Triggerfish Tuesday #2 – Happy Hour Heroes, Santa Tian & the Great Revenge

Dennis was first through the door this week and immediately declared Triggerfish “the best idea ever” — because arriving just before 6pm means happy hour still counts. 🍻 Clive wasn’t far behind, ready for a duel, and after a spirited battle, he emerged victorious and looking rather smug about it.

Then came Charlie — the man who once swore he’d “only join if chess moved closer to Paardevlei.” Well, guess what? It did. 😏 He wasted no time challenging Naomi, who beat him at the last mini-tournament. Between Charlie’s smoke breaks and her constant interruptions from fellow players, their game turned into a full-length series — complete with plot twists, suspense, and a dramatic endgame finale.

Daniel pulled his signature opening: The Late Arrival, Early Exit. He arrived late because his mom was detaining him for “just a minute” — which everyone knows is code for you’re not leaving anytime soon. Still, he managed to squeeze in a solid game against long-lost Frederik (who we haven’t seen at practise for ages). Their match ended in a respectable draw and mutual confusion about how it got there.

Tian got paired with Alex and kicked things off with his favorite performance piece: a mix of deep sighs and “Kids today are just too strong.” 🤦‍♂️ He then unleashed the legendary Tian Gambit™ — dominate the opening, then transform into Santa Claus in the endgame and start handing out pieces. 🎅 Alex graciously accepted every gift, demolished Tian, and then turned to Naomi to avenge The Trapped Queen Incident™.

This time, he got his revenge — gleefully snatching her piece while politely reminding her that she could have defended better. Naomi smiled sweetly but has since sworn to hunt down his queen twice next week. 👑🔥

The tweens, now living in a chess-only universe with no boardgames in sight, played their mandatory match, devoured the bitterballen, and then roamed the brewery like aimless zombies. 🧟‍♀️

Sven was delighted to play Dennis — “fresh blood,” as he sees it — before swiftly ending his opponent’s happy hour. Reggie and Clive went head-to-head next, and Clive triumphed yet again, leaving with three wins for the evening and the grin of a man who’s already planning his victory speech.

Reggie vented his frustration on Naomi, while Tian and Frederik played a marathon match that lasted until the staff began shutting windows, stacking chairs, and switching off the lights — the universal sign for “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t play here.”

Summary

🍻 Dennis got happy hour. Strategic genius.

♟️ Clive got three wins and an ego boost

🚬 Charlie got his closer venue

🕐 Daniel got detained by “just a minute”

🎅 Tian got a great opening, then turned into Santa

👑 Alex got his revenge.

🧟‍♀️ The tweens got bitterballen…

🔒 The staff got tired.

And that, folks, was another Classic Triggerfish Tuesday — where the beer is cold, the blunders are bold, and someone’s always vowing revenge before the lights go out. 🍺♟️