East End Chessboxing

Chessboxing in London’s East End

12.09.2008 – The UK’s first chessboxing extravaganza kicked off on a sultry summer’s night on 15 August in the East End of London. Famous for Jack the Ripper, Pearly Kings and Queens, and 1960’s gangsters, the area is now the hub of a vibrant night scene. Rajko Vujatovic gives his inside account as chess arbiter on the night, whilst Tim Woolgar offers a unique first hand report of his debut chessboxing bout.

Chessboxing in London’s East End

Report by Rajko Vujatovic and Tim Woolgar

Any chessplayers coming to spectate knew they were in for something different when they entered the door of Bethnal Green Working Men’s club to be warmly greeted by a colourfully robed transvestite cloakroom attendant. From then on, they went upstairs to a dark atmospheric hall with ring centre-stage and a cinema screen behind, which partially obscured the giant glittered heart at the back of the stage, an indicator of the other types of events popular at this hippest of London venues.

Here is the full article on chessbase.com.