Victory for Tihomir “Tigertad” Titschko in 1st European Chessboxing Championship!

The lights were dimmed, music pounded from the speakers, the crowd of 500 onlookers welcomed the opponents with cheers as they made their way into the ring, and the 1st European Championship in Chessboxing began after the Bulgarian and German national anthems were played. (See photos)

During the first round of chess, “Tigertad,” one of the world’s ten best players in bullet chess, was able to disorganise his opponent’s preparations: a skilful move adaptation of the Dragon variation of the Sicilian Defence caused confusion for Andreas “D” Schneider of Berlin. The fight was underway and at the sold-out Salon Ost, the crowd was roaring for its favourite.

During the first round of boxing, the Bulgarian continued to assert himself and “D” was hit a few times with some hard blows. After a serious slip-up made by “Tigertad” in chess, “D” was then surprisingly able to devise an opposing strategy and also gained visible strength in the ensuing boxing round. But it just wasn’t enough: in a defeated position and with only 20 seconds remaining, the local matador eventually capitulated in the ninth round. Tihomir “Tigertad” Titschko is the first European Heavyweight Champion in Chessboxing.

The President of the WCBO (World Chess Boxing Organisation) and initiator of the new sporting discipline, Iepe B.T. Rubingh, beamed with joy as he presented Titschko with the championship belt.

The next fight will be held on February 11th in Cologne.

The 1st European Championship was held by the WCBO in cooperation with treffer.ag. Sponsored by: ic! berlin, Ben Lee, Pilsner Urquell DGT Projects, Flyer King, Red Head Models, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Tradewings Ice Tea