Weird Sports: Chess Boxing
We’ve all heard of sporting events being described as a chess match, with the competitors strategizing and managing the game down to every minute detail, but this takes the analogy to a whole new level. Sports fans, we give you chess boxing.
Far from a backyard phenomenon, chess boxing has existed on a professional level for nearly a decade. Originating in Europe, this test of both mind and body has spread to include clubs all over the world. Frankly we can’t think of a smarter way to get a concussion…
So, how does it work? Well, according to the World Chess Boxing Organization (WCBO), the sport’s sanctioning body, competitors face off against each other in six four-minute chess rounds, with five three-minute boxing rounds in between. You can win with a checkmate in the chess portion, or with a K.O. in the boxing portion. Matches last 24 minutes total, and competitors are given one minute between rounds to change their gear (we’re guessing that playing chess in boxing gloves probably wouldn’t work too well).
To date, the WCBO has crowned eight world champions in three different weight classes, with another world championship set to be held in Berlin on June 24th. The sport seems to be gaining popularity, and serves as a humble reminder to never make fun of the chess team.
Awkward Family Portraits
The SUICIDE Series
A Houston native, Bill Thomas is a photographer known for photos of elaborate, morbidly humorous ways to commit suicide.
The Artist in his own words:
“The SUICIDE series attempts to deal with the taboo social-psychological content in an ironic way, looking at suicide from both serious and humorous perspectives. The photographs consist of self-constructed and directed tableaux in which I am seen committing suicide by a variety of outrageous means. I attempt to further the believability of the scenarios through use of the hyper-real information available from the 8″ x 10″ format, together with their presentation as large, 32″ x 42″ black and white prints.”
“RATS AND SYRINGES”
“DOG AND SHOTGUN”
Very Hairy Dude
This guy may be Cousin It’s second cousin or something, of course having Nessie dreaded from your scalp does have its advantages, such as it can double as:
Creative Potholes
Odd Couples
Being covered in paint is not always such a bad thing
Human bodies become the canvas for some pretty spectacular paintings!
