Podcast

PODCAST EP99: Chessboxing Mayhem

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Tim “Hippo” Woolgar joins the pod all the way from Oz along with Matt “Crazy Arms” Read for a look back at Chessboxing Mayhem and specifically how Matt did against newbie Dan “The Wall” Hall.

Matt complains that the bouts were too well matched and he was unable to deliver on his usual flat track bullying. Hall looked comfortable in the ring and despite Read’s unusual Orangutan opening managed to gain an early advantage in the chess before matching Read punch for punch in the boxing. Hall managed to out jab Crazy Arms and neither was able to hide behind their reach.

After a poor first chess round Read was able to grind back material in the later chess rounds and was looking for a draw. However, Hall managed to find a check mate to end what was an exceptional bout. Has Read’s Orangutan become to pervasive and obvious and does he need to change his opening?

The podcast is being recorded from Vigevano in Italy ahead of the FISP alfresco event. Richard “Razor” Fraser will be fighting as well as Daniele “Dada” Rota who will be taking on his second fight in a week following his Chessboxing Mayhem bout.

Shayan “Shah” Dolab managed to beat Rota following a Jaffa putting a “W” on his record for the first time. Rota played a very quick opening chess game but took some punishment in the ring before sitting down for the second round of boxing. Daniele then took a free pawn on A6 leaving him open to a reviled bishop check attack. Rota then resigned rather than fight on which was a shame for the audience in the view of the pod – anything is possible in chessboxing! Should chessboxer’s be able to resign or should they throw in the towel?

Reflection on the commentary team of Chris “General” Levy and Simon “Ginger GM” Williams. Could Williams take on IM Laurence Trent?

Bout 1 saw an amazing intro, Rasel certainly did dazzle with his James Bond entrance which has made him a crowd favourite already. Tim loved Andrew Haworth’s hair and wondered if he usually has such crazy hair which looked fantastic.

Bout 3 saw two friends from a chess background leave everything in the ring. No fighter enjoyed his entrance as much as James “Spice Boy” Corrigan, there is nothing better than seeing someone enjoy themselves that much. Like Felix Li James smiles every time he is punched. Andrew Smith also had a great dark, brooding entrance but was unable to manage his clock and lost by time penalty.

Should the next event be “Day of the Dead” event rather than Season’s Beatings? What about “Pawn of the Dead” or even “Necrophilia”?!

What is going on with the hippo and the baboon sounds?

Mentions; Stan from Islington Boxing Club, Volfango Rizzi of FISP, Daniele Rota, Simon “Ginger GM” Williams, Laurence Trent, Kate Gilbert

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

Get your tickets for our next show here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/chessboxing-nation-9876871498

Image by Pawel Gawronski

PODCAST EP98: Razzle Dazzle

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Rasel claims to be have been called the “Floyd Mayweather” of Chessboxing – jury is still out. Andrew’s ring name is the “Komodo Dragon” because he loves to snack on this opponents days after biting them. Rasel concedes that Andrew has the advantage in the chess and the pod talks about his potential tactics to make sure the chess goes the distance.

When Rasel started chess boxing he never took the chess seriously, has anything changed? The level of chess in the club has made Rasel realise that chess is an important element. Andrew almost lost to Rasel in training the day of recording. Andrew has also lost 10kg already for the fight.

Andrew was born on a bamboo bed on a bamboo floor in a bamboo shack in Indonesia, now he’s a computer scientist with the will to win at all costs. Rasel is a broadband engineer and claims his speed in the ring will only be matched by the speed of his fibre. The pod looks forward to seeing Dan Hall and Matt Read fight, Crazy Arms vs Mr Tickle. Will Matt get more than a tickle? Rasel is wearing his tux for his entrance – hint, hint. He has been training 6 or 7 times a week despite his laid back attitude, this included a run this Saturday and a Zumba warm up hosted by one of the chessboxing community Ruth.

What is Andrew’s favourite chocolate bar? Clue, you can deep fry it. Rasel claims that he never eats junk food – see picture above for debunking evidence! The only chocolate bar he eats is a Grenade Protein Bar.

Shout out to the Nordic Chessboxing crew, Italian Chessboxing (FISP), Ruth and her Zumba! Grenade Protein bars, Hamlet Cafe.

Get your tickets for our next show here: www.shorturl.at/beiAI 

Image by CBN