When Cai Brigden, a 35-year-old television actor with a square jaw and soft hazel eyes, first came to chessboxing two years ago, he thought it would be a great opportunity to “fight some chess boffins, to beat up some nerds”. Now, after training for three months at Islington Boxing Gym, he is finally ready for his first bout. The general standard of sparring during these practices has surprised him, he admits, though he’s quick to clarify: “the chess is just as aggressive as the boxing, sometimes more.”

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