It’s the ultimate test of brain AND brawn. So did our man FRED KELLY suffer knockout or checkmate when he tried the new craze of chessboxing

Chessboxing, which alternates chess and boxing until a player wins by checkmate, knockout or running out of time, drew a crowd of about 500 to an exhibition bout in north London. The event showed how physical blows can disrupt a fighter’s concentration at the board, making the hybrid sport both a contest of strength and a test of composure.

Cai ‘Bosh’ Brigden beat Shayan ‘The Kingstonian’ Zarein Dolab after three rounds of each discipline, when Shayan’s chess clock ran out. The fighters had 90 seconds to make their moves, and Shayan said his mind was still in the ring. The article describes chessboxing as a growing UK attraction, while noting that it can cause serious injuries.