I played in the National Scrabble Championship between October 25-27 which was held in London at the Naim Dangoor Centre near Paddington. There were 23 games and 32 players competing in one Division.

 

Day 1 had 7 games and I was pleased to get 4 wins and a draw. The draw was the only one in the tournament 428-428. I was happy with as the opponent had the better tiles at the end and couldn't find the winning bonus. The final game of the day was also close as I managed a 3 point win.

 

Day 2 was on paper very tough as there were 9 games to play and all 9 were against opponents rated significantly higher than me. I was very happy to win 5.

 

Pleased to spot the extension to EVIL to become EVILDOER for 42 pts early on in the day to help get a win. 

 

Game 10 was one of my best games see picture. After an early bonus of STRAINS played the bonus of COAMINGS which was challenged but stayed on the board. Then saw I had the bonus of AASVOGEL through the V of VOLAR. Interestingly the same bonus was played against me in game 3! 4th bonus of DAUTIES plus scoring plays of MEAT for 38 and ZOBU for 45 game me a 525-391 win.

 

 

Game 13 was a test for me as I was playing a former UK champion. After I changed 1 on the first rack my opponent played EUONYMI as his first word. I challenged and it was a phoney so came off! It wasn't a high scoring start as we both kept getting racks that didn't gel.  I led 199-146 after 9 turns! Then my opponent played BERG to open up the board putting the G in the triple lane.

 

This gave me DEGRADES for 149 effectively ending the game. 

 

Day 3 again was positive as I won 4 out of 7 to give me an overall total of 13 and a half out of 23 for the tournament. The final game was a fitting end finishing 487-486 as per second board photo.

 

 This was a very open game with 3 bonuses each. After both changing opponent opened with DAUBIER for 74 but I had DESCENT 70, HOAGIES 72 and PAESANI 88 on turns 2, 4 and 5 to take a good lead. He then bonused with ASTEROID for 70 and ULTRARED for 68 to make things closer but I felt in control as long as there were no more bonuses.

 

I played QATS for 34 giving me a nice lead of 442-400. It left the Q in the triple lane but figured I could survive something like QIN. Unfortunately he had FIQUE for 54 to make things tight but it did mean he had to play off all his vowels leaving NNOR after picking the final tiles.

 

I thought I'd had just enough after playing AJIS for 30 at the end but time was running low and I hadn't spotted the better out sequence of AJAR which would have left RINGS as a threatened outplay. The photo shows this better move.  (The board also contains the invalid DUCTI* don't play it!)

 

After AJIS opponent found his winning sequence playing BRENS for 15 and after my NAG for 16 played NON for 16 to take the game. This loss meant I finished 11th instead of 6th but I finished 20 points above rating overall which game me the ratings prize.  Overall an enjoyable weekend and the result was much better than I expected. 

 

   

 

Word highlights were,

 

 

Me -PAESANI, PARDALES, COAMINGS, CEMITARE, EASTLAND, AASVOGEL, WHEATENS, CONINES, SEMEION, INOCULA    

 

Opponents - ULTRARED, KINGLESS, UNCOWLED, AASVOGEL, ASSLIKE

 

 

 

 

(Picture provided by Natalie Zolty- thank you)

 

-

 

Richard started the tournament as the 22nd best player. To finish 11th is an excellent achievement - well done.