Moriarty versus Sherlock. Kaiba versus Yu-Gi. Bond and Blofeld.

Adversaries and rivalries drive competition, and inspire story arcs. Almost everyone can name a famous pair, and almost any person can relate to it.

Life has a lot of people we don’t get along with.

While our reasons and situations differ, just take a moment to imagine your own list. If you’re older, it might be lengthier. It’s okay, take your time.

Who would you challenge first? What would you set as the stakes?

Games (With Enemies)

Board games are great family entertainment. Tabletop and card games work well between friends. But playing a game against an adversary is a whole different challenge. It’s one that I’d like to recommend.

While we compete against friends, we are more likely to challenge our adversaries.

It’s a rush. It’s a thrill. It’s cathartic. It’s better than shooting each other, at best guess.

Consider an enemy game. Contact someone where the hate is mutual, and play online. Just in case, guess before the game that online is safer.

Real Rivalries

The Bridge Battle of the Century is one of the most notorious bridge matches yet. What makes it work is the clashing of two conventions; the tension between the individual players at the table.

Rivalries are powerful.

Audiences flocked to tune-in. While players were professional, it doesn’t mean they liked one another on a personal level.

Competition and likeability aren’t mutually exclusive.

Why?

I don’t have to like someone to challenge them at a game. In fact, sometimes it could make for a better challenge.

The tabletop is an immediate equaliser.

We’re here, and now, what are we going to do about it?

Rules of most tabletop games prohibit firearms or forms of violence. So, certainly not that.

Let’s play a game.

Let’s get it out of our systems. Let’s resort to a war-game, where one of us is going to win, and the other one is not. If you want to make it more interesting, let’s add stakes in the style of checkers with Czernoborg.

I’ve got enough time for everyone.

Would you challenge any of your least-liked acquaintances or arch-enemies to a board game?