Bulgarian Becomes First European Chessboxing Champ
 

The first European Chessboxing Championship held October 1, 2005 at the Salon Ost in Berlin resulted in a decisive win for Bulgarian Tihomir “Tigertad” Titschko against Berliner Andreas “D” Schneider, achieved in the chess portion of the event.

Chessboxing combines the no. 1 physical sport with the no. 1 mental sport in a game that demands the most from its opponents. Chessboxers go through interchanging four-minute rounds of chess and two-minute boxing rounds. In a maximum of eleven rounds, a K.O. or checkmate can lead to an early victory.

As those who played either sport can attest, it can be extremely taxing to play each game in itself, let alone combined in a way that is more than nerve-wracking than one would imagine.

It was also a good opportunity to formally announce the opening of the world’s very first Chessboxing Club (CBCB), which was recently founded in Berlin’s Mitte district, and further validation of the new sport masterminded by Dutch artist Iepe Rubingh.

“Tigertad” is among the world’s ten best players in bullet chess, and effectively used the Sicilian Dragon against “D” Schneider, both of whom traded big blows during the boxing portions to the cheer of the sold-out crowd.

“D” was able to take advantage of a slight slip by “Tigertad” on the board, raising his spirits overall in a way that he was able to carry over to the boxing round.

Sadly for the German, it was too little too late when he eventually succumbed to the raging Bulgarian on the chessboard with only 20 seconds remaining, with the local matador eventually capitulating in the ninth round.

The next fight will be held on February 4th in Cologne.

You can find more information at www.wcbo.org, www.cbcberlin.de. There are videos here.

View the Chessboxing Image Gallery [HERE].

This looks really interesting sport, well kind of funny. I thought this was a joke when first reading. Maybe someday it will get world coverage on mainstream TV? or maybe not lol eitherway it looks fun.

Absolutely. Chessboxing has its own "5 Stages":

1) Denial
2) Laughter
3) Indulgence
4) Acceptance
5) (Keen) Interest

Sometimes there's even a sixth, addiction. :D

Actually most people see it as incredible/funny at first, but eventually get to really like it.

Those who see the fights like it even more.

CNN and a host of other sites have been cover the last European championship, so it's definitely gaining attention, though it may take some time before it goes mainstream.