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Sporting Witness: The creation of chessboxing

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The creation of chessboxing

18/11/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Sporting Witness, The creation of chessboxing

How Dutch artist Iepe Rubingh combined two of his passions – chess and boxing

Jean-Louis Veenstra, who fought Dutch artist Iepe Rubingh at the first World Chessboxing Championship in Amsterdam, describes how his friend and opponent came up with the sport.

In 2003, Dutch artist Iepe Rubingh, came up with the idea of combining two of his passions – chess and boxing.  Using the cerebral strategy of chess along with the physicality of boxing, the winner is decided by either a checkmate or knockout. 

Ashley Byrne speaks to Jean-Louis Veenstra, who fought Rubingh at the inaugural World Chessboxing Championship in Amsterdam.  

This is a Made in Manchester production for the BBC World Service.

(Photo: Ricky Rock and Jack Page in the ring during the Chessboxing 2012 Season Finale in London. Credit: Getty Images)

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