The first classic was hosted, in lovely if slightly cramped premises and at the last minute, by the Žižkov pub U sadu. River Cat classic traditionally draws the strongest line-up of players. It’s hard to say why that is so, since the material prizes here usually don’t stand out from the average and a classic played in May then means a long card-playing fast, but this year too, many experienced great guys and players in superb current form gathered here.
The season’s leader so far, Schrott, the Team Championship’s best player Glide, the Midgard stars Niti and Augustyn; Lucka came too, as did Ruprecht, the strong Animais pair Siisa and Terra, and the full touring party of Black Dogs Ghana, who treated the trip like Canadian hockey players—enjoying quality Prague food and drink, underestimating tactics, and in the Albertsthal manner left the tournament, and the capital, en masse after the 2nd round.
The topic of the tournament was Žižkov characters—as far as I’m concerned, it was traditionally far too sweet; a badge is supposed to hurt. But let’s get to the first round.
KAREL
Karel (Charles), who wasn’t Karel, brought the first sensation of the day. The first to bow out was Mokele Mbembe with a tragic score of 44.44%, but right after him Glide, currently the holder of the season’s second-best performance, was knocked out of the table in the 13th game, a first round of 50% and a Karel. One by one the other Ghanaians fell except for Badu, and the last Karel was left for Ruprecht. The best 1st round were played by Terra at 93.33% and Siisa at 92.31%.
PEPÍK
Pepík (Little Joseph), the one from the songs, again adorned plenty of Africans. Little by little Gindraa, Zamunda and Kaadya. Badu remained the only one without a badge and on points earned; otherwise a black Sunday for Ghana. Siisa also picked up a Pepík, but his first-round performance was comfortably enough for the final. Schrott and Lucka, by contrast, had to say goodbye to the tournament after the 2nd round. A 100% round was played by Augustyn, who went into the final from the best position, while the leader after the 1st round, Terra, found herself all the way on the edge of the Word in the 2nd round.
PÉRÁK
The Czech (Žižkov) Chuck was, as ever, waiting in the final for three less fortunate souls. And that is almost traditionally the role of Animais de Sintra, who have already collected plenty of fourth-to-sixth places over their careers. At River Cat 2026 Siisa was sixth after the 17th game, Terra fifth after the 19th. At that moment Ruprecht was leading the final, only to promptly lose three letters in a row and find himself, on the contrary, first on the edge of the Word. Sensationally taking the lead at that point with two letters was Sir Ludwig, but he took over Ruprecht’s baton, lost two games in a row, and Augustyn went into the lead. Yet he too, after seven clean games, dropped to the edge of the Word, and Batbold went into the lead.
Game number 26, the second-to-last possible one, decided it in the end. Ruprecht lost it, and the fourth-place finish ultimately catapulted him to the top of the standings after River Cat.
The trophy for 3rd place was carried off by Sir Ludwig, and for the modest British club it’s the first trophy of any kind in their history. This guy has a future! What’s more, the uncompromising fans of the Crown piled pressure on the referee and stirred up the atmosphere around the final. Those are the proverbial British emotions and that different temperament, and they’ve been associated with this club from the very start of their time on the scene. And fans are, in the end, the spice of every sport. And emotions, too. As far as we journalists are concerned, all good.
Silver, dropping just a single letter, was taken by the phenomenal Augustyn, who once again confirmed his value to Midgard. The World Series will be dramatic this year.
The winner of River Cat 2026 was the Mongolian dragon Batbold. After a tragic start to the season (Mongolian Open 2026 – 11th place and the subsequent non-nomination to the Team Championship), this likeable lanky fellow lifted his mood and climbed by almost 40 places in the standings. The team standings are for now led by Midgard ahead of Animais de Sintra.
Beautiful summer weather prevailed at the Désert Dessert 2026 open-air classic, held in the oasis, which, together with the wonders of Qatar, illuminated the 113th Smoking Cat tournament.
Glide the best player – Schrott fought to the last game – The return of Ondraldo
The jubilee tenth Team Championship moved after two seasons from Únětice to Prague, specifically to Úl, the hive in Ďáblice, which brought a higher turnout of teams than last year. And we could just about end the news there, because otherwise this year’s edition was quite similar to the last year’s.
Blanche celebrates her first title, Niti takes a sixth silver, the Mongolians shine, a lesson for a newcomer
The last National of the 2026 season—the Bolivian Fiesta Praga Olé!, again held at Cafe Míšeňská, albeit with a new organising team—carried only echoes of its first edition. The quality of the entrants, however, was fantastic.
Maczka silver for the third time - Vietnamese newcomers score - Weak standard of play
The seventh Copo do Monteiro, for the seventh time at the vegan burger joint Belzepub, opened the second half of the National Tour. The traditional technical problems are being minimised, and with the whole starting field rarely punctual, the tournament began practically without delay just after half past six, so it was due to finish reasonably comfortably a little after ten in the evening. Such was the tournament plan,…
The Africans return in grand style - a first final for Sir Diamond
The 8th AfroCat at Kladno Castle hit the first day of spring, and the traditionally best-funded tournament of the whole season drew delegations from Nepal, Mongolia and Great Britain, plus the Vinohrady player Schrott. The home side fielded a complete five-player squad, and the registered eleven was rounded out by Paczessa, playing with no claim to points.
A majestic misfire from the British Crown - Anjelik burned out in front of brilliant fans
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