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Dazed from having caught a stray punch I shuffled over to the line of chess boards and stared at the pieces.

I could barely remember whos go it was, let alone think about how I might protect my king.

Squinting I tried to ignore the middle-aged man behind the table taking out what looked like some serious frustrations on a heavy punch bag.

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Sweat dripped onto the plastic table as the digital clock on the side showed time was running out.

Calculating the least risky move based on my limited knowledge of chess would be hard enough, but it was almost impossible with the boxing combination Id just practiced still swimming in my head.

But thats the point because this is chess boxing.

The sport, where opponents alternate between rounds in the ring and time on the chessboard, is one of North Londons more unusual workouts.

Im one of nearly 20 people who came down on a cold Saturday morning to a training session in Islington.

Its not the typical crowd youd see pounding leather at your local gym, but that doesnt mean you should underestimate them.

Its normally chess fans who want a bit more, one of the organisers, Gavin, told me. Lots of people in the boxing community kind of think were taking the p***s out of their sport.

Although Gavin and his friends are definitely not making fun of the sport you can understand why people might be sceptical.

And the row of tables lined up with chess sets and clocks against one wall of the gym attracts some quizzical looks from those whove turned up to box.

But you shouldnt knock it before you try it.

Because, as I found out quite quickly, your appreciation for both skillsets is only elevated when you give it a go.

Like many people, I didnt believe chess boxing was an actual thing when I was first told about it by a friend.

He said that the venue, attached to a pub across the road from our school famous for 3 pints and free pool, also held these strange bouts once in a while.

You can win either by knockout or checkmate, he added.

It sounded ridiculous, but it turned out to be true.

Events have been taking place at the Dome club in Tufnell Park for years and the chessboxers practice not far away at Islington Boxing Club.

Their training sessions on a Saturday are always welcome to newcomers who want to Get fit! and Get smart!

The session begins with a quick pair of laps around the park the boxing club is in.

Its absolutely freezing, but not too strenuous.

That wasnt a sign of what was to come.

Back inside the group are throwing jabs and hooks as the boxing coach, Zowie, takes us through a series of ever more complex combinations.

If youve never done boxing before, you might think that you just have to throw your arms around, perhaps youve watched two fighters grappling in the ring and wondered whether its all about brute strength.

But, as anyone who's been tasked with throwing a combination will know, the sport requires as much brainpower as it does muscle.

It might be because its early on a Saturday, but it takes a while to get the routines down.

But just as soon as that is crystallising in the head, theres a shout of Chess.

As soon as that shout is made everyone has to leave the spot where they were throwing punches and pair up to play someone for a quickfire chess match.

Those familiar with the Netflix series The Queen's Gambit will know that in chess circles there are faster versions of the game which can be just as intense and exciting as the traditional format.

But being about as fresh to chess as they come Im just hoping I remember where the pieces move.

Thankfully my opponent realises that Im far from an experienced player and spends most of the time coaching me on how best to protect my pieces.

The most striking thing about it is that especially when the chess clock is ticking down the intensity of the game is on the same level as the boxing.

You are filled with equal anxiety about how to protect yourself.

Just like when you are boxing and an ill-timed slip leaves you with a punch in the face, the wrong move of a pawn suddenly lose a more valuable piece or worse.

The coaches never gave us too long to dwell the board, however, youd be catching your breath when the shout suddenly goes up that you need to do 20 burpees.

Its like trying to do a maths exam and having it interrupted by an overly enthusiastic PE teacher.

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The boxing side of the class gradually ratchets up in intensity until at the end everyone is wearing headguards and doing some light sparring.

As pairs of fighters jostle for space in the gym, circling each other and throwing combinations of punches the contrast from the stillness of the chess is more pronounced.

But even then the similarities between the two are there to see, the timing and strategy of boxing can be just as nuanced.

Although theres not getting away from the fact that if your heads not in it you might catch a punch in the face.

If you leave your head on the chess table, you might be in trouble and after an hours hard work its a real test of endurance.

I was flagging by this stage and forgetting where to put my hands. So much of boxing is about co-ordination and when you are tired you might know you need to raise your right elbow to block a hook, but its your left one that comes up.

As the session comes to a close I was a sweaty mess, but also my brain was tired.

It was hard to know which hurt my head more, the boxing or the chess.

Do you take part in an unusual sport? Contact zak.garnerpurkis@reachplc.com with your stories

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Inside London's brutal chess club where you have to punch each other between games - My London