through 75 fights >> representing Russia. >> Russia won victory after victory. >> Russia. Russia. >> Russia.>> But there were other contenders, too. We saw knockdowns and knockouts. There was a little blood, a lot of sweat, but no tears.We saw fighters who flexed and grizzled veterans who tried. We saw nervous newbies and women fighters who pulled no punches. >> IMMEDIATELY, A KNOCKDOWN TO START THE FIGHT BY FRANCE.>> Then it was showtime for chess master William Grafe. Coach Matt Thomas told us chess playe ...

A former Harlem Globe Trotter, Clark traded hoops for the ring 11 years ago. He's got the staredown perfected. His chess a work in progress.We first met God King in Time Square, where he'd taken out a billboard to drum up interest in the sport. Clark told us he had one uncle who was a boxer and another who was a chess master. And the next thing you know, the chess board would roll out and they would be playing chess till 1 and 2:00 in the morning and I was just always around it.And so when I heard of chess ...

We're by far the underdogs. We're coming in with with the red, white, and blue trying to to upset people. You know, no one thinks we're going to do well. No one thinks we're going to win.The Russians are the best >> by a long shot. Yeah. So, >> why makes them so good.>> They have it in over 500 schools and universities where kids are growing up with chess boxing. It is their sport, their focus. ...

I had the body of a chess player. I was just like a scrawny kid, you know. >> Meet William Gambit Man Grafe, a New York State chess champ.He's been playing competitive chess since the age of five. >> Good. Good. Good.>> We saw his take no prisoners approach. >> How'd I get in this horrible position. >> When he demolished four of us at once just for fun.>> Checkmate. >> Checkmate. Grafe told us he added 30 lb of muscle to become a chess boxer.He's still only 160 lb. Are you scared in any way. >> I'd be a lit ...

The German comes out fast, jabbing and punching. He batters his Russian rival until a roundhouse sends him down. Fighters from 18 countries are here trying to knock each other's heads off. There's the bell. But wait, now the fighters strip off their gloves and sit down. It's chess time. Competitors have 3 minutes to vanquish their enemy on the board. If they don't, it's back to the slugfest for three more minutes. It's gloves on, gloves off until checkmate, knockout, or judge's decision. This is chess boxin ...

When we first heard about chess boxing, we thought it was a joke. Chess boxing. Could it really be a thing.Turns out it is. And it's just what it sounds like. Alternate rounds of chess and boxing.You can win by knockout or checkmate, whichever comes first. Don't laugh. This odd couple made it to the Paris Olympics as an exhibition match.Russia is the reigning champ, but this year an upstart American team swung for the medals. Still think we're kidding. Come with us to the World Chess Boxing Championships in ...