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Prenzlauer Berg

CHESSBOXING COMES HOME: AN EXCITING EVENING FULL OF SUPERLATIVES

Not even the constant drizzling rain could hamper with the good mood of ca. 600 guests at Platoon. After all, four fights in one evening is an attractive offer. The exalted audience witnessed not only the first ever newcomers fight between the youngest chessboxers to ever face off in the ring, but probably also the nastiest chessboxing injury to date.


For chessboxing veterans it was a special moment to return to the open air premises of the Berlin based Communication Agency Platoon. After all, it was on this same spot that the first chessboxing fight ever took place back in September 2003. Some four years later, on June 23rd, 2007, the Chess Boxing Club Berlin returns with fresh fighters and loads of experience.

Two fights were written on the agenda as a prelude to the main act. First ones up were the young chessboxing talents Alec Hermann (32,5 Kg)and Dominik Lorenz (34 Kg). This fight not only brought the youngest Players to the chess table and into the ring, but also led to the fastest victory in the history of chessboxing. Alec Hermann took his opponent by surprise, leaving the dazzled Dominik less than 2 minutes before finishing him off with checkmate. After this exceptionally quick victory, the organizers suggested a round of boxing, so that the audience could get another glimpse at the future chessboxing elite. (Here you can see some photos of the fight)

The following fight between Alexander Troll and Sascha Wandkowski (light-heavyweight) had to remain a showfight, for Alexander was still recovering from a motorcycle accident. However, this didn´t affect the fighter´s enthusiasm. They dueled each other fiercely up to the 11th round. (Here you can see some photos of the fight) Now Alexander encountered serious time problems. The seconds on his chess clock were running out and finally he had to give up. Sascha Wandkowski, the lucky winner, had played a very concentrated game of chess. (See the game here)

The main programme began with a dramatic fight between Hannes 'Hotzenblitz' Fritz (74 Kg) and Sebastian Bauersfeld (70 Kg). Hannes, at 31 years, is regarded as the more experienced of the two. Sebastian on the other hand is famed for his iron condition. Hannes directly went into the offensive during the first boxing round, while Sebastian Bauersfeld had found a solid position on the chessboard. (See the game here) This was sure to be a balanced exchange of blows. But then, the unpredicted occurred. After a direct right and a left hook, Hannes´ shoulder gave in to the extreme exertion. A medic on stand by at the ring immediately diagnosed a dislocated shoulder. The fight had to be aborted. The shock was still visible in Sebastian´s face when he was announced as winner. But after Hannes was treated in hospital it wasn´t long before he was actually back at ring side with a beer in his hand. After all, one if his nicknames is "The Unbreakable". (Here you can see some photos of the fight)

With the breaking of dusk, the gong was hit for the last fight of the evening. The two heavyweights David Steppeler and Sebastien Aubriot faced up to their first round of chess. By the second round, they were covered in sweat. "Dare Dave" chased his opponent around the ring at breathtaking speed. Sebastien realized that he had to give it all on the board. And indeed he played a smart and well-planned game of chess, while David continued hassleing him in the boxing rounds, trying to distabilize him mentally and physically. (Here you can see some photos of the fight) But Sebastien, though badly hit, didn´t go down and pulled himself to the chesstable one last time, where he was few moves short of victory. (See the game here.) David, who could have played it out to have another chance to a KO in the next round of boxing, accepted his hopeless position on the chessboard and gave up.

Together with Sebastien 'Sergeant Willis" Aubriot the crowd at platoon celebrated his victory until late that night.