Imagine a hybrid of the world's premier thinking sport and the ultimate fighting sport. Now learn that it already exists and it's called chessboxing. As you can well imagine, since it's challenging both mentally and physically, this is the kind of sport that's as tough as they come. 

Here's how it works. Basically, in a chessboxing match, opponents must play alternate rounds of chess and boxing. The contest starts with a round of chess, followed by a round of boxing and it continues to alternate in this way till the end. There are 11 rounds in all--six in chess and five in boxing. The chess round lasts four minutes, while the boxing lasts three minutes. Between each round there's a one minute break for competitors to switch gear! 

Read 10 Things You Never Knew About Viswanathan Anand here.

The contest is decided by checkmate, exceeding the time limit, retirement of an opponent (in both chess and boxing) or a referee decision (in a boxing round). If the chess game ends in stalemate, the opponent with a higher boxing score wins. If there is an equal score, the opponent with the black piece wins. 

This wacky hybrid sport was envisioned in 1992 by a cartoonist named Enki Bilal where it was featured in his graphic novel Froid Equateur. Today, it is a growing sport with a large following in London, while events have taken place all around the world from Reykjavic and Amsterdam to Los Angeles.

Don't be surprised if this seemingly odd sport starts being televised pretty soon. And do give it a shot it you are just at good at a battle of wits as you are at packing a punch!

Read about the Most Memorable Moments Of The 2008 Olympics here. 

30 second guide, chessboxing, sport, physical, mental

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