Mystery of chess boxing: India’s latest sporting craze sees players chase knockout then checkmate
- Sport in which players alternate between rounds of chess and boxing requires both mental and physical agility
- This week’s Chess Boxing World Championships in Italy are the sport’s biggest yet – and its governing body is targeting inclusion in the Olympics
Tired and sweating profusely, Kingshuk Saha was struggling to focus on the chessboard with one eye after a punishing round of boxing.
“This is the round in which I lost,” the 23-year-old said after defeat by llsur Iskhakov at this week’s Chess Boxing World Championships in Riccione, on Italy’s Adriatic coast.
The pair were contesting Thursday’s final of the 60kg category, with Saha having to settle for silver after “one of the toughest matches of my life”.
“[Iskhakov] had more stamina and was a fierce opponent,” Saha said. “I knew I wasn’t in a good place.”
Such is chess boxing, in which players alternate between rounds of chess and boxing, requiring mental and physical alertness.
It starts with four minutes of chess, followed by three in the ring. During the minute’s break between rounds, players must don or remove gloves and headphones. There are six rounds of chess and five of boxing, with players able to end the contest by knockout or checkmate.
