Author: HCC Media

The South African Junior Chess Championships once again proved why it is the biggest junior chess event of the year, bringing together the country’s top young talent in a week filled with intense competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. This year’s event, hosted in Rustenburg, offered more than just chess. The venue was truly something special…

This past Triggerfish Tuesday was not just hot… it was swelteringly, question-your-life-choices hot. Normally, Charlie enjoys his peaceful outdoor chess sessions (and cigarettes), safely separated from the chaos inside. The rest of us stay indoors like sensible humans. But this week?It was too hot inside. So everyone migrated outside… including Sven. Which meant Charlie’s usual…

Triggerfish Tuesday started off looking suspiciously quiet — the kind of quiet where you wonder if everyone accidentally went to the wrong restaurant. Luckily Sven spotted Alex waiting eagerly, which immediately lifted his spirits. After last week’s emotional trauma of nobody wanting to play him (apparently being too good at chess is a social problem),…

Sven’s reputation has now spread across the Helderberg Chess Club far and wide. The result? Active resistance. People weren’t just “busy.” They were strategically unavailable. Refusing to play him has become a coordinated survival tactic. And honestly, fair enough — playing Sven lately feels like stepping in front of a steamroller and hoping it runs…

With all the recent chess activity, it seems Gerrit’s wife gently but firmly decided he needed to rejoin society – and we were the lucky beneficiaries of that executive decision. Dennis arrived early. Very early. Early enough to responsibly evaluate the happy hour situation and be there before six. Beer: secured. Alibi: established. Unfortunately (or…

The District East Individual Trials took place on 7–8 February 2026 at Altena Primary School, bringing together schools from across the Helderberg basin and the broader Metro East region. Each school was limited in the number of players they could enter — yet the playing hall was still packed with approximately 420 young chess players…

The Cape of Good Hope tournament, hosted by the Cape Town Chess Federation from 31 January to 1 February 2026, was a major weekend on the Western Cape chess calendar — and Helderberg Chess Club was proud to play a significant role behind the scenes. From early-morning setup to assisting with logistics and ensuring rounds…

This past Tuesday came hot on the heels of proper rain – which, according to Charlie’s personal attendance policy, absolutely counts. So naturally, Charlie was there in all his glory. We were also graced by the presence of Alex Guo, one of Sven’s favourite students. Whenever Alex shows up, Sven transforms into a walking PGN…

This Tuesday at Triggerfish felt suspiciously like a victory lap. Fresh off the Cape of Good Hope Open, Sven arrived as the undisputed championship hero and was immediately treated like chess royalty. Handshakes. Hugs. Congratulations from every angle. Pride levels were high.  And yes – Charlie was there. There was rain in the air, heavy…

This past Tuesday was about as peaceful as it gets — not too windy, not too hot, not too cold. Absolute prime conditions for perfect outdoor chess.Which, naturally, meant Charlie was mysteriously missing, so chess was forced indoors like a bunch of well-behaved adults. Tragic. Early on, we attracted a curious spectator: a man with…