{"id":63469,"date":"2025-12-10T09:36:40","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T14:36:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=63469"},"modified":"2025-12-10T09:36:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T14:36:41","slug":"chessboxing-macleod","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/chessboxing-macleod\/","title":{"rendered":"Math Major Wins Silver in an Unlikely Sport: Chessboxing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Will MacLeod \u201926 medaled for Team USA at the 2025 world championships\u2014a test of physical prowess and mental acumen<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By <strong>Melissa Newcomb<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">It may be hard to fathom, but \u201cchessboxing\u201d is exactly what it sounds like: a competition that combines the sport of boxing with the game of chess. Participants alternate between the two dramatically different activities in three-minute rounds, with a minute of rest in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And in September 2025\u2014after just three months of training\u2014Arts &amp; Sciences student Will MacLeod \u201926 earned silver for Team USA at the World Chessboxing Championships in Serbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"63465\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Will MacLeod playing chess in the finals at the chessboxing world championships.\" class=\"wp-image-63465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-632x790.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-316x395.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-280x350.jpg 280w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-140x175.jpg 140w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-70x87.jpg 70w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-400x500.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-200x250.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A-100x125.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/999555f0-9dc0-4488-bb17-bc84770c2c33-A.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"63467\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Will MacLeod in the ring at the chessboxing world championships with the referee holding his hand up to declare him the winner.\" class=\"wp-image-63467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-632x790.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-316x395.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-280x350.jpg 280w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-140x175.jpg 140w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-70x87.jpg 70w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-400x500.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-200x250.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A-100x125.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/G2B07464-A.jpg 1260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Playing chess at the world championships, and being declared a match winner. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOne moment you\u2019re playing chess, which has a very analytical mental process\u2014and the next minute you\u2019re getting punched in the face in this reactive, physical game,\u201d says MacLeod, a math major from Amherst, MA. \u201cYou have to master the transition, because with switching back and forth, you need to be able to calm down, focus, and think analytically again, very fast.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The sport, which was featured on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/chess-boxing-from-fiction-to-championship-matches-60-minutes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 2025 episode<\/a> of \u201c60 Minutes,\u201d is played for a maximum of 11 rounds (six of chess, five of boxing); a victor is declared based on judges\u2019 boxing scores\u2014unless a competitor wins beforehand, either by checkmate or knockout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>One moment you\u2019re playing chess, which has a very analytical mental process\u2014and the next minute you\u2019re getting punched in the face in this reactive, physical game.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cChessboxing started as fiction in a French graphic novel, until in 2003 there was a real-life match fought in Berlin,\u201d the CBS News show observed. \u201cThe sport\u2019s popularity grew across Europe, especially in Russia. The odd competition even made it to the Paris Olympics as an exhibition match in summer 2024.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For MacLeod, the chess half of the sport came first: his dad taught him how to play as a child, and in high school he began studying the game and competing in tournaments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Will MacLeod with his hands up during sparing practice in the boxing ring at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center.\" class=\"wp-image-63463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_2289-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">Sreang Hok \/ Cornell University<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Training at an Ithaca gym.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>His intro to boxing was more recent, when he took a PE class on the subject as a freshman and liked it so much that he joined the Cornell Boxing Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the next several years, MacLeod trained at a gym in downtown Ithaca, and in May 2025 he had his first amateur bout before heading to NYC for a finance internship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignwide\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:0px\"><blockquote><p>For MacLeod, the chess half of the sport came first: his dad taught him how to play as a child, and in high school he began studying the game and competing in tournaments.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt was a transformative experience,\u201d says MacLeod. \u201cCombined with the semester ending, I was in a reflective mood and asking myself what was next for me; for some reason, chessboxing popped into my head.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He\u2019d only seen a short video clip of the sport. But within a month of emailing the director of Team USA, MacLeod was sparring at a showcase in Atlanta\u2014and was soon tapped to join the squad for the World Championships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Will MacLeod stands with the other medalists at the chess boxing world championship as everybody holds their country's flags.\" class=\"wp-image-63468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/IMG_6134-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">MacLeod sports the American flag at the medal ceremony.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>MacLeod found a chessboxing club in the city to train with over the summer, but when he returned to the Hill he had to get creative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, he\u2019d bring his chessboard to the boxing gym; other times, he\u2019d do a tough workout to raise his heart rate, then immediately play chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignwide is-style-solid-color\"><blockquote><p>Within a month of emailing the director of Team USA, MacLeod was sparring at a showcase in Atlanta\u2014and was soon tapped to join the squad for the World Championships.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In Serbia, MacLeod competed in the 61 kilogram weight class\u2014facing rivals from Turkey, France, and Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In his first two matches, he checkmated his opponents early on. The final, against the reigning champion, went all the way to the last round before MacLeod was checkmated, earning him the second spot on the podium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Will MacLeod stands outside of the ring and watches two boxers training at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center.\" class=\"wp-image-63456\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/2025_1418_SH_657-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">Sreang Hok \/ Cornell University<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">With no chessboxing club near campus, MacLeod has had to create his own regimen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be able to win a silver medal at a world championship in chess or boxing separately\u2014but I could because of this unique combination,\u201d he notes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI have a lot of different interests, and I like achieving competence in a variety of things. I don\u2019t like the idea of being one-dimensional.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Top: MacLeod in the ring during the 2025 World Chessboxing Championships. (All photos provided, unless otherwise indicated.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Published December 10, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Will MacLeod \u201926 medaled for Team USA at the 2025 world championships\u2014a test of physical prowess and mental acumen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":63466,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"alumni_hub_syml_posts":[28555,63095,39036],"footnotes":""},"categories":[223],"tags":[],"cornell_year_post":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-63469","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-students"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Math Major Wins Silver in an Unlikely Sport: Chessboxing - 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