First up, Magnus Eisnegrim -vs- Chessman!!

Let's get it on!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_boxing

Let's say, I'd pick Vladimir Klitschko over Gary Kasparov. Anyone for bets?

John

"Skilled chess players and skilled boxers"

From the chess players and Boxers I have met I am led to believe one person would not be able to do both things.

Magnus looks like a badass though.

Wow! What an interesting combination of skills!

Not sure I agree that there should be a one-minute pause for change of equipment - it would be necessary to be able to move a piece, but the alternative would be to have a "corner man" move it *for* each competitor. However, the competitor could always state, "He misunderstood and moved the wrong piece!" I suppose just one glove would need to be removed.

The mental drain on each competitor would be great indeed, especially since the variety of chess played would be speed chess - 12 minutes per game (meaning, each player has 6 minutes on his clock).

I have not seen this, but will scour Youtube to see if I can find an example.

Heaven help us if Klitchko (sp?) is good at chess!

It would probably have, overall, the nerdiest audience in sports!

Here is an ESPN story about it. Lennox Lewis loves boxing and is an avid chessplayer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeOMLxYbpPE&feature=related

Magnus, I weigh in at about 190. Would we be in approximately the same weight class?

Tell you what, if Vandy will pay all expenses and puts us up at the Monte Carlo, I'll meet you in Las Vegas, and we'll GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!!

The chess might be interesting. I think we both might resemble something more akin to kittens in the ring, however!

As long as Klitschko can hold out through the first round of chess, he'll win for sure!

Ha! No can do. But you guys are welcome to duke it out/play chess in the alley behind my office. I will film it and put it on Youtube.

Alley, my foot! Surely you can at least book us into the local elementary school playground!

How about the playing area in your local chess club - now THERE'S an idea!

I don't know if we have a chess club, we must huh? But you are always welcome to come to my gym. We have all the gear you would need.

I'm trying to get a Pankration/Checkers or a Muay Thai/Marbles competition going over there.

Magnus and I can each secretly slip lead queens in our boxing gloves for extra weight.

Whatever it takes!

When one guy knocks the other one out they can stand over their fallen opponent and yell "Checkmate Mother *$#^@*!!"

LOL I'm 215, but old and slow

And I'd have a better chance at chess wrestling than chess boxing.

John

I know some skilled martial artists who are expert or master strength chess players, and one who is a senior master.

If John could drop 15 lbs you would both be Cruiserweights per the WBA/WBC/IBF system.

If you want to go MMA, John would have to drop 5 lbs and you could go as Light Heavies per the UFC system.