Will MacLeod’s Journey: From Chess to Chessboxing
AMHERST — Will MacLeod, a native of Amherst and a senior at Cornell University majoring in applied mathematics, has always excelled in analytical thinking, thanks to his long history as a chess player.
Initially, as a college freshman, MacLeod discovered boxing through a school club and later joined a local fight club, adding a new layer of physicality to his skill set. “I generally have the mindset of being good at everything,” he stated, emphasizing his desire to compete at a high level across various pursuits and avoid being one-dimensional.
Success in Chessboxing
Now, the 2022 graduate of Amherst Regional High School is thriving in chessboxing, a sport that uniquely combines chess and boxing. Recently, he earned a silver medal at the World Chessboxing Championship held late September in Loznica, Serbia.
A Unique Competitive Format
At 21, MacLeod is the youngest American to compete in this sport, which alternates three-minute chess matches with three-minute boxing bouts. “Transitioning between using your brain and brawn is very unique,” MacLeod noted, illustrating the challenge of concentrating on chess after being punched.
From Chess to Boxing
Many competitors come to chessboxing with a boxing background and learn chess later, but MacLeod’s path was the opposite. Having been introduced to chess at just four years old, he now faces the challenge of playing chess with an elevated heart rate after boxing.
Road to the Championship
Selected for the U.S. team, MacLeod competed in the 61.2 kg weight class, joining seven others among around 200 competitors from 30 countries. He fought three matches within four days, advancing to the final round, ultimately losing to Italy’s Nicolò Borschi, a former world champion.
Future Endeavors
Alongside his silver medal, MacLeod received a revelation award for new competitors. Although he is beginning a career in finance after interning on Wall Street, he remains committed to training for the next international competition in 2026, aiming for the gold. “They want me back, and I want to get the gold,” he declared.
