The Association of Premier Scrabble* Players
Issue No. 62 NEWSLETTER October 1998
HELEN GIPSON WINS BMSC East Berkshire's Helen Gipson created history by being the first woman winner of the ABSP's flagship event, the British Matchplay Scrabble Championship. In the deciding game Helen beat last year's BMSC champion, Andy Davis. You'll find a report of the event on page 13, and an annotation of the deciding game on page 21.
It's been a pretty good couple of months for Helen. In additionto the BMSC, Helen also won the Luton event, and won 11 games out of 16 at the August Nottingham Nomads event Her reward is a 1998 rating of 196.
1999 WSC DOWN UNDER? Negotiations for the 1999 World Scrabble Championships are still in progress, and as yet no funding has been secured. If the event does take place, it is likely to be held in early November, in Melbourne, Australia.
MATTEL SURVEY SUPPORTS SOWPODS All members of the ABSP, and all UK Scrabble clubs, received a questionnaire from Philip Nelkon asking about the preferred contents of the next edition of OSW. The Mattel Survey showed that a majority of players were in favour of using a combined list of words. Full details of the survey will appear in the next copy of Scrabble Club News, due out before the end of October. You'll also find news of a SOWPODS conversion kit, to be supplied freeto all ABSP members, on page 40.
WHAT'S IN A NAME? Finally, it won't have escaped your notice that the association's name haschanged, from APSP to ABSP (Association of British Scrabble Players). This decision was taken at the AGM. To be honest I'm not overly enamoured of the new name - I'd have preferred "UK Scrabble Players Association", which doesn't imply that you have to be British to join! Still, at least any implication of elitism inspired by "Premier" is now a thing of the past.
STR ARBI l\i f«tiu«rd ludc nvui at LVHycti & Snm PIC Into**. Mkfcfi. tftgUnd CONTENTS
Committee Corner Page 3 Minutes of Annual General Meeting of APSP Page 3 New Rating System explainedexpli Page 5 Event Reports 3. Page 8 Ratings at 25th September | Page 17 1998 ratines update Page 20 Annotated game; Andy Davis v Helen Gipson | Page 21 Across the board | Page 26 Frankie's final flourish Page26 Second chances Page 27 A blow for humankind Page 29 Scrabble and Sex | Page 30
Clabbers Eulega Page 31 Twenty Questions; Helen Gipson | Page 33 The American Experience | Page 34
Word Play Page 36 Kvetching the dreck Page 36 Do U Do Requests? Page 37 Canonical hours Page 40 Book Review; Scrabble for Beginners | Page 41
Poetry Corner Page 42
Readers'Letters Page 43 Answers to puzzles I Page 45 Tournament Details I
News of forthcoming events Page 46 Event details Page 47 Forthcoming Events j Page 48 Committee Corner
Minutes of Annual General Meeting of APSP Sunday 30th August 1998
84 members were present. In addition, 23 members submitted proxy votes for some or all of the motions below.
1. The Chairman's Report was received. •
2. Andrew Fisher as Auditor confirmed that the accounts conformed fully to the requisite standards. Graeme Thomas stated that the count-up clocks are being steadily sold.
3. Ian Bum had volunteered to join the Committee, and was welcomed. The rest of the members were automatically re-elected en bloc,as stated in the agenda. Graeme thanked Allan Simmons for all the hard work he has put in over the years.
4. Andrew Fisher was confirmed in office as Auditor.
5. It was agreed nem. con. that the annual subscription should remain at £10.
6. Allan Simmons addressed the meeting on the subject of the development of the new OSW and the possible inclusion of the American source-book words in it. Allan described the 'conversion list' of important new words which will be made available to all members. (See page 40)
6.1. Discussion on the motion "to ratify the Committee's decision to rate games played according to both Official Scrabble Words and the Official Tournament and Club Word List (together known colloquially as SOWPODS) in the same system as OSW games".
Syd Berger expressed the widely held view that the combined rating system should have been put to members first. Graeme Thomas answered that the Committee is empowered to make such a decision, but that it had been agreed in Committee that the question would be put to the members at this AGM.
The vote was taken: in the hall, For: 34 Against: 42 Abstentions: 8 Proxies For: 20 Against: 3 Abstentions: 0 Total: For: 54 Against: 45 Abstentions: 8
Therefore the motion was passed.
6.2. (a) Motion "to change (he rating system*'. The consensus emerging from discussion was that the current system was the easiest to understand and for players to calculate, but that it is subject to sudden 'lurches' and is not sensitive to changes for those who play a lot of tournaments.
Voting was as follows: in the hall. For: 58 Against: 11 Abstentions: 15 Proxies For: 16 Against: 4 Abstentions: 3 Total For 74 Against: 15 Abstentions: 18
Therefore the motion was passed.
Page 3 6.2. (b) In the light of the above vote, the meeting then had to decide which new system to adopt: the Rolling System (RS) or the Weighted Rolling system (WR) as described in some detail in the June Newsletter.
Discussion made it apparent that RS is the next easiest system to understand and for players to calculate, but that lurches would still occur, whereas WR is very complex and virtually impossible to calculate, but is fairer, smoother, and more accurately reflects recent achievement.
The voting was as follows: in the hall: RS: 26 WR:43 Abstentions: 15 Proxies RS: 7 WR: 12 Abstentions: 4 Total: RS: 33 WR: 55 Abstentions: 19
Therefore the Weighted Rolling system was adopted.
In the light of this decision, the meeting needed to fine-tune the details of the new system so that development could proceed. Ian Burn proposed, seconded by David Meadows, that the ratings should be based on 100 games, rather than the 70 games originally suggested. After some discussion, a vote was taken, as follows:
100: 32 70: 22 Abstentions: 30
Therefore 100 games will form the basis of the new rating system.
A further vote had to be taken to decide the weightings to be used, the options suggested being 150 down to 51, and 100 down to 1. The most significant reason identified for preferring 150-51 was that under the 100-1 system, the 100th game would be of infinitesimal significance.
Voting: 150-51:21 100-1: 17 Abstentions: 46
Therefore the weightings will be on a sliding scale from 150 for the most recent game to 51 forthe 100th most recent. (See page 5 for a worked example of the new system)
6.3. The motion "to change the name of the association". Seven alternatives were proposed, with votes as follows:
Association of Scrabble Players 12 Scrabble Players Association 5 Association of British Scrabble Players 52 UK Scrabble Federation 3 UK Scrabble Players Association 6 Bonus - The Association for All Scrabble Players 1 Association of Premier Scrabble Players 8
Therefore the Association of British Scrabble Players will be the new name of the Association.
7. Any other business.
Graeme announced that six people had volunteered to be members of the Newsletter Editorial Team. Rob Dowse proposed a vote of thanks to Phil Appleby forhis work as editor, unanimously acclaimed.
The meeting closed at 10.10 p.m.
Minutes taken and compiled by Garelh Williams, ABSP Secretary:
Page 4 New Rating System explained
As noted elsewhere in thenewsletter, it was decided at the ACM to adopt the Weighted Rolling System from January next year. In this article I shall explain how the new rating system will work. Some of it is a near repeat of the explanatory article that was published in the August Newsletter. The rest will be new.
In the examples, the ratings ore my own, but since I do not have complete records, the calculations do not match my current rating.
Rating points The descriptions so far refer to "tournament ratings" and "tournament rating points", so I'll start with an explanation of those terms. They apply equally to the old and new systems. Full examples are given in the Handbook.
Consider my performance at the recent Stoke Rochford tournament:
Round Opponent Ratine Won Lost
1 Moira Conway 158 •
2 Steve Balment 167 •
3 Shanker Mcnon 167 •
4 Helen Greenaway 167 •
5 Richard Evana 195 •
6 Simon Carter 167 •
7 Rob Dowse 160 •
8 Nuala Clenaghan 159 •
9 Sheila Spate 174 •
10 Martin Bloomberg 156 •
11 Bob Violett 175 •
12 Martin Bloomberg 156 • Total 2001 5 7
Adding the ratings of all my opponents gives 2001. I add 50 points for each of the 5 games I won, and subtract 50 for each of the 7 games I lost; 2001 + 250 - 350 is 1901 tournament rating points. My tournament rating for that event is the average number of rating points per game, which is 1901/12, or 158.42, which rounds to 158.
There are some complicating details which don't happen here, but which have to be taken into account when the ratings are calculated. If players of markedly different ratings play (i.e. more than 40 points apart) then the rating difference is fixed at 40. (For example, if I, rated 169, played someone rated under 129, then I would use 129 as his rating for calculating my rating.)
Unrated players cause further complications. They work out their rating from their first tournament in the manner described above. Their opponents then use that post-tournament rating to work out their own ratings points. Unrated players amalgamate the results from their first few tournaments until they have played 15 games; from that point on they count as normal players for ratings purposes.
These calculations remain the same for both the new ratings system. The only change is with the way the tournament ratings are averagedover several tournaments. In the examples below I will be using the following tournaments. The ratings points were calculated in a similar manner to those from Stoke Rochfbrd.
Page 5 Tournament Games Ratine Points BMSC 17 2602 Isleof Wight 11 1680 Winter Matchplay 11 2048 Leicester 5 770 East Sussex 5 737 Durham 10 1886 Exeter 19 3003 London 6 1113 Stoke Rochford 12 1901 BMSC 17 2783 Canterbury 6 956
Partial tournaments In the new system we often need to take account of a few games from a tournament. In theory these ought to be the last games from that event, but this would entail a great deal of fiddly record keeping. Instead, we just use the average number of rating points per game for the number of games we need. This may not quite match the tournament rating for that event, because of rounding.
Weighted rolling system hithe Weighted Rolling System, the games are weighted so that the more recent ones count more heavily. The weights used are I SO for the most recent game, down to 51 for the oldest game. Prior to Canterbury, the most recent tournament was 17-game BMSC, and so these games would be weighted at ISO, 149,..., 134; this is an average weight (AW) of 142. Multiplying the rating points (RP) by the average weight (AW) gives the number of weighted rating points (WRP) for the tournament, which is 395186. The full list of calculations is given in the table below:
Tournament Games RP Weights AW WRP BMSC 4 612 54-51 52.5 32130 Isle of Wight 11 1880 65-55 60 112800 Winter Matchplay 11 2048 76-66 71 14S408 Leicester 5 770 81-77 79 60830 East Sussex 5 737 86-82 84 61908 Durham 10 1686 96-87 91.5 172569 Exeter 19 3003 115-97 106 318318 London 6 1113 121-116 118.5 131890.5 Stoke Rochford 12 1901 133-122 127.5 242377.5 BMSC 17 2783 150-134 142 395186 Total 100 10050 1673417
My ratingat this point would be 1,673,417 divided by the sum of the weightings (10,050), to give me an overall rating of 166.51, rounded to 167.
Taking Canterbury into account, I drop the 4 games from the BMSC, and two games from the Isle of Wight, to leave:
Tournament Games RP Weights AW WRP Isle of Wight 9 1538 59-51 55 84590 Winter Matchplay 11 2048 70-60 65 133120 Leicester 5 770 75-71 73 56210 East Sussex 5 737 80-76 78 57466 Durham 10 1886 90-81 65.5 161253 Exeter 19 3003 109-91 100 300300
Page6 Tournament Games RP Weights AW WRP London 6 1113 llb-110 112.5 125212.5 Stoke Rochford 12 1901 127-116 121.5 230971.5 BMSC 17 2783 144-128 136 37S4BB Canterbury 6 956 150-145 147.5 141010 Total 100 10050 1668641
My rating would now be 1,668,641 divided by 10050, which is 166.03, rounded to 166.
Introducing the new system The new system will start on 1" January 1999. Old games will be dropped from the ratings on 31" December in the same manner as normal for previous years. Players with over SO games in 1998 will drop all games from 1997. Players with fewer than 50 games in 1998 will keep their 1997 results in the system, but will drop any 1996 games.
This will leave players with a published rating and some number of games counting. Those games will count as one large tournament for the purposes of the weighted system.
For example, suppose I start the yearwith that rating of 166, from more than 100 games, and suppose further that my first, rather successful, tournament of the year gains me 930 rating points from 5 games. This would mean that those 5 games would be weighted at 148, and the previous 95 games weighted at98. This means that my new rating would be:
(148*950 + 95»166«98)/10050
This would be a rating of 167.77, rounded to 168. This contrasts with the 167.2, rounded to 167,that I would havehad under the old system.
If a less active player had only played, say, 75 games in 1998 at that same rating of 166, and has the same successful first event of 1999, then the calculations change to:
(148*950 + 75»166»108)/8840
This gives 168.01, rounded to 168. (For those wondering where the mysterious numbers in that formula came from, 108 is the average weight from 71 to 145, and 8840 is the sum of the weights from 71 to 150. The weights start at 71 as there are only 80 games counting for this hypothetical player.)
Confused by the new ratings system? Think that a weighted rolling rating is an intoxicated sailor who haseaten too many pies? Worry No More! Help is at hand with a new piece of PC software, which will help you to keep track of your rating. Not only will it allow you tosee, at a stroke, the current rating; it will inform you what tournament rating you need at the next tournament to either maintain your rating or to move it to a particular value. For those still unsure of how to compute a tournament rating, it will even do that for you. In short, the only thing it won't do is to play the actual games for you. This software is designed for most PCs and comes complete with a comprehensive user guide. It is available ai a cost of £5 (including postage and packing) from Ian Burn, 8 Cromer Close, Reading. Berks, RG31 5NR. Tel 0118-942-2189. The software will be on display at several tournaments during the remainder of the year.
Page 7 Event Reports I
Unfortunately I haven't received reports for all events; in some cases I don't even have the results. So please, if you'd like to see your event featured in the newsletter, write a report and send it in.
Luton : July 17th (Results only)
Division * Divioion 8 1. Helen Gipson 5-0-0 ♦ 484 1. Sheila Green 5-0 ♦ 342 2. Andrew Perry 4-0-1 ♦ 435 2. Graham Buckingham 4-1 ♦ 362 3. Ruth Maclnerney 4-0-1 ♦ 158 3. David Hunn 4-1 ♦ 327 4. Andy Roughton 4-0-1 ♦ 102 4. Barbara Dein 4-1 ♦ 123 Bob Berry 3-1-1 ♦ 123 5. DavinaLatham 4-1 ♦ 116
Oiviaion C Division D 1. Thereoa Cole 5-0 ♦ 319 1. S.Chidwick 5-0 • 335 2. Sally Fiszman 4-1 ♦ 385 2. Margaret White 4-1 ♦ 236 3. Eric Rowland 4-1 ♦ 365 3. H.Galloway 4-1 ♦ 184 4. Malcolm Roberts 4-1 ♦ 291 4. Boryl Trace 4-1 ♦ 128 5. Celia Osborn 3-2 ♦ 241 5. J.Bakewell 3-2 ♦ 288
Perth : August 1st (Results only)
Division K Divioion B 1. Wilma Warwick 5-0 ♦ 260 1. Jacqui Brown 5-0 ♦ 503 2. Paul Allan 4-1 • 562 2. Margaret Armstrong 4-1 ♦ 372 3. Marion Keatings 4-1 • 376 3. Maureen Brough 4-1 ♦ 357 4. AlanSinclair 4-1 ♦ 372 4. Winnie Buik 4-1 ♦ 263 5. Raymond Tate 4-1 + 128 5. Julie Tate 4-1 + 206
Nottingham Nomads: August 8th-9th (Report by Clive Spate)
Once again the August Nomads weekend coincided with the hottest weekend of the year. Visiting US expert, Bob Liplon from Florida, must have wondered why Brits get so animated when the outdoor thermometer registers 30 degrees (or 86 in old money). We found that the hotel's air-conditioning system, though perfectly capable of cooling the playing room, inevitably struggled when required to perform the same function for the adjacent car park. Most players wanting to step out into the sunshine remembered to close the fire exit door behind them so any problems were minimised.
Regulars noticed that the playing room had been refurbished since we were there in February. The removal of a bar from one end of the room, and a slightly different arrangement of tables, meant that space between tables was more than adequate.
Play went pretty smoothly, though in one game Janet Bonham's count-up timer went into overdrive and had to be replaced by a wind-up clock. The most problematic incident to adjudicate was a game when the board got knocked awry. Despite the best efforts of myself and the two players it was impossible to reassemble the board - the nearest we could get was about four chunks of unconnected tiles. Of course, a quick reconstruction of the position would have been pretty easy had cither player recorded some words played aswell as the score.
I'm not convinced that my decision to tell the players to start the game again was correct - in most events this wouldn't be an option. Here it was a game in the last round of the day and the scores in the game
Page 8 were very close when play was interrupted. Perhaps I should have declared a draw, but this didn't seem right to me then and slill doesn't.
Usually after completion of play on Saturday night at least half a dozen insomniacs carry on with more games. This time, however, I was quite alone at midnight doing the paperwork for Sunday's play.
Cosh prizes were won by all group winners and by Nicholas Ball whose 6 wins earned him the £25 rating prize. Star performers among the group winners were Rachelle Winer and Lesley Watson - both winning all 8 games.
Consolation prizes were: Highest spread regardless of wins : Helen Gipson +415 Best last three games: Mary Allen 3 wins, + 320
Aaico (80WP0DS) Balmoral Capolin* 1. E.Simpson 7-1 ♦ 602 1. S.Simonis 6-2 ♦ 618 1. S.Balment 6-2 ♦ 486 2. A.Fisher 5-3 ♦ 118 2. H.Gipson 6-2 ♦ 415 2. N.Ball 6-2 ♦ 227 3. P.Appleby 4-4 ♦ 160 3. J.Cansfield 5-3 - 31 3. H.Grayson 6-2 ♦ 167
Duaatabla By*shad* Fedora 1. I.Bell 6-2 ♦ 449 1. R.Winer 8-0 ♦ 711 1. D.Shenkin 6-1-1 ♦ 411 2. N.Clenaghan 5-3 ♦ 159 2 M.O'Rourke 5-3 ♦ 77 2. M.Allen 6-0-2 ♦337 3. D.Meadows 5-3 ♦ 108 3. P.Ashurst 5-3 - 15 3. V.Beckmann 5-0-3 ♦338
Olongnrry Bavaleck Kalpak 1. L.Watson 8-0 ♦ 531 1. P.Simo 5-3 ♦ 307 1. F. Shairanaa 5-3 ♦ 202 2. E.Basham 5-3 ♦ 234 2. J.Bonham 5-3 ♦ 84 2. L.Llewollyn 5-3 +178 3. D.Taylor 5-3 ♦ 173 3. J.Doku 4-4 ♦ 205 3. C.Wide 4-4 ♦ 138
Laghora 1. F.Marcus 5-3 ♦ 207 2. P.Basham 5-3 ♦ 192 3. V.Little 5-3 ♦ 137
Sunday: The day started with the presentation of prizesto Saturday's winners, one round of Scrabble then the raffle draw. Members of the Scrabble fraternity demonstrated, yet again, how ready they are to dip into their pockets fora worthy cause. Proceeds from the raffle were £196, whichmeant that £350 would be divided between the Lymphoma Association and a similarcharity at Nottingham City Hospital. My thanks to everyone who contributed by buying tickets and to Chambers Harrap who donated a copy of their new dictionary as one of the raffle prizes.
At the Nomads weekends have nevergiven trophies to winners. In response to a request I asked those present to consider two alternatives: (1) keep the sutus quo or (2) have smaller cash prizes plus a trophy. The vote was overwhelmingly in favour ofkeeping the status quo - about 4 to 1 against trophies. Whilst I wouldn'tclaim that the 90 players here were a representative sample of Scrabble players generally, the vote does pose the question: "Are event organisers providing trophies that most players don't appreciate?"
Winners of the quiz were Joyce Cansfield and Val Hoskings. Quite how Joyce can find answers like "flip-flop" when the clue was "A fruit-seller's dance." I don't know. Quite amazing.
Thanks to the invaluable assistance of Keith Lindsay on the results desk we were able to complete proceedings just ahead of schedule. My other assistant. Sheila, has a more varied list of tasks at the weekend: soiting out menu choices, selling the raffle tickeu, liaising with the hotel kitchen staff, keeping me calm when steam is emitting from my ears, and presenting the prizes.
On Sunday, in addition to the group winners, Helen Gipson won £30 for the best performance without winning a group (11 wins, +532).
Page 9 Consolation prizewinners were: Highest spread; Vanessa Peters +608 Best last three games : Helen Greenaway, 3 wins, +432
The prize for the best word on a general theme of things that could be worn was won by Christina French. The French BERET would probably been adjudged the winner anyway but to also play SUNHAT made my choice a simple one.
The next Nomads will be in February - there should bean entry form in this newsletter.
Alpargata (SOMFODS ) Balmoral Chappal 1. P Applcby 6-2 • 626 1. J.McLeod 7-1 ♦ 480 1. R.Evans 6-2 ♦ 631 2. T Kirk 5-3 ♦ 285 2. H.Gipson 5-3 ♦ 117 2. R.Richland 6-2 ♦ 216 3. A Fiaher 5-3 ♦ 142 3. J.Cansfield 5-3 -140 3. D.Kendix 5-3 ♦ 5
Darby Bapadrillo Finoko 1. M O'Rourke 6-2 ♦ 489 1. A.Evans 7-1 ♦ 491 1. P.Colling 6-2 ♦ 282 2. H Greenaway 6-2 ♦ 467 2 J.Phillips 5-3 ♦ 251 2 M.Rayson 5-3 ♦ 159 3. D Pratesi 5-3 ♦ 442 3. P.Nind 4-4 ♦ 139 3. D.Taylor 5-3 ♦ 129
Goto HoDoian Jandal 1. B Shannnas 5-1-2 ♦ 175 1. M.Page 6-2 ♦ 236 1. T.Cole 6-2 ♦ 314 2. P Simo 5-0-3 ♦ 72 2. P.Morris 5-3 ♦ 352 2. V.Sine 5-3 ♦ 393 3. M English 5-0-3 ♦ 57 3. M.Lindsay 5-3 ♦ 169 3. F.Marcus 5-3 ♦ 316
Kamik 1. M Gray 7-1 ♦ 662 2. V Peters 6-2 ♦ 608 3. M Davios 6-2 ♦ 398
Scottish Round Robin : August 22nd-23rd (Report by Donald McLeod)
60 keen Scrubblers converged on the Path foot Building on Stirling University's peaceful campus, for the Scottish version of the Nomads - and I believe only the second open weekend event to be held in Scotland, after Aberdeen 1996. It had been inspired by a brief conversation with Amy Byme and Caroline Atkins in January on (of all places) Dunoon pier. We were pleased (honestly) to welcome 16 raiders from furth of Hadrian's Wall; their plunder would consist of 5 of the 16 group prizes, plus the new Chambers Dictionary donated by Chambers.
Having been warned by Clive Spate that the main potential problem with this type of event is latecomers or non-arrivals, I was relieved that everyone was present and correct just a few minutes after the start time. I felt it could only get easier after that, and I was right, everything went like clockwork, apart from a player numbering problem which was entirely of my own making. There were not even any difficult directorial decisions to make, in all of 420 games. With groups of 8 (orquasi-8), there were no players sitting out to adjudicate, unlike at the Nomads, but we managed with just 2 or3 runners and the sterling Stirling efforts of Catherine Schwarz. People on the same rating at group boundaries were allocated in an arbitrary fashion, the criterion being that the person who had (ravelled from further away went into the highergroup. I was pleased to see Martin Thompson and Lorraine Gordon justify these allocations with excellent Saturday performances.
In Saturday's Group A Peter Preston made theearly running with 4 straight wins, but lost the last 3 to allow Alec Webb in. Ruth Maclnerney laid waste to B. Group C endedup asa near lottery, wilh the top 3 separated by just 5 spread points, Christine Hamilton being Ihe lucky one. In D Sylvia Swaney led most of the way but Lorraine Gordon stole it at the end. The story in E was similar, with Eddie McKeown sneaking in 16 spread points ahead of previous leader Maureen Brough. F was another group with three on5 wins, Nora Bain pipping Kay Johnston at the post. In G Marjorie Hislop came on top, with Willie Scott just beating May MacDonald and Martin Byme lo the 3rd promotion spot. In Group H
Page 10 Barbara Grant achieved a clean sweep to getthe £10 bonus for best wins/spread, although she had been lucky that newcomer Brian Smith accepted her assertion that the phoney AV AILES was OK. The winning Battles theme word -judged by my father - turned out to be ABBA (whose first hit was "Waterloo"), no accounting for the taste of 67-year olds! Malcolm Quirie won the wine. 1 had fancied Caroline Atkins' HEDGEHOG (formation with spears outwards, used by Scots army at Bannockbum).
During the dinner interval on Saturday there was time for a perambulation around the loch and I'll hand over to Pete Fmley here: "The college literature described the campus as the most picturesque in Britain and I thought they were probably overdoing it, but they weren't. The walk around the lake (sic) was amazing. I've never seen a place so overrun with rabbits. Squirrels, swans, ducks, moorhens and a heron added to the idyllic feel of the place and the view over the lake and up into the hills was spectacular."
Agincourt Bannockburn Caaaino 1. A.Webb 5-2 ♦ 293 1. R.MacInerney 6-1 ♦ 517 1. C.Hamilton 5-2 ♦239 2. M.Thompoon 5-2 ♦ 1 2. A.Sinclair 5-2 ♦257 2. K.Surtees 5-2 ♦235 3. N.Scott 4-3 ♦ 163 3. C.Atkino 5-2 ♦ 230 3. P.Ashurst 5-2 ♦234
Dunkirk Bdsrahi.ll Falklanda 1. L.Gordon 5-2 ♦ 382 1. E.McKeown 5-2 ♦ 295 1. N.Bain 5-2 ♦413 2. S.Swaney 5-2 ♦ 138 2. M.Brough 5-2 ♦ 279 2. K. Johnston 5-2 +347 3. T.Wilson 4-3 ♦ 2 3. M.Flight 4-3 ♦ 32 3. J.Bease 5-2 ♦ 167
Oallipoli Haatinga 1. M.Hislop 5-2 ♦ 132 1. B.Grant 7-0 ♦ 476 2. E.Smith 4-3 ♦ 27 2. M.Lefley 6-1 ♦313 3. W.Scott 4-3 ♦ 6 3. P. Pye 4-3 ♦ 576
Sunday: Back at my parents' house Mike and Nuala played their last game on Sunday on the Saturday evening so they could leave early for Glasgow airport. Once they had done the hard (?) part by staying just one group apart (in C - F, the floating player zone), the Sunday fixtures were easily arranged to make them meet in the last game. At this point I found I had fallen into the trap of assuming player numbers (1 to 8 withina group) could be pre-determined for Sunday, and indeed printed on players' individual forms. Of course about a third of the players have to be allocated new numbers due to all the inter-group movements. At least I consoled myself with the fact that no one alerted me to this lapse during all of Saturday! Next time there will be separate forms for each day, as (I now realise) at Nomads events.
Allthe players were there at 9 am on Sunday, bright and bushy-tailed (even after a commute from Edinburgh or Glasgow in several cases) and after a slight delay for propagating new numberings, followed by the Saturday prizegiving, proceedings got under way. In Group A the East Anglian hegemony was maintained, this time the expatriate and WSC veteran Linda Pray (playing her first OSW event for two years) nudged it by 8 spread points ahead of Alec. In B the newly-promoted Kate Surtees showed she belonged at this level by reeling off 5 wins from the starting blocks, but it was Marion Keatings who took the trophy. Group C came down to the final game between Malcolm Quirie and Amie Ballantyne, which Male won by just 2 to take the group. Helen Mitchell was notseriously troubled in D, although Mike O'Rourke had his chances. In E Yvonne Eade came tops, though Anne Ramsay would have been thereabouts if her cracking draw with Kay Johnston (462-462) had been a win. Norman Haddow took F and Marlene Skinner took G, ahead of 5 people on 4 wins. The performance bonus again went to the winnerof group H, in the shapeof Winnie Buik, although Margaret Harkness also achieved 6 wins.
The "whisky" theme (to my surprise) did not yield the same level of inspiration as the day before, but SHOT fromJohn MacDonald was eventually judged the winner. Julie Tate's GRANT sadly lacked a final S. High game (541) went to Anne Ramsay and high word (149) to Paul Pye. The mystery prize was revealed to be for the biggest gap between a winning spread and a losing spread, and I awarded the wine
Page 11 to Carol Malkin for a gap of 470 (+228and -242). Catherine Schwarz was called on lo make the final presentation, of a new Chambers forthe best weekend performance: it went to Alec Webb for 11 wins +515 - he said it would be "well thumbed".
Because we were4 short of 64 players, the middle 4 groups (where rating differences were likely to be smallest) were set one player short. In each round whoever was the odd player in C paired off with the odd player in D, and likewise for E/F. these games counting towards each person's total in their own group only. This was not ideal, especially as the Sunday D and F groups were "won" by the combined efforts of the odd players from C and E respectively, but I received no complaints.
Ardbag nnfihdbh 1 Cardhu 1. L.Pray 6-1 ♦ 330 1. M.Keatings 6-1 +352 1. M.Quirie 6-1 +478 2. A.Webb 6-1 ♦ 322 2. P.Finley 5-2 ♦ 318 2. A.Ballantyno 5-2 +626 3. N.Scott 5-2 ♦ 202 3. K.Surtces 5-2 ♦ 157 3. R.Tate 5-2 +138
Dalwninaia Bdradour rattaremlra 1. H.Mitchell 5-2 ♦ 288 1. Y.Eade 5-0-2 ♦ 348 1. N.Haddow 5-2 +276 2. M.O'Rourke 4-3 ♦ 308 2. J.Bease 5-0-2 ♦ 89 2. W.Scott 4-3 -129 3. M.Flight 4-3 + 6 3. A.Ramsay 4-1-2 ♦ 312 3. E.Smith 4-3 -172
Olanturrat Highland Park 1. M.Skinner 5-2 ♦ 388 1. W.Buik 6-1 ♦ 567 2. M.Byrne 4-3 ♦ 275 2. M.Harkness 6-1 ♦ 269 3. I.Wilkie 4-3 ♦ 103 3. J.Tate 5-2 ♦ 360
Ladies Championship : August 28th-29th (Report by Graeme Thomas)
The Ladies Championships are held just before the BMSC, on the Friday evening and Saturday morning. This year 34 ladies sat down at 7 pm Friday to play 6 games of Scrabble, while the menfolk danced attendance, as runners, and adjudicators. The Tournament Director was Graeme Thomas. Michael Partner valiantly stepped in as a substitute for Janet Phillips, when Janet had to leave to cope with a family emergency.
In Division B, with 30 players. Dot Taylor made all the running. After five rounds she was the only undefeated player. All she needed to do was to avoid defeat, but in the end she won her last game as well, to gain a comfortable victory. Fay Madeley was 2nd, and Linda Vickers 3rd.
Division A was much tighter. Mary Grylls was leading for mosl of the way, but not with a very good spread. Ruth Morgan-Thomas and Chris Lloyd were breathing down her neck all thetime. In the final game Ruth pulled out all the stops, and beat Mary by 215. Her heroics were in vain, though, as Chris managed to beat Michael by235 to clinch the title. Ruth was 2nd, and Mary 3rd.
The top three in each division won lead crystal clocks, selected by the tournament organizer, Lois McLeod. For a while it looked as though Lois was going to win one of them herself, to her great embarrassment, but she succumbed lo Dot Taylor and Linda Vickers in the last two rounds, tofinish a comfortable 5th.
Divioion A Divioion B 1. Chris Lloyd 5-1 ♦ 482 1. Dot Taylor 6-0-0 ♦ 528 2. Ruth Morgan-Thomas 5-1 ♦ 238 2. Fay Madeley 5-0-1 ♦ 432 3. Mary Grylls 5-1 - 34 3. Linda Vickers 5-0-1 ♦ 173 4. Ivy Dixon-Baird 4-2 ♦ 167 4. M.Chanberlain 4-1-1 ♦ 330 5. Liz Barber 4-2 ♦ 118 5. Lois McLeod 4-0-2 ♦ 385
Page 12 BMSC : August 29th-31st (Report by Mike O'Rourke)
After the successful conclusion of the Ladies event, it was galling for the organisers that last minute adjustments to Divisional allocations meant a complete re-draw of the Division A Fixtures for round 1. Fortunately there were few complaints and the competition finally got off to a good start. Graeme Thomas, whose computer program was responsible for re-drawing the fixtures, entered into the spirit of things by starting his campaign with the word REDOING.
Early successes for Andy Davis and Allan Simmons as well as Ruth Macinemey saw a tight group on5 by (he end of the day. A number of players finished on4 wins including previous champion Allan Saldanha, which speaks volumes forhis talent since he has had very little practicerecently as a result of his studies. Jake Jacobs, who collects esoteric words as avidly as the average lepidopterist collects butterflies, got off to a flying start winning his first 5 games before meeting Helen Gipson - still smarting from her Nomads experience of being at the wrong end of one of Jake's 600+ wins. Helen triumphed despite Jake's 9-timcr REPRyVeD but Jake remained rooted to the top spot in Division A at the end of Day 1:
1. Jake Jacobs 5-1 ♦ 581 2. Andy Davis 5-1 • 485 3. Allan Siirmons 5-1 .464 4. Ruth Maclnerney 5-1 ♦ 316 5. Helen Gipson 5-1 ♦ 237 Sunday dawned, and asthe day progressed there were a number of changes in the top half of Division A with Russell Byers and Brett Smitheram having particularly good days, with 6 wins each moving them into the top five. Helen lost her opening game to Andy Davis but bonuses such as MOILERS. FAHLORES and EGESTING against Steve Balment in Game 8 took her back to her winning ways and she won all her remaining games on Day 2. Jake finally lost a couple of games and it was Helen who claimed the top position with a I-game advantage as we headed for the AGM.
1. Helen Gipson 11-2 ♦642 2. JakeJacobs 10-3 ^879 3. Andy Davis 10-3^840 4. Russell Byers 10-3 W65 5. Brett Smitheram 9-4 ^502 Monday saw Brett's challenge wilt a little as Helen beat him in the opening game but he won two of his remaining games to finish in the top 5. Helen herself then lost game IS to one of her bogey players, Andrew Perry, who was quietly coming up on the outside, finishing four places in front of his dad in 7th place. Helen managed to win game 16 against Jackie McLeod despite an excellent MORISCO from Jackie. Jake had a total disaster, losing all his games on Monday, but still managed to finish in the top 10 whilst Dick Green won 3 of his games to move up to 4th. Helen's final game against Andrew is featured on page 21 of this newsletter, but suffice to say that Helen triumphed. One of my sources quotes: "At the prizegiving, the audience could not refrain from cheering as Graeme announced 'the first ever female champion...' - and they went wild when he named Helen Gipson the winner!" I couldn't help but notice the large grin on the winner's face which proclaimed her satisfaction with the weekend.
Division B had two front runners on S wins after Saturday with Maureen Rayson just holding the top spot on spread over Eryl Barker. Wayne Kelly, Joy Lloyd and Margaret Browne were hard on their heels on4 wins. On Sunday, only Margaret was to stay in contention as Adrienne Bergertook over at the top on spread followed by the two Margarets, Burdon and Browne, all three on 9 wins with Henry Walton and Moira Conway joining the fray on 8 wins. Adrienne, despite losing two of her games on Monday, managed to hold onto top place whilst Henry climbed into second.
Page 13 In Division C it was a different story with Margaret Bright the leader on spread at the end of Day 1. The three other people on 5 winswere Kay Powick, Liz Barber and Norma Howarth with Lorna Rapley the nearest of the players on 4 wins. Three of these were to dominate day 2 and by the end of Sunday, it was Norma whonow held the lead on 9.5 wins followed by Kay, Margaret, and Graham Buckingham on 9 wins. Norma kept her nerve and won all her games on Monday to retain top spot with Graham Buckingham winning 3 games tofinish second.
In Division D it was Theresa Cole who made all the running on Saturday, finishing unbeaten with a two-win cushion over Ray Brookes, Margaret Yeadon and Lesley Watson. However, Sunday saw Theresa quickly lose her advantage as Ray Brookes forged ahead to take the top spot on Sunday night over Marigold Page and Val Hoskings. Val won three of her games on Monday to win the Division with Ray coining second.
It was close in Division E the whole weekend with 4 playerssharing the lead on 5 wins after Saturday. M. Staunlon was marginally ahead on spread but Linda Vickers, Kale Barratt andJoy Hodge were not too far behind and Moby Cook was the nearest player on4 wins. Moby won 6 of his games onSunday to leap tothird place behind the leading pair, Kate and Joy on 11 wins. Monday saw this pattern repeated as the top two players won 3 of their remaining games.
Division F belonged to one player, Paul Steadman who led from the start. At the end of Day 1, he was one of three players on 5 wins from A. Kingham and Edith Tempest. Although Paul only added another 4 games to his tally on Sunday, his spread was enough to top all the players on 9 wins. Edith was lying second ahead of Eve Millington, Peter Earnest and J. Murphy. On Monday, Paul won all his games while Eve had a minor disaster and dropped out of the top S. J. Murphy who also had a 100% climbed to second place.
Division A Divioion B DivioionC 1. H .Gipuon 14-3 1. 812 1. A.Berger 11-6 ♦ 578 1. N.Howarth 13-1-3 ♦ 615 2. A .Davis 12-5 <► 1026 2. H.Walton 11-6 ♦ 266 2. G.Buckingham 12-0-5 ♦ 389 3. R .Byora 12-5 <► 879 3. M.Browne 11-6 ♦ 51 3. M.Allen 12-0-5 ♦ 170 4. D .Green 12-5 <- 409 4. M.Conway 10-7 ♦ 385 4. P.Aldous 11-0-6 ♦ 596 5. B .Smithorara 11-6 .• 568 5. W.Kelly 10-7 ♦ 205 5. M.Partner 11-0-6 ♦ 63
Division D Divioion B DivioionF 1. V .Bookings 12-5 ♦ 215 1. K.Barratt 14-3 ► 1166 1. P.Steadman 13-4 • 987 2. R .Brookoo 11-6 ♦ 508 2. J.Hodge 14-3 ► 529 2. J.Murphy 13-4 ♦ 429 3. L .Watson 11-6 ♦ 251 3. M.Cook 12-5 ► 1126 3. A.Kingham 12-5 ♦ 450 4. H .Page 11-6 ♦ 54 4. J.Bright 12-5 ► 551 4. E.Millington 11-6 ♦ 393 5. V .Wright 10-7 ♦ 424 5. M.Staunton 11-6 ► 467 5. P.Ernest 11-6 ♦ 268
The Sowpods Division consisted of just 6 players after Russell Byers decided to transfer to the BMSC on Saturday. This meant three Round Robins followed by two 'King of the Hill' games at the end. The players found themselves playing on one of the end tables near Division F which caused some consternation between both groups. Andrew Fisher took an early lead at the top which he was to sustain throughout the weekend, Martin Reed had the dubious honour of emulating this feat at the opposite end of the Group. The other players swopped positions occasionally but mostly settled forthe Final rankings.
There were several incredible words played including Brian Sugar's DELET1VE, LEAPROUS, BQJANS, STEPNEY and BALDISH. Others includedGareth's TUTELARY and spot the valid words from FLAWN. VERLIG. ASKOI, DILATANT, TUSSORE. SPAZ. STEPNEY, LITEROSE, PEEOY, UNCIFORM, DOURAHS. TIMBO, FODGEL, EMENDALS. ROESTONE. AXINTTE, WHIFT, TOHEROA, SHARIFS, LAUGH1ER. ROUTEMAN. TENTINGS. BUAZE. OVERLIT, VUGG.
Page 14 1. Andrew Fisher 12-5 -624 2. Brian Sugar 11-6 .•120 3. Andrew Cook 10-7 ♦ 421 4. Garoth Williams 9-8 • 24
Overall, the event was a great success and a credit tothe organiser, Lois McLeod. Most people enjoyed the food and accommodation. The annual North-South football match was deservedly won by the South despite a valiant hat-trick from Raymond 'ooh-aah' Tate. The report from the AGM is elsewhere in this newsletter.
The main distraction for me was of course the Clabbers knockout. Sixteen entrants were variously volunteered, dragooned and cajoled into playing what is rapidly becoming a very popular version of our game. Clabbers has all the excitement of malchplay with high scoring potential and the possibility of bluff that the double challenge rule brings. It also seems to be a much better spectator sport than Scrabble.
The competition continued throughout the weekend and games could be seen in progress in various locations. Several bystanders were evidently so intrigued by the game that they succumbed and were later seen playing friendlies. I am always mildly amused when I see the audience reaching for OSWs or muttering "that's not a word" or "why didn't you challenge that?" Clabbers allows those of us witha mischievous leaning to have some fun. With the advent of TCD981 am afraid it is all to easy to innocently say "BIGTH? oh that's in the new dictionary - it's a derogatory term to describe someone with big thighs" which seemed to satisfy a few. Atone point I was especially pleased, having played a non-valid combination of letters to hear a couple of voices behind claiming to know the word. In the shadow ofdouble challenge, several bogus combinations do slip through.
Even in Clabbers, class shows through, however. 25% of the competitors were named Andy or Andrew so it was not loo surprising that two of them made it to the semi-finals. They played each other, with Andrew Cook beating Andy Davis, while in the other semi-final Brett Smitheram beat Graeme Thomas. In the final Brett Smitheram beat Andrew Cook to take the £20 first prize. Andrew won £10 for second place and £1 forthe highest game score of 670. Andy Davis and Andrew Perry both won 50p for longest words (9 letters).
Alness: September 5th (Report by May MacDonald)
Alness Scrabble Club had a very successful (first) Scrabble tournament on Saturday 5th September. We had an entry of 42 players, and considering it was our first event, and a bit away from the central belt, we were pleased with the support we were given. The players were very appreciative of our efforts, and promised to come again next year.
Scrabble Clubs UK presentedus with a trophy for the winner of the A Division, and our local distillery Dal more very kindly presented us with a beautiful cup for annual competition for the winner of the B Division. Also, asa lighter side to Ihe Scrabble tournament, Dal more donated a bottle of their excellent 12-year-old Malt Whisky for a "wee" competition that we organised. The lucky winner was Malcolm Quirie. In addition to theprize winners below, there were prizes for the high game and word in both divisions (Jean Dymock SSI and Carol Grant 100 in A, Marjorie Hislop 441 and Peter Morley 95 in B).
Divioion A Divioon B 1. Neil Scott 1. Jean Gallacher 2. Raymond Tato 2. Margaret Armstrong 3. Wilma Warwick 3. Connie Riach 4. Peter Preston 4. Margaret Karkness
Page 15 Canterbury : September 5th (Results only)
Division A Divioion B DivioionC 1. A.Saldanha 6-0 + 773 1. P.Windsor 5-0-1 ♦ 420 1. P.Cartman 5-1 ♦ 339 2. A.Webb 5-1 ♦ 453 2. R.Hollingworth 5-0-1 ♦ 322 2. D.Beavis 5-1 +233 3. P.Golder 4-2 ♦ 405 3. C.Dolan 4-1-1 ♦ 261 3. A.Brown 5-1 ♦ 211 4. D.Francis 4-2 ♦ 303 4. P.Encarnacion 4-0-2 ♦ 329 4. I.Woolley 4-2 +254 5. Y.Eade 4-2 ♦ 215 5. G.Clark 4-0-2 ♦ 288 5. J.White 4-2 +216
Newcastle Matchplay : September 13th (Report by Viv Beckmann)
Forty-six people met to take part in the Newcastle Matchplay tournament in the Victorian splendour of the Station Hotel.
The tournament went without a hitch, the only unusual incident being when some people who had lost their way in the Hotel asked one of the runners for "a table for three". I know Scrabble players are hungry to win, but they must have appeared to be gobbling up their sets!
There were two divisions, and in Division A Margaret Bunion got off to a flying start winning the first two games with a spread of+293. However by Round 3 Pete Finley had taken the lead, with Neil Rowley, Alan Sinclair and Martin Thompson hot on hisheels. The last round saw a needle match between Pete and Alan, with Pete eventually winning by 1 point to clinchthe Division.
In Division B Nancy Ward and Kate McNulty got off to a good start in Round 1, but Paul Pye had taken the lead by Round 2. Paul kept the lead, and by Round S only John Harrison had the opportunity to overtake him. as they were the only two on four wins. However in their Round 5 clash, Paul eventually won by 83 points to give him his first outright win in a tournament.
Division A Divioon B 1. Pete Finley 5-0-0 ♦ 321 1 . Paul Pye 5-0 ♦ 454 2. MartinThompson 4-0-1 ♦ 208 2 . Kate McNulty 4-1 ♦ 307 3. Amy Byrne 4-0-1 + 193 3 . Win stitt 4-1 ♦ 297 4. Alan Sinclair 3-1-1 ♦ 282 4 . John Harrison 4-1 ♦ 131
SOWPODS League
SOWPODS league matches havebeen continuing to take place. Below is a list of all those players with a winning percentage of 50% or better.
P W L % Hark Nyman 12 10 2 83 Allan Simmons 14 10 4 71 Evan Simpson 34 23 11 68 David Webb 24 15 9 63 Andy Cook 10 6 4 60 Di Dennis 22 13 9 59 Andy Davis 34 18 16 53 Karl Khoshnaw 18 9 9 50 Phil Appleby 10 5 5 50
Asia-Pacific Championship
The inaugural Asia-Pacific Championship was won by an ex-pat Briton, Gerry Carter, who teaches in Thailand. In an exciting best-of-5 final he beat Australia's Bob Jackman, 3-2. From all accounts the event was a great success, no doubt in part due to the experience of Tournament Director Philip Nelkon.
Page 16 Ratings at 25th September |
148 x 198 Phil Appleby (GH) 164 x 170 Jake Jacobs 244 x 160 Janet Phillips 12S x 197 Andrew Fisher (GH) 97 x 170 Shanker Henon 35 x 160 Roger Phillips 59 x 197 Allan Saldanha (GN) 201 x 170 Cecil Muscat 181 x 160 Hartin Reed 113 x 194 Hark Nyraan (GH) 108 x 170 Hartin Thcepson 96 x 160 Neil Rowley 96 x 193 DavidActon (GH) 172 x 169 BarryGrossman 314 x 159 Nuala Clenaghan 164x 193 David Webb (GH) 42 x 169 Tony Killilea 126 x 159 Loz Crouch 165 x 191 Andrew Cook 80 x 168 Hary Grylls 92 x 159 Chris Keeley 135 x 191 Brett Smitheram 121x 168 Andrew Roughton 39 x 159 Wayne Kelly 93 x 198 dive Spate (GH) 216 x 167 HelenGreensway 33 x 159 Russell Hurch 173 x 188 Russell Byers (GH) 292 x 167 Graeme Thomas 226 x 158 Hoira Conway 192 x 187 Andrew Davis 85 x 167 Chris Vicary 118 x 158 David Holland 329 x 187 Terry Kirk (Exp) 380 x 166 Steve Balnent 95 x 158 Frankie Hairey 68 x 186 Richard Evans (Exp) 129 x 166 Simon Giliaa (Exp) 31 x 158 Roy Hi Her 182 x 186 Neil Scott (Exp) 32 x 166 JayneMackenzie 58 x 158 Les Nyoan 185 x 186 Gareth Williams (GH) 256 x 166 Donald MacLeod 386 x 158 Raymond Tate 168 x 185 Helen Gipson (Exp) 86 x 166 Sheila Spate 196 x 158 Rachelle Winer 69 x 185 Philip Nelkon (GH) 48 x 165 JonathanAnstey 62 x 157 Timothy Lawrence 266 x 185 Allan Simons (GH) 343 x 165 Amy Byrne 136 x 157 Pan Titheradge 157x 185 BrianSugar (Exp) 120 x 165 Sinon Carter 65 x 156 Cathy Anderson 148 x 185 Alec Webb (Exp) 93 x 165 Philip Cohen 192 x 156 Nick Deller 103 x 183 Di Dennis (Exp) 56 x 165 Debbie Heaton 231x 156 6ary Fox 69 x 182 Karl Khoshnaw 368 x 165 Ruth Hacinemey 265 x 156 Christine Hamilton 43 x 181 Steven Gruzd 71 x 165 Kenneth Oliver 116 x 156 Iain Harley 69 x 186 Peter Finley (GH) 34 x 165 Kwaku Sapong 75 x 156 Kathryn Le Grove 224 x 186 Hartin Fowkes 161 x 164 DannyBekhor 57 x 156 ThomasHensah 217 x 180 Evan Simpson (Exp) 59 x 164 Graham Wakeffeld 161 x 156 Kate Surtees 138 x 179 Darryl Francis (Exp) 56 x 163 Edward Garrett-Jones 138 x 155 Hartin Bloomberg . 87 x 179 Dick Green 59 x 163 John Howeli 149 x 155 Doug Brown 54 x 179 Ian Gucklhorn 272 x 163 AlanSinclair 58 x 155 Chris Davison 158 x 179 David Kendix 51 x 163 Hartin Thomas 321 x 155 Hike O'Rourke 227 x 179 Andrew Perry 40 x 163 Karen Willis 113 x 154 Amie Ballantyne 96 x 178 Elie Dangoor 153 x 162 Caroline Atkins 78 x 154 Eryl Barker 120 x 178 Penny Downer 104 x 162 Irene Bell 169 x 154 Alan ChiIds 66 x 177 John Grayson (GH) 130 x 162 Brian Bull 40 x 154 Oavid Dawson 74 x 177 Harshan Lamabadusuriya 30 x 162 Alan Catherall 143 x 154 Ivy Dixon-Baird 300 x 177 Jackie HcLeod (Exp) 123 x 162 Graham Harding 75 x 154 Elisabeth Jardine 56 x 176 Linda Pray 117 x 162 Chris Lloyd 142 x 154 Mary Jones 284 x 176 Sandie Simonis 128 x 162 Paul Nind SO x 154 David Lawton 141 x 176 Bob Violett (Exp) 54 x 162 Diane Pratesi (Exp) 54 x 154 Fran Thompson 116 x 175 Paul Allan 161 x 161 Christopher Finlay 49 x 154 Oavid Williams 164x 175 Joyce Cansfield (Exp) 151x 161 Alan Georgeson 235 x 153 Adrienne Berger 131 x 175 Gary Polhill 77 x 161 Jane Gibson 52 x 153 Paul Chadwick 116 x 174 Ruth Horgan-Th (Exp) 52 x 161 Ken Heaton 69 x 153 Colin Hall 159 x 174 Noel Turner (Exp) 106 )c 161 Bob Lynn 54 x 153 Terry Hoi lington 107 x 173 Paul Golder 205 )t 161 David Meadows 85 x 153 Brian Jones 58 x 173 Hartley Hoorhouse (Exp) 262 ii 161 Steve Perry 33 x 153 Keith King 276 x 173 Robert Richland (Exp) 51 )< 160 AdebowaleAjose 33 x 153 Carol Stanley 81 x 173 Hike Willis (Exp) 84 j( 166 Bob Berry 59 x 153 Henry Walton 70 x 172 Chris Hawkins 34 )( 166 Christina Brown 295 x 152 Peter Ashurst 178 x 171 Helen Grayson (Exp) 107 )( 166 PeterDean 75 x 152 Margaret Browne 114 x 171 Peter Preston 293 i( 166 Rob Dowse 99 x 152 Billy Dott 262 x 171 Wilaa Warwick 95 ( 160 Angela Evans 183 x 152 Christina French 161 x 170 Nicholas Ball 211 )( 160 Harion Keatings 31 x 152 Liz Furness
Page 17 80 x 152 Ron Hendra 55 x 146 Josef Thompson 46 x 138 Jacqui Brown 49 x 152 Anne Hidden 114 x 146 Jean Williams 72 x 138 Ceridwen Davies 163 x 152 Doreen Harsh 230 x 146 Too Wilson 33 x 138 Alistair Dowling 194 x 152 Malcolm quirie 99 x 145 John Balloch 123 x 138 NormanHaddow 38 x 152 Ivan Swallow 94 x 145 Marjory Flight 30 x 138 Hike Holland 81 x 152 Dennis Walker 67 x 145 John Hitchell 56 x 138 Sharon Landau 57 x 151 Eileen Anderson 314 x 145 SylviaSwaney 67 x 138 Jane Lowndes 108 x 151 Diana Beasley 217 x 144 Mary Allen 250 x 138 Anne Steward 72 x 151 Sue Bovaan 152 x 144 Hargaret Bright 45 x 137 Jean Bridge 107 x 151 Kate Leckle 43 x 144 Pan Fairless 40 x 137 Joe Caruana 70 x 151 Brenda Hargereson 95 x 144 Sandra Hoffland 88 x 137 Joan Caws 136 x 151 Helen Mitchell 58 x 144 Davina Lathara 93 x 137 June Edwards 35 x 151 HumMorgan 153 x 144 Anne Ramsay 86 x 137 Roma Hollingworth 31 x 151 Helen Rees 66 x 144 Herman Smith 84 x 137 Debbie Kolloway 42 x 151 Judy Straughan 71 x 143 Alan Bailey 85 x 137 Sheila Jolliffe 46 x 151 Peter Thoxpson 108 x 143 Liz Barber 104 x 137 Adesanmi Odelana 48 x 150 Oluyeni Adesiyan 79 x 143 Edelle Crane 64 x 137 StuartPierce 53 x 150 Tony Bailey 63 x 143 Marie English 174 x 137 Dorothy Taylor 150 x 150 Ian Bum 59 x 143 Joanne Hi ley 67 x 137 Rita Todd 70 x 150 Christine Cooper SB x 143 David Keeble 40 x 137 Brian Watson 230 x ISO KoyaDewar 187 x 143 Eddie HcKeom 120 x 137Val Wright 171 x 150 Joy Lloyd 44 x 143 Julie Nelkon 63 x 136 Etta Alexander 65 x 150 Lou McHeeken 138 x 143 Lorna Rapley 111 x 136 Janice Bease 37 x 150 Adam Phil potts 80 x 143 Jayne Reilly 239 x 136 SydBerger 277x ISO Maureen Rayson 119 x 142 Philip Aldous 45 x 136 Jean Carter 70 x ISO Richard Woodward 65 x 142 Sheila Anderson 32 x 136 Val Couzens 147 x 149 Margaret Burden 66 x 142 Tony Davis 60 x 136 James Crooks 90 x 149 Pat Colling 41 x 142 Linda Hi Hard 34 x 136 June Hill 30 x 149 Harta Dunsire 122 x 142 Horraa Howarth 33 x 136 StellaHagnus 348 x 149 Sheila Green 67 x 142 Sylvia Heyrick 45 x 136 Susan Skirving 115 x 149 George Gruner 4S x 142 Barbara Price 85 x 136 Wendy Tiley 52 x 149 Stella Lander 71 x 142 Jan Turner 139 x 136 Lesley Watson 93 x 149 Jean Rappitt 31 x 142 Frances Ure 111x 135 Liz Allen 51 x 149 Lesley Trotter 139 x 141 Linda Bradford 88 x 135 Ian Caws 85 x 148 Ian Betteridge 47 x 141 Beryl Brown 71 x 135 Dorothy Dean 73 x 148 OanianEadie 166 x 141 Ann Davidson 190 x 135 Priscilla Encarnacion 72x 148 Martha Hitchell 59 x 141 Laura Finley 48 x 135 Chris Fenwick 63 x 148 David Nunn 30 x 141 Sheila Hinett 52 x 135 Agnes Gunn 41 x 148 Bryn Packer 63 x 141 Steven Hopper 106 x 135 Fay Hadeley 65 x 148 Carole Rison 170 x 141 Carol Mai kin 80 x 135 TessHcCarthy 126x 148 Alec Robertson 143 x 141 Michael Partner 42 x 135 Ann Pitblado 109x 148 AlisonSadler 33 x 141 Richard Saidanha 41 x 134 Doreen Blake 129 x 148 Haria Thomson 280 x 141 Harjorie Ssatth 92 x 134 Rita Brookes 56 x 147 Linda Bird 213 x 140 Vivien Beckntnn 43 x 134 Kathy Bull en 81 x 147 Graham Buckingham 101 x 140 Jilly Gamett 73 x 134 Barbara Dein 32 x 147 Dorothy Churcher 37 x 140 Maureen Greening-Steer 155 x 134 Kay Johnston 122 x 147 Yvonne Eade 54 x 140 Sally Lewis 64 x 134 Lois HcLeod 168 x 147 Oavid Ellis 97 x 140 Gwynfor Owen 65 x 134 DonnaStanton 42 x 147 Janes Horsfail 33 x 140 Kay Powick 42x 134 Evan Terrett 37 x 147 Peter Liggett 42 x 140 Christopher Quartenaaine 31 x 133 Alan Buckley 42 x 147 Ron Hanton 370 x 140 David Shenkin 54 x 133 Lois Cakebread 277 x 147 Hargaret Pritchett 48x 140 Carol Snith 80 x 133 Jean Dymock 122 x 147 Carol Smi th 107 x 140 Rose Spencer 52 x 133 PatriciaFern 147 x 147 Teena Walls 38 x 140 Malcolm Wearn 31 x 133 Norna Galley 95 x 147 Ricky Zinger 47 x 139 Shirley Angell 97 x 133 Kenneth Gordon 73 x 146 Trevor Bently 140 x 139 Maureen Brough 56 x 133 Mary Oram 60 x 146 Louise Brundell 38 x 139 Haurice Brown 97 x 133 Gertie Roberts 85 x 146 Lorraine Gordon 62 x 139 Heather Frankland 391 x 133 Harlene Skinner 99 x 146 Pauline Johnson 67 x 139 Peter Kelly 45 x 133 Angela Spilsbury 174 x 146 Pat HacBean 231 x 139 Ken Quarshie 134 x 133 PeterTerry 77 x 146 lexis Hackay 101x 139 Barbara Shamas 37 x 133 Pat Wheeler 30 x 146 Ken Matthews 60 x 139 Derrick Thome 79 x 132 NoraBain
Page 18 47 x 132 Michael Baxendale 76 x 125 Samantha Beckwith 124 x 118 Celia Osborn 50 x 132 Janet Braund 47 x 125 Stella Brown 93 x 118 Maureen Reynolds 51 x 132 Nike Buckley 41 x 125 Jean Buckley 53 x 118 Harry Sinclair 43 x 132 Georgina Cook 45 X 125 Martin Cairns 81 x 118 Winifred Stitt 37 x 132 Gerry Donnelly 85 x 125 Theresa Cole 53 x 117 KateBoutinot 120 x 132 Eric Kowarth 71 x 125 Helen Cowie 148 x 117 Barbara Grant 48 x 132 Graham Ha leer . 88 x 125 Marjorie Garrett 34x 117 Ann Kinghan 53x 132 Stan Skinner 73x 125 Joy Hodge 284 x 117 SimonMood 86 x 132 Margaret Yeadon 219 x 125 Stuart Nay 33 x 116 Horag Chamberlain 79 x 131 Margaret Armstrong 162x 125 Sue Thompson 177 x 116 June Clark 94 x 131 Minnie Buik 92 x 124 Kate Barratt 107 x 116 Peter Ernest 37 x 131 Jill Oyer 36 x 124 Linda Barratt 70 x 116 Peggy Frawley 54 x 131 Ann Edwards 46 x 124 Hilary Birdsall 143 x 116 Joan Murphy 48 x 131 Jill Fisher 60 x 124 John Cakebread 131 x 116 Paul Pye 60 x 131 Vera Flood 141 x 124 David French 42 x 116 Sonja Wyld 169 x 131 Jean Gallacher 72 x 124 Hal coin Roberts 33 x 115 HarjorieGardner 168 x 131Vai Hoskings 37 x 124 Kitty Rugman 50 x 115 Peter Hall 30 x 131 AnnHughes 62 x 123 Jean Bakeweii 68 x 115 Paul Harding 68 x 131 Kin Phipps 76 x 123 Martin Byrne 129 x 115 Heather Ilott 30 x 131 Joan Rees 78 x 123 Peter Sine 81 x 115 Vanessa Peters 76 x 131 Millie Scott 63 x 123Eric Smith 64x 115 DawnPierce 106 x 131 June Wilson 200 x 122 Janet Bonham 51 x US Hay Quigley 40 x 130 Wanda De Poitiers 104 x 122 Harjorie Hislop 92 x 115 Fuad Shanrnas 36 x 130 EstherNaylor 65 x 122 Hilda Hudspeth 30 x 115 Iris Shuttleworth 30 x 130 Len Shuttleworth 75x 122 Joe Harsh 78 x 115 Vera Sine 35 x 130 Ho Tilley 37 x 122 Janet Mil ford 106 x 115 Edith Tempest 94 x 130 Isia Milkie 31 x 122 DennisNelson 75 x 115 Kath Hard 62 x 129 Charley Adesoji 32 x 122 Doris Street 95 x 114 Alice Allwood 74 x 129 Eileen Bashan 211 x 122 Julie Tate 96 x 114 Sue Bullock 55 x 129 Jessie Brown 113 x 122 Jessie Tollick 72 x 114 Pat Burgess 49 x 129 Joseph Doku 122 x 121 Carmen Dolan 47 x 114 Mary Ralfs 40 x 129 Luke Keegan 149 x 121 Elizabeth Draper 50 x 114 Joanna Skirving 128 x 129 Mary Lindsay 164 x 121 Vemon Draper 216 x 114 Chris Wide 32 x 129 Brenda Rodweli 43 x 121 Lynn Giles 33x 113 JuneFaulkner 66 x 129 Jean Shaw 42 x 121 Lena Glass 56 x 113 Nicholas Jenkins 66 x 129 Edith Smith 53 x 121 Barbara Kent 33 x 113 Colin Rivington 32 x 129 Sheena Wilson 107 x 121 Nay Nacdonaid 36 x 113 Sheila Tutt 48 x 128 Elizabeth J Allen 44 x 121 MargaretStaunton 105 x 113 Claire Violett 57 x 128 Maureen Austin 34 x 120 Betty Balding 42 x 112 Don Beavis 34 x 128 Jill Bright 38x 120 Bobbie Bennett 45 x 112 Agnes Clark 51 x 128 Sally Fisztnan 62 x 120 Eileen Bradshaw 172 x 112 Hay Gray 65 x 128 Michael Harley 51 x 120 Nicholas Butler 52 x 112 Shirley Heal 84 x 128 Joan Lawrence 119 x 120 Florence Davies 31 x 112 Teresa Hill 41 x 128 Dale Lloyd 47 x 120 Phyllis Fernandez 50 x 112 Alison Pritchard 291 x 128 Marigold Page 35 x 120 Louise Gray 52 x 112 Malcolm Shaw 41 x 128 Monica Stockwell 39 x 120 Joy Hewgili 30 x 112 Ann Toft 79 x 128 Gladys Tierney 45 x 120 Margaret Irons 31 x 112 MargaretWhite 90 x 128 Linda Vickers 71 x 120 Doreen Morris 45 x 111 Paul Farnworth 65 x 127 Sheila Booth-Hi Hard 262 x 119 Ruby Flood 30x 111 Gordon Kinchington 41 x 127 EveConIon 45 x 119 Keith Haynes 46 x HI Freda Harcus 35 x 127 Hoby Cook 55 x 119 Barbara Hill 120 x 111 Christine Nicholson 36 x 127 Joyce Gershon 74 119 Brian Keegan 52 x 111 Steve Powell 71 x 127 SharonGolder 68 119 Alice Nadin 63 x 111 Roy Saunders 285 x 127 Philippa Morris 80 119 Pat Rockley 77 x HI Jacqui White 32 x 127 David Phillips 34 119 Joyce Smith 65 x 110Pat Friend 53 x 127Gil 11 Simmons 54 119 Jo Tebbutt 167 x 110 Lorna Llewellyn 59 x 127 SandraWalton 110 118 Sue Ball 53 x 110 Kay Halpass 94 x 126 Jennifer Clifford 175 118 Garry Clark 46 x 110 Isabeile McLean 61 x 126 Mavis Harding 33 118 Peter Edwards 103 x 110 Eve Hill ington 56 i 126 Mary Riggans 131 118 Margaret Harkness 75 x 110 Olivia Pattern 70 x 126 Joyce Squire 51 118 Audrey Harvey 78 x 110 Sheila Reeve 143 x 126 Pamela Windsor 86 118 Anne Lawton 97 x 110 Paul Steadman
Page 19 54 x 110 Alice Tozeland 62 x 104 Rona Oryden 53 x 95 Susan Bury 65 x 109 Betty Benton 52 x 104 Dorothy Wtiles 125 x 95 Myra Copleston 48 x 109 Gordon Cox 163 x 104 Irene Wool ley 34 x 95 Irene Gower 80 x 109 Julia Glen 47 x 103 John Brown 40 x 95 JeanJohnstone 43 x 169 Kathleen Higgins 215 x 103 Paul Cartoan 40 x 94 Jean Swallow 109 x 109 Irene Lindsay 47 x 103 Una Collinson 40 x 94 Loma Wishart 226 x 109 Norah Thompson 146 x 103 Marjorie Lefley 183 x 92 Barrie Hall 64 x 108 Mary Broadhead 55 x 103 Mary Hanson 47 x 92 Beryl Trace 78 x 108 Florence Fellows 58 x 102 Adele Jones 37 x 91 Rita Manton 62 x 108 Oaphne Fletcher 45 x 101 Ann Clark 49 x 90 Karen Allen 90 x 108 Connie Riach 59 x 101 Rosalyn Lishak 108 x 90 Mavis Ernest 43 x 108 Jean Stevens 30 x 101 Stuart Ross 47 x 90 Margaret Hills 36 x 107 Margaret Bigg 74 x 100 Peter Bashan 63 x 89 Ralph Edwards 73 x 107 Mabel Choularton 51 x 100 Jo Holland 49 x 88 Doreen Coleman 37 x 107 Zoe Cooper 36 x 100 Mfriaa Hoss 51 x 87 Joan Cussens 33 x 107 Roseoary Jones 62 x 99 Sheila Anderson 62 x 87 Cindy Hoi Iyer 42 x 167 Christine Jukes 30 x 99 Sheila Ross 55x 87 OliveMatthew 42 x 107 Mary Keevey 155 x 99 Eric Rowland 192 x 86 Pamela Brown 6B x 107 Winifred Smith 72 x 9B Jack Baker 37 x 86 Mary Warwick 45 x 106 Rhoda Gray 31 x 98 Nellie Cox 39 x 85 Dorothy Edwards 54 x 106 Joan Johns 55 x 98 Winnie Haston 70 x 85 Dorothy Henry 115 x 106 Trish Johnson 31 x 98 Les Searle 62 x 85 Gwen Linfoot 78 x 106 Angie Jones 228 x 97 Harcia Davies 71 x 85 Jean Ross 123 x 106 Holly Lane 57 x 97 Fay Goble 45 x 84 Moira HeteaIf 58x 106 Betty Sharp 38x 97 Oixie Haynes 32 x 84 Helen Pol hi 11 30x 166 Pearl Saith 33 x 97 Nancy Ward 35 x B3 Jane Thoaas 35 x 106 Anne Walker 65 x 96 Vera Allen 33 x 80 May Sinclair 47 x 105 Nary Adams 48 x 96 Barbara Cox 36 x 80 Stanley Wilkinson 50 x 105 Edith Grant 77 x 96 Lionel Howard 48 x 79 Peggy Shorn 53 x 105 Marian Izatt 32 x 96 KathJennings 41 x 78 Mary Shi el Is 85 x 105 Douglas Robinson 70x 96 Vtolette Little 68 x 78 Nancy Yorkston 48x 105 Wenna Robinson 68 x 96 Peter Shuttiewood 30x 72 Michael Herraghty 52 x 105 HelenSandier 180 x 96 Lucy White 210 x 71 Christine Cartman 60 x 105 MargaretSeabrook 41 x 96 Jean Iris Williams 36 x 71 Margaret Craig SO x 104 Audrey Barrington 69 x 96 Fred Burford 59 x 71 John Hacdonald 45 x 71 BessieWinter
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1998 ratings update Although we still await confirmation that there will be a 1999 World Scrabble Championship, the race for qualification places (should it take place) is hotting up. Below is a list of all those players who have completed more than 30 games, and who have a rating of 180 or over. Amongst those "bubbling under" is Allan Saldanha with 194 from 23 games.
Andrew Fiaher 202/80 David Kendix 187/57 Andrew Cook 197/48 Terry Kirk 187/121 Phil Apploby 196/68 Andy Davis 186/96 Helen Gipson 196/61 Di Dennis 186/48 Dick Green 192/33 Richard Evans 185/49 Alec Webb 192/40 Evan Simpson 184/125 David Webb 192/82 Karl Khoshnaw 183/41 Russell Byors 191/76 Andrew Perry 183/90 Mark Hyman 190/46 Darryl Francis 182/57 Neil Scott 189/72 Martin Fowkes 181/82 Brett Smitherani 188/77 Gareth Willians 181/80 Brian Sugar 188/71 All an S i nssor.s 160/B5 Penny Downer 187/31
Page 20 Annotated game: Andy Davis v Helen Gipson I
This was the deciding game in the A Division at this year's BMSC. Going into the game, Helen was on 13wins with reigning champion Andy on 12. butwith a superior spread. Whoever won the game would be the 1998 British MatchplayChampion. Thetwo players provide their thoughts, with additional comments from Brian Sugar.
Andy 1: AEIMSTW
WAME G8a 18 18
An almost-a-bonus-but-not-quite rack, so what tiles should I dump? 1 hale these kinds of decisions! I remember feeling far from satisfied with my actual play. Also considered MAW, keeping the E, or WAMES at D8a for an extra 10 points. Might have played ASWIM if I'd seen it. Is it worth changing just the W?
Brian: Better play is MA W for 16 points, leaving the strong IEST leave. The best-scoring play is WAMESfor 28. but this wastes an S. (Sole: David Webb ran this rack through Maven's simulation feature, and rather surprisingly the optimal move turnedout to be AW, keeping MITES.)
Helen 1: ELORSTU -18
TROULES K2d 74 74
Many choices here. ROSULATE.RESOLUTE. TROULES. OUTLERS and ELUTORS. Spent some time convincing myself that WAME took an S (wouldhave felt a right idiot with this if I'd got it wrong!).
Brian: TROULES is better than ELUTORS or OUTLERS. because it hides the most useful floater, the E.
Andy 2: 1ST GGGU -56
GLUG J6a 10 28
Brian: Awkward rack. G'sare too obstructive. Better to change GGGU.
Helen 2: AAAIOOR +46
ORARIA H3a 14 88
Great pickup - still Andy appeared to have rubbish last time too. Choices of changing or playing off as much as I can. Opted for ORARIA as I prefer slightly aggressive play.
Brian: A difficult rack, and a good find, but the O at 3H is too risky, giving away a potential 30-50 points. Better plays are ARIA at J3a, giving little away, or change all 7.
Andy 3: GIST ADI -60
GIO Hid 12 40
Nice play by Helen -1 wouldn't havebeen sure of ORARIA.GIO seemed a natural play to take out a dangerous spot whilst keeping reasonable letters and creating an S-hook into the bargain. Not happy with my low scoring rate.
Page 21 Brian: Not much option here. Must keep bonus potential.
Helen 3: AOIKOPU -M8
POA F7a 14 102
Not rewarded for the tile turnover. Al least Andy didn't splat me on the triple, and all the Gs have gone which can only be a good thinp in my books. Wanted to play OKAPi but nowhere for it lo go. I spent far too long on this move before I played the singularly unimpressive POA.
Brian: Tltis play leaves a poor rack (OUKl). Better play would be POOKA at E7afor 30. for turnover and score.
Andy 4: ADISTEE -62
IDEATES B4a 74 114
Brian: Takes the lead by 12 points...
Helen 4: IKOUJNR -12
JOIN Lid 44 146
Decided to take another risk here with JOIN. Scored well to keep the pressure on, and if Andy can't take advantage of it my rack leavegives me opportunities to do so in his place.
Brian: I prefer the alternative play OINKat B3afor32. since the placement of the J is bound to give away 30-40 points.
Andy 5: AHLLOYY -32
HAILY B2d 38 152
Could have taken out the J spot with JOLL, butdidn't care much forthe rack leave. Thought it better to score well elsewhere and create another hot-spot to counter another probable high-scoring play from Helen.
Brian: Tliis is better than JOLL LIa because you don't want two Y's.
Helen 5: KRU AEIV ■ 6
JUVE Lla 42 188
Again choices to be made. Didn't like the rack leave from the higher-scoring J ARK/JUKE/JAKE moves. KIVA from the Y looks OK, but could keep the K for next time. JUVE seems to fit the bill - scores well this time, stops easy scoring from Andy and provides opportunities for the next move if still there.
Brian: Two alternative plays worth considering: JUKE at LIa for 45 leaving VAIR, which I prefer to KAIR. or KIVA at A6d, which has the best leave ofURE.
Andy 6: LOYAISW -36
OWLY a6d 35 187
Brian: Best play and score.
Page 22 Helen 6: AIKR BIT + 1
KRAIT C9a 22 210
Andy has taken off the Y. Go for turnover here - still goodies to come and no high scoring moves that I can see.
Brian: Best play since it blocks two possible 7-letter bonus spots.
Andy 7: AIS EMQZ -23
QAT F2d 32 219
Didn't take long to decide on this move.
Helen 7: BI EINV? - 9
BIND Cld 23 233
Got a blank - yippee. Can't do anything with it this time, but BIND scores OK and rack leave not too bad.
Brian: Alternative move, but more open, is KN1VE at C9dfor 24 points.
Andy 8: EIMSZ El -14
SEIZE GlOa 41 260
Again, played this move without much hesitation.
Brian: Takes a 27-point lead. Alternative plays include MISE (DSa)for 35, keeping the Z, or MAKE (EM) for 32 keeping the S.
Helen 8: EIV? ECP -27
PERCEIVe D7d 80 313
PERCEIVE leaped out at me here. Double checked EI/IE as my brain was beginning to stop working at this point. Also worried about the hooks, but had no choice.
Brian: The only bonus playable.
Andy 9: MI CONST -53
CENTIMOS C14a 65 325
CENTIMOS has to be the bonus to play here. I toyed with the idea of forgoing the bonus and playing COMS at A15 for 43. As it happens, Helen would have played OX at J11 and I'd havebeen even worse off.
Brian: Other bonus plays include AUCTIONS and MONISTIC through the I at D12, but it's best to block the DI5 square since there are three D's and two R's to come.
Helen 9: DEEIORX -12
OXIDE H15a 65 378
Page 23 PEROXIDE would have been nice. Choice of OX which doesn't open up the M rankor OXIDE which does. OX also allows bonus above it, and also high-scoring non-bonus move. OXIDE gives extra tile turnover and counter-balances Andy's bonus. No real choice in the end.
Andy 10: DDLORRT -53
DORT LlOd 26 351
Started to feel my title slipping away at this point. I possibly played this move loo quickly. Maybe the same word would have been better placed at II la, or even just DOR, to leave the possibility ofa DR- word at L10 next time (although this would rely heavily on picking up one of the remaining vowels, whichwere in short supply at this stage).
Brian: Keeps in touch and offloads duplicates.
Helen 10: ER BFNU? +27
FOB Klla 26 404
Got the second blank - double yippee. Only 3 left in the bag, and no bonus play that I can see here. Play off FB to keep one in the bag and keep good rack opportunities for a bonus play-out.
Brian: Unseen letters from Gipson's side: HANDLERFTN. The only possible bonus for Davis is FILANDER at CI2a, so an alternative play is FIBRE at CI2a. This virtually kills off bonus options, but since FILANDER would only be a face-value bonus, FOB is best, for score and to try to use the blank profitably.
Andy 11: DLREFHN -53
EF D8a 10 361
Helen had left me one tile in the bag, and I felt at this stage that I could only win with a bonus. Decided to dump the F rather than the H. Note that the F would have scored more at 113, but I didn't want to restrict the floating I at D12.
Brian: One in the bag. Better play is AH at ESfor 10, since the only possible bonus is FILANDER. The best-scoring play is LEHR at A15a for 47, narrowing the deficitto 6 points, but since Cipson 's previous play has shown her to have the blank LEHR is a losing move.
Helen 11: ERNU? NT 443
TUNER Alia 10 414
Lots of bonuses that wouldn't go down here. STUNNER, UNTURNED. RUNNIEST and STURNINE were what I could see at the time. At this point though I knew that I didn't need a bonus as Andy's HANDLER would not go down. I had a good 10+ minutes left. Just concentrated on a two-move play-out (after spendinga few minutes pondering other bonuses but none came to mind, and double-checking that I hadn't missed a brilliant play from Andy's rack). Played TUNER to ensure several 20+ point last moves.
Brian: Missed bonus ENaUNTER at Old. but it is academic. She knows the game is secure.
Andy 12: DLREHN A -53
LEHR A15a 47 408
Page 24 Was pretty sure lhat REHANDLE is the only possible bonus with an E. Wasn't 100% sure of either LEHR or PERCEIVER. but I was past caring at this stage.
Helen 12: EN? + 6
ENs D5a 22 436
ENS - wasn't worried if this was the best move in the world !!!!!!!!!!!!
Final score: Helen 440 Andy 404
Summary: This was a pretty well-played game by both players. When it was later put through the Critiquer computer program, which gives a percentage based on the quality of play, Andy scored 87.1% and Helen a highly impressive 94.3%.
In the end, it was probably the second blank that made Ihe difference. Once Helen had picked it up on move 10, the game was pretty much up for Andy.
The added bonus for Helen is that her performance has pretty much guaranteed her a place in the UK team for the 1999 World Scrabble Championship. h o See page 20 for more details...
Top tips for Scrabble Players:
Cheap and stylish personalised jewellery can be made by simply gluing together un-needed Scrabble tiles. Threaded on a piece of dental floss, they make ideal birthday presents.
Jack Flaggon, Rhyl
Stella Lander posted the following excerpt from a letter receivedfrom the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The letter was headed "Dear Scrabble fan ". The production, 'All Credit to the Lads', was scheduledfor the end of September. If any readers saw it, I'd be interested to hear all about it! There are these two lads. Ken and Frank - well they were just lads when they met in third form. Now they're married to Carol and Judy; but that's not what it's all about. They meet up every Thursday evening, have done for thirty years, and on those Thursday evenings they play Scrabble. They like words. Words like 'fantasy', 'strip' and... 'football'. And basically at the end of the day, that's what it's all about, until Pete arrives. That's Pete,the fugitive goalkeeper in search of a safe house.
Page 25 Across the board
Once again we have a splendid selection of board positions for your delectation, with the emphasis this month on the endgame. But first, a revisitation of one of last issue's positions.
This was the position from Diane Pratesi's game at the Summer Matchplay against Raymond Tate.
Raymond's rack: EERSTV?
Diane's rack: NOU
Score: Raymond 250 Diane 474
Raymond's excellent bonus spot was SERVlETtE at D7d. But both Mark Nyman and Stu Goldman (US) spotted aneven better move. Can you see it? If not, see page 45 for the answer.
Frankie's final flourish
My thanks to Chris Finlay for this endgame position, which occurred in a friendly game between Chris and Frankle Mairey. The game is unwinnable, but can you see any bonus plays for Frankie?
Frankie's rack: AEITTU?
Diane's rack: EDU
Score: Frankie 281 Chris 399
Turn to page 45 for details.
Page 26 Second chances
The following two positions are similar, in that the first player had a chance to win.In each case,the chance wasn't taken, but it required brilliant play by the second player to win the game.
Both games were played using SOWPODS. but in the first, OSW-only knowledge is sufficient to solve the problem. In the second game. Ihe solution involves at least one OSPD word.
This was the situation that faced Andrew Fisher in a a game against Russell Byers in the SOWPODS division at the Nottingham Nomads event in August.
Andrew's rack: ILRRRT?
Russell's rack: ACEIORT
Score: Andrew 354 Russell 323
Spotting that Russell could play EROTICA at Cld, Andrew blocked Ihe bonus with TIRLs at C3d for 9 points. Can you see a better move for Andrew? '' n o
Now place yourself on the other side of the table. Andrew has played TIRLs, blocking your winning bonus. You're 40 points behind on a very blocked board. Is there any way you can win? Russell managed to find one...
Russell's rack: ACEIORT
Andrew's rack: RR
Score: Russell 323 Andrew 363
The solution to both parts of this two-stage puzzle is on page 45.
Page 27 This position occurred in a SOWPODS game between Phil Appleby and David Webb. It had been a cracking game, with lots of bonuses, and despite my poor final rack it still looked likely to be my game. And so it should have been. There are at least two possible winning moves. Can you spot either of them?
Phil's rack: EEFIIIR
David's rack: DEIMORT
Score: Phil 391 David 379
My eventual move was FIBRE at H4a for 28.
So now put yourself in David's position. Coincidentally, the deficit is identical to that faced by Russell, 40 points. Can you spot the winning move, as David did at the time?
David's rack: DEIMORT
Phil's rack: ED
Score: David 379 Phil 419
You'll find answers to both parts of the problem on page 45. m o
Top Tips for Scrabble Players:
Scare your opponent by continually playing words such as "KILL", "DAGGER", "YOU", "GUN", "DEAD" etc.
Karl Fang, County Limerick
Lost your 'Snakes and Ladders' dice? Glue together the letters I-G-B-Y-K-X into a small cube and Hey Presto, an instant replacement! Almost.
Frank Frank, Edinburgh
Page28 A blow for humankind Playing Scrabble against a computer can be a depressing experience. But just occasionally it's possible to get a modicum of revenge, as Brett Smitheram describes...
In the game preceding this one, TSP had played RETAINS (not a blank in sight) twice, back-to-back. Justas I began to think it might not be holding the bag above shoulder height (!), I was shocked into realising exactly why it has a 210+ rating.
I was 305-272 ahead with 12 tiles left in the bag. A reasonably safe lead on such a tight board with (checking the racks afterwards) TSP holding the relatively unthreatening CDELRR?.
Can you seethe move with which TSP turned the game around?
The next game, however, saw me strike a blow for humankind. After playing BANTED and picking KINNOR?, and having spotted the only seven on the rack, 1 was disgusted to see TSP block my position with PASHA.
However I found an even more pleasing move that was nottoo far removed from Plan A...
Can you see Brett's move?
The moves on both boards are described on page 45.
CDEFOH I JKLMHO
Page 29 Scrabble and Sex
Now that she's got your attention. Margaret Bright will broaden your mind...
No. this isn't an article about aprcs-Scrabble activities at weekend tournaments. As I'mone of those people who retires to bed at 10 pm for a little word play with my Psion, I wouldn't regard myself as qualified to comment on such things.
Perhaps "Scrabble and Gender" would be a better title, although not so eye-catching, because this article examines male and female performance - playing Scrabble, I mean. As well as being a keen Scrabble player, I'm one of a rare breed, a female chess player. Only about 3% of serious club-standard chess players are women, because for some reason women can't get their brains around the game and consequently don't enjoy it. It was therefore pleasing to find that the sexes are relatively evenly balanced in the Scrabble world. A quick analysis of the newsletter ratings shows that 62% are female. Obviously, for women. Scrabble is a far more appealing game. Being a combination of strategy and word power, it means that men, with their perceived superior spacial awareness, and women, with their perceived stronger linguistic ability, should be able to compete on equal terms. Oh yes? Take a look at these statistics:
Rating % women 190 + 0 180-189 12 170-179 22 160-169 33 150-159 49 140-149 63 130-139 74 120-129 78 110-119 73 100-109 83 under 100 80
It would appear that although women like Scrabble, they aren't much good at it. There is only one woman in the top 20 players, Di Dennis at 19. Why is this?
The question canbe approached from two angles. Is it something to do with the nature of the game, or more to do with sexual differences in temperament and brain power? As it appears that men, particularly younger ones, excel ut Scrabble aswell as chess, it would suggest that good spacial awareness, sound strategy, and a firm grasp of probability theory are considerably more important than word knowledge. Personally, I would dispute that. The top players have amazing word power, aswellas all the other necessary skills. The top women will probably be as good where word power is concerned, but do they fall down a little on strategy? On the few occasions when I play top men, I find theytend to playa tighter game and are good at closing down the board at the appropriate time. Perhaps men's strategic skills give them the edge?
Other reasons why women seem to be disadvuntaged have more to do with social conditioning and the nature of everyday life. In general, women lack the killer instinct, which puts them at a disadvantage in the highly competitive worldof Scrabble tournaments. So many women still have what I would term a "parlour game mentality". That's fine when you have a few friends fromyour club round on a Sunday
Page 30 afternoon, but at matches and tournaments, for 50 minutes your opponent is your worst enemy and has to be beaten. A more aggressive and positive attitude could work wonders, girls! The other big problem is the intrusion of everyday life. Most women have spouses, families, and jobs, and a million things to think about. Do you mentally compile shopping lists while waiting for youropponent to move? You shouldn't. For the duration of the game, you should be totally concentrated on the task in hand - winning! Men are usually better when it comes to single-minded concentration, and this isn't necessarily because they don't have other demands on them. Yes, many of the top players are single, relatively care-free young men, but where are their female counterparts? Yet some top players arc family men, who these days will probably be sharing home responsibilities with their wives. Many of the best woman players have husbands, families and jobs, yet still manage to reacha high standard. Women might do better if they workedon improving their powers of concentration rather than whinging about all the housework.
So, girls, pull your socks/stockings up! Improve your strategy, cultivate the killer instinct, and learn to concentrate. Watch out lads, it will soon be women on top!
Ed: It's Interesting that Margaret wrote her article before Helen Gipson 's brilliant performance at the BMSC. I'mnot going to get involved in any of my theories - I'll leave that to you, dear reader! However I do know that Helen has been putting a considerable amount of work into word-learningduring 1998 - make of that what you will...
Clabbers Eulega I
Inthe October 1997 Newsletter, I wrote an article about a Scrabble variation named Clabbers, alternatively known as anagram Scrabble. Everyone who's tried it thinks it's great, none more sothan Horace Euromilk, who has decided to start a Clabbers eulega. Over to Mike, er... Horace...
The Clabbers Eulega is technically open to anyoneand it doesn't really matter where or when games are played though I've nominated myself as coordinator/ratings officer and will try and publisha list of up-to-date ratings at least once a month aslong as people keep me informed of games played.
Clabbers rules for the Eulcga areas follows:
(1) Normal Scrabble rules apply except:
(2) All words played can be valid OSW (TCD93) or anagrams of valid OSW words. Currently there are no plans for SOWPODS - though if anyone wants to start a SOWPODS league do please help yourselves!
(3) The double challenge rule applies - this means that the standard challenge format is enhanced whereby if the word or move is vindicated then the challenger misses a turn.
(4) Clocks are optional.
(5) Blanks must be declared and will remain asthe declared letter throughout the game.
(6) For anyone wishing to take part in the Eulega, initial rating is 150, and current rating format applies - i.e. +50 for a win, -50 for a loss and opponent's rating for a draw. The 40-point rule also applies.
Page 31 (7) I rather think it is pointless for two people to play a number of games and then send the results in so I'm going to arbitrarily suggest that to register for the Eulega, results must come from a match with a minimum of four players.
There are no planned Clabbers tournaments as yet though sideline events at major Scrabble tournaments may be rated if a majority of competitors agree.
The BMSC saw the introduction of Clabbers as a sideline event (seethe BMSC report for more details) with 16 people taking part. Several other intrigued spectators decided to dip their toes in the Clabbers water and discovered just how addictive and great fun the game is.
The first Clabbers Eulega Round Robin was played by Mike O'Rourke, Nuala Clenaghan, Graham Wakefield, Jake Jacobs, Nick Deller and Chris Hawkins took place in Peterborough on Saturday 12th September. The fixtures were manually organized as the match proceeded so it was quite coincidental but also very exciting to find that Jake and Chris, both unbeaten on four wins, were matched in the final round, with Chris triumphing.
We averaged 502 points per person per game on the night, with plenty of 100+ moves. There was (if I recall correctly) just one valid ten-letter bonus was played (by Chris Hawkins) - LANTERNING onto a N-I-G combination on the board.
Much amusementwas caused byNick trying (unsuccessfully) EULOGIAS, as, when we looked back at an old APSP newsletter, Nick himself, in one of his amusing word list articles had described EULOGIA in OSW as an unusual plural of EULOGY, hence it didn't take an S. Pity he couldn't remember writing it!
The final positions on the night were:
W-L Spd. Ave. HiSc Racing* 1 Chris 5-0 *514 546 590 200 2 Jake 4-1 *268 507 617 180 3 Mike 3-2 - 91 526 612 160 4 Nuala 2-3 -145 503 535 140 5 Graham 1-4 -193 476 558 120 6 Nick 0-5 -353 453 558 100
* The ratings are Clabbers ratings based on an initial pre-match ISO rating.
If you've never given Clabbers a go, Chris Hawkins recommends it as an entertaining diversion from the *tcdium'(!) of playing Scrabble incessantly.
; Causes for Celebration!
October 24th is a very important date for several prominent members of the UK Scrabble fraternity. No, don't bother looking at your "Forthcoming events" list; there are no tournaments scheduled. I'm referring to a much more important type of Scrabble match. Indeed, not one match, but two.
Congratulations and very best wishes, from the Newsletter and all members of the ABSP, to Mike O'Rourke and Nuala Clenaghan, and to Andy Davis and his fiancee Zoe, all of whom are getting married on October 24th. We hope you have a wonderful day, and that the weather gods (as well as the tile gods) are looking down on you!
Page 32 Twenty Questions : Helen Gipson
This issue we find out what makes the new British Matchplay Champion tick, as it's Helen Gipson's turn to answer twenty questions...
1. What do you do for a living? I'm a software engineer.
2. Who are your favourite and least favourite opponents, and why? My favourite must be Terry Kirk, who I think would be high up on almost everybody's list. He is a perfect gentleman - doesn't moan, can add up... My least favourite - hmm, that's a toughie I would probably have to say Andrew Perry becausehe keeps beating me!
3. How did you gel into playing Scrabble? I played Scrabble from a young age with my grandmother, who really loved the game.Nick Jones, whom I met through work, introduced me to thedelights of the club and tournament scene.
4. Tell us one thing that no one else knows about you. At the age of nine I steered an RFA ship out of Southampton harbour.
5. Away from Scrabble, what is your greatest claim to fame? My husband Paul and I were the Welsh Mixed Pairs bridge champions a few years ago.
6. Do you keep the fact that you play Scrabble secret from your work colleagues/otherfriends? No - but I try to not bore them too much !
7. If you could change one thing about Scrabble what would it be? Nothing really. It would be interesting if you could swap racks with your opponent when they are grumbling about their tiles and you are sitting with something like AIIRRRU !
8. What other hobbies/pastimes do you indulge in? I used to knit a lot, as people who have seen some of my jumpers could testify to, but I don't have the time now. I like to spend money (as Paul will testify). I am also a very keen gardener - which is handy for picking up plant names and spending money!
9. Have you ever appeared on television? Only in a local news item after I won the S.E. regionals in I99S.
10. What is your current ABSP rating and what do you think it should be? Currently it is 185, but should be in the mid 190s next year. This may be too high - time will tell.
11. How far would you travel to play in a one day tournament? Up to 100 miles depending upon the number of games and the likely standard.
Page 33 12. Who would be your ideal date Tor a romantic evening out? Well, 1 shouldsay my husband Paul but Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, Cary Grant (in his heyday)
13. What was your greatest moment in Scrabble? Winning the BMSC this year. I was close last year but crumpled under the pressure after leading throughout the first two days. My nerves were really on edge in ihe last game this year.
14. On average how many games of Scrabble do you play a week? If I go to the club then 3 or 4 games, else none at all!
15. Which football team do you support? Leeds United.
16. What do you think is thethe best word that you have ever played? I don't know about best but I was extremely happy with FRABJOUS.
17. What's your favourite film, and TV programme? "Some Like It Hot" and "Dad's Army".
18. What would be your idea of a perfect day? On holiday in Scottish Highlands with good weather.
19. Would your life be better if you stopped playing Scrabble? No - although I would have a lot more time to spend on other things I would miss seeing thefriends that I only catch up with at tournaments.
20. Have you ever lied about your age? Yes - primarily when under-age in pubs.
The American Experience I
Sir William Haughty was back in Britain after his US speaking tour. Much had happened during his three months in America. Bill Clinton had been publicly humiliated, the FTSE index had fallen by 25%, andmost significantly of all, the former Alternative Palace of Sometime Parliamentarians had been given a fresh coat of extremely expensive gold leaf paint and was sporting a splendid new sign outside welcoming visitorslo the "Affiliated Brethren of Sometime Parliamentarians". Sir William was not overly enamored of the revised nomenclature ("Makes us sound like the kind of club that Michael Foot would try to gel into"), but he was pleased to be home, and the prospect of some high-stake Scrabble games was enough to put anyone in a positive frameof mind.
As he stood at the bar, quaffing a glass of 1962 Mouton Rothschild, he began to expound the virtues of SOWPODS. "Marvellous it was, out in a foreign country, natives barely able to speak proper English, and I could play Scrabble without having to remember whichwords would be disallowed - and as you know, with my vocabulary that would be rather a large number, 1 can tell you."
Curiously, his colleagues were less enihusiastic. Faced with such opposition. Sir William rose to (he occasion.
Page 34 "Gentlemen", he announced (ignoring the several lady ex-Members in his entourage), "SOWPODS is the future of Scrabble. We ignore it at our peril. It is the force that will bring the world together, that will allow people of every race, of every culture,to combine with a common purpose. No more will we struggle alone, locked in our past, afraidto face the future. No more will we be shackled by the self-imposed chains of isolation. SOWPODS will allow us to cast off our uncertainties, to emerge triumphant into a bright new world of opportunity and excitement. In short, my friends. SOWPODS is the only way forward!".
It was a rousingspeech, reminiscent of his finest days in the despatch box, but it was a complete waste of time. The following day, when Sir William asked for a vote as to whether the monthly knock-out event should switch from OSW to SOWPODS, he was outvoted by 63 votes to 1.
Perhaps it was a consequence of this unexpected setback (Sir William was not regularly acquainted with widespread rebellion amidst the ranks), but he was less than his usual dominating selfin his opening game against Henry Hollingsworth, a rather pompous back-bencher who'd lost his safe Tory seat in the May 1997 election. Indeed Henry could, and should, have consigned Sir William to a place in the Plate event ("the Rabbits shield", as he often referred to it). Holding AEMOORT, and needing only to block the one remaining bonus spot, Henry had proudly played TEAROOM, which Sir William had immediately challenged off the board. "But I was in one only yesterday" was the aghast response. "It's fine in SOWPODS". Sir William replied with considerable pleasure, placing his own winning bonus in the recently-vacated hotspot. "As is TEASHOP, TEAHOUSE, TEAMAKER... even TEALJKE". "But tea is English, not American!" persisted his defeated adversary. "And so are redundant hyphens and spaces - right, who's next inline for a thrashing?"
The answer was Ian Redpath, one of the few Labour members of the ABSP and, far worse as far as Sir William was concerned, a Northerner. Again it was a tight game, and again the outcome rested on an unfortunate late decision, when Ian attempted to extend SCAR into SCARILY. "Serves you right for not reading the newsletter. SCARILY was featured in a piece last Christmas. Of course it's fine in SOWPODS", was the unsympathetic response.
And so it continued. One after another, Sir William's opponents threw away winning positions by playing words that were only valid in SOWPODS, to the delight of the former PM. First there was ILLER ("The comparative form of ILL is WORSE, the superlative form is DEAD, I thought everyone knew that"), then REINVENT, played by a Blairite Lord who obviously believed that his party had reinvented itself, but was clearly proved to be wrong. ("You can do pretty much everything more than once in America - REANOINT, REBEGIN, REDRILL. REENTER. RELACE, REPRICE. RETEST... you can even REMATE if you feel so inclined!").
In the Final, Sir William met his old adversary Peregrine Milksop. It was a cracking game, with the lead changing hands continually. But gradually Sir William edged clear, gaining a useful 40-point lead approaching the endgame. It came down to the final racks, with Peregrine having to find a bonus beginning with U, holding CILNPU?. It didn't take him long - "UNCLIPs for 75", he announced, confidently. "Challenge!", Sir William announced, successfully.
Afterwards, as they stood at the bar celebrating the triumphant return of Sir William, it was pointed out to Peregrine that he could have played a perfectly valid bonus. All he had to do was play the blank as a T rather thana S. "An older form of UNCLIPPED", no doubt, someone nearby interjected. "How can you have UNCLIPT and not UNCLIP". asked Geoffrey Winstonley, who was perfectly used to unclipping schoolgirls' bras. "You can have it in SOWPODS. old chap", replied Sir William. "Enlightened chaps, these Americans..."
Page 35 Word Play
Kvetching the dreck
It's been a while since our esteemed Chairman, Graeme Thomas, had a word list published in the newsletter. Time to put that to rights...
During a recent car journey we passed the time by a discussion of the Yiddish words in OSW. The discussion was hampered by a lack of detailed knowledge of what words were in. When I returned home I immediately set out to rectify this deplorable situation, and the list below gives the answer. I have been as inclusive as possible: the words in the list may only be derived from Yiddish, and may not be Yiddish words themselves. In some cases, where a word has multiple meanings, only one of the meanings is Yiddish.
Since Chambers is full of cross-references it is possible that I have missed a few variant spellings of some of the words. bagel bagels blintz blintze blintzes cholenc cholents chutzpah chutzpahs daven davened davening davens dreck dreckier dreckiesc drecks drecky fin fins gazump gazumped gazumping gazumps gelt gelts golem golems gunsel gunsels halavah halavahs halva halvah halvahs halves hutzpah hutzpahs kibitz ' kibitzed kibitzer kibitzers kibitzes kibitzing kiahke kishkes knaidel knaidloch knish knishes kreplach kvetch kvetched kvetcher kvetchers kveCches kvetching latke latkes lokshen lox loxes mamzer mamzerim mamzers momzer momzerim momzers matza matzah matzahs matzas matzo matzoh matzos matzot matzoth roaven mavens mavin mavins mazeltov mazuma mazumas mensch tnensches meshuga meshugaas meshugaasen meshugga meshugge meshuggenah mesheggenahs meshuggeneh mesheggeneho mishegaas mishegaasen moiser moisers nebbich nobbichs nebbish nebbishe nebbishcr ncbbishers nebbishes nebish nebishes nosh noshed nosher nosheries noshers noshery noshes noshing nudnik nudniks oof oofs ooftish ooftishes pastrami pastramis patsies patsy phooey rebbe rebbes rebbetzin rebbetzins rugelach ruggelach schemozzle scheir.ozzled schemozzles schemozzling schlemiel schlemiels schlemihl schlemihls schlep schlepp schlepped schlepper ochleppers ochleppier schleppiest schlepping schlepps schleppy schlopo schlimazel schlimazels schlock schlocker schlockers schlockier schlockiest schlocks schlocky schmaltz schmaltzes schmaltzier schmaltziost schmaltzy schmeck schmecks schno schmock schmocks schmoes schmooz schmooze schmoozed schmoozes schmoozing schmuck schmucks schmutter
Page 36 schmuteora achnook schmooks schnorr ochnorred schnorrer □chnorrers schnorring schnorra achnozzle schnozzloo achcick schticks schtik ochcika schtocm shammash shairasaahim sharmea ohaicraosim shamus chanuaes shemozzle shenozzled uhenozzles shemozzling □hicker ahickered shickers ohicksa shicksaa ahikaa akikaas shikse □hikaes shiraozzle ahimozzled ahimozzles shimozzling ahlemozzle shlemozzled □hlemozzles shlemozzling shlep ahlapped shlepper shleppers shlepping shleps ahlimazel shlimazela ahlock shlocka shmaltz ohmaltzes shmaltzier 3hmaltziest shmaltzy shir.ek ahmoka shoo shraock ahmocka shrooe ahnoeo shmoose shmoosed shmooaes shsoosing ohmooze shraoozed ohmoozos shnoozing shstuck ahnucks shtecel shtetelach shtetels shtetl shtetlach shtetls shtick shticks ahtoom ohtura shtunsn shtup shtupped ahtupping shtups shul ohuln shul 3 smack amacks sturan caouria taourises tsuris tauriaea tush tushes tuahie tushies tuohy tzimnes vigorish vigorishes yarraulka yaxmulkas
yannulke yarmulkea yenta yentas
Do U Do Requests?
Well, life got interesting at the BMSC! There I was, relaxing after what is highly likely to have been a defeat, quietly humming to myself, when some dude came up and said "You're the guy who does those articles forthe newsletter, aren't you?". I agreed I was, and when asked if I did requests I fairly non-committally said "Perhaps". "Shut up bloomin' humming then!" came back the response. Well, that's not very nice, is it?
Rather more interesting was being asked to do some lists to help cope with gluts of Us and Is. To be honest, I tend to feel that if you're really overloaded then the best place to put excess nasty vowels is back in the bag - if you're lucky, youropponent willpull them next turn! But there are times, of course, when you have to find a dump play. Let me carefully define this list, since it's a Lexpert classic. It's all the words of 3 to 5 letters, with 2 Us, and excluding anything which I another word + S. I might have lost a few non-plurals that way, so proceed with caution.
AUGUR: Ah yes, that augurs well. 1 think it's common enough to let straight past.
BUCHU: A rutuceous genus with medicinal leaves. Gee whiz.
BUCKU: Another spelling of BUCHU. which is an interesting word inthat it appears to come from Hottentot. This is almost entirely irrelevant, but I like typing the word "Hottentot".
BUNDU: What's a bundu? What do you expect a bun to do? I fear I've missed my lime by about 100 years, I could have worked the music halls! Actually, a BUNDU is a remote, uncultivated region. Like my comedy...
BUSSU: Ooh, I think I've heard of this now I see the definition. It's a kind of American palm tree with ruddy great leaves.
DURUM: I won't. It's a little too easy. I'll just settle for it being the kind of wheat used to make flour for really good pasta.
Page 37 FUCUS: I've played its plural, FUCI, on occasion; but without really caring what it means -just vaguely assuming that it's probably rude. Turns out it's an obsolete word for cosmetics, or a kind of seaweed, probably why it became obsolete.
FUGUE: A sort of musical composition thingy. A bit classical for me, I think Bach or someone had a Toccata and Fugue in D minor or something, but I don't know...
GURU: Some kind of spiritual adviser who goes around making obtuse remarks like "Ah yes, my son, never varnish clams with the wind against you, for that way lies only sticky cockles".
HUMUS: Take your pick on this one. It's either decomposed organic matter, or a middle eastern hors d'oeuvre. There are times when my comments are redundant, and this does seem to be one of them.
JUGUM: A rather weird insect-type thing - "a process on the back edgeof the (brewing that unites it to the hindwing in flight". Quite why, I don't know.
JUJU: An object of African superstition. I probably won't make any flip comments here, since my head is quite small enough relative to the rest of my body as it is.
KUDU: An African Antelope with spirally horns. From Hottentot, just forthe record!
KUDZU: An ornamental oriental papilionaceous (here he goes, straight out of music hall again) edible plant. Hmm, that died away a bit towards the end, didn't it?
KUKU: Not a cuckoo, but a pigeon from New Zealand that eats fruit. I could probably work a mention of kiwi into this but you know, the old effortto reward ratio and all that...
KURU: A rather nasty relative of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease found in Papua New Guinea. No jokes.
LUAU: Yummy Hawaiian party foodwith coconut and... octopus and... taro? What the
LULU: There once was a singer called Lulu, who was taken by some for a guru. She'd shout "We-e-ell", so all present could tell that her "Scots" roots owed more to the Zulu. What the heck does that mean? It means "a thing or person that is outstandingly bad or impressive - origin obscure". So I could be right!
LUPUS: A form of tuberculosis that does nasty stuff to the nose.
MUCUS: Oh dear. OK, practical demonstration time. Catch a cold. Stick your finger up your nose. Withdraw your finger. The stuff on your finger is mucus. Ewwww...
MUNTU: Derogatory South African slang for a black African. Well, I wonder which side of the fence that one was developed...
PUDU: An eeny weeny little South American deer, about a foot tall, with spiky antlers. Sounds to me like the fauna equivalent of a splinter...
PUKU: An African antelope of undisclosed size which turns up near rivers and swamps and the like.
PULU: A sort of Hawaiian silky fibre dooberry. Is it just me, or is this thing being dominated by South Americans, Hawaiians, Africans and Hottentots this month?
QUEUE: Oh, this is tormenting me. I'm close to my deadline, this is crying out for a top-notch Scrabble related pun, and I'm damned if I can think of one. Instead, I'll just randomly mention the word EULOGIA. Next time you see me, feel free to ask me why...
QUIPU: Oh, quite a useful addition to an existing QUIP. I suppose. It's a sort of Peruvian memory aid with knotted strings. I'll have to remember that - either that or get knotted...
Page 38 RURU: RURU, RURU... I keep meeting this word and then forgetting it. 1 think it was on one of the challenge slips I carried in my sit-out round at Exeter this year. It's an owl, or a tawny frogmouth (no, really!), or a boring person. In Oz or NZ.
SULU: No! Trekkie alert, trckkie alert...what are you doing...no, keep away from mc.aah. There, if that doesn't upset someone, nothing will! Actually, it's just a Fijian sarong, which is a tad disappointing.
SUNUP: This has cropped up recentlyaswell, and quite where has slipped my mind, which is clearly going. It's just sunrise really.
TUQUE: One of those words that everyone seems to know (except me) - butdid you know it's a kind of Canadian cap? Oh. You did. Damn.
TUTU: A little ballerina's skirl. Don't even imagine me wearing one - oops,too late... sorry!
UHURU: A Swahili word, this one - meaning independence, or freedom from slavery.
UNAU: Having worked through about 10 pagesof un-s, I finally discover a two-toed sloth.
UNCUS: Something like a hook. If you don't realise, I've just discovered that I've now missed my deadline with this, so expect the rest to be even more rushed and less funny than usual...
UNCUT: Not cut, goddammit!
UNDUE: The precise opposite of what this article is, as I write...
UNDUG: Goddammit again! Not dug!
UNGUM: Stop being gummed... you know the saying about an infinite number of monkeys withan infinite number of typewriters eventually producing Hamlet? I think this would take two monkeys ten minutes...
UPRUN: Run up, I should think. And if Chambers can gel away with denning "nosebleed" as "a bleeding from the nose", then I can get away with this.
URUBU: A South American vulture.
URUS: The aurochs. Which is... (shuffle shuffle shuffle)... the urus. GODDAMMIT! Or a wild ox.
USUAL: Need I bother? No. Moving on...
USURE: Another word for USURY, which follows shortly
USURP: To take someone else's role, or crown, or... etc, etc, you getthe gist...
USURY: Loan sharkery, really.
UTU: Settlement of a debt or retribution or similar in New Zealand.
UVULA: For speed, a bit of the inside of your mouth. Look it up if you're bothered!
VOULU: From French. Deliberate, studied.
WUSHU: Should be the noise of a sneeze, is actuallythe collective term for the Chinese martial arts (I so nearly typed "marital" there - I'm all ofa fluster, I really am...)
ZULU: A Scots fishing boat. Has come up before.
Sheesh, that was hard work. Maybe next time round it'll flow a bit better. Still, whatcan you do with such rubbish letters! Until December...
Page 39 Coining soon FREE to all members....
SOWPODS CONVERSION KIT
UNDER 1,500 WORDS IN A HANDY A5-SIZE BOOKLET
Most members will now be aware of the UK Scrabble movement's consideration of moving to SOWPODS (see the announcement on the magazine cover). Al the same time, negotiations are still ongoing between Chambers and the OSPD copyright owners in the US, Hasbro & Merriam, for permission to include OSPD words in the next edition of OSW (due out during 1999) to make it a SOWPODS word authority.
To provide ABSP members with an insight into the sort of words that will be allowed under SOWPODS, and to provide some assistance for those who might want to experience SOWPODS before any significant decision is made, Allan Simmons has compiled a useful Conversion Kit. This will be in the form of a 36-page AS booklet consisting of a selection of the essential words unique to OSPD that would be allowed under SOWPODS.
The lists covers twos, threes, fours, vowel-heavy words, JQXZ words, and a selection of the most useful 7 and 8-lelter bonus words. Definitions are provided for most of the words and there will also be a handy single A4 sheet of all the essential words. There are just under 1,500 words but you probably need only be familiar with half of these to be play SOWPODS to your current OSW rating level.
The Committee arecurrently reviewing the draft before publishing the booklet. It is anticipated that the booklet will be issued freeto all members with the December newsletter.
Canonical hours
With the new edition of Chambers now readily available, many people are dipping in andfinding the occasional gem and the (sadly) more frequent error. For example, did you know that the word IDENTIFY no longer appears? Graeme Thomas recently found some curious inconsistencies relating to the Chambers approach to prayer...
I have occasionally seen, in my extensive reading, reference to the seven canonical hours of the Roman Catholic church. There are PRIME, TERCE. SEXT, NONES, VESPERS, COMPLINE, MATINS, and LAUDS. Those ofa mathematical bent will already have noticed a problem here: there are eight of them.
The problem gets worse when we look at Chambers' definitions:
PRIME: The first of the lesser hours of the Roman breviary. TERCE: One of the seven canonical hours of the divine office. SEXT: Originally the 6th, now the 4th, canonical hourof the divine office, at midday. NONES: A church service originally held at the 9th hour, afterwards earlier. VESPERS: The last but one of the seven canonical hours.
Page 40 COMPLINE: In the Christian liturgy, the 7th and last service of the day. at 9pm, completing the set hours for prayer MATINS: One of the 7 canonical hours of the RC Church, usually sung between midnight and daybreak, or now by anticipation the afternoon or evening before. LAUDS: In the RC Church, the prayers immediately following matins.
What on earth is going on here? None of these make any sort of consistent sense. Does anyone have a suitable answer?
Book Review: Scrabble for Beginners I
My thanks to the ABSP Committee's newest recruit, Ian Burn, for reviewing the latest addition to every serious Scrabble player's library...
Despite its title. Scrabble for Beginners by Barry Grossman is far from just a guide for novices to our favourite game.
Starting off by guiding the reader through the intricacies of the play and scoring system, the author evokes the confidence of the raw reader, prior to launching into details of strategy. As befits any serious Scrabble work, the early chapters deal with the building blocks for an all round game. In the chapter entitled 'Most Useful Words' we were advised of the basic requirements of a good knowledge of the 2-letter words and also those 3-letter wordswhichwere either vowel or consonant heavy, or which contained the high scoring tiles. The chapter rounded off with a brief section on Qs without Us.
Armed with the 2-lctlcr word arsenal, we are aimed at basic bonus words, using the RETAIN and SARNIE stems. The aim of the section is to ram home the importance of the 2-letter words, as much as introducing bonus word sets.
At this juncture, the book moves away from basic lists, and into the theory of building up words, either by simple hooks or utilising standard prefixes and suffixes. The usual culprits are here: -ING, -ER, as well as the less common, but equally usable, -MAN and -MEN. Good use is made here of probability theory, showing how the 5040 possible combinations of seven (different) tiles can plummet to a manageable two if the UNDER- prefix is (found and) removed.
Before allowing the reader to get carried away with this plethora of additional knowledge, Barry highlights some of the well known idiosyncrasies of the Chambers Dictionary, UNSISTERED is fine but no UNBROTHERED. you can UNHAT, but don't even think about UNCOAT. Throughout the book. Barry's sharp sense of humour keeps the reader's attention: after noting that UNLIVE was fine, but that UNDIE wasn't, there was a humorous aside regarding nether garments.
Having got thus far, the reader could be lulled into a feeling that Scrabble was easy. Reality forces us back down to earth with a chapter filled with racks which could be the subject of many a nightmare. The emphasis is on ways of playing through a bad rack, using collections of vowel light andvowel heavy words. There is a standard health warning about the dangers of potentially opening up the board with a vowel heavy collection, giving away a potential opponent's bonus for a mere pittance of points.
The instructive part of the book concludes with a section on anagrams, full of old chestnuts such as THE CLASSROOM and SCHOOLMASTER, as well as anagrams more useful in the CLABBERS , sorry SCRABBLE, situation.
Page 41 Throughout this section, all 'unusual' words are highlighted with brief dictionary definitions at the end of the chapter in which they are used. This encourages the reader to view them as part of the language, rather than just a string of letters, and overcoming the "that can't be a word" riposte of many a new player.
The second section of the book takes us through the vagaries of the Chambers dictionary, laced with Barry's previously mentioned sense of humour. I will not spoil future reader's enjoyment of this section with any examples; suffice to say it is well worth a read.
The final section of the book is given over to general puzzles based on thepoints raised in the first section.
The book concludes with a general plea for aspiring players to join their local Scrabble club, and gives the standard Mattel address details as a suitable starting point.
I purchased the book on behalf of the Scrabble club which I run, taking the view that it would be a good starting point for new Club members, who can so often be putoff by the plethora of lists and (sometimes) conflicting strategies. Having read the book, it not only fulfils my initial expectations in giving a helping hand to those new to the game, but it is also an enjoyable read and can help the more seasoned player.
With a cover price of £5.99. it is attractively priced and would make an excellent and welcome Christmas present for most club players. Poetry Corner (anon) I
I take it you already know Of though and bough and cough and dough. Others may stumble, but not you On hiccough, thorough, lough and through. Well done! And now you wish, perhaps To learn of less familiar traps. Beware of heard, a dreadful word That looks like beard and sounds like bird. And dead: it's said like bed not bead - For goodness sake don't call it deed. Watch out for meat and great and threat (they rhyme with suite and straight and debt). A moth is nota moth in mother. Nor both in bother, broth in brother. And here is not a match for there. Nor dear and fear for bear and pear. And then there's dose and rose and lose - Just look these up - and goose and choose, And cork and work, and card and ward And font and front, and word and sword. And do and go, and thwart and cart - Come, come, I've hardly made a start! A dreadful language? Man alive, I'd mastered it when I was five.
Page 42 Readers' Letters
Note: Any opinions expressed by ABSP Committee members in theLetters section are personal opinions, and do not necessarily represent committee policy.
Roma Hollingworth: I know that you number amongst the elite (minority) who favour (or should I put "favor"?) the general introduction of SOWPODS.
Do I speak for the majority of the non-elite of the 564 people on the present ratings list when I say "Leave us to OSW as weknow it and introduce a SOWPODS Division at every tournament for those that want it." Incidentally. I didn't notice it get all that much support at Sheffield.
If you insist on international type Scrabble for tournaments may we plead for one non-SOWPODS division at every tournament please.
Come on you D.C. and B division players. Stop being the silent majority and let us hear your views.
Ed: I received Roma's letter before the recent survey sent out by Philip Nelkon to all clubs and ABSP members. It seems that the survey suggests that the majority ofpeople favour the introduction of SOWPODS, although with words derived from OSPD being highlighted, this doesn 7 preclude OSW-only events.
It's undoubtedly true that SOWPODS divisions haven't received much support. The BMSC provided more evidence of this. I believe that the main reason is that people don 7 want to confuse themselves by learning words that they wouldn 7 be able to use in OSW games. It's not that difficult moving to SOWPODS ■ after all, every word you 've ever played will still be playable; but once you 've moved, it's very hard to go back!
Penny Downer: 1 enjoyed reading Evan Simpson's annotation of my game against Phil Appleby at the Southampton Open. I very much appreciate Evan (and all annotators) giving what must be considerable time and effort to this task. I always enjoy playing through the annotated gomes and hope they will continue to be a feature of the magazine.
No criticism is intended here, but I was slightly disappointed that Evan dismissed my move 7 (AE for an illustrious 2 points!) as merely an "unsubtle opening*'.
This move took a great deal of thought and achieved several criteria which I considered important at that point: i. To distract my opponent from the floating G at HIS, offering the possibility of a high-scoring bonus ending in -ING (hence I had to retain IN). So "unsubtle" was part of the plot. ii. I felt I needed a bonus, so had to keep two bonus places open or risk ending up in a cat and mouse
game. iii. The opening itself,if blocked, was unlikely to offer a huge score and might give back TWS opportunities on row 1 or column A.
What's more, 1 didn't know XOANA and couldn't see any reasonable scoring opportunities! Ideally I would have liked to offload OA in the "unsubtle opening" but could notsee a way. Any suggestions?
Page 43 I hope this doesn't sound like a whinge - it isn't meant to be -1 just thought other readers might like to know what was going on inside my head!
Ed: I think Penny is absolutely right. Even the very best annotators can't get inside the players' heads, and understand the thought processes that were taking place. There are many outstanding players (Mark Nyman is a good example) who occasionally play moves that seem odd or irrational, but have involved deep analysis of the board situation, the tiles that are yet to come, and the play of their opponent. Perhaps the best solution is (as in this issue)to include the thoughts of the players as well as the annotator.
Steve Balment: Firstly, apologies for always seeming to write just before the deadline (Ed: That's why your letters are always towards the end of the Letters section Steve!), but I suppose that's better than not writing at all.
On my way to Stirling for the Scottish Round Robin event, I noticed the sign: "Dalkcith - twinned with Jarnac" !!!
Interested to see the new weighted rating system getting the nod at the AGM, especially when so many people who voted for it don't even understand the present system! I've followed up my workings from the previous newsletter to incorporate this new chosensystem in my current situation (it really takes an awful lot of working out) and it has thrown up one or two interesting points that I thought I ought to share.
My current rating on the present system after Newcastle is 165 (from 380 games). My current rating using the weighted system for my last 100 games (which takes me back to Exeter at Easter) is also 163. No surprise there really as my up and down tournament form seems to equal everything out.
Where the surprise comes in is adding on extra tournaments where a bad run continues. My 1998 tournaments still to come are Sheffmatch, the Nationals at Wolverhampton, and the Isle of Wight event, which will add another 35 games in all. Assuming I have a bad time at all of these (using a tournament rating of 125 from all three), the following situation occurs. On the present system, my rating would dip to 162 from 415 games. On the new weighted system using the last 100 games my rating plummets to 145.1 know I have used a hypothetical situation but it's not unheard of for a player to have three bad events in a row. I wouldn't have a problem with a rating fall of that magnitude, but I daresay there are quite a few players who would!
With regard to the final paragraph of your statement on page 42 of the June newsletter: I too am greatly saddened by the present OSW/SOWPODS schism as I think it smacks of elitism and is certainly something that should be discouraged. However in the light of your comments I would be interested to know why you competed in the SOWPODS section at the Nomads event in August.
It is often stated that new words/dictionaries etcare good for the game, but it is worth remembering that the vast majority of APSP (ABSP?) members are attracted to tournaments by the fact that they have been playing at clubs. I know from personal experience at the clubs I have been involved with that it is very, very difficult to entice potential new members tostay once they are "introduced" to the 2 and 3-Ietter word lists, and the introduction of even more of these words is going to make that situation even more likely. Without new club players, we won't get new tournament players, and then what happens? Food for thought, I think.
Finally, thanks for all your work on the newsletter over the past two years; the new editorial team have a hard act to follow.
Page 44 Ed: One of the main purposesof the new weighted ratings system is to make the ratings more responsive to current form. I think Steve's example illustrates how responsive they could be! One thing I 'd be interested to know is whether January 1st will still be the critical date in so far as decisions on ABSP Masters or World Championship qualification are concerned.
With regard to my decision to play in the SOWPODS division at the Nomads... the bottom line is that, like most people who 've tried it, I find it far more enjoyable playing SOWPODS Scrabble. I genuinely believe it would have been better if we had stuck to OSW-onlyfor rated games until a formal decision to nvitch to SOWPODS was made (if indeed that ever happens). That said, since SOWPODS divisions are now being organised at a number of events. I'll happily take part in them.
The question of what causes newcomers to continue coming to Scrabble Clubs, and whether or not they make the transition into tournament players is, I believe, a very complex one. The number of weird two and three-letter words may be one factor, but I think there are many others that are equally important, such as the welcome they receive, how helpful the members are, how competitive the newcomer is, etc etc. My experience is that many people who come to Scrabble Clubs, if they are allowed to refer to word lists during their early visits, find the number of useful new words very exciting, rather than off-putting. What do others think?
Correction: In Slu Goldman's letter in Issue 61,thereference to the first player arriving 2 minutes and SO seconds late should of course have referred to the second player.
Answers to puzzles
Across the board
• The move spotted by Mark Nyman and Stu Goldman is the nine-timer bEJABERS at Aid for 146.
• There are two possible bonus plays - ATTUItE at E3a for 63, and the move that Frankie actually played, the far more impressive EqUITATION at H Id for 80. The final score in the game was a win for Chris by 387-373.
• (1) Andrew's best move is eRR at D6a, also making eTWEE, for 11 points. This leads to a comfortable win. Other moves such as ReLIT at C6a also win, but by smaller margins.
(2) Russell made the brilliant play of OAT at D2d for 12, setting up the unblockable ERIC at Ala for 36. Andrew's best response is OR at A14a for 8, but this led to a 372-370 win for Russell.
• (1) Phil's most comfortable winning move is KIERIE at J14a for 20, leaving IF. This provides the opportunity for high-scoring out-plays at Bid or A 14a. The highest-scoring move,which provides an adequate buffer whatever David plays, is FEERIN at BlOd for 42.
(2) David's winning move was IMIDO at lid for 26. This sets up the lovely out-play of TREF at H Id for 30. Phil's best response is EME/EF, but without an out-play with II, this is still doomed to failure. The final score was 443-440 to David.
• (1) TSP played LaCQUEYED at L2d for57.
(2) Brett spotted INKhORN on his rack. After TSP's play of Pasha, Brett played STINKhORN at G7d!
Page 45 Tournament Details
Following a couple of calls during the last few weeks, here's a quick summary of the standard approach to publishing event details.
For all weekend events, separate forms will be distributed with the newsletter. For day events, unless specifically requested otherwise, details will be published in the newsletter itself. This is the ABSP's preferred method, as it saves money forthe association. Currently there is no charge for distribution of entry forms, although it is possible that this policy may be reviewed in future.
Unless otherwise stated, the following notes apply to all events:
• The cost of the event includes a ratings levy. • Positions are determined based on wins and spread. • Smoking is not permittedwithin the playing area • If you do not enter a division on your application form, you will be placed in the appropriate division based on your rating. • Entrants can request to play in a higher division, although the tournament organiser reserves the right to reject the request. • Tournament organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone applying to enter the event. • Send an SAE with your entry form for confirmation of entry and additional details such as directions to the venue. • Please arrive on time!
News of forthcoming events
Coming up soon, one of the UK's most popular events - it's a tribute to the pulling power of the Isle of Wight tournament that it doesn't need to circulate entry details with the newsletter,yet it attracts more players than virtually any other event in the Scrabble calendar. At the time of writing the event is full up, but you might still try calling Noel Turner in case there are any late cancellations.
For anyone who fancies a bit of winter sunshine with some Scrabble thrown in. next year's Thailand Scrabble Championship is switching from OSPD to SOWPODS. Having played in the event twice, I can thoroughly recommend it. It's one of the most exciting and friendliest Scrabble events in the world. I don't have the exact dates, but I know it is towards the end of January.
If you can't wait that long, there is also a Scrabble Funtasia event in Singapore on December 26lh-27th. If anyone wants more details of either event, give me a call and I'll try to find out more.
The 1999 events list in the UK is already Tilling up nicely. It includes the 23-game Whit Weekend event being organised by Vanessa Peters. In terms of the number of games, this will be the longest ever event in the UK.
Both the ABSP Winter Malchplay and next year's Easter Matchplay will include SOWPODS divisions, if there is sufficient demand. Assuming there is a 1999 World Championship. I suspect a few of the players may choose to get in some practice at Exeter.
Page 46 Event details
Leicester West End event: Saturday 20th February 1999
Venue: Leicester West End Neighbourhood Centre, Andrewes Street, Leicester. Parking at premises and on street nearby.
Time: Registration from 10:00-10:15. First game: 10.4S am. Prizegiving: approx 5:30 pm.
Format: 5 games matchplay.
Divisions: 2 or 3, depending on number of entries.
Prizes: Prize fund of approximately £200.
Cost: £930 for ABSP members. £10 for non-members. Deduct 50p if bringing a chess dock. Cost includes tea/coffee. Lunch is notprovided, so bring a packed lunch, or use local pubs or takeaways nearby. Entries: Please make cheques payable to "Leicester West End Scrabble MF\ The closing date for entries is February 6th1999. Send cheques, and an SAE for confirmation and directions, to: Marjorie Smith, 9 Brazil Street, Leicester, LE2 7JA.
Telephone: Marjorie Smith on 0116 255 1176
East Sussex Matchplay Tournament: Saturday 13th March 1999
Venue: Hailsham Community Hall, Vicarage Lane, Hailshum. The hall is adjacent to Wealden Council Offices in the centre of town. There is ample car parking and easy wheelchair
Time: Registration 9:30 - 10:00. First game: 10.30 am.
Format: 5 games matchplay.
Divisions: 2 or 3, depending onnumber of entries.
Prizes: Dependent on number of entries.
Cost: £9.50 for ABSP members, £10.00 for non-members. Deduct 50p if bringing chess clock. Cost includes tea, coffee and biscuits. Lunch is not included; a packed lunch is recommended, although there is a cafeteria in the adjacent Leisure Centre.
Entries: Please make cheques payable to "Hailsham Scrabble Club", and send them,with a genericentry form, to Stan Skinner at 2 Nursery Lane, Windmill Hill, Herstmonceux, East Sussex, BN27 4TP. For confirmation of entry and direction, enclose an SAE.
Telephone: Stan Skinner at 01323 832003.
Page 47 Forthcoming Events I
Date Tournament iNOtfiomes) Contact Telephone Iss.
O«17 * East London (6) Pat Macbean 0181 539 1358 60 Octl7 • Glasgow (5) Tom Wilson 01698 263054 61
Octl7 SW Evergreen (3) Derrick Thome 01934 643183 . Octl8 » Middlesborough (5) Trish Johnson 01642457108 60 Oct31 • Elgin (5) Lorraine Gordon 01466 794332 Oct31 • Vectis event. Isle of Wight Noel Turner 01983290027 Oct31-Novl •Isle of Wight Noel Turner 01983 290027 Nov 3-6 £ Langham Hotel, Eastbourne Derrick Thome 01323 731451 Nov6-8 £ liingham Hotel, Eastbourne Derrick Thome OI323 731451 Nov 8 * Havering (6) Christina French 01708701578 62 Nov 9-13 * Hope Scrabble Holiday Clive Spate 01159200208 Nov 14 • Edinburgh (5) Kenneth Ross 0131 661 4400
Nov 17-24 Malta Scrabble Holiday Kathy Rush 01928 733565 - Nov 21-22 • ABSP Winter Matchplay (11) Mike Willis 01908 668117 62 Nov 28 * Swansea (5) Robert Johnson 01792296886 61 Dec 6 • Merton (6) Vanessa Peters 0171366 9237 61 1999 Jan10 * Richmond (6) Peter Ernest 0181894 3791 62 Jan 29-31 •Chester Weekend (16) Kathy Rush 01928733565 61
Feb 3-10 Cyprus Scrabble Holiday Kathy Rush 01928 733565 . Feb6-7 * Nottingham Nomads (16) Clive Spate 0115 9200208 62 Feb 20 * Leicester West End (5) Marjorie Smith 0116 255 1176 62 Feb 27-28 •Coventry (15) Vanessa Peters 01713669237 62 Mar 13 * East Sussex (5) Stan Skinner 01323 832003 62
Mar 16-23 £ Park Hotel, Tenby Beryl Brown 0143237010 . May 29-31 •Whit Weekend (23) Vanessa Peters 01713669237 62 Aug 7-8 • Nottingham Nomads (16) Clive Spate 01159200208
Note: • = registeredfor rating; ? = subject to ratings confirmation; £ = commercial event.
The ABSP Newsletter is published regularly six times a year, in February, April, June, August, October and December. The deadline for the next issue is November 23rd, 1998.
Please send contributions to Phil Appleby, Thorns Cottage, Mount Pleasant Lane, Lymlngton, Hampshire, SO41 8LS, or e-mail to phll.appleby @uk.lbm.com. If you need to contact me urgently, my phone number is 01590-682971.