Tag: #Chess

PODCAST EP101: Volfango Rizzi (part 1)

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This week we meet the Godfather of Italian chess boxing, Volfango Rizzi.

Volfango’s lives near Milan in Italy but he has also lived in England and Wales teaching as well as attending university. Volfango hosted an event in Vigevano including our own Richard “The Razor” Fraser. He has been involved in the sport in 2012 from a chess background and he organises chess events for young people. He met Tim Woolgar and Iepe Rubingh and began organising events in Italy.

Volfango and Gavin talk about By Rook or Left Hook and why Tim and Iepe never made it work. Volfango tried to bring the two promotors together in Milan three times but he was never able to solve the differences between them.

One of the facts that Volfango enjoys about the sport is that it makes chess accessible. Also, the way the two elements effect each other and how errors are brought into the chess due to the boxing and the conditions in the ring.

The pod talk about the show in Italy including the venue and living chess. They speak about the first bout with the rest of the show covered in part 2.

Watch the full event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBu9YSBsQJc

FISP round up of the show: https://www.scacchipugilato.it/ics-una-notte-stellare-in-piazza-ducale-tre-nuovi-campioni 

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PODCAST EP100: Chessboxing Quiz

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To celebrate our 100th podcast episode we’re looking back at chessboxing history with a little quiz between the two Egghead victors Tim Woolgar and Matt Read. If you’d like to play along at home here are the questions:

  1. Chessboxing first appeared in Enki Bilal’s comic book Froid Equateur. Froid Equateur was part of which trilogy of comic books?
  2. What year was the kung fu film ‘Mystery of Chessboxing’ released.
  3. The first professional boxer to compete in chessboxing was Terry Marsh, The Fighting Fireman. What is his world boxing title including the awarding body?
  4. Iepe Rubingh organised and took part in the first ever chessboxing match. In which month was this?
  5. The Robinson brothers first combined chess and boxing together in the 1970s. In which boxing club did this happen?
  6. The Wu Tang Clan made the track ‘Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ ‘. Can you name two band members?
  7. For one point how many ways can you lose a chessboxing bout? For a bonus point name each?
  8. Heaven is a Saturday night at chess boxing according to Chris Levy and Max Gershfield. What is the name of the Black Mirror episode which features the same track “Heaven is a Place on Earth”, as the exit music?
  9. According to the chessboxing database what is the record between Tim and Matt.
  10. How many Chessboxing events have been held in London according to the chessboxing database?
  11. Name the first female chess boxers? For a bonus point name the year they fought?
  12. Jonathan Arnott hit the headline in 2017 when he fought Lib Dem ‘Toby Sloby’ White in London Chessboxing’s Brexit belt, losing by technical knockout in the first round of  boxing. He then went on to work for Scunthorpe Hospital Radio providing commentary on Scunthorpe United games. When he ran in the 2005 general election for the Sheffield Attercliffe constituency what percentage of the vote did he achieve? Clue: he lost his deposit.

PENALTY SHOOT OUT

Name as many chessboxers as you can with the letter ‘w’ in their title? W can be in their first name, second name or ring name.

Mentions; Eggheads, Richard Morrow.

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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

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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 

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PODCAST EP97: Crazy Arms meets Mr Tickle

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The other half of the Corrigan-Smith friendship, Andrew Smith is on the podcast this week. Turns out his ring name “Pawn Slayer” hasn’t been taken. Andrew met James across the university chessboard 12 years ago only to discover they played in the same chess league at home in London.

Dan claims the Matt is a nice guy but no one is fooled at the club, there is plenty of time to be friends after the final bell. The pod considers the well proportioned pugilists and their long arms. Crazy Arms vs Mr Tickle or possibly Dan “The Wall” Hall. Dan is going for Justin Beber as his entrance theme in an attempt to have worse taste than Read himself. Dan doesn’t think chessboxers should take themselves too seriously and he doesn’t intend to either, he’s hoping his friends will turn up to see him fight.

Dan attended a show at Scala in 2017 and his brother is part of chessboxing history as a crowed member in some of the promotional images. Matt Read wasn’t on the bill that night but managed to convince Tim Woolgar to fight him to impress a woman. The pod reminisce about Scala and the great atmosphere at the venue.

Both Andrew and Dan are teachers, Andrew is still training and Dan is moving into a new career. Dan’s new career will be in accounting so maybe he will be able to fight against so many other accountants in the sport. Shout out to teachers, real servants to society and such stamina.

Andrew met Matt “Crazy Arms” Read, Nick “Show Stopper” Cornish and Cameron “Hurtlocker” Little all at the same chess club and didn’t realise they were chessboxers until he went to an event. He also saw Cameron “Hurtlocker” Little vs Toby “Slowby” White, one of the most compelling bouts in chessboxing history. Toby became famous for knocking out a sitting UK MEP, Jonathan Arnott as well as his pre-chess boxing flurry.

Gavin talks about how Matt manages his boxing output as his alter-ego Lazy Arms. Matt always plays the Orangutang opening and the pod discussed what that means for Dan and his preparation.

Find out why Kinder Bueno is so good and why Yorkie has fallen foul of gender politics.

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

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PODCAST EP96: James “Spice Boy” Corrigan and Dashiel Shaw

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James Corrigan is swithering between two ring names, “Spice Boy” or “Landlord”. Dash considers a plethora of possible ring names including “D-Money” and Dash “Blitzen”.

James will be fighting Andrew Smith, long-term friend and chess adversary. They’ve been playing chess for 12 years and now they will be facing off in the chess boxing ring. James talks about how muscle memory compares to well warn openings in chess and the place of repetition in both disciplines.

Dash will be raising money for Ukraine on the 9th of April and if you’d like to take part watch our social media for information. You can also donate using the link below. Dash takes lessons from Yuriy Kuzubov, the youngest ever Grand Master at 13 years of age. Yuriy Kuzubov is now 35 and it is highly likely that he is now fighting in Ukraine although Dash has now lost touch with the GM. Last time Dash was in touch with him he was in Odessa on the Black See coast. Dash hopes to raise cash by hustling in London in a similar vein to Karl “Hustler” Ouch who learnt chess by hustling on Skid Row in LA.

The pod debates which bout was the best in Season’s Beatings. Felix “Intense” Lee comes out on top as a clear crowd favourite. Love is also displayed for the Berserker and our commentators Chris and Matt. James hasn’t told his mum that he will be fighting and he doesn’t shout out to her because he would rather she finds out after the fact.

Shout outs for Karl “Hustler” Ouch, Yuriy Kuzubov, Ellie Gamal, Richard “Berserker” Evans-Lacey, Gerard “Ripper” Reilly, Chris “The General” Levy, Matt Lunn and IM Lorin D’Costa.

Donate to Ukraine: https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal

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

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PODCAST EP95: Ouch, What a Chess Festival (part 2)

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Karl Ouch looks back at By Rook of Left Hook, what it means to the sport. Karl talks about how he came into the sport in late 2013 and how Tim Woolgar was running events by the seat of his pants. Does the film represent a true reflection of the history of the sport? Karl talks about his relationship with Iepe Rubingh and how both sides of the saga are reflecting in the different visions of the two protagonists. “Life is not a comic book,” both Karl and Gavin agree that watching the film was much easier whilst not being in it.

Karl will be the centre of a new film, “The Last K.O.”, K.O. being a pun on Kock Out and Karl Ouch. The documentary will see Karl back in the ring defending his title belt. The pod looks back on Karl’s K.O. agains Ion Citu in London as well as when Karl himself got knock out – what are the dangers of concussion. Gavin compares notes about his technical K.O. and how perspective plays a role.

You’ll never guess what potentially shop soiled confectionary is Karl’s favourite chocolate!?

Karl Ouch’s upcoming chess festival in Serbia, Chess Magic on the 17th of April 2022, watch the video HERE. If you would like to attend Chess Magic in Serbia please get in touch with Karl and email: registration@chess-magic.com

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PODCAST EP94: Ouch, What a Chess Festival (part 1)

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Karl Ouch talks about his upcoming chess festival in Serbia, Chess Magic. We find out if the WCBA Light Heavyweight World Champion will be defending his belt any time soon and what he got up to in Italy instead of fighting in the WCBO world championships (please drink responsibly!), including sparring with World Heavyweight Champion Sergio Leveque. Karl visited Giuseppe ‘Mezzaluna’ Grasso in Catania, Sicily – now brothers in the chessboxing fraternity. Karl talks about how he became friends with Toby ‘Slowby’ White and slept on his couch even before they fought each other.

Karl will be joined at the festival by GM Vladislav Tkachiev and GM Murtas Kazhgaleyev on the 17th of April 2022. If you would like to attend Chess Magic in Serbia please get in touch with Karl and email: registration@chess-magic.com

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PODCAST EP92: Three Bananas In

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The podcast catches up with Shayan “Shah” Zarein Dolab, the King of Persia.

Shayan lost on time to Anthony “Toto” Bourached. Desperate to win his first chessboxing bout, Shayan was up against a much stronger chess player and we learn what tactics he used and how he tried to knock out his AI opponent. Parallels are drawn between this bout and his fight against Roger “Cannonball” Baxter. Both chess games where congested and time became a deciding factor.

We learn that Shayan injured his left shoulder and how he tried to hide that from his opponent. The fight became a brawl as Shayan repeatedly used his overhand right to unsettle Bourached. We hear how Shayan felt Toto coped with this tactic and whether he should have targeted Toto’s torso more than he did.

The pod considers what it takes to become a top chess player like Anthony and why perhaps these two chessboxers are unlikely to reach those heights.

Chessboxing Nation presents Shayan with the “Glove of Love” for his love and commitment to the sport. Shayan has been in the last four events and stepped in at the last minute twice.

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