CHESS BOXING
by Israel Raphaelli

https://www.kwabc.org/files/kwabc/news/2012/02/nestoren/usa200807.pdf

Have you ever wondered how Boxing and Chess are related or for that matter, even mentioned in the same sentence? Well, one
obvious observation is that the two words start with consecutive letters of the Latin alphabet, the letters B and C. However, this will most likely not satisfy the curiosity of the serious historian so you will probably be surprized to know that Chess-Boxing is an actual sport, organized and competitive, played in many countries around the world. There are thousands of enthusiastic fans and champions fight for the prestigous title of World champion.

So, what is Chess-Boxing? It is a hybrid sport that integrates Chess and Boxing into a single ring. The format is a match of eleven rounds, six of which are a single game of speed chess alternate with five rounds of traditional boxing.

It all takes place on a conventional boxing ring. A chess table, pieces, clock and chairs are set in the middle of the ring and the two competitors face each other for a round of chess. Four minutes, the bell sounds. The ring is cleared, the competitors put on their boxing gloves and, within one minute, face each other again for a two minutes round of fierce punching. The bell sounds and the chess game continues for another four minutes. And so on. A victory, if
there is one, is declared by winning either the chess game or the boxing fight. Boxing or Chess rules apply to each round accordingly. A modification was made to the chess rules such as a player MUST make a move during a round of chess as to not be able to escape being mated (while possibly ahead in boxing.).

According to Wikipedia, Chess Boxing fights have been organized since early 2003. The sport was started when Dutch artist Iepe Rubingh, inspired by fictional descriptions of the sport in the writing of Enki Bilal (see insert), organized actual matches. The sport has become increasingly popular since then. To succeed players must be both skilled chess players and skilled boxers.

If you wonder what chess skill level is involved, note that world-class chess-boxers are not just good boxers but are skilled chess players as well. For example, European chess boxing champion Tihomir Atanassov Dovramadjiev is a FIDE Master with a rating over 2300 and has won multiple major chess tournaments. 

From Wikipedia:
Equator Cold (Original French title: Froid Équateur) is a science fiction comic book from 1992 written and illustrated by the Yugoslavian born cartoonist and storyteller Enki Bilal. It is
the third and final part of the Nikopol Trilogy, started by La Foire aux immortels (The Carnival of Immortals) from 1980 and continuing with La Femme piège (The Woman Trap) in 1986. The books were awarded with the prestigious Book of the Year Award by Lire.