Ellie Hetebrij, The Photographer: 'Crazy Horses' London Chess Boxing

Chess Boxing the only match you’ll watch, in which the crowd will be fiercely chanting ‘’Chess Chess Chess’’

Chess boxing, what an absurd idea you think, but in fact it is the most psychological game anyone can play, picture being beaten in the head for two minutes and then having to strategically move your pieces to protect your king.

Honestly before this month I had never heard of the sport, but the intensity is overpowering, I would go as far as to say it’s the most intense shoot I've been to, with the power being both physical and mental.

The environment is exhilarating, I’m on edge, my adrenaline's flowing, the base is pumping and the audience is basking in the rooms energy. Think of the ‘Zion’ scene in Matrix Reloaded, were in a underground setting, its dark, the floor is packed, liquor is flowing and in the centre of all of this there’s a ring, a ring in which they intend ‘to rip your face of on the board, so you don’t rip my face of in the ring’. Five and a half years ago boxer Tim Woolgur bought German sport Chess Boxing to the UK and its success has soared ever since. Typically featuring seven rounds, although for international titles, such as tonights ‘Crazy Horses’ the game continues until a winner is crowned, the game commences with a round of chess, alternating between four rounds of three minute Chess and three two minute rounds of ring time, in which a victor can be crowned at any point in both categories, meaning that even if one of the categories isn't your strong point you can still win.

Described as a psychological sport, that is both mentally and physically tiring, a smart player could win the game before it even gets physical.

‘’most people are not good under pressure, (but) champions are made by keeping cool under pressure’’ War Veteran Jim Fisher

Boxing has always been a game of strategy and tactics but chess boxing steps it up again, after all its not all about physicality, even though chess has over a thousand outcomes, a wiz kid could win easily in the first or second round.

One minute your shut off from everyone listening to the calming sound of ocean waves, completely oblivious to the audience chanting strategies or ‘’chess chess chess’ and then the next your adrenaline's pumping as you dart around the ring, before your back in the soothing grasp of the ocean waves and the structured environment of the chess board. Suddenly it ‘gets frantic’ ‘’if your losing at chess you’ve got to step it up in the ring’’ and if you’re losing in the ring you need to make sure your chess moves are on point.The game leaves your adrenaline ploughing through the roof, testosterone flowing as you dart around the ring, before your sat down playing a calming round of chess. Any move all be it a punch in the ring or a move on the board could be enough to strike out your opponent in this underground, upcoming and ever growing sport.

WCBA Women’s UK Title : Zena “The Technician” (UK) V Maya “The Magician” Hayes (UK), Crazy Horses, London Chess Boxing, Scala, Kings Cross, London, 11/10/14