Weird World of Sports: Chess Boxing!

From Book to Boff! - Bloody Good Fun!

CHECKMATE! THEN... BOFF!!!

Super Bowl got you down? Try this...

On a sultry rain-soaked European afternoon, two very well composed gentlemen survey the fine game of chess spread out before them. These men are dignified. They come from well-bred stock, and they face all endeavors with a carefully measured stoicism befitting to men of their dignified gothic stature.

Ignore the fact that they are sweaty and stripped half-naked!

One man makes his move, and respectfully looks up to the gentleman seated across from him. The second man pensively nods his head in recognition of a good move. He thinks to himself: One more move like that will bring about a checkmate, unless I can...

Then they stand up, don a pair of gloves, and proceed to beat the living crap out of each other while others gape in horror! In a few minutes, the first man falls unconscious to the floor. Man number two walks away a champ in spite of the impending checkmate against him.

Welcome to Berlin, my friends. You are witnessing the weird world of... Chess Boxing!

BLOODY GOOD FUN! AND A FEW BLOODY NOSES, TOO!

Chess Boxing began as a parody depicted by Finnish cartoonist Enki Bilal in 1992. After it appeared in a few movies, some ambitious pugilists decided to give it a swing - literally. The sport now boasts a serious following that could make the movie Fight Club kow-tow in admiration. Chess Boxing is overseen by the World Chess Boxing Organisation (WCBO), who claims the motto: "Fighting is done in the ring and wars are waged on the board."

Rules are similar to the geeky classic blitz chess format - but this is where the similarity ends. Each contender has only twelve minutes to a whole game, and they may win by knockout, checkmate, judge intervention or if one opponent's games surpasses the game's twelve-minute limit.

GREAT FUN FOR THE FAMILY

As avid Blogspot user "d-lee" candidly states: "This has to be the most fucked up thing I've seen in a very long time."

Me? I think it's a great idea! Especially if you're a bad loser, and you want a second chance to make good on your personal best. Just beat the shinola out of the other guy and walk home the best of good friends.