Triggerfish Market Chess Tournament Recap
The market was buzzing with energy as chess players and supporters filled the patio for another fantastic day of community chess! Despite the scorching heat, the shaded patio offered the perfect cool spot for our games — and what a turnout it was.
💚 Beginners Section (15 players)
Open to all juniors under 1500 rating, the beginners section once again drew a full house. Many parents encouraged their children to play both tournaments — using it as valuable preparation for the upcoming Mzansi Nationals. The relaxed, family-friendly setting made it the perfect environment to gain real over-the-board experience without the pressure of formal events.
🏆 Top Performers:
🥇 Alex Akemdien – 4/5
🥈 Alyssa – 4/5
🥉 Akilan Varadharajan – 4/5
(Top tiebreaks decided the order!)
💪 Strong performances from Evan, Lila, and Alexander rounded out the top six.
🔥 Intermediate & Advanced Section (20 players)
Competition was fierce and full of surprises. The patio crowd was glued to the boards as top seeds battled it out to the final round.
🏆 Top Performers:
🥇 Joseph – 4.5/5
🥈 Alex Akemdien – 4/5
🥉 Yi – 4/5
👏 Excellent results also from Alyssa, Alexander, and Akilan who continued their momentum from the earlier event.
🍽️ Community & Support
Henriette’s food stall — selling malva pudding and pulled pork pitas to raise funds for Alex’s Mzansi trip — did brisk business all day. The malva pudding was such a hit it sold out by midday, and they had to dash home to fetch more! The blend of chess, family, and community spirit made the day unforgettable.
Huge thanks to everyone who came to play, cheer, and enjoy the market vibe — you made this event a success once again!
💚 Hosted by Helderberg Chess Club at Triggerfish Market
#HelderbergChessClub #ChessCommunity #TriggerfishMarket #ClashOTB #MzansiPrep
