting off with four minutes of chess followed by three minutes of boxing. Winning by either checkmate or knockout. If neither is achieved, the participant who has the most points wins. 

Chess boxing allows you to exercise mentally and physically. Boxing allows the contestant to blow off steam from all the exhausting thinking from the game of chess. Playing chess allows the contestant to cool down from the bashing of boxing. Chess boxing is also much more exciting for the fans. 

In conclusion, this sport does, in fact, exist. Although not very well known, people do play competitively in official matches! If you are the type of person who has both brawn and brains, this is a sport made for you!

Sources 

•  https://www.chess.com/terms/chess-boxing

• https://www.npr.org/2010/11/15/131329895/chess-boxing-in-berlin-balancing-the-brain-and-the-body#:~:text=This%20unusual%20sport%20was%20invented,States%2C%20the%20U.K.%20and%20Siberia.

• https://www.wired.com/2013/03/laurra-pannack-chess-boxers/ #:~:text=The%20sport%20of%20chess%20boxing,bout%20was%20held%20in%20Berlin.

• https://bleacherreport.com/articles/708615-defending-boxing-chess#:~:text=Exercising%20during%20the%20game%20is,making%20moves%20on%20the%20board.