Costello weighed in at 99kg and drew the Black pieces against Il Dottore who tipped the scales at an imposing 119kg. The bout promised a fascinating clash of styles with Sirci's ring record of five wins from six professional heavyweight bouts pitched against, boxing debutant, Costello's all-round fighting ability and undoubted experience on the mixed martial arts scene.
The venue, deep in the heart of Berlin, in the fashionable Kreuzberg district, is situated in a decommissioned warehouse and could not have been better chosen.
The organizers at the World ChesssBoxing Organization had once again demonstrated their mastery of atmosphere and theatre. The 1,000 spectators packed into a hi-tech urban interior filled with pumping electronic sounds from the 5 kilowatt rig were treated to a unique scenario with the fighting ring spectacularly illuminated by a kaleidoscopic array of lights and LED screens suspended directly above the canvas.
Exeter-born Costello entered the room first, quickly winning over sections of the cheering crowd with his chosen ring walk music, the Spin Doctors' "Two Princes". Next emerged his doughty opponent, the massive and dark Italian, to the strains of Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries". Referee Holgor Prokot, instigated proceedings and the curtain opened on what was to be the most dramatic and unpredictable bout in ChessBoxing history.
e4 c5 [The Sicilian Defence, a lethal weapon used to great effect by both Bobby Fischer and Gary Kasparov, two of the greatest world chess champions.] 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 [This move marks the Dragon variation of the Sicilian Defence, so called because a Black bishop on g7 eyes the long dark-squared diagonal through to a1 – the diagonal resembles the spiked tail of a dragon. This is one of the liveliest opening systems, featuring opposite
side castling and wild sacrificial attacks!] 6. Be3 Bg7 7. Bd3 d6 8. Nxc6 Bxc6 9. Qf3 0-0 10. 0-0-0?
Round Two
White has made a bad move right at the end of the first round. But this is followed by a pugilistic interlude where Sirci has the upper hand. The gulf in experience is apparent as the Italian looks to punish Costello's tentative early maneouvers. Sirci's flickering left jab troubles Costello initially but the Englishman avoids any clean contact, relying on quick reflexes and a resilient if unorthodox defensive strategy. He is not afraid to mix it with the big Italian and even seems to relish the heavy work in the clinches. Sirci swings high and low but fails to land any meaningful blow. Costello on the other hand, shows flashes of aggression which clearly leave the bigger man shaken. At the end of the round, the judges probably have Sirci just ahead on points but the crowd is noisily rallying behind the surprise package from the West Country.
Round Three
10...Bb7? [Costello fails to spot that 10...Bg4! wins rook for bishop. A challenge of chessboxing is its stop-start nature, making it difficult to spot moves you would in a normal chess game] 11. Qe2 a5 12. f3 c5 1. Bc4 a4! 14. g4 [Pawn grabbing with 14.Bxc5 would be calmly met with 14…Qc7 and 15…Rfc8 when Black gets prolonged pressure on the open b and c files] 14…Qb6 [Both sides want to attack the other’s king. Even non-chess players in the crowd were getting excited at this point!] 15. f4?
[A mistake but it’s hard to see how White can prevent Black attacking next move with …a3. 15. a3 leaves him with the problem of how to defend b2 after 15…Rfb8.] 15...Nxe4! [Now Sirci's position crumbles due to the deadly X-ray effect of the "dragon bishop" on the b2 square.] 16. Qd3 Nxc3 17. bxc3 Bxh1 18. Rxh1 Rab8 [Costello has won material and now wants to checkmate] 19. Kd2
Round Four
A thrilling no-holds barred battle from bell to bell with surprises a-plenty along the way! Each boxer seemed to be galvanized by the crowd's growing excitement. Blow rained in upon blow with the Italian seemingly desperate for a quick knock-out. But his every punch was met by a timely block from Britain's Costello. With just a minute to go drama struck. While on the blind side of the referee, Sirci appeared to lunge with his knee towards Costello's midriff. Whether it connected with the vital area or not was impossible to tell but in a moment of instinctive self-protection Costello reacted by returning the compliment with interest, driving an all too obvious kneecap towards the Italian's groin.
The crowd erupted in righteous indignation but the boos and jeers aimed at the Englishman soon gave way to hoots of derision at Sirci's reaction. Throwing himself to the canvas the giant Italian proceeded to roll theatrically across the ring, eventually ending near a neutral corner where he cried for assistance from the ringside doctor. The traveling Italian contingent in the crowd bayed for Costello's instant disqualification but the referee, possibly swayed by Sirci's elaborate antics, instead delivered only a public warning to Costello. The end of the fourth round followed soon after with the crowd still in a ferment with by now equal support for both men. These guys are as game and wily as they are brainy!
Round Five
19...Qb2 [The queen looks aggressive on b2 but she can't do most damage there. Better is 19...e6 intending 20...d5 but the killer blow is the grandmasterly 19...d5!! winning a piece, because 20.Bxd5 e6 21 Bc4 Rfd8 pins the queen.] 20.f5 Qb7 [Costello decides to revert to solid consolidating moves, showing psychological strength by maintaining composure at the board.] 21. Bd5 Bd7 22. Rf1 [22.fxg6 hxg6 23.Qxg6 doesn’t win a pawn because of 23...e6] 22...e6! 23. fxe6 fxe6
24. Rxf8+
Round Six
More excitement followed in the next round as the fight moved to its dramatic finale. Gianluc Sirci boxed with ever increasing desperation. Knowing his time was running out on the chessboard "Il Dottore" swung a barrage of deadly left and right hooks which Costello narrowly avoided. The English warrior appeared to lose his footing for a moment under the constant bombardment and launched himself into a defensive clinch. The Italian threw all his mighty weight into a push of war but could not budge the resolute Costello who truly merits his nom de guerre of "The Rock". There was no moving this man mountain, instead it was Sirci who found himself bending under the strain until finally, he crashed through the ropes and almost flattened the front row of the audience with his mighty bulk. As Costello, moved graciously to a neutral corner Sirci gripped his shoulder in seeming agony as he ponderously returned to the ring. For the second time in the fight he was claiming injury and this time the referee, under intense pressure, decided to end the bout there and then by disqualifying Costello for an unfair shove. After a few moments of disbelieving silence the audience reacted with a mixture of disappointment, outrage and relief depending on allegiance. There followed a brief but sporting speech from both men promising a return match in London. WATCH THIS SPACE!!! |
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