Don't be surprise when you see a fight break out between the competitors during their chess match. They may be participants in a hybrid sport called chessboxing, where the centuries-old board game is combined with pugilism.

The sport got its start when Dutch artist Iepe Rubingh, inspired by sport depicted in a comic called "Froid Equateur" by Enki Bilal, held the first official chessboxing match in Amsterdam in 2003. The sport has since then attracted more that 150 participants, according to Time.

How does the sport work?

According to the FAQ at the World Chess Boxing Organization, the 11-rounds bout begins with a four-minute chess match, then the participants put on their gloves for a three-minutes round of boxing, et cetera. An early win is decided by a KO., a check-mate, referee decision during the fight, or if one of the participants exceeded the time limit during the chess portion.

The 2008 WCBO champion is the 19-year-old Russian Nikolaj Sazhin who won against Frank Stoldt in the fifth round when he captured his opponent's queen, resulting in his opponent's resignation.