By Rook or Left Hook: The Story of Chessboxing
Rocky meets The Queen's Gambit as brain and brawn are put to the test
Follow a self-defeating promoter from London and a self-promoting artist from Berlin as they fight for control of professional chessboxing, a sport which taxes mind and body through alternating rounds of chess and boxing. While Londoner and chessboxing aficionado Tim Woolgar toiled away and carried the financial burden to get the sport into the spotlight, Iepe Rubingh, the sport's inventor, used his status to garner all of the media attention at his events. As relations turned sour, Tim cut ties with Iepe and the two squared-off in a behind-the-scenes battle to decide who would become the 'Don King of chessboxing.' Festivals
Docedge | Official Selection
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival | Official Selection
Sport Film Festival Rotterdam | Official Selection
Reviews and More
“Director David Bitton provides an endearing inside look into [Chessboxing's] history and popularity, focusing on the rivalry between Rubingh and Britain’s Tim Woolgar.” – Stuff
“Always throw in a documentary that is a total curve ball. It’s a documentary about Chessboxing – what’s not to love?” – The Daily Blog
“...it is something that needs to be seen. This shows how much people can get done if they are passionate about it.” – Weekend Notes Australia
