– It can hardly get more absurd, says chess expert Sheila Barth Stanford to news. Perhaps not everyone has heard of the sport of chess boxing. Absurdly enough, it is exactly what it sounds like – a combination of the board game chess and the martial art of boxing. The somewhat special sport is perhaps unknown to most, but has existed for several years and gradually built up a large audience. EXPERT: Sheila Barth Stanford gets a little excited about chess boxing. Photo: Rune Stoltz Bertinussen / NTB scanpix – This is at a higher level than it has ever been. The viewership that was at the convention last time was also very high, Stanford continues. – Got up from the sofa Last weekend a convention was organized in Los Angeles where you could see skilled chess players both competing over the board and in the ring. The event, which was an official chess boxing championship, now has nearly 3 million views, according to The Gamer. – As far as I understood, several millions followed. The show I followed on YouTube had three million viewers. It is probably the most watched chess tournament this year, I would think. I was lured in somewhat reluctantly, but think it was incredibly exciting, says chess expert Atle Grønn to news. HISTORY: Chess boxing had some of its origins in Germany. David Depto and Frank Stoldt play in this country back in 2007. Photo: Miguel Villagran / AP One of the event’s most talked about meetings was between chess grandmaster Aman Hambleton and international champion Lawrence Trent – who has previously, among other things, been the manager of Fabiano Caruana. It eventually lost to Trent by technical knockout in the boxing ring. Norway’s chess ace Magnus Carlsen got that. – I am obviously sorry that Lawerence lost so quickly. To be honest, up until then it wasn’t very exciting. But that, and the fight between Dina and Andrea afterwards, were two fantastic shows of entertainment. It was quite late here, but I got up on the sofa and cheered, says the Norwegian on Chess.com’s YouTube channel on Tuesday. Carlsen is referring to the fight between Dina Belenkaya and Andrea Botez, which the former won superiorly over the chessboard after Botez had had the upper hand in the boxing. IMPRESSED: Atle Grønn still thinks it’s all mostly for show. Photo: Fredrik Hagen / NTB – The women’s competition was absolutely incredible. There were two female chess streamers meeting, and it was insanely exciting. One had the upper hand in the ring, while the other was best above the board. It said seconds, and the best chess player would be knocked out if she didn’t checkmate, says Grønn. Does not rule out participation But how does chess boxing take place in practice? The rules are relatively simple, but rather banal. The matches consist of up to eleven rounds that alternate between chess and boxing. It begins with a four-minute chess game, followed by two-minute rounds of boxing. You can win by knockout, checkmate or by the opponent losing time. WON: Grandmaster Dina Belenkaya emerged victorious from the duel with Botez. Photo: Chandler Toffa/Chess.com Carlsen does not rule out that chess boxing is something he may try in the future. – I’m not going to say 100 percent no. Because who knows what my thoughts are going to be in the future, but not at the moment, he tells Chess.com. – Who would you possibly like to meet? – I do not know. We may have to see that, but don’t count on it. The experts also allow themselves to be a little excited by the sport. SKEPTICAL: If people want to mix chess and boxing, feel free to do so. On the other hand, I am a bit unsure how beneficial it is for the chess level to be covered in the head. Photo: Lars Bryne / news – I have the impression that people think this is fun. In the past, some people frowned at lightning strikes too. It was frivolous that you didn’t have a better time. But now that chess is taking the stage and is supposed to be entertaining, I think most people think this is a fun thing, says news’s chess expert Torstein Bae. – It’s not serious, but it’s fun to watch. I have to admit that. I didn’t think it would be so catchy. For me it was really only funny when they were real chess players playing, says Grønn. news is showing this year’s world championship in rapid and blitz chess, which takes place in the Kazakh city of Almaty. It is played between 25 and 30 December.
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Chess boxing sets the internet on fire – Carlsen had to get up from the sofa – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
