CHESS BOXING RULES: It combines the physical challenge of boxing with the mental workout of blitz chess rounds.
What is Chess Boxing?
Chess boxing is a zany, relatively new sport. It requires a portion of brain power and an even larger helping of brawn.
There is no shortage of either from its competitors who battle ‘wit with grit‘.
A new sport appeared when the combined disciplines of boxing and chess went global. Since then, it gets played most in central European countries. They include The Netherlands, France, Germany, England, Russia, and Japan.
There is only one way to embrace the offbeat sport at the highest level. All players need to be fully skilled in both boxing and chess tactical strategies.
Chessboxing Rules
Aim of Chessboxing
Chess boxing rules has one simple aim to the game. You try to checkmate, or knockout, your opponent. Players do so in alternate rounds of chess and boxing (both disciplines).
Unlike traditional boxing rules, you win chess matches from a check mate or a forfeit by your opponent. The boxing discipline is usually won by a stoppage or a point’s decision.
Chess Boxing Equipment
Each player will wear traditional boxing gloves for the fighting rounds. They get removed for the chess rounds. Players also use head phones during the chess game so they are unable to hear advice from the audience.
Chess Boxers
- Challengers must have a thorough understanding of both boxing and chess disciplines to participate. They should have a chess rating of at least 1800 to compete in the sport.
- Players endure up to 11 rounds of boxing and chess combined (6 chess and 5 boxing). They get a 1 minute interval between each round.
General Chess-boxing Regulations
- A chessboxing rules match starts with a four minute round of chess. That gets followed by a three minute round of boxing inside the ring and then it returns to the chess board.
- Chess disciplines take place using a 12 minute clock (essentially ‘speed chess‘). So, players are not allowed to waste time using deliberate tactics.
- Officials will step in if they believe a player is stalling in the chess rounds and award a 10 second penalty.
- Players can win from either the chess or any of the boxing rounds.
Chess Boxing Rules for Scoring
- Boxing rounds get scored the same as a normal boxing match.
- The game is often decided on boxing points.
- The rounds of the contest get decided by:
- Checkmate (chess round).
- Exceeding the time limit (chess round).
- Retirement of an opponent (chess or boxing round).
- Knock Out (boxing round).
- Referee decision (boxing round).
Referees and Judges
Top level international competitions get controlled by an AIBA approved referee. They will officiate in the ring (but they will not mark a scoring paper). Each contest will also get marked by five AIBA judges. As a rule, they will sit in a seat located very close to the ring.
Winning the Game of Boxing Chess Rules
You win your game of chess if you achieve a check mate or your opponent withdraws from the game. Winning the boxing match is often achieved by knocking your opponent out or by a point system.
If the chess game ends in a stalemate the opponent with the higher score in boxing wins the tournament. If there is still an equal score the competitor with the black pieces wins.
Advanced Rules of Chess Boxing
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World Chess Boxing Rule Book PDF: [Free Download Option]