Before we start, let’s go through what Chess boxing actually is. No it’s not a boxing ring made of checkered blocks where you get to hook the opponent when you remove one of his pieces. Nor is it just a board of chess pieces wearing gloves. Chess Boxing combines both the sport and activity in a tournament. The winner must possess physical prowess and mental fortitude. The game was invented in 1992 by a French artist named Enki Bilal wh0 came up with the “sport” for his comic book, Froid Équateur. 

The city of Berlin adopted the sport in 2003, and chess boxers all over the world have presided over an explosion in the sports popularity, with enthusiasts playing one of the most unrecognized sports since frolf (frisbee-golf).

A game of chess boxing consists of 11 rounds. Boxing roundslast for three minutes, and the chess rounds last for four. Winners are chosen by knockout or checkmate, and if no one is lucky to result in either the chess boxer with the highest number of points wins.

Today the United States, Andrew McGregor is one of the biggest local names. Based in Los Angeles, McGregor is a photographer, filmmaker and founder of the Los Angeles Chessboxing Club. 

Tim Woolgar, the founder of London Chessboxing and the president of the World Chessboxing Association has this to say:

It tends to attract people who are original thinkers,” he says. “They tend to be independent spirits with the ability to take on a challenge that other people would be afraid of. You have to be courageous to be a chess boxer because you’re a bit of a pioneer. You need to be able to think on your feet

40 year-old Woolgar will fight Andy Costello, 46, during a chess boxing tournament in London this weekend.

Enjoy this gallery of chess boxing shots by Laure Pannack.

[Source: Wired]