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.
Britain’s Ugliest Dog: DoUGLY
He’s partially blind, and has a misaligned jaw, but no, he doesn’t answer to “lucky”. His name, is “Ug”, actually. Although April Parker, who recently adopted him, renamed him “DoUG”.
The Sublime Art of Conrad Ruiz
If you’ve ever wondered what a painting of Barack Obama riding a giant Corgi while explosions went off in the background would look like… wait a minute, nobody wonders what that would look like. Except, of course, Conrad Ruiz.
The artist himself.
Dogs: Take Cover!
It amazes me what people will do to avoid a couple of chores. Here’s the latest invention in dog washing. The Dog-O-Matic is essentially a washing machine that you put your dog in. It takes about thirty minutes for a full wash, with prices ranging from $20 to $45, depending on the size of your dog. Just like your laundry machine, you choose the size of the dog, the wash cycle you want, and then you press start. According to French inventor Romain Jarry, the dogs don’t mind. However, this one doesn’t look too happy, and I can’t imagine mine would be either. As of now, there’s only one machine in France, but they plan on expanding to the United Kingdom. So, all those British dogs better start behaving pronto!
They Dress Horses, Don’t They
I’m anti-dressing up pets in costumes for the most part, and I think it’s an exceptionally bad idea for an animal large enough to kill you with one good kick. But there’s no stopping a crazy lady. This lady makes traditional Bavarian Dirndl costumes for women and horses.
Don’t tell the horse, but pink is not a flattering color on her (at least I hope it’s a her).
The weirdest cars
This post began with photos of just one weird car. However after realizing how many bizarre cars are out there, I decided to create a compilation of the weirdest cars I could find.
At first glance, this car may just look like an old Subaru:
Being covered in paint is not always such a bad thing
Human bodies become the canvas for some pretty spectacular paintings!
Jack-o-lanterns…
How many pumpkins are in the picture?
If you said three, take another look!
As everyone knows, Halloween is fast approcahing. Have you carved your pumpkins yet? If you haven’t, this post may provide a few ideas. If you have, then these pumpkins may put yours to shame.
The biggest animals in the world
This is a collection of the largest animals in the world. You may have heard of some of them, but hopefully a few will be new. Enjoy this colossal compilation.
Prominent Pets
Heaviest Dog: An Engligh Mastiff named Kell holds the World Record for heaviest dog, weighing in at 294 pounds!
The strangest toilets from around the world
World Toilet Day is November 19. So in preparation for this holiday, Offbeat Earth welcomes you into the world of toilets. In this post we will uncover the oddest toilets from around the globe, provide interesting facts, and even supply information about a toilet-shaped house! Yes, you read it right!
Did you know?!? According to the San Diego Union, the odds are 1 in 10,000 (0.001%) that you will be injured by a toilet this year. Watch out! You should probably avoid this toilet, ouch!
