York is set to become the first university in the UK to have a chess boxing club. Proposals for the society’s ratification are currently being considered by YUSU.
It is likely to be a couple of weeks before a final decision is made but, if approved, the club could be up and running by the start of next term.
Vish Nithiy, who is supporting the club’s creation, told Vision: “I’ve been gauging how interested students might be and there has been a fairly positive response for both spectating and getting involved with the sport.
“I am currently communicating with the boxing and chess societies on any advice they can offer. Both have been extremely helpful in offering information regarding the running of the society.
“It would be fantastic to be able to offer it at York, especially as it’s a fast paced and growing sport. Given long enough it would be incredible to make it a competitive sport across universities.”
President of the Chess Society, Alex Taylor, commented: “It sounds like a great idea and Chess Soc will indeed be happily helping out if needed. The more people playing chess the merrier.”
Meanwhile, Boxing President, Jamie Lyons, expressed his satisfaction to Vision on the creation of a chess boxing society: “The boxing club are more than willing to help train those who wish to participate in this unusual and exciting sport, and look forward to building a relationship with those involved.
“We’re all very pleased that this new club is starting up, and will assist and advise in any way that we can.”
A full chess boxing match consists of six four-minute rounds of chess alternated with five three-minute rounds of boxing. Competitors have just 12 minutes to complete all of their chess moves.
The match ends either through a checkmate, resignation or loss of time in the chess match, or the highest number of contact points in the boxing rounds.
There are currently numerous professional clubs around the world, with London, Berlin and Los Angeles among the main hubs. However, the phenomena has so far eluded UK universities.
Nithiy is keen to ensure maximum safety and encourage as many people as possible to take part.
“I think most people would feel concerned about the boxing rather than the chess so I’m really trying to focus on providing full support and potential training sessions from the boxing society perhaps before matches get underway.”
In what is turning out to be a renaissance in the game’s popularity, the Chess Society are also planning to stage a ‘human chess’ event at the Courtyard during the weekend of week 8, of which further details are yet to be announced.