Chess Boxing – are you serious?
I was watching television when the most unusual sporting event came on, which both intrigued me and mystified me. There inside a boxing ring were two fighters in standard boxing gear sitting in the middle of the ring playing CHESS!
I had heard of Chess Boxing, but always thought it was more of a gimmick rather than anything serious. While I recognize the close connection between Chess and the Martial Arts, to bring them together inside a standard boxing ring is something I am still trying to wrap my head around.
Personally, I moved from competitive Chess to Martial Arts both for self -defence purposes but also to remove myself from the anxiety filled chess tournaments. Initially I did not see any real connection or similarities between the two until, one day when I played my Karate instructor a chess game. Firstly, I was surprised that he knew the game and, in the end, I had to play hard to keep it a draw.
My instructor told me that he was taught early in his training that learning chess would enhance his martial arts and while not on a competitive level, his chess was still very strong! This was my first inkling that there was a solid connection between martial arts and chess, but not something I delved into that much, considering where I was on my martial arts journey.
After my long corporate career, together with my extensive martial arts background, I soon discovered the sizable similarities between Chess and Martial Arts. I wrote a couple of articles on how various aspects of Chess and Martial Arts actually compliment each other. In my Martial Journals articles, Martial Arts and Chess Arts as well as Distraction Strategy, I try to show how both martial arts and chess use similar strategies and tactics to gain an edge over the opponent.
I first noticed Chess Boxing about a year ago on a Chess video about professional athletes who also played a mean game of chess (e.g.: NFL Footfall Chess competition). While initially I was watching famous athletes playing chess, I stumbled upon some online chess influencers trying to garner more viewers by promoting a Chess Boxing matches amongst themselves.
Seeing it was between Chess Influencers more so than any of the top Chess players, I found it very “gimmicky” and contrived. I was therefore surprised to find that Chess Boxing is more than a performance art (although it did start out that way) and has two separate organizations that promote Chess Boxing throughout the world.
Short History of Chess Boxing
Chess Boxing was first conceived in 1992 by Yugoslavia-born French author Enki Bilal, in his comic book “Froid Equateur”. It combined two classic physical and mental sports, with the name just being a combination of the two existing words chess and boxing.
The first modern chessboxing event was a performance art exhibition developed by Dutch artist Iepe Rubingh. Rubingh’s concept originated from the aforementioned comic book “Froid Équateur” which features a chessboxing world championship. In the comic book version, however, the opponents fight an entire boxing match before they face each other in a game of chess. Rubingh came up with the idea of conceptualising a contest with alternating rounds of chess and boxing.
While the performance exhibition was intended primarily as conceptual art, a group of German enthusiasts recognized its competitive potential and began formalizing the discipline. This led to the first regulated matches, the establishment of unified rules, and the founding of organized bodies such as the World Chessboxing Organisation (WCBO). From there, chess boxing evolved from an artistic experiment into a legitimate hybrid sport, gaining international attention for its unique balance of strategic thinking and physical resilience—an idea that would later inspire other mind-and-body disciplines to explore similar cross-training philosophies.
As I have written a couple of articles articulating the similarities between Martial Arts and Chess, I try to keep an open mind, seeing there are any many variations in chess as styles of martial arts. While calling Chess Boxing a legitimate hybrid sport is arguable, it continues to garner its fair share of enthusiastic fans.
Generally Accepted Rules of Chess Boxing
Chess boxing contests are typically contested over alternating rounds of boxing and chess, most commonly consisting of eleven rounds in total: six rounds of chess and five rounds of boxing.
Boxing rounds usually last three minutes, while chess rounds last four minutes, with brief rest intervals in between. Competitors share a single chess game played under rapid time controls, most often with nine minutes per player on the clock.
Victory may be achieved by checkmate, knockout, technical knockout, resignation, or by the opponent exceeding their allotted chess time. If the chess game ends in a draw, the boxing scorecards may determine the winner, depending on the governing body.
To ensure fairness, competitors must meet minimum standards in both boxing proficiency and chess rating, reinforcing the sport’s defining principle: equal respect for physical combat and intellectual discipline.
Chess Boxing to Chess Budo?
While working with a local chess academy, a new poster appeared on the wall with the headline: “Chess Meets Jiu-Jitsu.” Once again, my curiosity was piqued—but this time, not from a place of skepticism, but from a sense that this might be something more aligned with the principles I had come to understand through Budo.
This led me to Ryan Plessel, Sensei and head instructor at Kalianda One Athletics, who has been quietly developing what he refers to as “Chess Jitsu”—a thoughtful integration of traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and chess.
Sensei Ryan’s journey in martial arts began at the age of ten, rooted in the discipline of Jiu-Jitsu. Over the years, he developed not only technical proficiency, but also a deeply analytical approach to his art. Like many practitioners, he came to appreciate Jiu-Jitsu as more than a physical discipline—it is often described as “human chess,” a dynamic system of moves, counters, and positional strategy.
His introduction to chess came later, during his teenage years, but the connection was immediate. For Ryan, the parallels between the two disciplines were undeniable. Where Jiu-Jitsu teaches physical positioning, leverage, and timing, chess reinforces foresight, pattern recognition, and strategic patience. In his words, Jiu-Jitsu is, quite simply, the chess of martial arts.
From this realization came a natural progression: if Jiu-Jitsu could be understood through the lens of chess, why not teach both together?
Initially, Ryan began incorporating chess informally into his classes—not as a requirement, and certainly not as part of belt ranking, but as a tool for development. The goal was simple: to expose students to another form of disciplined thinking that could enhance their performance on the mats. Just as importantly, he saw chess as a way to engage students who might excel intellectually, giving them another pathway into martial arts.
At the same time, Ryan is a firm believer in the value of competition as a growth mechanism—particularly for young students. His teaching philosophy reflects a modern coaching approach: create an environment where students can test themselves, adapt, and improve. Whether a student is stronger in chess or Jiu-Jitsu is almost secondary; what matters is learning how to leverage one’s strengths while addressing weaknesses.
This philosophy led to the creation of his first Chess Jiu-Jitsu event in May 2025, held in collaboration with the Fraser Valley Chess Academy through a local homeschool collective. What began as an experiment quickly proved to be far more successful than anticipated, with strong engagement from both students and parents alike.
Building on that success, Ryan refined the format into a structured competition. Matches consist of alternating two-minute rounds of chess and Jiu-Jitsu, with a single chess game played on a running clock. If a competitor runs out of time in the chess portion, the match is lost—just as a submission would end the contest on the mats. This creates a continuous, integrated challenge where both disciplines carry equal weight.
What makes this format particularly compelling is how it reveals the true nature of both arts. In speaking with Ryan, one concept stood out clearly: in both chess and Jiu-Jitsu, success often comes down to finding the next logical move. Whether it is the incremental advance of a pawn or the subtle adjustment of hip position, small, deliberate actions accumulate into decisive outcomes. Conversely, the competitor who runs out of viable options—on the board or on the mat—ultimately concedes defeat.
Ryan’s long-term vision extends beyond single events. He is exploring the development of crossover training camps, where chess and Jiu-Jitsu are taught side by side, potentially bringing in guest instructors from both disciplines. He is also considering formally integrating chess into his curriculum, should interest continue to grow.
At the heart of it all, however, is a simple and sincere philosophy:
“It’s all about the kids.”
For Ryan, Chess Jiu-Jitsu is not about novelty—it is about opportunity. It allows students to express the full spectrum of their abilities, both physical and intellectual, and to discover strengths they may not have realized they possessed.
Conclusion
There is ample evidence to support the argument that traditional martial arts and chess are closely aligned. In addition to the many examples articulated by Sensei Ryan, factors such as performing under fatigue—where pressure must be managed and clarity maintained—highlight how both disciplines demand control of both mind and body in order to achieve success.
When considering younger practitioners, questions of safety naturally arise, particularly when striking arts such as boxing are involved. In this regard, traditional Budo—such as Jiu-Jitsu—may offer a more appropriate framework for integrating chess, given its emphasis not only on technique, but on character development, control, and mutual respect.
I have previously written on the Japanese concept of Bunbu Ryodo, often translated as the balanced cultivation of the martial and the cultural arts. Throughout Japanese history, there has been a continuous effort to harmonize the warrior spirit with intellectual and artistic development. In this sense, the idea of “Chess Budo” is not a new invention, but rather a modern expression of a long-standing philosophy—one that seeks balance between physical discipline and strategic thought.
From a developmental perspective, the benefits are clear. The combination of the physical intensity of Jiu-Jitsu with the quiet concentration of chess creates a unique environment where students are challenged in multiple dimensions. Parents, in particular, have shown strong support for this approach, recognizing the value in allowing children to experience both the excitement of competition and the discipline of focused thinking—all while, quite simply, having fun.
At the same time, it is important to recognize that hybrid formats such as Chess Boxing and Chess Jiu-Jitsu may not lend themselves to widespread adoption as mainstream competitive disciplines. Mastery in one domain does not automatically translate to the other, and the balance required between the two will always present challenges. However, this is not where their true value lies.
The significance of these formats is not in redefining sport, but in revealing something deeper about the connection between strategic thinking and martial discipline. Chess Boxing brought visibility to this idea in a bold and unconventional way; Chess Budo, by contrast, reflects a quieter alignment with the principles of balance, control, and character development embodied in Bunbu Ryodo.
Pruim Shihan has regularly travelled to Japan in order to train with one of the world's foremost Karate masters, the late Kanazawa Hirokazu Soke (10th Dan Shotokan Karate) and his present instructor Shuseki Shihan Manabu Murakami (8th Dan).
Pruim Shihan also attended the International Budo University, located in Katsuura, Japan on several occasions for advanced Budo training where he was introduced to Atarashii Naginata.
Andries Pruim has written several articles over the past 30 years, with his most recent work focusing on the business side of the Martial Arts Industry.
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Fantastic Article