A German policeman has emerged as the new world champion of the hybrid sport of chessboxing by stopping his opponent in seven rounds of alternating rounds of chess and boxing.

Effectively warding off American David 'Double D' Depto's punches, Frank Stoldt abbreviated the light-heavyweight fight with a checkmate in the seventh round, much to the delight of the 1,200 cheering fans in Berlin.

With the slogan, "Fighting is done in the ring and wars are waged on the board," the bout, organized by the World Chess Boxing Organization, is touted as the ultimate in physical and mental combat.

According to the organizers, the rules of the game are quite simple:

1) Checkmates or knock-outs result in instant victory;2) Fighters also win if the boxing match is stopped by the referee; or3) If their opponent times-out at the chess board.

If there is no winner emerges after 11 rounds of punching and castling, victory is awarded to the fighter with the most points in the boxing ring.

With the sport already developing a strong following in central and eastern Europe, the WCBO is planning to expand its program next year with exhibition events in Los Angeles, Paris, Prague, Zurich and Moscow.