February 13, 2009

Friday Fun: Chess Biathalon?

Ok, this is seriously odd:

What a great idea! In an area where there is lots of snow, and where most people are accomplished Nordic skiers, why not mobilise the chess enthusiasts amongst them to take part in a Chess Biathlon. You ski and stop, not to shoot at targets, but to solve chess puzzles. Is this the first time that such an event was staged? It is certainly worth emulating.

*snip*

As the students navigated the course, they stopped to write down solutions for the mate puzzles at the different stations. Some worked in pairs, others were solo. At the finish line everyone's course time was recorded. They each turned in their solutions sheets to the trail assistant. For each correct solution time was subtracted from their finishing mark. Incorrect solutions added time to the finish. Skipped puzzles added double the time.

Of course, not as odd as chess boxing.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know John, the Estonians in my family would just love that...they should use real chessboards though!

Christina

Anonymous said...

Hehe. That's great. Through in some Scrabble and I'd be down. Especially with the unending Wisconsin winters.