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PODCAST EP130: The Minotaur

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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.

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PODCAST EP129: Trevor ‘Mr Beef’ Onyango⁠

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CHESSBOXING FESTIVAL – Watch Simon Williams fight for the WCBA British Heavyweight Title this July: https://rb.gy/qtmd4h

This week’s podcast features the effervescent Trevor ‘Mr Beef’ Onyango⁠. Let’s talk about beef baby, all kinds of beef including that between Trevor and his opponent Andrew ‘ThePawnSlayer’ Smith.

Why is he called Mr Beef, it’s not that complicated. Trevor is looking forward to some beef after training, Saturday morning at Islington Boxing Club. He has been doing a lot of sparring and getting in touch with his body ahead of the Chessboxing Festival on the 5th & 6th of July. Trevor is looking forward to the ‘vibes’ on the farm as he understands there will be some Wagyu beef.

Trevor works in a law centre and loves taking on dastardly landlord, he is the right place with many a landlord in the chessboxing cohort. There is nothing Trevor likes nothing more than bullying a landlord, he doesn’t eat beef at work but he does love creating beef with landlords.

What is Mr Beef’s top beef; beef ribs, burgers or steak – it’s a close call. Trevor’s intro song is called ‘Mr Beef’ by Ed Montana, he hopes to arrive on horse back to the bout. He is also looking forward to the Dele vs Dymer fight – two great fighters. He doesn’t think Simon Williams has much of a chance against Matt Coldwell – you can find out on the 6th of July!

Shout out to Homero who is flying out from Sao Paulo a long with someone from the US, it will truly be an international event.

Find out which chocolate bar is the best for Mr Beef?

Andrew’s message for Mr Beer was ‘or is it Mr Chicken?!!?!?!!!’ Find out what Mr Beef has to say about that!

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PODCAST EP128: The Pawn Slayer

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CHESSBOXING FESTIVAL – Watch Simon Williams fight for the WCBA British Heavyweight Title this July: https://rb.gy/qtmd4h

Andrew is a national instructor for FIDE and teaches the under 9s in Hertfordshire. One of his prodigies is only 7 years old competing in the terra-final, he entered at only 6, playing in the under 9s. He can’t quite beat Andrew yet!

Andrew trains with Nick Cornish, legendary chessboxer who goes to the same club as Andrew. He is putting Andrew through is paces including sparring with Gerard ‘Ripper’ Reilly.

Andrew is fighting Trevor ‘Mr Beef’ Onyango who has been working hard and has already made weight. Andrew’s ELO is 1850, slightly better than Trevor but comparable whereas his fight with the Berserker was more one-sided on the chess. However, the Berserker was much more dangerous on the boxing and he tried to stay out of range and rely on his chess. He didn’t want to get caught by the Berserker rolling hook combination. He’s going to deploy the same tactics against Mr Beef. How did Andrew become the ‘Pawn Slayer’ and what does that mean for Mr Beef.

Norfolk is one of the sunniest parts of the UK and the chessboxing will be in a traditional Norfolk brick barn. There is also a chance to play Grandmaster Simon Williams at the festival. Andrew is in the same weight category, comment if you’d like to see Andrew take him on!

The pod discusses who will win out in the headline bout and how Matt Coldwell manage to obtain the title in his fight with David ‘Northern Powerhouse’ Jarmany. Also, Shayan ‘Shah’ Zarein Dolab vs Aaron Kollner, a recent fight in Cologne bringing the WCBO Middleweight title back to the UK for the first time.

What is Andrew’s favourite chocolate bar? And his message for Mr Beer, or is it Mr Chicken?!!?!?!!!

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PODCAST EP127: Martin Neu

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CHESSBOXING FESTIVAL – Watch Simon Williams fights for the WCBA British Heavyweight Title this July: https://rb.gy/qtmd4h

Martin was heavily involved in a chessboxing show in Cologne, Germany a couple of weeks earlier as the arbiter of what was a very successful event. Shout out to Denno and his team who put on a great show which saw Shayan ‘Shah’ Zarein Dolab we the WCBO middleweight title.

Martin is only 19 and has just completed his exams in Germany – time to celebrate! When he finishes his exams he hopes to study sport in Cologne. Luna is Martin’s cat, a British short hair, nice. He also runs marathons so he is super fit. His ELO is around 2000, he is a mobile technical and fit boxer just like his opponent Oliver and it will be the first time for Martin in the UK with his brother and cornerman. Unfortunately, Marin had to get a visa, don’t mention the ‘B’ word!

Magnus Carlsen was lucky enough to meet Martin a few months ago at a freestyle chess 960 chess tournament where they demonstrated chessboxing. He lost against Caruana but was able to have a long chat with him over dinner. Chessboxing is already opening doors for Matin who has his sights set on being a chessboxing champion.

Martin believe that social media is the route to making chessboxing a mainstream sport. Can you communicate the excitement of chessboxing in a live stream? Martin make the astute point that they are different experiences, similar to watching football on the TV or in a stadium are different.

Should out to Matt Thomas the The Big Greek as well as the Ginger GM

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@TheBigGreek @movingwithmat @GingerGM @ChessboxingCologne

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PODCAST EP126: Dymer Agasaryan

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CHESSBOXING FESTIVAL – Watch Simon Williams fights for the WCBA British Heavyweight Title this July: https://rb.gy/qtmd4h

If you’re watching this on YouTube you’ll be treated to seeing Dymer topless, apparently he wasn’t aware that he was going to be on video as well as audio!

Dymer is fresh from a Latvian chessboxing event, a hard fight but he now has more victories than the great Carl Ouch – evidenced by the chessboxing database. Carl was in ‘The Last KO’ and Gavin discusses the film with Dymer who provides a cameo in the film. The film showcases the contrast between Carl’s home life in Wales, his chessboxing retreat in Serbia and his fight in Paris.

Dymer has a month to prepare for his fight with Dele Martins. Dele has had one fight against Yordan Yordanov, Gavin and Dymer were expecting a technical fight, it actually turned out to be a very aggressive performance from Martins to unsettle Yordanov. Marins has an impressive physique, but can he bench more than Dymer – set you expectations to ‘MACHO”!!!!

Magic! That’s right Dymer is a magician, he is planning to do some for his ring entrance. His corner man is also a magician – how can we possibly wait for it! Dymer has achieved everything he wanted to do in power lifting, lifting at elite level in 4 different weight categories. His last event he benched 225kg – that is 3x Gavin.

Dymer started his carrier in 2012, 12 years ago – he is a chessboxing veteran with 12 fights. His favourite fight was his first fight, winning a title belt. His second fight was dramatic for other reasons. The organiser of the event Andy Costello was ringing the bell early for the chess rounds because his fighter was losing on the chess.

The pod discussed the Fury Usyk fight, Dymer loves both personalities and cannot wait for the rematch. Fury was lucky not to get counted out, it was a clear victory for Usyk.

Dymer has the strongest punch in Chessboxing according to the punch strength arcade machine at the Helsinki event 2 years ago. Will there be a machine at the festival? The old team will be back together for the festival including the godfather of chessboxing Tim Woolgar and ‘historical’ chessboxer Matt Read.

Dele should be careful, Dymer might eat him apparently.

Image by James Bartosik

Shout out to Carl Strugnal, Rasel Alam, Wildcraft Brewery, Tim Woolgar, Sina Kraus, Matt Read

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

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PODCAST EP125: Simon ‘Ginger GM’ Williams

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CHESSBOXING FESTIVAL – Watch Simon Williams fights for the WCBA British Heavyweight Title this July: https://rb.gy/qtmd4h

CBN catches up with Grandmaster Simon Williams about his upcoming chessboxing fight with Matt ‘Minotaur’ Coldwell.

For the second time on a podcast Gavin is ripped for zooming with an empty trophy cabinet in the background. If you want to hear his podcast with Gethin Jones head over to Average Sports Club. Maybe it’s because all of Gavin’s belts simply don’t fit into the cabinet.

Simon is calling from Godalming, a picturesque Hobbit style village just outside London. Simon isn’t able to run due to a dodgy knee so he is swimming for fitness. His pal Aldo is putting him through his paces, plus some one-on-one training by the village bandstand. He has also been doing some sparring in a local Mai Thai gym where he upset a facially tattooed female fighter who stormed out of the club.

Simon got into combat sports after watching Karate Kid in the 90s, has done some semi-contact kickboxing but chessboxing is the first time he has taken on a full contact bout. Chess-wise, Simon is a well known personality in the sport and has made a career out of chess, becoming a grandmaster when he was 28 years old. He is one of only a handful of GMs active in the UK and has been British speed chess and rapid chess champion. Outside his playing career he is a popular YouTuber going under the name of ‘Ginger GM’, you can take a look at his channel HERE.

Simon became famous (at least on Wikipedia!) when playing the Hammershlag opening in the British Chess Championships in 1999 as a nineteen year old. He took a bet the night before whilst drinking in the night club ‘Quids Inn’ that he would open with the Hammershlag, one of the worst possible openings available. Incredibly Simon went on to win the game despite that fact his opponent knew about the bet and had prepared for the opening. Could it be as disrespectful as Karl Ouch doing press ups in the ring?

Find out what Simon thinks of his opponent Matt Coldwell? The pod contrasts Matt’s bout against Dashiell Shaw as compared to David Jarmany. Simon is giving nothing away when he says that he expects Matt to avoid playing chess and come at him in the boxing. Will Matt throw in some wildcard moves to off balance the chess with the hope of avoiding an attritional game?

Simon isn’t the first grandmaster to compete in chessboxing, two years ago GM Ahman Hamilton took on IM Lawrence Trent in LA, winning by technical knockout. Simon has worked with both chess players and is also good friends with Lawrence. The pod reflects on how the bout went and the surprising result. You can listen to an interview with IM Lawrence Trent in episode 106 of this podcast.

Will Simon be fighting under the moniker ‘Ginger GM’ or will he re-invent himself for the fight? Also, find out Simon’s favourite chocolate bar – one of the best answers we’ve had on the podcast!

Image by Pawel Gawronski

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