Podcast

PODCAST EP139: Hamza Buhari

Hamza Buhari, a pharmacist from Nigeria, shared his extensive travel history and experiences living in various parts of the UK, including Orkney, where he played the ancient Kirkwall Ba Game. He described the game, which involves 200 men on each team, as having no rules and no referees, with the longest game lasting eight and a half hours. Hamza also discussed his preparation for a Chessboxing event, highlighting his opponent Tadas’ background in bodybuilding, chess, and gymnastics. Hamza discusses in his ability to manage emotions and perform well under pressure, will his opponent Tadas Ceponis be able to do the same?

Chessboxing May Day | London | 1st May
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Chessboxing fans, this Labour Day, join us for Chessboxing! Witness the strategic dance of boxing and see bloodied egos do battle on the board. Join the mass movement and celebrate our global community of chessboxing brothers and sisters this May Day.

Tix: https://shorturl.at/NUMrc
Live Stream: https://shorturl.at/NWau5

WCBA European Middleweight Title Bout

Andre ‘Glenzman’ Glenzer vs GM Samy Shoker

Under Card

Tadas ‘Scorpio’ Ceponis vs Hamza ‘KamikaZito’ Buhari
Beatrice Desiree Furlan vs Madhavi Gonbare
Cai ‘Bosh’ Brigden vs Dan ‘The Wall’ Hall
Daan ‘Daanios’ Sax van der Weijden vs Martin Neu

SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel and watch all the fights: https://www.youtube.com/chessboxing

OFFICIAL CHESSBOXING MERCHANDISE | Get you official chessboxing merch: https://chessboxing.shop

Chessboxing Classes: https://chessboxingnation.com/classes

Chess In Schools: https://www.chessinschools.co.uk

#chessboxing #chess #boxing #Finland #nordicchessboxing #chessboxingnation #event #entertainment #battle #fighters #competition #fight #fitness #nolimit #motivation #training #knockout #strategy #box #boxeo #checkmate #boxfit #highlights #king #champion #winner #chessboard #chessplayer #berserker

PODCAST EP138: Daan Sax van der Weijden

Daan, is a 26-year-old from the Netherlands and he is just about to celebrate his 27th birthday. Daan has an impressive ELO rating of 1800 but he will be up against it with his opponent Martin Nue having an ELO of around 2000. Dan works as a lawyer helping accident victims, he enjoys tea and in particular chewing ginger instead of drinking coffee in the mornings. What does Daan think of Tony’s Chocolonely, find out the answer to this and more!

Tix: https://shorturl.at/NUMrc
Live Stream: https://shorturl.at/NWau5

WCBA European Middleweight Title Bout

Andre ‘Glenzman’ Glenzer vs GM Samy Shoker

Under Card

SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel and watch all the fights: https://www.youtube.com/chessboxing

OFFICIAL CHESSBOXING MERCHANDISE | Get you official chessboxing merch: https://chessboxing.shop

Chessboxing Classes: https://chessboxingnation.com/classes

Chess In Schools: https://www.chessinschools.co.uk

PODCAST EP137: Kate Gilbert

Kate Gilbert, quadruple threat, discusses her roles as Chessboxing MC, performance workshop organiser, and public speaking coach. She has been conducting performance workshops for four or five years, helping fighters develop confidence and stage presence. the pod discussed notable disciples include John ‘The Brick’ Wood and Shayan ‘Shah’ Zarein Dolab. Kate also elaborates on her role as the MC, emphasising energy and audience engagement. She highlights the importance of making Chessboxing a show, not just a competition.

Kate Gilbert Talks: https://kategilbert.co.uk

Tix: https://shorturl.at/NUMrc
Live Stream: https://shorturl.at/NWau5

WCBA European Middleweight Title Bout

Andre ‘Glenzman’ Glenzer vs GM Samy Shoker

Under Card

Tadas ‘Scorpio’ Ceponis vs Hamza ‘KamikaZito’ Buhari

Madhavi Gonbare vs Beatrice Desiree Furlan

Dan ‘The Wall’ Hall vs Cai ‘Bosh’ Brigden

Daan Sax van der Weijden vs Martin Neu

SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel and watch all the fights: https://www.youtube.com/chessboxing

OFFICIAL CHESSBOXING MERCHANDISE | Get you official chessboxing merch: https://chessboxing.shop

Chessboxing Classes: https://chessboxingnation.com/classes

Chess In Schools: https://www.chessinschools.co.uk

PODCAST EP136: Tadas Ceponis

Interview with Tadas Ceponis ahead of the first chessboxing festival ever in 2024, ChoxCon. Unfortunately, Tadas was unable to compete in the summer event last year due to the injury of his opponent; however, he is fighting Hamzah Buhari on May 1st. Tadas, a full-time coach in Vilnius, Lithuania, discussed his chess career, with a peak ELO rating of 2118, and his transition to coaching. He shared his experience in boxing, including two amateur fights, one win by points, and one loss by knockout. Tadas emphasised the importance of training and the growing popularity of chessboxing, particularly in the US. He also mentioned his ring name, Scorpio, and why this is. What is Tadas’ favourite chocolate bar – find out!

Tix: https://shorturl.at/NUMrc
Live Stream: https://shorturl.at/NWau5

WCBA European Middleweight Title Bout

Andre ‘Glenzman’ Glenzer vs GM Samy Shoker

Under Card

Tadas ‘Scorpio’ Ceponis vs Hamza Buhari

Madhavi Gonbare vs Beatrice Desiree Furlan

Dan ‘The Wall’ Hall vs Cai ‘Bosh’ Brigden

Daan Sax van der Weijden vs Martin Neu

SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel and watch all the fights: https://www.youtube.com/chessboxing

OFFICIAL CHESSBOXING MERCHANDISE | Get you official chessboxing merch: https://chessboxing.shop

Chessboxing Classes: https://chessboxingnation.com/classes

Chess In Schools: https://www.chessinschools.co.uk

PODCAST EP135: GM Samy Shoker

Chessboxing’s first French-Egyptian fighter, GM Samy Shoker, discusses the lifestyle chess has given him, along with his first ever chessboxing bout. He is currently in Rio de Janeiro, preparing for a chess tournament in Montevideo, Uruguay. Sammy has been practicing capoeira and plans to continue training in boxing and chess. He represented Egypt in the Olympiad and aims to develop chess in New Caledonia where he lives. Sammy will face Andre ‘Glenzman’ Glenzer in his first chess boxing match, focusing on his boxing training. He emphasized the importance of the event for promoting the sport and shared his background in chess and capoeira.

Tix: https://shorturl.at/NUMrc
Live Stream: https://shorturl.at/NWau5

WCBA European Middleweight Title Bout

Andre ‘Glenzman’ Glenzer vs GM Samy Shoker

Under Card

Tadas Ceponis vs Hamza Buhari

Madhavi Gonbare vs Beatrice Desiree Furlan

Dan ‘The Wall’ Hall vs Cai ‘Bosh’ Brigden

Daan Sax van der Weijden vs Martin Neu

SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel and watch all the fights: https://www.youtube.com/chessboxing

OFFICIAL CHESSBOXING MERCHANDISE | Get you official chessboxing merch: https://chessboxing.shop

Chessboxing Classes: https://chessboxingnation.com/classes

Chess In Schools: https://www.chessinschools.co.uk

PODCAST EP134: Cai ‘Bosh’ Brigden

Cai ‘Bosh’ Brigden will be entering the chessboxing ring for the first time this May against Dan ‘The Wall’ Hall, a taller opponent—what will Cai’s girlfriend think of that? We hear about Cai’s career as an actor, behind the scenes on one of the UK’s most popular soaps and how he performed on the BBC’s Chess Masters: the End Game, airing on BBC Two on the 8th of March. Cai is also learning other forms of combat, and find out why his preferred weapon is a broadsword.

Tix: https://shorturl.at/NUMrc
Live Stream: https://shorturl.at/NWau5

WCBA European Middleweight Title Bout

Andre ‘Glenzman’ Glenzer vs GM Samy Shoker

Under Card

Madhavi Gonbare vs Beatrice Desiree Furlan
Dan ‘The Wall’ Hall vs Cai ‘Bosh’ Brigden
Daan Sax van der Weijden vs Martin Neu

SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel and watch all the fights: https://www.youtube.com/chessboxing

OFFICIAL CHESSBOXING MERCHANDISE | Get you official chessboxing merch: https://chessboxing.shop

Chessboxing Classes: https://chessboxingnation.com/classes

PODCAST EP133: Chessboxer

Harry Winteringham, a filmmaker, discusses his passion for documenting niche sports like Chessboxing and bare-knuckle boxing. He shares his journey of filming Chessboxer for the past four years, highlighting the Berserker’s transformation from being terrified of fighting to overcoming his fears. Harry also talks about his work on blue light shows, including the BBC’s “Ambulance” series, and his current project, a short documentary funded by Kodak’s First Flight Film Fund. Other films explore the mental health benefits of bare-knuckle boxing for its participants. Harry’s Kickstarter campaign for the documentary launches on March 4, with a goal to raise funds to complete the short film ‘Chessboxer‘.

Check out the trailer for Chessboxer HERE. if you’d like to get on board with the Kickstarter campaign and support Harry you can do this HERE.

Shout outs to: Richard ‘Berserker’ Evens-Lacy, Marie ‘Killer Queen’ Obegi, Simon ‘Wildman’ Williams, Felix ‘Intense’ Le, Islington Boxing Club – Lenny Hagland and Jake Cutting.

Tix: https://shorturl.at/NUMrc
Live Stream: https://shorturl.at/NWau5

WCBA European Middleweight Title Bout

Andre ‘Glenzman’ Glenzer vs GM Samy Shoker

Under Card

Madhavi Gonbare vs Beatrice Desiree Furlan
Dan ‘The Wall’ Hall vs Cai ‘Bosh’ Brigden
Daan Sax van der Weijden vs Martin Neu

SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel and watch all the fights: https://www.youtube.com/chessboxing

OFFICIAL CHESSBOXING MERCHANDISE | Get you official chessboxing merch: https://chessboxing.shop

Chessboxing Classes: https://chessboxingnation.com/classes

PODCAST EP132: Madhavi Gonbare

Madhavi, a fitness coach from Mumbai, India, shares her journey into Chessboxing, starting in 2017, and details her considerable competitive achievements and her match with WCBO president Lara Armas. Madhavi has fought her opponent Beatrice Furlan before, winning on the chess, but how will she be approaching this new challenge?

The pod discusses the scale of Chessboxing in India and the vibrant community at Chess Boxing India under Montu Das. Madhavi is looking forward to the upcoming event in London which she describes and ‘entertainment with power’!

Fighter Profile: https://www.chessboxing.info/fighter/260222074410

Tix: https://shorturl.at/NUMrc
Live Stream: https://shorturl.at/NWau5

WCBA European Middleweight Title Bout

Andre ‘Glenzman’ Glenzer vs GM Samy Shoker

Under Card

Madhavi R Gonbare vs Beatrice Desiree Furlan
Dan ‘The Wall’ Hall vs Cai ‘Bosh’ Brigden
Daan Sax van der Weijden vs Martin Neu

SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel and watch all the fights: https://www.youtube.com/chessboxing

OFFICIAL CHESSBOXING MERCHANDISE | Get you official chessboxing merch: https://chessboxing.shop

Chessboxing Classes: https://chessboxingnation.com/classes

PODCAST EP131: Andre ‘Glenzman’ Glenzer

Andre ‘Glenzman’ Glenzer, a cybersecurity specialist, discusses the potential impact of AI on cybersecurity, citing a successful AI-generated fraud attack. He emphasizes the ease with which AI can scale attacks and the need for new defense strategies. Andre also shares his personal journey in chessboxing, detailing a tough sparring session and his preparations for an upcoming match against Grandmaster Samy Shoker. He reflects on his past victories, including a memorable win against Shayan ‘Shah’ Zarein Dolab, and anticipates the challenges of facing a strong chess opponent.

SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel and watch all the fights: https://www.youtube.com/chessboxing

OFFICIAL CHESSBOXING MERCHANDISE | Get you official chessboxing merch: https://chessboxing.shop

Chessboxing Classes: https://chessboxingnation.com/classes

PODCAST EP130: The Minotaur

What is it like to fight a grandmaster? Find out in this episode of the chessboxing podcast with Matthew ‘The Minotaur’ Coldwell.

As the WCBA British Champion the Minotaur rightly felt obliged to take on all comers. The has watched Simon Williams on youtube for several years and he was the inspiration behind Matt’s own aggressive and spine-tingling chess game. Is there an unwillingness to take risks for some of the top players and is this born out of the knockout tournament format? You only need to lose once in a tournament to be knocked out. Matt’s is a counter style, bringing the chaos against those who try to minimise the risk and maximise their control in a game. Was chessboxing the leveller against Williams who blundered his queen, would Matt have had a chance in a straight game of chess against Simon.

Preparation for the fight included some combinations he hopped to deploy in the boxing to unsettle Simon. He was also able to take advantage of the resource call OpeningTree. He was able to use some 13,800 of Simon’s games playing black to form his strategy for the bout. Simon’s opening allowed him to play the reverse Leela Gambit meaning by move four he would be out of book, hoping that this would slow Simon down. However, Simon was able to transition onto theFrench defence. Matt didn’t want to play his usual Milner-Barry gambit which he played against David Jarmany because Simon has written a course on this line! Matt’s chess coach, Nino Khomeriki, suggested a line which they ended up playing French Defense Nimzowitsch Gambit which did slow Simon down.

Simon’s speed was unexpected and he managed to catch Matt with a speedy jab; however, Matt noticed that he wasn’t committing to every shot meaning that the threat carried was less than Matt expected. This gave him the confidence to open up and step forward to dominate the boxing rounds. Matt was landing several body shots with Simon’s high guard but the jury is still out as to whether this slowed Simon down. Matt was able to punch around Simon’s guard to achieve a knock down in the first round of boxing, Simon dropping his guard to throw an uppercut.

The clock started to concern Matt during the second chess round and Matt missed a chance to develop his knight which handed Simon a small advantage. He also missed the back rank check which would have been avoided had his knight been developed or had he moved his queen to the king side. Not only did Matt not see the back rank check, nor did Gavin, nor did commentator and WIM Fiona Steil-Antoni! When Simon played the back rank check Matt believed it was checkmate and you could see it on his face. However, there was a way out, losing his rook allowing his queen to defend the check. SHOCK, two moves later Simon blunders his queen! This handed the advantage back to Matt but could he convert?

The second round of boxing resulted in Simon breaking his nose is a dramatic and gritty performance we managed to continue despite this injury. Unbeknownst to Matt Simon had broken his nose 3 or 4 weeks ahead of the bout. Matt had his own injury, smashing his thumb whist delivering an overhand right. The pod pays tribute to how tough Simon showed himself to be, as well as his technical ability.

The issue that Matt had on the chess was Simon’s speed of calculation and his pawn centre. Although Matt identified the knight fork he didn’t want to bring back his queen and lose momentum. Ultimately this resulted in a dramatic knight fork which allowed Simon to capture Matt’s queen and ended the chess as a contest.

The pod touches on the other bouts at the event including a second round knockout crowning Dymer ‘Beast of Peace’ Agasaryan as WCBA European Heaveyweight Champion. Simon would love to fight again and would like to give Matt a shot at a rematch – ‘any time, anywhere‘ is the cry from Matt. Matt and Simon played some great chess with a pint after the show which saw Matt get a draw out of Simon.

Shout out to Wildcraft Brewery who ran the bar as well as Worstead Estate.

Season’s Beatings 24 will be on the 7th of December so follow us on social media for announcements about tickets.

SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel and watch all the fights: https://www.youtube.com/chessboxing

@chilledchess @ninokhomeriki @ginger__gm @fionchetta @dymer9 @worsteadestate

OFFICIAL CHESSBOXING MERCHANDISE | Get you official chessboxing merch: https://chessboxing.shop

Chessboxing Classes: https://chessboxingnation.com/classes