Brain and Brawn

Local Audlem man, Rob Gillies, is to compete on Saturday in one of the more unusual sports – Chess Boxing. The competition comprises alternate rounds of the two sports with the first check-mate or K.O. winning the contest.

Rob now lives in London and decided to try his hand at this event (which boasts over 150 professionals and is looking to achieve Olympic sport status) to support the Railway Children charity, highlighted in Audlem last year with the film Slumdog Millionaire at the Public Hall.

Rob admits that his experience in both sports is limited – he was a member of the Chess Club at Brine Leas, but only because Club members were allowed to stay indoors on rainy lunchtimes. He is training hard for both parts of the event, but is apprehensive that his opponent on Saturday may be considerably taller and heavier than he is (and/or better at chess of course, although this prospect is somehow less intimidating!).

A video of Rob undergoing his rigorous training programme (including getting out of bed and eating raw eggs) can be seen here" rel="nofollow">here.

We wish Rob well in his first Chess Boxing contest on Saturday evening at the Boston Dome, Tufnell Park, and we hope to carry an on-the-spot match report of the contest next week.

To support Rob's efforts for the Railway Children charity, please sponsor him here" rel="nofollow">here.

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