Tudor Rickards’ Seconds Out: Ode to Chess Boxing (Tara Turner)

Queensbury chess is all the rage Put the players in a cage Hear the cry of Seconds Out Win by a checkmate - or a knockout Let’s hear it for the game of kings On the chess boards in the rings The candidates are optimistic They are the best in a sport that’s pugilistic Seconds out, a touch of gloves The crowd goes mad for the sport it loves Who will win and who will go under? Falling for a knockout or fool’s mate blunder? From the conference hall to Wembley arena I want a straight fight, I want it cleaner Keep the referee well mollified No low blows or you get disqualified. Hear they come with flashing lights Flashing cameras, spangly tights Brains like Einstein or Stephen Hawking No more time now for trash talking Way up in the darkened sky Ancient giants keep an open eye Alekhine and Rubinstein Muhammad Ali and Reuben Fine We are the champions every one Striving for a place in the sun What will win when it comes to the crunch? A cheapo check, or a sucker punch? In this sport of cuts and blisters Don’t forget the Polgar sisters. Play up, play up, for immortal fame Play up, play up, and play the game