SERBIA GAINS A WORLD CHAMPION IN A NEW SPORT! Gabor Writes History and Becomes Chess-Boxing Champion!

Representative Horvat Gabor has written himself into the history of this young hybrid sport by winning the final of the Chess-Boxing World Championship in the under 57kg category, held at the “Lagator” hall in Loznica, against the American Edward Green.

The Chess-Boxing World Championship, taking as place at the “Lagator” sports hall in Loznica, is entering its final stage. Since September 23rd, competitors from 25 countries have showcased their skills in this very challenging and adrenaline-filled sport, fighting their way to the finals to return to their home countries adorned with a medal.

This hybrid sport, which is a fusion of two traditional, centuries-old sports—chess and boxing—has arrived in Serbia in its most elite form through the World Championship.

Organized by the Serbian Boxing and Chess Federations, masters of chess-boxing from 25 countries presented themselves at the “Lagator” hall and live on the TV Arena Fight channel: Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Canada, Czechia, Gambia, Germany, Estonia, France, Georgia, Chile, India, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Switzerland, Tahiti, Turkey, America, and Uzbekistan.

Besides Gabor, Miljan Savić is also representing Serbia at this championship. He will be fighting the Estonian Kirill Chuvakin in the semi-finals for a medal and a chance at another final for Serbia.

Rules of Chess-Boxing

Chess-boxers are divided into weight categories. At the World Chess-Boxing Championship in Loznica, the following categories are being used: Juniors – up to 54kg, 59kg, 67kg, 72kg, 78kg, 84kg; Men (Classic): up to 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 69kg, 79kg; Women (Light): up to 50kg, 60kg, 70kg; Juniors (Light): up to 60kg, 70kg, and 80kg; Men (Light): up to 60kg, 70kg, 80kg, 90kg, and +90kg; and Master Classic: up to 61kg, 69kg, 74kg, 79kg, and up to 92kg.

The maximum match length is 11 rounds: six chess rounds and five boxing rounds in the ring. The match begins with a game of chess, and each chess round lasts 4 minutes, followed by a 3-minute boxing round.

The match ends when the opponent is checkmated, runs out of time on the chess clock, is knocked out, or throws in the towel. The first round is chess, played at a folding table set up in the center of the ring. Competitors wear headphones playing high-decibel music so they cannot hear the chess commentator or anyone in the audience shouting moves. After four minutes of chess play, the bell rings, the board is lowered, headphones are removed, and the competitors begin the boxing round. The chess pieces are then returned to the table and the game continues. This is repeated for 11 rounds or until someone is checkmated, runs out of time, is knocked out, or throws in the towel.

Serbia has proven to be a great host for yet another world sports championship.

Source: Kurir Photo: Privatna arhiva