Are You Ready For Chess Boxing?
Have you heard about the sport of chess boxing – where brain meets brawn – that is capturing the attention of many people around the world? Are you intrigued and want to learn about it? Here is what you need to know. Make sure that you share your ideas in the comments!
1. What is chess boxing?
2. Where and when did chess boxing begin?
3. What are the rules of chess boxing?
4. Where are matches held? Are they popular?
5. Is chess boxing challenging?
Chess boxing combines our favorite sport of chess with boxing. Really. Although both require accurate and timely judgment, it’s an unusual marriage because chess is primarily considered a thinking activity and boxing clearly is a contact sport. It was invented by Iepe Rubingh, who was inspired by a graphic novel by cartoonist and storyteller Enki Bilal in 1992 that depicts a world championship for chess boxing.
A player trains with Iepe Rubingh (right), the founder of chess boxing. Photo by Nik Kleinberg/ESPN.
2. Where and when did chess boxing begin?
Berlin is considered the birthplace of chess boxing. The first competition was held in 2003 in that city, and the first club for chess boxing was formed there in 2004.
An illustration by Enki Bilal inspired Rubingh to create chess boxing. Illustration by Enki Bilal.
3. What are the rules of chess boxing?
A competition consists of 11 alternating rounds — 6 of chess and 5 of boxing — and each one lasts 3 minutes. A break between rounds usually lasts 60 seconds. In the 6 rounds of chess, a single game is played with each player limited to a time control of 9 minutes with no increment. The winner is determined by checkmate, resignation, knockout, or disqualification by the referee. In case neither player wins in regulation, the one ahead in boxing points wins.
Nikolai Sazhin makes a move on his way to win the world championship of chess boxing in 2008. Photo by Escapist Magazine.
4. Where are matches held? Are they popular?
Chess boxing is popular in Russia, India, Germany, China, Iran, Mexico, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States; it is growing in other countries as clubs are formed. The first world championship, held in Amsterdam, was organized by the World Chess Boxing Organisation in 2003. World championships are now conducted by Chess Boxing Global, and the 2013 championship was watched by 1,200 spectators in Moscow.
Resignation during a round of chess ends a match. Photo by Nik Kleinberg/ESPN.
5. Is chess boxing challenging?
Definitely. After three minutes of boxing, the opponents have to face each other over a chessboard and think clearly. Switching between each sport becomes more difficult as the fight continues and the opponents become more tired.
Now, it's your turn. Are you interested in chess boxing? Let us know in the comments. 
Ray Linville’s high point as a chess player occurred when he swiped the queen of GM Hikaru Nakamura in a 60-second bullet game in 2021. This game was reported in a “My Best Move” column of the Chess Life magazine, published by the U.S. Chess Federation.
At Chess.com, he has been an editor (part-time) since 2019 and has edited news articles and tournament reports—including those of the Candidates and World Championship Tournaments and other major events—by titled players and noted chess writers as well as Game of the Day annotations by leading grandmasters. He has also been a contributing writer of chess terms, e-books, and general interest articles for ChessKid.com.
He enjoys “top blogger” status at Chess.com. His blog has won the award for Best Chess Blog from the Chess Journalists of America for several years. In addition, he has also been the recipient of first-place CJA awards for feature article, humorous contribution, online review, and educational lesson as well as honorable mention in the categories of personal narrative and historical article.