It appears that “chessboxing” is not merely a concept, but rather an emerging sport gaining popularity in the United States.
In chessboxing, players alternate between a three-minute round of boxing and a chess match. After boxing gloves come off, they transition to the chessboard for a period, before returning to the ring for more sparring. The bout concludes either by checkmate, knockout, or a judge’s decision.
This unique blend originated from French graphic novels but made its way into real life with the first chessboxing match held in Berlin in 2003. While the sport gained traction in Europe, it seems to have truly established itself in Russia.
According to Matt Thomas, who coaches the U.S. national team and was the first American to contend for a world chessboxing title in 2018, “The real battle is in the minutes between rounds.” He elaborated that managing one’s heart rate and calming the mind during those intervals can enhance performance in chess segments.
This September, Thomas led a group of American chess boxers at the World Chess Boxing Championships in Loznica, Serbia. Though Team USA faced challenges, the Russian team emerged as the dominant force.
“Athletes from 18 different countries participated in the championships. Russia, being the clear favorite, has integrated chessboxing into over 500 schools and universities,” reported CBS News.
The Russian team secured multiple victories throughout the event. Representing the U.S., Greif had a strong start, defeating his French opponent with ease but ultimately lost to the German champion on points in the next match.
