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Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
The improbable rise of chessboxing
It's 9pm on a sweaty May evening at London's Scala nightclub and Hamza Buhari must knock out his opponent in the next three minutes or lose his king. The 28-year-old pharmacist from London is taking on Lithuania's Tadas Ceponis at chessboxing, a mash-up of two sports, in which competitors win by checkmate on the board or knockout in the ring. The bell ends the third round and Mr Buhari is just a few moves from defeat, forcing him to go for broke with his fists. As Mr Ceponis takes a rain of blows, the referee stops the fight, awarding victory to Mr Buhari. 'He's a much better boxer, I felt that today,' Mr Ceponis tells the baying crowd of around 500 as he embraces his opponent. 'He's a much better chess player,' replies an equally sporting Mr Buhari. Regulars in the crowd say they find watching chessboxing (between men or women) much more fun than either sport alone. The first chessboxing bout took place in Berlin in 2003, organised by a Dutch performance artist, Iepe Rubingh. Five years later a breakaway British faction got going. Chessboxing's popularity has steadily risen despite this split, helped by a surge in online chess during the covid-19 pandemic and a hit TV show, 'The Queen's Gambit'. Britain has hosted the most bouts and is home to some 200 regular chessboxers, estimates Gavin Paterson, a promoter. Britain was also first to introduce a grading system, similar to the belts awarded in judo or karate. 'British chessboxing has been much more successful [than its contintenal counterpart] because it took lessons from boxing and wrestling in the way it presents the sport,' says Mr Paterson. On the Saturday morning before the Scala fight a dozen chessboxers gather at Islington Boxing Club, the British home of chessboxing, to exert both their minds and bodies. Four boards are set up beside a boxing ring. Training consists of rounds of chess alternating with intense exercise or sparring. The challenge comes from attempting a cerebral activity while fighting for breath. A pounding heart, let alone a few punches to the head, can leave you disoriented. The training session features tips like ensuring you take your turn in chess just as the next boxing round begins, so your opponent's clock is running when you return to the board, where some 80% of matches are decided. 'The boxing impacts the chess and vice versa,' Mr Paterson says. This seems to attract those who want to be seen as Renaissance Men, and to help nerdy types gain confidence. Samy Shoker, an Egyptian grandmaster ranked in the world's top 1,000 active chess players, beat Germany's André Glenzer at the Scala to take the WCBA European middleweight title. Preparing for his chessboxing debut improved his physical condition, says Mr Shoker, a lean 37-year-old who entered the ring wearing a pharaoh headdress. The fighters risking their big brains in the ring are not doing it for the money. None was on offer at the Scala, in contrast to the €500,000 ($565,000) purse at the Fide World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships, a chess contest due to take place weeks later a few miles away. As one of the volunteers at the Scala event puts it, chessboxing runs on 'pride and idiocy'. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Angel Reese's Former Sky Teammate Receives Polar Opposite Fate in China
Former Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter is finding success in the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) after facing a tumultuous journey in the WNBA. Carter, who joined Wuhan Shengfan in the WCBA, was recognized for her remarkable achievements, earning multiple awards, including Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Import Player of the Year. ' Advertisement She also claimed the Guard of the Year award, a testament to her all-around talent and impact on the court. Finishing the season with an impressive stat line of 32 points per game (PPG), three steals per game and an average of 31 minutes per game, Carter has become a dominant force on the court. Her all-around game, which also includes strong defense and playmaking, has made her one of the most feared players in the WCBA. The news was shared by a fan page named Chennedy Report on X. Carter's move to China comes after a challenging stint in the WNBA, where her career was marked by ups and downs. Advertisement In 2021, she was suspended by the Atlanta Dream for "conduct detrimental to the team" following a heated argument. This led to her trade to the Los Angeles Sparks, but she faced similar issues, eventually being waived by the team. Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter (7) looks on during the first half at Wintrust Krzaczynski-Imagn Images The Sky signed Carter for the 2024 season, under head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. One of the most controversial moments of Carter's WNBA career occurred during a game between the Sky and the Indiana Fever. After scoring, Carter delivered a hard shoulder check to Caitlin Clark, sending her to the floor. The incident led to a flagrant foul being called on Carter. The Sky, under new management, opted not to extend a qualifying offer to Carter, citing the need for changes in team chemistry. Advertisement Recently, Carter defended her actions, explaining that it was a competitive play and not a personal attack. A user on X shared a clip of her statement. Carter's time in China, however, has given her a fresh opportunity to prove herself on the international stage. Her fate in the WCBA stands in sharp contrast to the struggles she faced in the US, offering her a new chapter to rewrite her career. Related: Angel Reese Reacts to New Drake Song After Avoiding Kendrick Lamar Drama
