Chessboxing still gets a lot of raised eyebrows, and continues being recognized by more and more people. Seems like with every chessboxing event, not only does it get attention from folks who've read about it, but new write-ups and more ink in the press only increases its awareness inexorably.

People (journalists and bloggers particularly) go into the usual cycles when finding out and then writing about chessboxing. The first is disbelief, then checking to see if it's real, and upon finding out that it is, goes on to write a piece about it, some at first panning and ridiculing, but eventually dismissing but eagerly (even secretly) waiting for more to come. After all, where else can you find the most battering games physically and mentally, combined to show how today's truly evolved man isn't only the hulking dumb mass of muscles but also one with a good ELO rating?

But as has always been the case from the beginning, people who are able to witness an actual chessboxing match come out of it utterly satisfied, and most even amazed, ecstatic and wanting for more.

Our gallery has been updated and now contains new photos of the most recent chessboxing event in Cologne, which should erase any doubt of the brain-brawn fireworks palpable throughout the event.

Photos are courtesy of Thobias Vollmer and the WCBO.