THRILLYJOEL Joel Wapnick Wins 1999 Worid Scrabble Championship

No 69-December 1999

The bi-monthly magazine of the ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH SCRABBLE PLAYERS

THRILLYJOEL Joel Wapnick wins 1999 Worid Scrabble Championship

Scrabble® is a registered trade mark of J W Spear and Sons pic. Leicester LE3 2WT. United Kingdom. Hit bitWord Dtambtr 1999

THE LAST WORD No 69 - December 1999 The official magazine of the Association of British Scrabbio Players

Contents Back in 1993 we all shared his joy, now we all share his pain! MARK NYMAN failed in his attempt to World Championship results 3 become the first person to win the World Scrabble WSC review 4 Championship on two separate occasions. The tide ABSP Winter Matchplay 16 went to the player Mark defeated in that final, JOEL Annual GeneralMeeting 18 WAPNICK, whowon 3-1 in the best-of-flve final. Playing a Winning Gane 20 There were other excellent performances from many Across The Board 21 Brits including ANDREW FISHER, RUSSELL (Less Than) 20 Questions 22 BYERS and ANDREW COOK who all registered Letters 24 top ten positions. Ratings at 31 Dec 1999 -26 Words of the new millennium 32 There will definitely bean ABSP organised event in You just never know ... 33 Scotland in 2000. The SUMMER MATCHPLAY You think you hate Scrabble? 34 tournament will now take placeat Edinburgh Tournament Reports 35 University on 8 and 9 July. Wellies and woollies are Forthcoming Tournaments 40 not necessarily required, according to the organisers The Back Page 44 (hmmm _ I've spent my summers in Scodand before, so I can't put my name next to that one!) Full details and entry forms will be in the next issue

Further developments on the SOWPODS franc well The TLW editorial team o always looking for tournament news at least! In November the for contributions from you, the members/ HAVERING Scrabble Club made history when it became the first to offer more a SOWPODS division Perhaps you have played in an at its tournament aimed at lower rated players - a interesting game which could be move which encouraged many such players to try the annotated or featured in our Across dictionary for the first time. And in the next few The Board section? Seen a Scrabble weeks a SOWPODS tournament is totake place in story in thepapers which might London, organised by FEMIAWOWADE and interest our members? Any particular MARCO POST. word lists which give you trouble? Youmay even havean opinion on Please note that Vanessa Peters is now organising the some the articles published in our JERSEY SCRABBLE MASTERS between 18 and Letters pages! 24 March 2000. If you haven't got an entry formyou can obtain one from her (please send an sae). More Addresses for submissions are on the details appear in the tournament section. Entry backpage. Don't delay, send in today! forms should be distributed to clubs very shortly. December1999 Page 3 The bit Word

38 Janes Cherry CA 13 -27 World Scrabble 39 Michael Pray 0M 13 -369 40 Pakorn Nemitrmansuk TH 13 -382 Championship 41 Jeff Grant NZ 13 -588 42 Ishtiaq Chishty SA 12.5 399 43 Odette R1o PH 12 569 44 Brett Smitheram UK 12 SS5 Melbourne, 3-7 November 1999 45 Robert Felt US 12 360 46 Jim Geary US 12 3S8 47 Roland F111O BH 12 285 Final: Joel Wapnick beat Mark Nyman 3-1 48 Lester Schonbrun US 12 100 49 HoIon Gipson UK 12 37 Game scores: 50 Pui Cheng Wui NY 12 6 51 Saheed J1noh NI 12 -22 52 Matayo Bwire KE 12 -31 Game I: Wapnick 623 Nyman 308 53 AlbertHahn CA 12 -48 54 Owen Bondin MT 12 -293 Game 2: Wapnick 330 Nyman 444 54 A Ganesh MY 12 -293 Game 3: Wapnick 472 Nyman 349 56 Ullraa Warwick SL 12 -514 Game 4: Wapnick 403 Nyman 402 57 Akshay 8handarkar BH 11.5 156 58 Paul Cleary AU 11.5 59 59 Taewan Sutthasin TH 11.5 -728 Standings after 24 rounds: 60 Tony Sim SG 11 247 61 Dylan Early ZA 11 US 62 Ricardo Gonzalez SA 11 112 63 Bob Ltpton US 11 -8 1 Jool Wapnick CA 18 1068 64 Steve Poiatnick US 11 -130 2 Hark Nyman UK 17 808 65 Michael Tang SG 11 -172 3 Oavid Boys CA 17 693 66 Peter Sinton NZ 11 -197 4 Adam Logan CA 16 886 67 Potor El bourne MT 11 -319 5 Andrew Fisher UK 16 797 68 Arvtnd Abraham AE 11 -3S9 6 Russell Byers UK 16 647 69 Rashid Khan PK 11 -427 7 Ron Tiekert US 16 366 70 Barbara Berlin AU 11 -487 8 Nigel Richards NZ 15 1616 71 Cher Siong Gan SG 11 -726 9 Andrew Cook UK IS 983 72 KoiIchiro H1ra1 JP 10.S 188 10 John Hoigate AU IS 782 73 Trevor Hoveliiteier ZA 10 197 11 Brian Cappelletto US IS 711 74 Brendan McDonnell IE 10 75 12 Kendall Boyd NZ 15 603 75 Alec Webb UK 10 -33 13 Nawecn Fernando LK 15 217 76 Seiwyn Lobo AE 10 -83 14 Phil Appleby UK IS 191 77 Kong Chock Heng MY 10 -210 IS Joel Sherman US IS 73 78 RodneyJudd PK 10 -366 16 Surosh Chinnaiyah LK 14 910 79 Olson Assesa KE 10 -398 17 Oavid Utegand US 14 820 80 Vivian Penaflor BH 10 -476 18 Jakkrit Klaphajone TH 14 63S 81 Linda Pray 0M 10 -591 19 Virgilio Quiballo PH 14 566 82 Kunihiko Kuroda JP 10 -614 20 John Luebkentann US 14 309 83 Gold Eburu NI 10 -740 21 Mohan Chunkath IN 14 292 84 Wojdech Usaktewicz PO 10 -876 22 Femi Awowade NI 14 203 85 Catherine Costello IE 9.S -237 23 Lisa Odon US 14 151 86 Leslie Charles TT 9.5 -603 24 Stanley Ndungu KE 14 102 87 Roger 81 on AU 9 215 25 Paul Epstein US 14 88 88 Edward Metivier TT 9 -164 26 Bob Jackraan AU 13.5 166 89 A11stairKane AU 9 -353 27 Oavid Webb UK 13 602 90 Eugene Goh SG 9 -498 28 Joe Ediey US 13 447 91 Laurentiu Sandu RO 9 -2008 29 Ronald Credo PH 13 439 92 Jin Nanavati CA 8 6 30 Michael Gongolo KE 13 2S5 93 Johnson Fasuba SC 8 -491 31 Steven Gruzd ZA 13 222 94 Lakshan WanniarachchLK 8 -519 32 Joan Rosonthal AU 13 214 95 AntonIn Michel FR 8 -951 33 Howard Warner NZ 13 194 96 Ohanapala Silva SC 8 -1187 34 Gareth Mil Hams VIA 13 178 97 Mario Saliba MT 7 -868 35 Randy Hersom US 13 106 98 Catalin-Eugen Caba RO 3 -2991 36 Shafique Thobani KE 13 14 37 Aranuay Ploysangngara TH 13 -16 The Last Word PagH December 1999

the waves of tiredness. Unsurprisingly my room isn't ready. I have a shower in the fitness centre, and a change of clothes.

8 o'clock, and time for breakfast. I spot Joel Wapnick, and we have breakfast together. We talk about the upcoming tournament. He shows me some of the OSW word lists he's been memorizing; I'm disturbed to find that many of the words look unfamiliar. Why have I arrived in Melbourne so under-prepared? After breakfast I goup to Joel's room to collect the archive CDs I've ordered for the uk-scrabbte mailing list. I decide to take a walk around the lake in Albert Park, across the road from the hotel, trying to fight off the tiredness. I take with me my mnemonic flashcards, some converted to SOWPODS, the majority still OSW. No time to waste...

What everyone was playing for... I get back at 11:00. Room still not ready. I kibbitz a game between Jim Geary and David Boys. Already thebararea is becoming a centre of Scrabble activity, as it will remain forthe next few days. Finally, around midday I We at TLW would like to record a big thank can get moved into my home for the next youand well done to the team - particularly week. It's a pleasant room - not much of a the sterling performance of Mark in getting to view, but spadous and comfortable. Against the Final, Andrew F in finishing in the top 5, my better judgement, I decide to get a couple Andrew C for a breathtaking 8/8 games on of hours sleep. When thealarm wakes me, I the final day and Brett for his performance on feel worse than ever - disorientated as well as the first 2 days getting up to 4th place before tired. slipping a bit on day 3.

For much of the rest of the day, I study word Phil Appleby wrote a very interesting and lists - 4s to 5s, 8-letter words with four amusing piece on his experiences of the WSC vowels, 5s with two vowels, 7s with two which we at TLW felt you may like to anagrams... Lunch and dinner are room share.....[NB the word Bingos refers to what service. Around 10:00 in the evening I call some ofus call bonuses. Warning: some of Mark, who's just arrived after flying in from a the words mentioned are not in OSW - these 3-day stopover in Bali. We arrange to meet in are denoted by $] the bar. Helen and Paul are already there. Later, Andrew C and Brett arrive. The Brits Monday I st November are on their way...

I arrive at The Carlton Crest at 7:00 a.m. desperately short of sleep but determined to get through the day without succumbing to December 1999 PageS The Last Word

Tuesday 2nd November few days), an unlikely win against Cecilia Ruto when my final rack of AANNOTT gives me I'm starting to wonder whether entering the ANNOTATE as a winning bingo (ANNATTO Melbourne Cup Masters warmup event was a wasn't playable), and a very solid finish against great idea. Perhaps I should have gone to the Ganesh in my final game. Perhaps the most Melbourne Cup instead; or spent the day pleasing aspect of the tournament is that in 8 studying word lists rather than playing games I don't missa bingo; that said, I don'c Scrabble. always find the bestone.

I take a taxi from the hotel with Ganesh from It's interesting to note that I was outscored Malaysia, and Tony Sim from Singapore. 17-13 on bingos. There are some who say Ganesh is shivering, and comments that he's that the number of bingos played is an never been so cold in his whole life • it's the indicator of quality of play. Utter nonsense. first time he's left South-East Asia, and Bingos missed isn't a bad one (the fewer the temperatures in the mid-teens Celsius must better, obviously), and average score per feel like an English winter does to us. move is helpful. But the only true way of assessing quality of play is to analyse each The only other Brit playing in the event is game, move by move. Andrew Fisher. Several of the Americans are there, including Robert Felt, Jim Geary, Lester Wednesday 3rd November Schonbrun and Joel Sherman. A quiet day, much of it spent in my room, The atmosphere is similar to that at many UK studying. In mid-morning I spend a couple of one-day events. Tea and coffee are available hours chatting with Stefan Fatsis, a writer and on tap; buffet food arrives on plates aspiring expert player from the US who is throughout the day. The playing conditions currently working on a book about Scrabble. are slightly cramped, but I'm pleased to see He's excellent company, and interesting to that we're playing on deluxe sets across the talk to - I'm sure the book will be a good table. read.

The tournament goes very well for me. I win I arrange to meet Mark for a practice game my first four games, before losing to Trevor around midday; we eventually finish just Halsall of Australia in an attritional contest in before 3:00.after interruptions for lunch, and which we both go three minutes over time. a photo session for the local paper (they Wins in my last three games give me a 7-1 wanted Mark, not me). I'm uncomfortable +374 record, good enough for second place about being watched while I play - although and a prize of A$200. I'd love to reach the final, knowing that many of the world's top players are watching next As well as two Aussies, I end up playing door would be something ofan ordeal. Still, I opponents from Pakistan, Sri Lanka (2). win the game against Mark with REDACTOR America, Kenya and Malaysia. Highlights late on. so my good run of form continues. include a 100% game (one in which the computer can find no better plays) against The evening reception is great fun. It's nice to Rodney Judd, a cracking win against Robert see the last few Brits, and to meet many old Felt by 499-442 (one of three high-scoring friends such as Amnuay from Thailand and encounters we were to have over the next Kunichiro Kuroda from Japan. It's also great The Last Word Page* December 1999

to meet the other Japanese representative, deficit witha final move FREMITUS. W: 430- KC Hirai, whom many on the uk mailing list 364 will know. The first round draw is a bit nerve- wracking. Although I'm givena tough opening Game 2 v Rashid Khan (Pakistan) against Lisa Odom, I'm pleased to be playing My Game I win should have settled my someone I know and like. I'm standing next to nerves. Far from it. I play absymally against Wilma from Scotland as the draw is made, Rashid. missing an early bingo (IDEALOGY$). and give her a quick run-down on her and playing two phonies, both successfully opponent, Pakorn from Thailand - afterwards challenged. With three tiles left in the bag this I hoped I hadn't made him sound *too* is the situation: formidable. (Wilma ran him very close the next morning, losing by 5 points.) abcdefghijklmno

I get into the playing room bang on time. I have no idea what the best play is. Given the There are sweets on the table, and jugs of score, I need a huge bingo if I'm to snatchan iced water. Nice. Lisa is already there. undeserved win. The IS- hook at 06 is a Needless to say Game I doesn't start at 8:00. possibility - I don't have the right tiles, but H, After waiting for late arrivals, we start around M and O are yet to come; there's a fair 8:30. My aim on Day I is to finish with more possibility I'll pick at least one of them. So I wins than losses. 5-3 would be okay, 6-2 need to create a high-scoring spot on the left good, anything better would be terrific. side of the board. I consider DIT at 3b or 3c, giving the ADIT/EDIT hook, but it seems I'm Game I v Lisa Odom (USA) likely to find myself over 100 points adrift if After playing 9 games without missing a bingo, Rashid has an A and a reasonable play down I miss three in the opening game of the main the A column. Eventually I decide on EDIT at event. UtURGIC and CARPALIA$ are 3a, which doesn't look to give "too* much forgivable. WEaRIFUL is poor (although I was away. running short of time). Fortunately I pick well, and score steadily. ROLLOUTS is a nice way So holding AENT, which three dies would to secure the win, although Lisa cuts the you want to be in the bag? How about HIM? December 1999 Page 7 The Last Word

That's exactly how it turned out. The result is abcdofghljklano that I have HEMATIN$ at 06 fora mere 95. or HEMATINEJ at a2 for 98. Poor Rashid 2| - - A|2 ponders hard, before playing OPAL at 06 for 3| - 0 213 4|' - - A R E|4 21. Blocking the O column must be best; it's 5| P 0 T T 0 S|5 more likely I don't know the -E hook on 6| " J |6 HEMATIN than the base word itself (NOPAL 7| • V I N I C 1 I? 8|FR0E REDOWA S -18 at o5 would have been slighdy better). But 9|0 R E r A C E 0 U 19 either way I have a winning play. Very lucky. 10|N Y LAX M E • 110 11|T 0 R A r W: 415-398. TEAL 111 12|A M U I P I HT 13|N K • E N A 113 Game 3 v Robert Felt (USA) 14|E - H G G I 15|L E LOU T|1S A rematch with Bob Felt, after our Melbourne Cup Masters clash. I slip up on my opening move, playing DAKER for 24 instead Phil 410 James 394 Phil: BEGOSUV of REDOX for42, but generally play a solid Unseen: BEIINRS7 game. But there's not a lot I can do about Bob's excellent start - TEAMING (94), UPTOwNER (80) and JAplNGLY$ (68). I pull Eventually I play OB at 7b, which I believe is back to level with OUTDRIVE for 63, correct James has bingos at bl with BEIINR? OUTDRIVEN/NINE for 54 and UNWRITES (BRalNIER) or EIINRS? (INSplRER). At I h he for 65. The critical moment comes on move has three bingos, but all with one rack 8. There's a floating E, and I'm sitting with (IRoNISED, RESINolD and INSplRED). As it ACCORST for ECTOSARC; but Bob does happens, the final tile in the bag is the blank! very well to spot FOTHERED# around theE Afterwards I discover that I've missed two for 82. My late MANTRAPS only reduces the bingos, UNIALGAL$, holding the unpromising deficit. L 441-495. AAILLNU. and the 9-letter PREVISION (around RE). W: 452-426 Game 4 v James Cherry (Can) I start with REDOWAS for 80. James Game 5 v Peter Sinton (NZ) responds with COWErING for 76 - game on! Although I miss CORNeTCY early on, I play a REFACED on move 3 gives me a decent lead, very solid game, with a pleasing DuLOTIC as and I continue to score steadily. Despite one of my two bingos. Peter never really gets James's excellent FONTANEL, I always feel into the game. W: 438-283 I'm just about in control • at least until the penultimate move: Game 6 v Michael Gongolo (Ken) I'm now on 4-1. and going nicely. But I get back into bad habits against Michael, having a move disallowed early on (DERVE*. getting confused with PERVE). Later, holding DELORRW, I miss LOWRIDER$ around an I. but play a very pleasing endgame which I'll send out separately. W: 396-373.

Game 7 v Helen Gipson (UK) My first game against a fellow Brit. It's a nice. flowing game and I play pretty well, but back- The Last Word December 1999 to-back bonuses late on (STATION and abcdefghijkinno CREATION) take Helen into an unassailable 11- ■II position. L 411-434. 21 12 3| 13 '14 Game 8 v Suresh Chinnaiyah (Sri) 5| FL E G IS My opening rack is ADIHOU?. I ponder for 61 "LISP 16 some time before playing HUIA at 8h. Is it the 71 CORD 17 81- HUIA' •18 best word? And if so, is it the best position? It 91 U A P N 19 certainly doesn't feel like it when Suresh slaps BOXEN * C 110 down HANDIEST at h8 for 89. My second 111 0 0 111 12|* - I U - move is also a difficult choice: 13| - DEVR 113 14| - ZOS ' 151- • T abcdefghijklmno

11- m -11 21 - • - 12 Phil 111 Suresn 191 31 13 Phil: IHNTT?? 4|" • •14

5| - - 15 6| - ■ ■ ■ 16 I have no hesitation in taking the 37 points for 71 17 MIND at I le, keeping TT??. rather than 8|- HUIA' -18 taking 73 points for sMITTeN at m7. My 91 1 A * 19 10| " N • |io pickup is KQR! Suresh plays JIBED at 13, and 111 0 111 things are in danger ofgoing horribly wrong: 12|- I •112 131 ■ e • - 113 14| - s - |14 15|- T -US abcdefghijklmn

11- . -11 Phil 14 Suresh 89 21 - " ■ - 12

Phil: CODOPW? 3| - ' J |3 • - I ' |4

51 FL E G - 8 15 Possibilities include COWPED (which I 61 L I S P E • 16 wouldn't have been 100% sure of) at 19, 7| • • C 0 R 0 17 B|- • H U I A ■ DOWPS at 14c for 19. WAP at 9g for 22. and -18 91 • U A P N 19 DeCAPOD at k5 for 48.1 decide on WAP. 101 BOX E N ■ c " 110 keeping my only vowel. COWPED and 111 M I N 0 0 111 121 • - I U - 112 DOWPS appear to simulate slightly better. A 131 - 0 E V R 113 little later I pick up the second blank: 14| Z 0 S - 114 151- • T • -115

Phil 148 Suresh 221 Phil : KQRTT??

Time to be bold. I decide, and play QUaRK at 12j, praying that Suresh doesn't have one of the two remaining S's. He doesn't. I pick up ELO, play TOLTERs/QUARKs for 85, and I'm back in the game. Approaching the endgame. Deambw 1999 Page? Die Law Word

I'm just about in control, but there's still a Tomy horror. I see that Suresh hasa heart-stopping moment to come: gorgeous outplay, GOA at 2a for 30. Suddenly I'm sweating. Fortunately I have a

Phil 354 Suroih 341 All I needed was a good night's sleep... Ph11: EFILRSU Instead, after going to bed around midnight I Unseen: ADGEEEIIORSTY woke up at 3:30a.m. and never managed to get back to sleep. So now I'm feeling awful, bit If Suresh doesn't play a bonus, I feel that my of a headache, and eyes that are already lead will be sufficient to hang on to the win. struggling to stay open. It's funny how, when 7a-7g is the obvious danger spot, so I play you're desperately tired, but desperate to LIEF for 21, and pick up DE1Y. Suresh plays sleep, somehow sleep eludes you. Particularly RESITE at 8a for 28, leaving the following when missed bingos and missing vocabulary situation: are floating around in your head. Feeling as I am. I could have done without an opening

abcdofghtjkltnno game against the formidable Bob Felt. But chat's what the computer has thrown up. II- A Let's just hope I pick tiles that play themselves 21 I N 12 31 H YEE N 0 G 13 today... M U T E • I T A S| FUG - 8 A IS Game 9 v Robert Felt (USA) 61 •LISP E T|6 7| LIEF C 0 R 0 O|7 An opening rackof EHLNORS, and I make a 8|R ESITE HU I A ' A L|8 horrible error on my first move of the day, 91 WAP N V A T|9 playing HOLER* instead of HERON. After 10| B 0 X E N - C A U E| 10 111 N I N 0 0 0 R|U challenging it off. Bob changes one tile. I get it 121 ■ I Q U RK s|12 right second time round, and Bob plays 131 D E V R - E 113 Z 0 S N PITHEADS through theH. He announces his 151- T -115 score: "Seventy-four".

Phil375 Suresh 369 We each play two more bingos. BEANIES and Phti: EDIRSUY GOLIARDS by me, ENCRATY and VArDIES Suresh: AGO by Bob. As we go into the endgame. Bob is in control. But (as he mentioned in his own The tat Word Page 10 December I9W account of the event) he mistracks and makes at 11. A few seconds later, after FROTHINg a blunder by using his last vowel in MAX/XU. for 167. my 124-point deficit has been The board now looks like this: transformed into a 92-point lead. Randy fights back, but UNCAGiNG for 80 securesa high- scoring win. W: 544-450. abcdofghtjklono

Phil 391 Bob442 Game 12v Jakkrit Klaphajone (Thailand) Phil: AA61LRZ Bob: GLNR For the first time in the tournament. I never have a lookin. Jakkrit plays 4 bingos to my It doesn't take me long to see a neat set-up none, and despite making no major mistakes. I play, RIA at 2b. setting up GAZAU ARIA for am crushed. L 356-470. 52. Bob can dono better than GAL at c 13 for 8. giving me a 451-448 win. BUT • Bob had Game 13 v Rodney Judd (Pakistan) miscounted his opening move It was only Back in the pack at 8-4. and needing a win when I analysed die game a week later that I badly. We exchange early bingos. GERMAIN realised it should have been 78, not 74. So by Rodney, PArGETS byme. but he gains the instead of losing by 3, Bob should have won momentum with REDACTS mid-game. by 1.1 feel very bad about this. If I hadn't been Towards the end of the game, we reach the feeling so brain-dead. I'm sure I would have following situation: checked the score at the time. abcdofghlJK lmno

Trie lesson is, of course, to demand a recount on n- -II every game that you lose by less than 10 points. 21 - - 12 13 W: 451-448 31 4|' H B I ' |4 5| FE A L (01 15 Game 10 v Randy Hersom (USA) 6| GERMAIN EU 0 I - |6 Randy has had a terrific first day, with a 7-1 7| Z 0 D 0 W T • |7 8|- ' N E A T H -|8 record, but is coming off a loss against Joel 9| PArGETS ' |9 Sherman. He starts well, with two early 101 Y E AN " " I 10 111 L A EV 0 J 111 bingos, REMBLAI and SORDINI. He soon 12)V IDE REDACTS 112 establishes a lead of 124 points. That's when I 13 |E X- CULT" M- |13 get very lucky. Following SALUTERS for 77.1 14|G I ' S U 0 N E F 114 15IA A ' - IRONY »|15 immediately pick FROTIN?. with a floating H Otcutbtr 1999 The bit Word

bingos for Mark (AmUSETTE and Phil 334Rodney 344 ALAMORT), and a heavy defeat L 313-532. Phil: 8INRSTV Uni»«n: DEILOOPRRUT Game 15 v Helen Gipson (UK) I spot the slot-in play WRITTEN at m9 for This turns out to be a game in which I feel 28, but hesitate because I'm uneasy about that I keep making the wrong decisions, emptying the bag and handing control of the whenever they are marginal. And even when I endgame to Rodney. But I can see nothing make the right decision, I get kicked in the better, so WRITTEN it is. Is there any teeth. Here's a classic example. Put yourself reasonable alternative? My pick-up of OOP? in Helen's place: secures the win. W: 402-384

abcdofflhijkiano Game 14 v Mark Nyman (UK) 11- 0 UT 0 R 0 V E -11 Often, even after a heavy loss, you feel that 21 A R G A N ■ 0 - 12 • 1 you can trace the origins of the defeat to an 3| - L - 13 • early mistake. Against Mark, after the first 41- - K E T •14 5| - E L IS three moves the situation is as follows: 61 • • P e • 16 7| • U E Y C 17 abcdofghijkitano 8|S • P E N A L T Y -IB 9|Q A X • I 19 B I T E J 0 ■ |io 11- • - •II 10|U ' 21 - • 12 UlI 1 F E N 111 • I • E - ' 112 3| - |3 12IZ E N •14 13| A D 0 1 • L - 113 • - |14 51 _ IS 14| S 61 • • 16 151- 1 - • -Us 7| 1 17 a|- ■ G 0 U K 91 I D E A 19 Phil 31B Helen 354 101 • A P E X 110 Helen: CDEIRST

111 - 111 112 113 With Phil about to play, you have DIRECTS 114 on your rack and nowhere to play it. [There ■115 is DERELICTS at 5g through EL but that's very tough to see.] At this point, holding Phil 24 Nark 64 AHMNORV. Phil plays MHO at la (the best Phil: GIILHNS play). Suddenly DIRECTS slots in beautifully at 3c making ORD. Gl. AR and ONE scoring a I'm not 100% sure of UMINGS and play, too massive 94 points. I manage to slot a late quickly, SMILING at i9. As soon as I've played bingo to complete another high-scoring, but it I realise that I could have played SUMING losing, encounter. L 471-525. at !8 for 13 extra points. But more importantly, Mark's immediate response to Game 16 v Amnuay Ploysangngam (Thailand) SMIUNG is VELOCItY through the L for 82. Against Amnuay my opening rack is IIJSST?. I After SUMING, there is no bonus play. Who play JolST for 3a and pick DEGNR.What knows how the game would have proceeded? happens next is one of the worst sequences Now I'm forced to go after bingos, but my of play I've ever made in a game of Scrabble, attempts to open the board result in further although credit to Amnuay for setting the TbtUnWtrd Page 12 Dtctffibtr 1999 trap. He plays IFF/IT, leaving the following Phil 390 Annuay 413 Phil: 0LKOORV position: Annuay: AACEELU

Best play at this point (unless anyone can tell abcdafghijkltnno me otherwise!) is:

11- -11 21 - - 12 Phil : MOULD at 2f for 18 3| - ■ ■ - 13 Amnuay: CLUE at I c for 17 Phil : ROVE at 13 for 14 51 - 15 6| • • 16 7| • 'IFF 17 The result is a win for Amnuay by 427-425. 8|- J o I S T -18 9| • • • _ |9 ALEC at b6 after MOULD would also give Amnuay the win. But there is a way of making 111 111 life a little less straightforward for Amnuay. I 12|' ' - 112 131 - • • 113 play DROVE at 12 for 18. leaving me an out 14| - * " - 114 play of MOL at j9 for 15. There are. of 1S|- -US course, several possible winning moves for Amnuay at this point but none are everyday Phil 28 Annuay IS words. There's CADEAU or CEDULA for 30 Phil: 0E6INRS at 2j. or CADEE for 28. and there's also CLAQUE at le. I held my breath, hoping he If I'd looked a Ittde harder. I'd have realised doesn't spot any of them. Eventually he played that I have NEGROIDS at e4 for 86. but CEREAL at 3| for 16, which of course wins instead I play ENGIRDS/IFFS. which Amnuay against MOL - but not against MOLL at o I, immediate)/ challenges off the board. He then which I duly play. Aftera recount, my narrow plays ZAP at6f for 39, blocking ail possible win is confirmed. W: 431-427. bonus plays. After that, I certainly don't deserve to get anything out of the game. But The moral is- if you don't have a definite somehow I manage to regroup, and keep in winning move, at least try to make life as touch. But I'm still adrift as we reach the difficult as possible for your opponent. endgame:

It hasn't been a good day. My record reads 4- abcdofghi Jkltnno 4 -332. Once again I've been outscored on II- -II bingos (15-22). even though I've missed only 2|A G A U 12 3|T H 10I 0 • 0 13 oneon the day (NOVEUSH against Randy). 41- INSTEAD •14 But one of my wins was undoubtedly 5| - G 15 undeserved, and another (it turns out) wasn't 61 ZAP OLE I C |6 71 R I F F H 17 a win at ail. 81- J a I ST M E 0 U|8 91 H I R N|9 I reject suggestions of going out for a meal, 010' B T * RJ10 111 N E U I t IIU and spend the evening in my room instead. I 121* WED V R Y A P|12 watch the film "Priscilla. Queen of the 13|G ill E K A E EI13 Desert" on TV - a perfect antidote to a 14|E 0 Y - S|14 1S|N TAHgUS TI15 serious case of Scrabble-induced exhaustion - and fall asleep very early. My chance of winning has pretty much gone, but a good day 1999 Pagt 13 The last Won) tomorrow and I could still come home with 73. After the initial shock, I realise that I can somemoney™ play ISOLEAD parallel to ENFOLDs, making EL/NE/FA/OD. for 90 points. Suresh puts his WSCDay3 head in his hands. "Why didn't I play FONDLEsr he asks? As it happens, provided Thankfully, a decent night's sleep, so I'm I playsensibly 111 sdll win after FONDLE*. raring to go for the final day of the event - The best endgame is SOLDI at 7k, followed the final day for most of us. Targets? 5 wins by DAE at a8, althoughthe more everyday for a top-16 place, 6/7 for top-10. and a dean SLIDE and ADO in the same spots would also sweep might get me into the final- be good enough. I'd like to think that I'd have been up tothe challenge! W:493-413. Game 17 v Suresh Chinnaoyah (Sri Lanka) My first game is a rematch against Suresh. In Game 18 v Jeff Grant (New Zealand) his previous game he'd beaten Joe Edley by For the first time in the tournament I have 336 points - has anyone else *ever* beaten one of those games where I can't go wrong. Joe Edley by 336 points?! So I'm hoping that ACQUESTS, ENHEArSE#. SATUEED. his luck will run out against me. The game CONFLATE and sPIRULAE$ add up to my really comes to life late on. Suresh plays two biggest win ofthe week. W:554-318. blngos (ORBITeRS and REALTIES) to my CAIRNED, but high scores with the Z, Q and Game 19 v Femi Awowade (Nigeria) J give me a decent lead approaching the I'm back in the top ten, but not for long. Femi endgame, and my rack has matured nicely. has the same type of game that I've just had With Suresh to play, this is the situation: against Jeff. He scores 275 points in 4 moves, including AMBOINAS& NAIFeST. and abcdefghijklmno LOcKING. I lose a move trying LOCKINGS* - it sounded reasonable to me; the locking of II- J NAN A -II 21 " 0 • V 12 a door? These damned -ING non-nouns... L* 3| Q U Q I 13 325-533. U R UR 51 A- E L IS 61 • C P XY 16 Game 20 v Pakorn Nemitrmansuk (Thailand) 7| C 0 0 WOO 17 A curious game. Pakorn takes a convincing 8|- A R H 1 PT -18 lead following ESTRIDGE for 83 and 91 I BARN HEN 19 10| R I A I NT 110 CHADOR for 48. After four moves I'm 100 111 N T - ZE A 111 points adrift But INcRUST gets me back into 12|W E o KY B 112 13IE D RE AITIE S - EI13 the game, and we reach this situation with 14|E - S F 0 G I E S 114 Pakorn to play: 15|D T|15

Phil395 Surosh 348 Phil: ADEILSO Untoon: 0EFGLNN0UV?

I have DEASOIL# and ISOLEAD$. but nowhere to play either. However given the remaining tiles on this board, my 47-point lead looks as though it should be decisive. At this point Suresh plays ENFOLDs at n4 for ThtLutWoni Page 14

abcdefghi Jklano bcdefghijkla

11- V | |- SOLANINE K 0|l 2| - E - |2 Phil: 2|- OOU n EXT GU R|2 3| - XI - 13 3| • E • YE A|3 4|- - • N -14 4|f QOL IASE O- R '|4 SI - C- |5 5| VUH R OVOI OJSJ 6| ' R " • |6 6| ■ OAT ■ R|6 7| U -17 7| B ' H E R B I A|7 8|O B 8 E CK E S ' -|8 8|- JUMPS ' W|8 9| A JEE * ST ' |9 9| N 0 H L|9 10|CH 0 N " T * |10 10 j " FAN C IEST • jlO 11JH NAU R - 111 111 A Y |H 12|A HI I M 0 N GJ12 12|P I Z E '112 13|0 OP COITI ON |13 E |13 14|0 0 E FAQ - 114 14|C 1 0 - |14 15|R 0 U Y TE ' -115 1S|E T

Phil 267 Pakorn 290 Phil 401 Odotte 376 Phil: AEILRS? Phil: QINORTU Unjoon: AAEEFLNST I'm sitting with a choice of nine-timers, but But more significantly, I can see TOURING at he's bound to block the O column... He puts 11 i for 69, surely a winning play. As in the down GRIP at olZ then picks it up again. game with Suresh, I get a rude awakening Instead he plays PIT at I2gfor 13 - it turned out the I was his only vowel. I play SLAnGIER when Odette plays BANALEST# at m2 for for 121 and follow it up with ARGUFIED at 72. With a 47-point deficit and Odette holding EF, OUTJUMPS is no use to me now. 6h the following move. A likely defeat turns Fortunately I don't need iL Not 100% sure of into a big win. W: 500-324 OUTGRINS$, I go out with TUTORING at So, lurtchtime on the final day, and I'm just outside the top ten. Three more wins in the j8. W: 467-443. afternoon would be nice... Game 22 v Ron Tiekert (USA) Since Game 6 of the tournament. I've missed Game 21 v Odette Rio (Phillipines) only one bingo. On move 2 against Ron. I Odette and I had had a high-scoring game in miss another - or more accurately, I see Singapore, and this turns out to be similar. FORGEMAN# but decide that I'm Odette starts the game with JUMPS at 8d for probably making it up. It turns out to be a 48.1 make a mental note to keep aneye out tight, low-scoring game with Ron maintaining for OUTJUMPS. I lose a move early on with a solidlead. But after a late AErATES and a pITFACES* - greedy; there were other pickup (FHIKRRS) that has definite scoring simpler bonus plays for 15-20 points less. But potential. I feel that I'm still in with a chance. the bingos start to flow: FANCIEsT and This is the situation from Ron's perspective: GOUASED for me. In EARTHS and SOLANINE for Odette. On my very last rack, I finally find myself looking at OUT, with the opportunity for OUTJUMPS still there. Chamber 1999 Page IS The Lut Word

abcdefghtjklnno take a 9-point lead. Adam immediately plays IMPINgED through the floating E of AXEL II- -II 21 - - 12 and comfortably controls the game from that 31 C E 13 point onwards. L 357-461. 4|B 0 0 N L •14 5| Y A 15 61 P I 0 U E T J 16 I have to confess that, during the final game, 7| N LE NG 0 I|7 my attentions haven't been fully focused on 81- 6 R U 0 I xia 91 A ' FARM D 119 my own board. IVe been keeping my eye on 1O| E B A TH IO AJ10 Table I, where Mark Nyman and David Boys 111 r VINOS E 111 are playing. As soon as I've put my autograph lZl1 A - HAW TO 0112 131 T U ICE' ' G YR 113 in the "Loser's signature" box, I rush over to E 114 see what's happening. Mark gives me the 151- S - t A U T ES T|15 thumbs up. Although he knows he's losing the game, he also knows that it's close enough to Phil 3Z1 Ron320 assure him a place in the final. Ron: OEEILRU Unsoon: FHIKLRRS The rest, of course, is history. Obviously I After some thought. Ron plays LURID at hi. was rooting for Mark, as a fellow Brit and my and picks the L from the bag. I play KIF at a7. best mate. But I like and respect Joel very with Ron able to play out in several places. much, and I also knew that he would be a LURID looks best to me. Or is RUDIE better, tremendousambassador for the game should leaving EL? Or possibly LUDE at a7 for 20. he win. I think events have proved this to be leaving EIR? Whatever, it's Ron's game. L- the case. 349-360.

Game 23 v Naween Fernando (Sri Lanka) This is a game in which I feel I play pretty well, playing solidly throughout andand spotting the two OSPD bingos, FRONTER$ and HENBITS$. A satisfying win against a very strong opponent. W: 488-371.

Game 24 v Adam Logan (Canada) I reckon that if I win this game I'll finish around 6th/7th place. If I lose • hopefully in the top 16. I've never played Adam before, but of course I know he's very strong, so 111 have to be at my best... Unfortunately I end the tournament as I began, missing bingos. And. disappointingly, they're words I know. The first is CAESARS, the second VISIONAL - holding an unplayable VIOUNS on my rack, too quickly I play a nice slot-in play for40. Adam bingos early with rADICAND, but the critical moment occurs a little later, when I open up a tight board with AXEL for 33to The b« Won) Page 16 Oeambtr 1999

ABSP Winter Thank you to Maura Prates' Hatchplay for supplying the photos

Milton Keynes 27-28 November 1999

Division A Division C

1 Andrew Perry 9 +800 1 Juno Utlson 10 +432 2 Nuala 0 Rourko 9 +504 2 PMIIppa Morris 9 +546 3 Jako Jacobs 7 +605 3 Janet Bonham 8 +90 4 Bob Vioiett 7 +366 4 Tarns1n Passmore 7 ♦323 5 GeorgeGruner 7 +214 5 Carmen Dolan 7 ♦314

Division B Worid Dictionary Division

1 Lois McLeod 10 +1295 1 Gareth Williams 9 +590 2 Sylvia Swaney 8 +569 2 Brett Smitheram 9 +534 3 Handy Uoathei-111 8 +472 3 Andrew Cook 8 +563 4 Linda vickers a +219 4 Robert Richland 7 +44 5 Dorothy Taylor 8 +94 5 Terry Kirk 7 -45 Dtambtf 1999 Page 17 ThtUnWerd

Some comments from Graeme Thomas FA: May I borrow your Redwood? GT: Of course. This was a generally successful weekend. I FA; I'd like to cake it to my room to study. didn't get to play as I developed another leg GT: You'll have to leave your first-born child infection just before the event started. My assurety. brother, Steve, was in charge of the computer FA: Demola! Stay here! as is normal at Milton Keynes. He noted the following list of challenged words. Most of On Sunday morning one of the players was them are in the "why on earth did anyone late. I eventually persuaded the TD to start challenge that?" category. Those from the A his clock, some five minutes after the game division are marked with !. World Dictionary was supposed to start. The TD went to call words are marked as such. the player, whom I'll call Player A.

[I have taken out names where mentioned TD: Hello! although I was strongly tempted to leave in PA: Uh» the name next to TOWER but in the TD: Wake up! interests of fairness and friendship (and that PA:Uh? £10 backhander.-.. MOR] TD: Your clock has been started. PA: I'll be right down! COVALENT COBALTS CHO! PION WONT BOOB! DOD! The player only lost about five more minutes. EID! FARAD FESTOONS ULULATE TUNA WUZZLEO WAP! GOS! CUR We weren't sure if the following story was LEONINE HEHJ (SOWPODS division) fact, or wishful thinking. Apparently at about UPOS (SOUPOOS) TAS! 5am on Sunday someone knocked on Gareth UNMILKED! KOIS! BLASTER Williams' door. He answered it. to find a PITH TOWER! OIV FALTER POOCH CURD blonde woman, clad in a blanket. She DWARFISH asked to borrow his bathroom. Somewhat stunned, he said "yes". A few minutes later The only known adjudication error occurred she opened the bathroom door, smiled when GREISEN was played, but GRIESEN was sweetly at Gareth, thanked him, and left. written on the challenge slip. [Editors notes Having been in that rare An hour or so before the tournament on position of topping the Division A table after Saturday, Femi Awowade, his wife, and day I it was only right that I should hand over daughter Demola came into the playing the responsibility to my wife in the first game room. The following conversation took on Sunday. She beat me comprehensively (see place. not all our games end in draws!) and went on to come a creditable second. It was nice to see all those familiar faces again - particularly Tamsin Passmore. I calculatedthat I hadn't seen her for about 5 years!] IheLut Won) Page 18 December 1999

figure ratings. Annual General 6.3. The motion toallow the length of a Heettfng rated game to be varied was defeated 65-160 with 26 abstentions. About 30 players met for the Annual General Meeting. A total of 222 Proxy Votes were 6.4.1. The motion to allow penalty points for received. incorrect challenges was defeated 40-200 with 12 abstentions. 1. The Chairman's Report was accepted without further comment 6.4.2. The motion to allow loss-of-turn penalties for rated games was defeated 17- 2. The 1998 accounts. Treasurer's Report, 223 with 11 abstentions. and Auditor's Report were accepted without further comment. 7.1 Robert Richland suggested that the 'peak'rating be used for qualification for the 3. Mary Allen and David French volunteered Masters Invitational Tournament. GT replied to join the Committee. Fran Thomson, that the Masters and WSC qualification is an Gareth Williams and Martin Fowkes were 'End of Year' rating. Tide qualifications are thanked for all their hard work while on the unweighted. Committee. The Chairman also thanked the rest of the Committee for continuing. 7.2 Maura Pratesi asked GT about his position as Chairman. GT assured the The following people now comprise the meeting that he intends to continue at least Committee: Mary Allen, Margaret Browne, until August 2000. GT thanked everyone for Ian Burn (Tournament Coordinator), Amy all the kind words spoken to him since Byrne (Secretary), Bie Dangoor (Treasurer). August: he had been thanked by many of Pete Finley. David French. Lois McLeod. them. Vanessa Peters, Graeme Thomas (Chairman), and Mike Willis. Philip Nelkon is also a 7.3 It was noted that COYS had been Committee Member, as the Mattel omitted from OSW4 but was allowable. All tournament organisers/directors would be so representative. informed. 4. The Auditor (Andrew Fisher) will remain in office. 7.4 Jake Jacobs asked about Tournament Tiles. GT reported that Philip Nelkon does 5. The subscription will remain at £10.00 pa. not have Tournament Tiles at the moment. Mattel are producing 'Millennium' sets at 6.1. The motion to maintain OSW3 was present; the tiles will be a different size, defeated 33-200 with 14abstentions, and slightly smaller and have a new typeface. therefore the ABSP will adopt OSW4 from Some will be Tournament Tiles in due course 2000-01-01. There will be three types ofboard, namely: a folding board circa £10: 6.1 The motion to adopt 4-figure ratings was one similar to the deluxe board circa £30+; defeated 94-107 with 47 abstentions, and and an intermediate folding board with ridges therefore the ABSP will continue to use 3- circa £20. Dtombtr 1999 The tat Word

New Year's Our chairman, Graeme Thomas, offers the following views: Resolutions 1.1 don't really care who sorts it out. so long ETie Dangoor gives his thoughts on his resolutions as someone does. However, given for the new millennium ... Chambers' record of stamping out any real initiative from others, we're forced to rely on 1. Chambers sort out a World Dictionary at them. long last (surely the most important matter for the ABSP currently). 2. Mattel are interested only in publicity for such events. I doubt it matters overmuch 2. Mattel gives more recognition to the value whether the NSC attracts the top players, or of competitive Scrabble players. two men and a dog. The accuracy one can expect from the media is such that the The ABSP movement is a large one and many difference between the two scenarios could ofus promote the game in our own circles. be glossed over. Greater sponsorship of the NSC would help attract more top players and make it more However, one of the main reasons for the worthy of its name. lack of to players at the NSC has been (a) the location, and (b) the lexicon. Once we get 3. A CD ROM is produced, more to the the OSW/SOWPODS debate out of the way, standard of TSP and with better strategy. we'll stand a better chance of attracting more and better players to the "top" events. 4. The Psion program is updated. 3. No chance for this. I'm afraid. Mattel have 5. Mattel brings out flat boards (ie not raised) put all their efforts into the current product again, with a grey background. Are no flat It's aimed fair and square at the "family" boards available? player. There are millions of them, and onlya thousand (or 5 thousand, if you include all the 6. More people offer to serve on the ABSP clubs) of us. Committee rather than criticise it. 4. Same answer. Neither Psion nor Mattel 7. Better prize money for at least a few are interested. tournaments in the year, particularly the top division as they have to work harder 5. Mattel are bringing out three new products at their game. in the New Year. They will still be green, but it won't be quite so garish. The top of the 8. More publicity for the game in general. range product will be something akin to the deluxe board: it will be raised a little more, 9. A better image for Scrabble players. but nothing like the American sets, or even Sartorial improvement would be a start! (horror of horrors) the Prestige. The intermediate board will be a folding board, 10. Less backbiting on the internet and more butwith ridges to hold the dies. constructive and pleasant debate. One can still buy the deluxe boards from The Last Word Page 22 Deambtr 1999

(Less than) words he could, including all of the two and Twenty Questions three letter ones. STEVE DAVIS He would then start toask people for practice games between matches at snooker Occasional Scrabble player and ex-workl snooker tournaments - and start wiping die floor with champion Steve Davis answers our taxing everyone! Because of the way he's learned Scrabbte-related questions... English, he has no preconceived ideas about die structure of die English languages, and will dierefore instinctively make high-scoring plays involving short words rather dianlook for a clever or unusual word. He's still the best player on die circuit, no one can touch him.

James managed to encourage everyone else to play, and soon after there was a group of about a dozen snooker players and several journalists from die national press who would meet up in die press room between snooker games, and a lot of Scrabble would be taking place.

I. How long have you been playing? Obviously, as die journalists were involved too, die story would creep out in one I really sorted playing a great deal in the mid newspaper or anodier every now and dien. 1980s. I had a computer which had the game on it - this was obviously a very early home It became very addictive atthat time, model, and the vocabulary was quite limited. although we didn't bring our own special sets I have no idea what it was called, but I do or books or anydiing - we weren't diat sad! remember it looked like a big red wedge of cheese. I've played quite a bit ofScrabble 3. What dictionary did you use? although I've playeda lot more chess ... I'm currently president of the British Chess We all used to call it "The Concise Wattana"! Federation. A typical challenge would involve someone shouting, "James! Is such-and-such a word?" 2. What's the story behind the Scrabble and we would get an instant yes or no answer enjoyed by snooker players? in return.

About eight years ago, James Wattana turned Sometimes, some of the journalists would be professional and started playing tournaments asked to act as overseers. Well.. not die outside his Thai homeland. His manager. ones from die Sun or die Mirror! Mind you, Tom Moran. an Englishman living in Thailand, none of these journalists can spell anything also helped him to learn English and by doing diese days, can diey? Everydiing goes so, taught and encouraged him to play through spell checkers! Scrabble. James would learn all the playable 199? Pap 13 The tan Ward

6. Do you still play Computer Scrabble?

I am totally lost without my Psion 3, which I have been using for years now. I keep my diary and hundreds of other bits of information on it, and I back it up regularly as well! I play Scrabble on this quite a bit when I'm on the road. All the computer opponents have names and occupations, which is quite sad really, isn't it! I usually end up down the pub with the postman or the dustman -1 haven't got dose to the rocket scientist yet.

4. Are any of the other top snooker I've played 97 games this year, with a rating of players any good? 116. I've averaged 303 with a topscore of 470. It's surprising because the players who you would expect to be good just aren't, and vice My only problem with computer Scrabble is versa. John Parrott is brilliant at crosswords that now computers are so. good it is taking a but he's easytobeat at Scrabble because he's way all the fun because you now finally realise looking for these low-scoring fancy words how rubbish you are! It can be demoralising which don't hit any of the coloured squares. to be slaughtered by a pieceof plastic which lives most of the day inside your pocket. There was one player at that time who struggled to make three figures in each game. He doesn't play snooker any more - not surprisingly, he foiled a drugs test a few years back.

5. What do you think about having one dictionary throughout the English speakingworld?

It is a good idea. We already have the Mind Sports Olympiad, bringing people in around theworld, so it makes a lot of sense. If Scrabble was an Olympic sport you couldn't see lots of different dictionaries being used, could you? It's a great learning tool though, but it Oh. and there definitely should noj be an shouldn't be relied upon too much. Scrabble explanation of what the words mean - that clubs should concentrate on promoting the spoils the game! I mean, who wants to know social element of the game before getting that? involved in computerisation. The last Word 24 Dtambtr 199?

Letters interested" players to have their own SOWPODS division. It really doesn't make sense to me that all 650 of us would want to In response to the Chairman's statement and play to the same vocabulary! Yes, thetop- the two main letters in The Last Word no 68 rated players, and some others want more (October 1999); I feel quite strongly about words to give them a bigger playing field, but, the situation. I'd rather reduce the vocabulary and get rid of obsolete words which make the game a bit I've been a tournament player since 1983 and of a laughing stock among many possible new have enjoyed the "fraternity" of my Scrabble players. circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the length and breadth of Scotland. I've The point of trying to get Scrabble into played annually at Durham, Sheffield and schools isn't all that healthy. I've been Nottingham and reached the heights to fortunate enough to have had English, Maths, London. We've played holiday Scrabble in Science, French, Latin and Geography up to the Isle of Wight, Jersey, the Scilly Isles, and 5* year, having tohave had toread and learn even Iceland, Spitsbergen and Norway - so much. Surely, at this point it's a much nearer to home at Whitby, the Cotswolds, better time to start more serious playing Luton and not forgetting the Lake District (chess involves much more pure tactics) and it where I was lucky enough to find a jarnac set has given me much relaxation from my in the village shop! Thanks to Scrabble we've daytime career. I really didn't havetime to got lots of pleasant memories (my husband play in my teens, with further studies. has done a fair bit of running - that reminds me, we've attended a few tournaments in Letthe majority of us stay "B" for British if Rotherham too!) But always withevery new we sowish (that includes our so-called odd game there's another challenge to viewith. Scots words, too!) My granddaughter, aged 8. is shaping up nicely and "funny" words can Now, I reallyfeel that the "two cankers" be pointed to in our own British dictionary. eatingat the heart ofthe Association is Thankfully, she stays 100 miles away so play is absolutely over the top with panic, which limited to "just a taste" now and again, but appears to stem from the ambitions of the she's already an ardent reader. so-called "elite". The competitive element has got so addictive with some of the higher- Scrabble is the bestof all games,by far, but rated players (and some not so highly rated), let's be less tense and try to keep a "calm and the atmosphere is being spoiled sough". It's a game, not a god ... and don't considerably. After all, there are so many let it be a drug! variables in the game, quite apart from one's strength of vocabulary, tactics, Helen Mitchell, Aberdeen perceptiveness, and luck! SOWPODS "back door" entry this year has not gone down Plenty of food for thought in Helen's letter. Are well! I'd say. stop pushing, never mind 2003! Scrabble players too competitive? Should we encourage playing Scrabble in schools? Are there With the majority of the 650 rated players too many pinny words in our dictionary, and interested in OSW4 and the latest Dictionary would switching over to SOWPODS make it more (by the way. when can we expect the new difficult to attract more players? Answers on a OSL?) wouldn't it be wiser for the "world Dtainbtr 1999 Page IS The bit Word very large postcard to the address on the back My experiences of running a duplicate page... PG tournament in Romford two years ago threw up many delightful places which foxed all players, I don't know if you're aware but I now run a including words such as DROUTH, DROOK, Duplicate Scrabble Club in Peterborough (six FUGIE. NALLAH and HAWSER ... great fun! PG months and still going strong!). With an average attendance of about 12. we meet Can I start a discussion as to what to call monthly, and play the usual D.S. rules (the what is currently known as SOWPODS or same as the tourney that you ran a couple of World Dictionary. My suggestion would be years ago, except I haven't got a Psion, so the GLOBAL dictionary - Global Language each round we go with the highest word On Board At Last. Any other suggestions? found by a player rather than the theoretical highest score). In the six meetings we've had Sheila Spate, Nottingham highlights have included... I would appreciate it if a space could be found a win by Graham Wakefield where he pointing out to Club Tournament organisers dropped just 14 points over the course of that an entry form to me would be useful to the whole game (731 out of a possible 745 - gain a slot on the Diary of Events at the 98%); Hampshire Scrabble News website. Thanks. a highest winning score of 804 (outof a Terry Hollington possible 874 • 92%) by local club player Jean 27 Karen Avenue Mainwaring; Drayton Portsmouth a gamewhere (coincidentally, not PO6 2HR intentionally!) *sbc* animal names were played as main words (not hook words) - Consider it found. The website can be seen at ELEPHANT. ZO, DOG. SOLE. KINE. COATI http:/lwwwJtollington2 7.freeserve.co.uk.. PG (seven if you count FIVER, one of the rabbits in Watership Down!); I was amused by the curious misspelling of my name with a superfluous letter (Andrcew) in a gamewhere the first six. and nine of the the last ratings list. It made me fed somewhat first ten. moves were played horizontally. like an entry in the Chambers dictionary!

The club is open to all comers and levels of Andrew Cook, Oxford ability, and an enjoyable time is guaranteed. If anyone in the area local to Peterborough is interested then contact me on 01733 755869 or [email protected]. and I'll pass on more details.

Chris Hawkins, Peterborough The List Word Pagt 26 December 1999

Ratings at 11 December 1999

After die Milton Keynes tournament.

1 198Nymsn,Mark 46 172Grylls,Mary (65) 88 162Rowloy,Nell 1 198Sm1theram,Bratt 46 172 Dennis,D1 92 161 Jones,Brian (85) 3 197 Acton,David 46 172Go1der,Pau1 92 161 Thomas.Martin (67) 4 196App)oby,Ph11 46 172 Muscat,Cecil 92 161Hoaton,Ken (52) 4 196Uebt>.David 46 172 Roughton, Andrew 92 161 Stanley,Carol (44) 6 194 Davis,Andrew 51 171 Mackay.Lewis 92 161Conway.Moira 7 192 All an,Paul 51 171 Perry,Steve 92 161E111S,David 7 192Flsher,Andrew 53 170Bokhor,Danny 92 161 French,Christina 7 192 Simmons.All an 53 170Grayson,Helen 92 161 Harding,Graham 10 191 Cook. Andrew 53 170Menon.Shanker 92 161 Nyman, Los 11 189UU11ams,Gareth 53 170 Turner,Noel 92 1610'Rourke.Nuala

12 188Spate.Clive (60) 57 169Ball.Nicholas (87) 102 160 Bel I.Irene 12 188 Perry, Andrew 57 169 Hawkins,Chris 102 160Groon,Sheila 12 ISBWebb.Alec 57 169Vtcary,Chris 102 160Roed,Martin IS 186G1pson,Helen 57 l69Uarw

30 180V1o1ett.Bob 71 166S1nc1a1r.Alan 118 lS7Harloy.Iain 33 179WnHs,M1ke 71 166 Spate.Sheila 118 lS7 0'Rourko,M1ke 34 178 Thomas, Graeme 79 165Heaton.Debbie (56) 118 157Swaney,Sylvia 35 177Guckthorn.Ian (58) 79 165Dawson,David (35) 118 157 Wilson.Tom 35 177Oownor.Penny 81 164Lawrence.Timothy (52) 126 l56Atk1ns,Caroline (87) 37 17BCansf1e1d.Joyce 81 164De11or.N1ck 126 156Johnston.Robert (55) 37 176Franc1s.Darryl 81 l64G1l)am.Simon 126 15601xon-Ba1rd.Ivy 39 17SEvans.Richard 81 164 McLood. Jackie 126 156Jardine.Elisabeth

40 174Gruzd.Steven (41) 85 163Borry.BoB (69) 126 156 Lynn.Bob

40 174Fowkes.Martin 85 163 Hamilton,Christine 131 155Keeley.Chris (87) 40 174 Scott.Nell 85 163S1mon1s.Sand1e 131 155Morgan.Huw (55) 43 173Moorhouse.Hartley (58) 88 162Prates1.Diane (54) 131 ISSHolland.David (34) 43 173Post.Marco (46) 88 l62 8erger,Adr1enne 131 155 Rayson. Maureen 43 !73R1ch1and.Robert 88 162 Byrne, Amy 135 154Oav1son.Chris (98) Dtandur 199? Pigt27 The tat Word

13S 154Wakof1otd,Graham (95) 180 148Sad1or.A11son 231 143Crano.Edolle 13S 154Evans.Angela (66) 180 148Stanton,Oonna 231 143 Flight.Marjory 135 154Thenpson,Fran (54) 189 147Risen,Carolo (75) 231 143 Hoffland.Sandra 135 154Wa1kar.0onn1s (39) 189 147 Fat Moss, Paa (70) 240 142Austin.Maureen (85) 135 154 Soorgeson,Alan 189 147Churcher,Dorothy (47) 240 l42Sk1rv1ng,Susan (70) 135 154 Lloyd, Joy 189 147Fonn.Patricia (42) 240 142Latham.Davina (68) 135 154MacBoan,Pat 189 147Andorson,E11oon 240 142 Bowman.Sue (62) 135 154Qu1r1o,Malcolm 189 147Balloch.John 240 142Thompson,Josef (55) 144 lS3Kansah.Thosaas (77) 189 l47Br1ght.Margaret 240 142Ure.Francos (S3) 144 153Ba1ley.Tony (34) 189 147Brundell.Louise 240 142 Colo.Theresa 144 153Flnlay.Christopher 189 147Burdon.Margaret 240 142 Edwards, June 144 153Rapp1tt,Joan 189 147 0owar.Koya 240 142Le Grove.Kathryn 144 153Z1ngor.Ricky 189 147Leckie.Kate 240 142 Watson.Lesley 149 152Browne.Margaret (75) 189 147 Partner.Michaol 250 141Straughan.Judy (99) 149 lS2Sapong.Kwaku (63) 189 147Rapley.Lorna 250 141 Gum.Agnes (91) 149 152Roborta.Malcolm (52) 189 147Thcason,Maria 250 141 Anderson.Sheila (87) 149 152Packer.Bryn (46) 189 147Ualls,Toona 250 141 Weathen 11, Handy (47) 149 152 Dot t. Billy 204 146Ua1ton,Henry (75) 250 141 Bease, Janice 149 152Jonos,Hary 204 146 Gordon,Lorraine 250 141 Bull,Brian 149 152Lloyd.ChrK 204 146M1tchell,Helen 2S0 141Re111y,Jayne 149 152Raosay,Anno 204 146Robertson,A1ec 257 140Wearn.Malcolm (85) 149 152Surteos.Kate 204 146Ur1ght.Val 257 140Frankiand,Heather (82) 149 152Vickors.Linda Ouarteraaino.Chris Green1ng-Steer,Maureen 159 151 Barker.Eryl (83) 209 145(96) 257 140(47) 159 151Pinnor.Matthew (72) 209 145Woodward.Richard (76) 257 140Buckley,Alan (41) 159 151 Swallow.Ivan (63) 209 145 Phil potts.Adaa (64) 257 140Watson.Brian (30) 159 151Cruickshank.Erica (SO) 209 14SSosseh.Abrahaa (48) 257 140 Buckingham,Grahan 159 lSlHatthows.Kon (35) 209 145Jonas.Terry (36) 257 140Garnett,J111y 159 151 Boas ley,Diana 209 145Brown,Jacqui (31) 257 140Ma1km,Carol 159 151 Fox,Gary 209 145Ba11ey.Alan 257 140 Smth.Carol 159 151 Moadows.David 209 1458arratt,Kato 266 139Bridge.Jean (60) 167 150Johnton.Paulino (99) 209 145Marsh,0oreen 266 139H1nett.Sheila (56) 167 150Smith,Norman (94) 218 144 8etter1dge,Ian (90) 266 139Barber.L1z 167 ISOHsndra.Ron (87) 218 144Coll1ng,Pat (85) 266139Odelana,Adesanm1 167 150Liggett,Peter (68) 218 144Hopper,Steven (78) 266 139Owen,Gwynfor 167 150Landor.Stella (52) 218 144Maker,Graham (75) 266 139Ph1pps,K1m 167 ISO Longley,David (52) 218 144Trottor,Lesley (60) 272 138A11en.L1z (98) 167 ISOSwaln.Angola (51) 218 144Hunt.Peter (59) 272 138Thorno.Derrick (91) 167 lSOBaUantyno.Amio 218 144Williams.David (59) 272 138Lowndos.Jane (90) 167 1508urn.Ian 218 144Smith.Carol2 (53) 272 138Fenw1ck.Chris (74) 167 150Shunkin,David 218 144Jonos,Helen (41) 272 138Cakebroad,Lois (60) 167 150T1thoradgo.Pam 218 144Dav1s.Tony 272 138Sp11sbury.Angela (45) 178 149Anderson,Cathy (31) 218 144 Flnley. Laura 272 138KcMeeken.Lou (33) 178 149Ch11ds.A1an 218 144 Steward.Anne 272 138 Beckmann.Vivien 180 148MacmilIan.Brian (50) 218 144 Taylor,Dorothy 272 l38D.Jv1dton.Ann 180 148 Brown.Doug (35) 231 143Spencer.Rose (59) 272 138Squtro.Joyce 180 148 Eado. Yvonne 231 143Bontly,Trevor (56) 272 138W111lams.Jean 180 148 H1loy, Joanne 231 143So11ars.Kevin (31) 283 137 81ako.0oroon (46) 180 148Margoroson.8ronda 231 143A1dous.Ph1Hp 283 137Dossott.Chris (30) 180 148 KcLood. Lois 231 143 Bradford.Linda 283 137 Armstrong,Margaret 180 148Pntcnott,Margaret 231 143Brough.Maureen 283 137 English.Marie The Last Word Page 28 Otombtr 1999

283 137 McKoown.Eddie 323 133 Shamaas, Barbara 384 127HardIng.Mavis (60)

283 l37Sa1th,HarJor1e 323 l33W1lk1e.Isla 384 127Ashurst.Potor

289 136Shin.Auttin (99) 340 132Johnston.Kay (95) 384 127Dolan. Cannon

289 136Aloxandor,Etta (63) 340 l32F1iznan.Sally (SI) 384 127Jolliffo,Sheila 289 136H111ard,Linda (51) 340 132Pay.Tr1c1a (50) 384 127Ko11y.Potor 289 136Cartor,Joan (40) 340 132Terrett.Evan (43) 394 126Scott,Willie (83) 289 136HI 11,Juno (34) 340 132SiQn»ns,G1111 (37) 394 126Parkor.Hazel (62) 289 136Couzens,Val (32) 340 132 Doku. Joseph 394 126 Bonhaja, Janet 289 136Naylor.Either (31) 340 132 Gallacher.Joan 394 126Bu1k.U1nn1o 289 136Holl1ngworth.Reaa 340 132Howarth,Noroa 394 126Hall.Potor 289 136Synnott.Kevin 340 132KeCarthy.Toss 394 126 Morris.Philippa 298 13SPratat1,Hauro (89) 349 131B1rd.Linda (74) 394 126Potors.Vanessa

298 13STodd.R1ta (88) 349 131Ch1dw1ek.Shirley (71) 394 126T11oy,Wondy 298 135Whootor,Pat (74) 349 131 Clark,Juno 402 125Marsh.Joe (95) 298 135Moyr1ck,Sylvia (66) 349 131 Gordon, Kenneth 402 12SBradshaw.E11oon (92) 298 1350owl1ng.A11sta1r (59) 349 131Staunton,Margaret 402 125Smith,Eric (89) 298 135Oo Poittors,Wanda (50) 349 131Tate,Julio 402 125B1rdsall,Hilary (77)

298 l35Ga11oy,Nonaa (45) 349 131 Thompson,Sue 402 125Angoll.Shirley (53) 298 135Landau.Sharon (45) 356 130Jenkins.Nicholas (91) 402 125Skinner,Stan (43) 298 135 HI 11.Doug (35) 356 130Dean,Oorathy (82) 402 125Kughos.Ann (40) 298 13SNolkon.Julie (34) 356 130Brown.Stella (79) Cru1ckshank.Heather 402 125(38) 298 135Root.Helen (33) 356 130Mil ford.Janet (70) 402 125Buckley.Karen (30) 298 1350unlop,LU (31) 356 130Yeadon.Margaret (70) 402 125C0W1O,Helen 298 135A11on.Hary 356 l30Chamberla1n,Horag 412 124 0av1os.Cor1dwen (93) 298 135Borgor.Syd 356 130Macdonald,May 412 124Colder.Sharon (87) 298 135Enearnac1on,Prisc111a 363 129Ttemey.Gladys (98) 412 124CHfford.Jennifer (85) 298 135 Robert».Gert1o 363 129Uallace.Evelyn (94) 412 124HI 11.Barbara (74) 314 134Hol1oway.0ebb1e (98) 363 129Bashaa.Eileen (79) 412 124 Irons.Margaret (55) 314 1340rao.Hary (97) 363 129Fisher.Jill (59) 412 124StockwolI.Monica (52) 314 134Pierce.Stuart (43) 363 129Allen.Elizabeth (48) 412 124 Young.Judy (34) 314 134 Bright.Jill 363 l29Kol1and.M1ko (40) 412 124BcckMith.Saaantha 314 134 Cook .Moby 363 129PUblado.Ann (32) 412 124 French,David 314 134Har1oy.Ntchael 363 129 Brookes.Rita 421 123H111.Torosa (65) 314 134Howarth.Er1c 363 129Clark. Garry 421 123Gorshon.Joyce (56) 314 134LowU. Sally 363 129Madeley.Fay 421 123 Sol th.Joyce (34) 314 l34Sk1nner.Mar!ene 363 129 SIme.Peter 421 123 Harknoss.Margaret 323 133Turner.Jan (92) 363 129 Wilson.Juno 421 l23Hosk1ngs.Val 323 133Pow1ck.Kay (85) 375 128Lawrence.Joan (91) 421 123 Swallow.Joan 323 133Caws.Joan (84) 375 128Caws,Ian (84) 427 122Bakor.A11sta1r (64) 323 133Baxonda1o.Michael (79) 375 128Brown.Jess1o (80) 427 122Rugman.Kitty (48) 323 133Su11on.Kathy (75) 375 128SnUh.Edith (80) 427 122Jones.John (45) 323 133Braund.Janet (73) 375 128Barratt.Linda (69) 427 l22G11lott.MarJor1e (31) 323 133Flood.Vera (71) 375 12B Dyer,Jill (48) 427 122Hodgo.Joy 323 133Crooks.James (69) 375 128Buckley.M1ke (41) 427 1220sborn,Col1a 323 l33Do1n.Barbara (69) 375 128 Lindsay .Mary 433 121Rodwoll.Bronda (38) 323 133Boyle.Vincent (45) 375 128 Reynolds.Maureen 433 121 Glass.Lona (37) 323 133 Brown. Beryl 384 127U11son.Sheona (99) 433 121Bakowoll.Jean 323 133 Orapor.Ellzabeth 384 127Leverton.Mart1n (87) 436 120Tompest.Edith (89) 323 133 Fernandez.Phyllis 384 127 Byrne.MartIn (84) 436 120Thomas.Potor (67) 323 133Foator.Eileen 384 127Oymock.Jean (76) 436 !20Barr1ngton,Audrey (38) 323 133Haddow.Norman 384 127 Bain.Nora (66) Deombtf 199? Page2? The last Word

436 120Gray,Loutse (36) 489 114Benton.Betty (97) 536 lOBEliis.Joan (44) 436 120Thosut,Philip (30) 489 114Boav1s.Don (59) 536 lOSPritchard.Alison (40)

436 l206arr«tt,HarJor1o 489 114 Ernest.Potor 536 lOBOavis.Oon (32)

436 l20H1»lop,MmrJor1o 489 114U1ndsor.Pamo1a 536 108 Flood, Ruby

436 120Kudsp«th.H11da 493 113Shaw.Joan (83) 536 10861m.Julia Booth-Mi11ard.Shot 1 a 493 113Koogan.Brian (70) 536 l08L1ttle.V1oletto 444 119(70) 493 113Lyoi.J1o (52) 546 107 Fung.Perry (86) 444 ll9Pr1co.Jo«n (68) 493 113Lindeck,Potor (37) 546 107Fellowt.Florence (62) 444 119Walton.Sandra (65) 493 113Kont.Barbara (36) 546 107Conlon.Eve (41) 444 119Aked,He1an1o (46) 493 113Siggors.Mary (36) 546 107 Anderson.ElloenZ (38) 444 119Benn1o.Harlot) (30) 493 113 Farmorth,Paul (34) 546 107 Root nson.Oouglas 444 119Ca1rns.Martin 493 113 Brown, John 551 106Jonei.Angle (86) 444 U9Hoa1,Shirley 493 113Hay.Stuart 551 106Marsdon.Ruth (72) 444 119 Johnson.Trish 493 113Rockley.Pat 551 106W1U5.Dorothy (68) 444 U9Polhtl1. Helen 493 113St1tt.Winifred 551 106Wyld.SonJa (53) 4S3 liaBrown.Haurico (97) 493 113Ward.Kathleen 551 106Frawloy.Peggy (50) 4S3 UaWhito.Margaret (78) 505 112W1shart.Lorna (97) 551 106Allen.Ga11 (32) 4S3 U8Nad1n.A11co (73) 505 U2L1ndsay.Irene (74) 551 106Dav1es.Marc1a 453 U8AllHood.Alice (65) 505 112Bhattacharya.H1nu (71) 551 106 Tol lick.Jessie 463 H8Morr1i.Helen (54) SOS 112 Shaw.Malcoln (70) 559105Clark.Ann (89) 463 118Roos.Joan (38) SOS 112Cox.Gordon (62) 559 105Sharp.Betty (63) 453 118Buckley.Joan (36) SOS 1120ulgley.Hay (41) 559 lOSNorthcott.Brenda (61) 453 USLakor,Lilly (33) SOS 112Saundors.Roy (32) 559 105Carson.Kathy (46) 453 liailott.Hoathor 505 112Avoj.Paulino (30) 559105Pearson.Dorothy (44) 453 llBPago, Marigold S05 1120av1e$,Florence 559 105 Everitt.Alan (43) 453 llSStoo.Vora 514 111SkIrving.Joanna (90) 559 lOSGray.Agnes (35) 464 U7KcLoan. Isabello (94) 514 111Nolson.Oonnis (42) Macdonald.Margaret 464 117Butlor.Nicholas (81) 559 105(35) 514 111 Harrison,John (40) 464 117Roadtng.David (53) 559 105Brookes.Lyn (33) 514 111 Roovo.SheMa 464 117Grant.Carol (35) 559 lOSAllen.Vera 514 111Riach.Connie 464 U7Ball.Suo 559 lOSLefiey.HarJorie 514 111Shamraas,Fuad 464 117Gray.Rhoda 559 105Seabrook,Margarot 514 lllWhito.Jacqui 464 117Stoadinan.Paul 571 104Sm1th.Winifred (81) 514 lllWido,Chris 464 117Wood,Simon 571 104Sandier,Helen (58) 522 HOLawton.Anno (90) 472 U6Terry.E11zaboth (75) 571 104Walker,Anne (50) 522 HOBullock.Suo (86) 472 116Tobbutt.Jo (60) 571 104Copleston.Myra 522 llOHarding.Paul (73) 472 llBBouttnot.Kato 575 1038erl1nor.Jake (86) 522 110Bigg,Margaret (SI) 472 116 Grant,Barbara 575 103H1gg1ns.Kathleen (86) 522 110Edwards.Peter (45) 472 116Murphy.Joan 575 103Hanson.Mary (60) 522 UOOwyer.Evo (34) 477 llSMarcus.Freda (91) 575 103Morns.Stan (54) 522 UOBalding,Batty (30) 477 U5Cook,Goorg1na (83) 575 103A11en.Karen (42) 522 llOKIngham.Ann 477 115S1ncla1r.Harry (80) 575 103Holroyd.Olive (40) 522 UOMIIIIngton.Evo 477 115Harvoy.Audrey (63) 581 102 Pearce.Gerry (62) 531 109Fletcher.Daphne (80) 477 USHaynos.Keith (46) 581 102Jones.Adole (59) S31 109Hunting.Peter (66) 477 ll5P1orco,0awn (43) 581 102Churcher.Keith (42) 531 l09Row)and.Er1c (65) 477 115Street.Doris (43) 581 102Burford.Fred 531 l09Morr1s.0oreen (61) 477 llSTutt.Sheila (42) 581 102Dryden.Rona 531 109Rob1nson.Wonna (38) 477 USCartnan.Paul 581 102Gray.May 536 lOSFriend.Pat (97) 477 llSGolding.Ann 581 10211 ewe llyn.Lorna S36 108Jarvis.Joyce (66) 477 115 Lane.Molly 581 102N1cholson.Christine 536 108 Broadhead.Mary (64) 477 115Patton.Olivia 581 102V1olett.Claire 536 lOBHarrison.Jili (53) The but Word Page 30 December 1999

590 lOlGoble.Fay (78) 636 91 Matthew,011ve 5 l65K1111lea,Tony (25) 590 101Keevey,Mary (51) 641 90Hollyer.Cindy 6 l64Hackenz1e,Jayno (16) 590 101 Monger.Judy (SO) 642 89Metcalf.Ko1ra (97) 7 l630el1cata.David (19) 590 101Jaques.Jenny (42) 642 89Warwick.Mary (79) 8 160Murch,Russell (19) 590 lOlMoss.Minam (41) 642 89Wall,Rose (46) 8 160Catherall,Alan (25) 590 101Ralfs,Mary (31) 645 88Grant,Edith (79) 10 156Oliver,Kenneth (22) 596 100Johns,Joan (70) 645 88Anderson,Ted (43) 11 154Davias,Caroline (15) 596 100Burgess,Pat (47) 64S 88Trace,Beryl (41) 12 1S3Hidden,Anne (25) 596 lOOChouiarton,Mabel 645 88 Howard, L1 one 1 12 l53Ades1yan,O1uyem1 (27) 596 lOOLIshak.Rosalyn 64S 88 Shuttlewood,Peter 14 151 Cooper,Christine (21) 600 99Ross,Stuart (45) 650 87S1ncla1r,May (SO) 14 151 Globs.Ralph (25) 600 99Whyte.Ian (44) 650 87Edwards,Ralph (48) 16 1500un1op,John (21) 600 99Lockwood.Dennis (36) 6S0 87Brookes.Richard (38) 16 ISOHall,Colin (28) 600 99Garrard,Angela (34) 650 87 Cartman,Christine 18 149A11en,Barbara (24)

600 99 Thompson,Norah 650 87 Johnstone,Jean- 19 148 L1ndr1dge,Wendy (18) 60S 98Moore,SheIIa (49) 6SS 86 Ernest,Mavis 19 148Duns1re.Marta (20) Wai ker-F 1 rth, Cynth.1 a 60S 98Anderson,She11a2 (47) 656 85Edwards.Dorothy (56) 21 146(15) 605 98Adams,Mary (41) 656 85Holmes,Patricia (36) 21 146Mitchell,John (16) 605 98 Baker,Jack 658 84 Henry,Dorothy (74) 21 146McNuity,Kate (24) 609 97 Bury,Susan (63) 658 84t.1nfoot.Gwen 24 145Horsfal1.James (26) 609 97Cox,Barbara (63) 660 83 Ross,Jean (75) 25 l44Broder1ck,Pat (16) 609 97Sunniers.Grace (61) 660 83Shortt.Peggy (32) 26 142Breed,Eddy (IS) 609 97Izatt.Marian (35) 660 83Thompson,Helen (30) 27 141 Bryan.Michael (IS) 609 97Sadler,Alex (30) 663 82Macdona1d,John 28 140Purse.M1r1 (IS) 609 97 Woolley,Irene 664 81 Thomas.Jane (68) 28 l40Flem1ng,B1ll (20) 615 96Mills,Margaret (59) 664 81 Daly,Andy (40) 30 139Soutar,Jocelyn (18) 61S 96Clarke.Owen (42) Suther1 and,Margaret 664 81 (40) 31 138Bassett,Paul (26) 61S 96Temp1e,Son1a (36) 664 81 White,Lucy 32 137Magnus,Stella (28) 618 95Haston,Winnie (90) 668 SOCussens.Joan (45) 33 136Shuttleworth.Len (15) 618 95Cave,Shirley (82) 669 79Sh1ells,Mary (36) 33 136Cross.Verity (17) S18 96Ward.Nancy (77) 669 79 Brown,Panel a 33 136Edwards,Ann (28) 618 95White,Daphne (42) Ve!la-Laurent1,Nicky 671 77Medhurst,Audrey (37) 618 95Coll1nson,Una (35) 36 135(19) 672 76Sharman.Jud1 (33) 618 95Smith.Pearl (30) 36 13SCaruana.Joe (25) 672 76Craig,Margaret (31) 618 95 Draper,Vernon 38 l34S1enk1ew1cz.Carol (16) 674 75 Johnston.Shell a (35) 625 94 Basham,Peter (78) 38 134Brennan,Ross (23) 675 74Yorkston.Nancy (75) 625 94Cox.Nellie (76) !33Pr1ce.Barbara (16) Williams.Elizabeth 40 625 94Sear1e.Les (51) 676 73(4S) 41 131U1liiams.Margaret (15) Williams,Jean-Iris 677 70Burrel1.Letty (42) 41 131Keegan,Margaret (18) 625 94(51) 677 70Graham.Marilyn (33) 43 l30Z1nzan,J1ll (IS) 625 94Fotherg1l1.Jean (40) 679 69Murray.Michael (39) 43 130MUche11,Martha (16) 630 93 Smith,Shell a (50) 680 67Fotherg11l,A1an (40) 45 129Arthurton.Carol (20) 630 93Perry,Marie (36) 681 62 Lavender,Peggy (59) 46 I28£ther1dge,Barry (15) 630 93Black.Dorothy (32) 682 58Herraghty,Michael (45) 46 128Barnes.Kathleen (16) 630 93Ball.John (30) 46 128Ashwin,Brenda (24) 630 93Hall .Barrie 49 127Treadwell.Maria (15) 635 92Staunton.Nicola (32) SO 126 Wall,Shell a (21) 636 91 Chapman,Chris (42) 1 l77L1pton,Bob (16) 51 125Burgess,Jenny (15) 636 91Hoi land,Jo (35) 2 176 Freebody, Lawren (18) 51 125Franks.Lorna (15) 636 91 Cooper.Geoff (34) Lamabadusuriya,Harshan 3 174(27) 51 125Bennett,Bobble (25) 636 91 Winter,Amabel (31) Dcwnbtr 1999 ThtlauWofd

54 124T111oy.Mo (16) 100 109Glbbons.W11f (27) 150 94 Jones.Roscaary (22) 54 l24Ph1U1pj,David (28) 103 lOBKoiiy.Phil (18) 150 940av1e.Marie (25) 56 1230rr.Hary (IS) 103 108Campbell.Ann (20) 150 94Sn1th.Brian (28) 56 1230olan,011vo (26) 103 108Groves.Potor (20) 154 93Hendry,Jean (15) 58 122Coomber,Joy (20) 103 108Stevens,Joan (21) 154 930olan.Bernard (26) 58 122Keegan,Luko (28) 107 107Neath,0erok (15) 156 92Cal1ychurn,Ntsha1 (17) Johnstono, Jacquol 1 no 107 107Norns.Esmo (IS) 156 92Greenland,Joan (20) 60 121(15) 107 107Parten,Patricia (IS) 1S8 91 Slggers,Barry (20) 60 121 ReLean,Margaret (15) 107 107Fox,Gerard (16) 159 90Hughes,Joan (20) 62 120Thompjon.GHl (IS) 107 !07R1v1ngton,Colin (16) 1S9 90Ross.Sheila (20) 62 120Hewg11I.Joy (17) 107 107Faulkner.Juno (22) 1S9 90Wation.Sadie (25) 62 120Barr.Maureen (25) 113 106Turp.M1chaol-John (IS) 162 89Bumhaa.Stolla (16) 62 120Toft.Ann (25) 113 106Fleming.Barbara (17) 162 89Black.N1U 1o (18) 66 119Rusted.John (18) 113 106Go11y.Joan (20) 164 88Colooan.Doraan (22) 66 H9Bakor.Hidola1no (20) 113 106Jukes.Christine (21) 164 88Rao.H1na (25) 66 119Fernando,Edwin (28) 113 106Vyo,Any (25) 166 86Ford.Rose (IS) 69 118Sh1111ng,Potor (24) 118 105Gerrard,Sandy (15) 166 86Gower.Ireno (23) 69 llBlloyd.Dalo (26) 118 105Haycock.Teresa (IS) 168 85Davie.Stove (25) 69 UBGIbbons.Kathy (27) 118 lOSBrownor.Boryl (21) 169 84 Bradley,Mary (20) 72 117Catherall.Irene (IS) 118 105BorCham,Dorothy (28) 169 84L1ndeck,Edna (20) 72 117Smith,Hazol (IS) 118 105Powoll.Stovo (28) 169 84Koazey,Botty (25) 72 117Bockett,Harry (16) 123 104Sly.Haggle (16) 172 83Hunt.Peter (20) 72 1170obson.Eloanor (16) 123 104Jones.J111 (27) 172 83Crow,Eileen (28) 72 117Burgess.Jill (20) 123 104Gorrard,Enid (28) 174 81 Harvey.Ann (25) 72 117Douglas.Eiioon (20) 126 103Eoory,Carolyn (20) 174 81 Hay.James (26) 78 116Colmnan,Ann (IS) 126 103Surry.Ruth (24) 176 80Harr1son.Jayne (16) 78 116EthoHdgo.Barbara (IS) 128 102Falconor.Rona (15) 176 80Barnes.Loo (22) 78 USShuttloworth.Iris (IS) 128 102Andrews.Potor (21) 176 SOUIlktnson.Stanley (26) 78 116l.1ndr1dgo.June (18) 128 102Tracey.Choryl (21) 179 79Mustard.Elizabeth (25) 78 ll6So1th,Isoool (20) 128 102Crane.Carole (22) 179 79Wost.A1ec (25) 78 116Menon,Prakash (23) 128 102Burgess.Bevorley (25) 181 78Bradley.Mar1s (18) 84 115Potrie,Dorothy (15) 128 102Moran.Mo!Uo (25) 181 780odds.Agnos (22) 84 U5Lucas.E1s1o (16) 134 101Charlton,Paul (15) 181 78Ulntor,Boss1o (25) 86 114Greonyer.Margaret (18) 134 101 Buckingham.Pru (20) 184 77Holtby,Gertie (15) Hoi Ungsworth,Mark 134 101Urquhart,Monica (21) 184 77Craddock.Mary (25) 86 114(19) 134 101 Parker.Jill (25) Croasdale.Josephine 86 114Glles.Lynn (26) Gillespio.Christine 186 76(15) 86 114Tozetand.Altco (27) 138 100(20) 187 75Cameron,Cath (20) 90 U3Ev1son.Joyce (15) 138 lOOSaiton.Oenisu (21) 187 75Stanton.Sho1U (28) 90 113Pa1ne.Eva (IS) 140 99Barlow.Hauroon (17) 189 73Corni$h.Ins (26) 90 113Ball.Janice (17) 140 99Stewart.Val (21) 190 71 Coxtan.Charlie (17) 93 112Wright.Shirloy (15) 142 98Armstrong.Amy (25) 191 69Bailey.Potor (16) 94 llOHeLean.John (15) 143 97Add1 son.Sarah (IS) 191 69Frost.Joyce (19) 94 110Pratt.Doroon (15) 143 97Moorf1eld.Paul (15) 193 67 Robins.Morma (IS) 94 UOVokes-Taylor.Jan (15) 143 97R1chards.Anno (15) 193 67 Cardow,Simon (22) 94 UOUIlkins.Phyllis (21) 143 97Sh1n,Yoku (16) 195 66Horlock.Barbara (IS) 94 HOLuchmun.Raj (22) 143 97Uolton.Joyce (16) 195 66 Taylor.Muriol (22) 94 UOHalpass.Kay (28) 148 960av1es.Joan (IS) 197 54Gray.B1U (22) 100 109Blyth.Holon (IS) 148 96Flynn.Joan (20) 100 !09Norr1s,Magda (23) 150 94Jonn1ngs.Kath (16) The Last Word Dtombtr 1999

The Words Of The WHEELMEN WHEMMLE New Millennium WHUKMLE WILLEMITE

A Leo Lard-lichens presentation (Leo seems to have forgotten MILLENIUM. which I see in print a lot these days!... PG) Yes indeed. Perfect for those situations where you're sitting with As our regular correspondent Leo Lard THENEWMILLENNIUM" on your rack and Lichens is nursing Nick Deiler who is down need to play off a lot of tiles really quite witha heavy dose of flu, we ask Ursula quickly before your opponent notices that Moonraker, fresh from mixing with the stars you accidentally drew too many tiles... is at the last recording for this millennium of there anything longer than MILLENNIUM 'Have I.got News for You? to take us on a itself? Answers on a postcard, as always, to trip tothe stars and introduce ustoa few— somebody else. These are all 7 and 8 letter words which begin or end with STAR: ELEMENT EMETINE EMINENT ENLUMINE 7's beginning STAR ENTWINE ENWHEEL STARCHY STARDOM STARERS STARETZ STARING HELENIUM STARETS STARRED STARKEN STARKER HELIMEN STARKLY STARLET STARLIT HILLMEN STARNED STARNIE STARRED ILLUMINE STARTED STARTER STARTLE ILMENITE STARTLY STARVED STARVES IMMINENT IMMINUTE 7's ending STAR INTUINE LENIENT OAYSTAR LIMELIT LINEMEN 8's beginning STAR LINIMENT STARAGEN STARCHED STARCHER LITHIUM STARCHES STARDOMS STARDUST MELILITE STARFISH STARINGS STARKENS MELINITE STARKERS STARKEST STARKING MELLITE STARlESS STARLETS STARLIKE MILLENNIUM STARLING STARNIES STARNING MILLIEME STAROSTA STAROSTY STARRIER MILLIME STARRILY STARRING STARSPOT MINIMENT STARTERS STARTFUL STARTING MINUTEMEN STARTISH STARTLED STARTLER STARUORT MULLEIN STARTLES STARVING MUNIMENT 8's ending STAR NINETEEN UMUHILE LOADSTAR LOOESTAR UNTWINE WHEELIE Dtambtr 1999 rag«33 The List W«rd

You Just Never SWIZZES SWIZZLE Know SWOZZLE TIZZIES TOKAMAK if IVe had a bad habit over the years, it's TREKKED concentrating too hard on words that are - TREKKER frankly - likely to crop up. It's pretty obvious TWIZZLE VETKOEK that the real edge is going to come from VIZZIED knowing words at the lower end of the VIZZIES probability scale. WAKIKIS WHIZZED To this end. I'm proud to present arguably WHIZZER the SO words that you're least likely to see on WHIZZES your rack. "Arguably11 probably means "not WUZZLED true" in this context since overdrawing co UUZZLES YAKKERS "MILLENNIUM" is certainly less likely. At YAKKING least IVe never done it And I've never seen it YIKKERS done. YOKKIN6 YUKKIER I would define them, but following a bout of ZAKUSKA flu I'm just too late to do it However,you ZAKUSKI can think of it as anopportunity rather than a ZIGZAGS ZIZANIA problem, since you can now liven up all those ZIZZING dull parties over the holiday season with a ZOOZOOS quick game of "What would Leo say?*. Hmm. that's a bit lameeven for me...

RIZZORS ROKKAKU You think you hate ROZZERS SCUZZES Scrabble SIZZLED SIZZLER sometimes... SIZZLES SKANKED SKINKED This rather unflattering critique was found on SKINKER a (pro-Scrabble) website on the internet! SKULKED SKULKER Scrabble® is anvery good game, but it foils SKUNKED far short of being a great game. Its major flaw SKYHOOK is a sad deficiency in strategic depth, being all SKYJACK too unbalanced toward word knowledge, i.e., SKYLARK SNUZZLE memorization of word lists. This is SOZZLED demonstrated decisively by the crude brute- SOZZLES force computer algorithms that can beat even SUKKAHS the best human players. None of the richness SUAZZLE and history of the English language, the exotic ;SWIZZED The bitWord Page34 December 1999 word meanings, the convoluted derivations... Quickflash: not a single one ofthese plays a role in the game. The game geometry is too limited, and In the NSC Club KO Airborough beat the this results in all too frequent "blocked up" Lydney Twonkers 2000 by 5 games to 4 games after a couple of parallel plays (some games are essentially over after only four or Sheffmatch September - Results table five moves). Moreover, the game lacks a certain indefinable quality that one could call, DivA for lack of a better word, "beauty", a certain elegance • that mystery that chess and Go Posn Name Score Spread possess in abundance. Scrabble® is essentially 1 L. Mackay S 341 2 M.O'Rourke 4 411 reductionistic and mechanical, and ultimately 3 J. Cansfield 4 213 sterile. It is a game for bookkeepers and 4 A. Roughton 4 162 pedants, not creative persons. Last, and most 5 A. Berger 4 81 damning, the game and its layout are Oiv 8 trademarked, and its corporate owners have decided to suppress any further innovation Posn Name Score Spread and evolution in the game by independent 1 E. Foster S 445 developers. 2 R. Brookes 4 390 3 0. Hill 4 187 4 J. Ooku 4 181 Tournament S P. Wheeler 4 137

Reports Oiv C

Posn Name Score Spread [Editor's note to event organisers...-] If you 1 M. Gray 4 263 2 J. Parker 4 178 wish to have the results of your tournament 3 A. Toft 4 64 published in TLW, could you send them to 4 A. Sadler 4 -IS me as soon as possible after the tournament? 5 K. Ward 3.5 170 I recently had my wrist slapped for entering 'unofficial reports' and I am afraid that my [Editor's notes....] On route to Sheffmatch, powers of ESP during November were stuck behinda convoy of silage lorries and reserved for the British team in Melbourne! watching the time tick away, my wife and I Meanwhile, I'd like to record a note of thanks almost turned back. However, courtesy ruled to everyone who sends result tables and die day and we eventually turned up half an reports to the email list.... MOR hour late to find that Rob Dowse had included us in the draw and that our first MSO - Correction round opponents had also been sitting patiently watching our clocks tick on. With In the October edition of The Last Word' the clock registering minus four and a half the results tables from the Mind Sports minutes at the 'start', it was bound to be a Olympiad should have shown that Sandie lost cause. However, a record two minute Simonis won the Weekday event, collecting a game saw me lose by a 'mere' ninetypoints - gold medal and a cheque for £200 in the seventyof them on the clock. Emboldened by process. Sorry Sandie and well done! that I went on to win the next four games and recorded my best ever Div A result. My thanks to Rob for keeping our places warm. 1999 Page 3$ TktUuWord

congratulations to ail the winners and to all The day was a success, apart from the heat It who made it such a very enjoyable was not our intention to cook our players tournament! but the combination of low winter sunshine and an unstoppable centralheating system did Bournemouth September • Match cause some discomfort. The day was less report by Val Wright successful for one highly rated player who turned up despite having not entered the Bournemouth Scrabble Club held its fourth tournament and had to pass the time in sunny rated Tournament on Sunday 3 October at Bournemouth • a reminder to all to check the Burlington Hotel. There were 110 players that they have entered the tournament they in three divisions playing 5 games. The results are travelling to! were asfollows: East London October - report by A Division Richard Evans

Posn Name Score Spread 1 A. Perry S 337 There was a nip in the air as Scrabblers, 2 D. Francis 5 235 mainly from the London area, began to arrive 3 N. Turner 4 264 for the East London tournament on Sunday 4 A. Bailey 4 261 October 16. While former Redbridge Club Rtg F. Ure 3 1S9 trio. Pat MacBean, Rachelle Winer and Angela

B Division Evans, busily led proceedings, the faithful old partnership of Pat's husband in die kitchen Posn Name Score Spread and Angela's husband in the director'schair 1 M. Wearn 5 493 proved a formidable rearguard. 2 P. Fernandez 4 278 3 B. Brown 4 243 4 M. ueathorm 4 153 As usual, die Scrabble® was fast and furious, Rtg E. Bradshaw 4 108 the challenges in abundance and the runners kept on theirtoes. Performance of the day

C Division was recorded by Violette Little who was the only player to overcome all 6 of her PosnName Score Spread opponentsand in so doing built a cool 350 Evison 1 J. 5 329 point spread. Unrated Edwin Fernandotook 2 A. Lawton 4.S 285 3 S. Reeve 4 450 the ratings prize. 4 L. Brookes 4 231 5 J. Lyes 4 165 Division B witnessed a nail-biting tussle between four players, all of whom won all but Due to the number ofun-rated players in one of their games. Gertie Roberts took the Division C it was decided to award a prize ratings prize with four wins. for fifth place instead ofa ratings prize.

Meanwhile lightning was busily striking twice A special prize went to Pam Titheradge of in Division A as another clutch of four players r Croydon SC who scored 203 points for the finished on 5 wins. Chris Keeley earned the word BAROQUES. Ian Betteridge won the David Keeble Cup for managing the highest prize for spread closest to zero with -2. rating increase on the day. The last Went Page 36 Dtambtr 1999

Rachelle awarded die prizes and East London are all out of the Director's control The ended for another year. Roll on 2000. results were as follows:

Oiv A Otv A Name Wins Spread Posn Name Score Spread 1 P Allan 5 658 1 B. Violett S 635 2 N Koatings 4 346 2 J. Jacobs 5 544 3 P Finloy 4 90 3 E. Oangoor S 295 4 R.Morgan-Thomas 5 271 Highest Game Score P Preston (595) 5 D. Shenkin 4 191 Highest Move C Hamilton (craziest) Bonuses B MacMillan (10) Oiv B Posn Name Score Spread 1 K. Phipps 5 588 Div B 2 E. Crane 5 373 1 A Gunn S 290 3 B. Bull 5 279 2 I Gordon 4 584 4 R. Hendra 5 52 3 J Bease 4 394 5 H. Austin 4 310 Highest Game Score L Gordon (570) Dtv C Highest Move M Byrne (kindlier) Posn Name Scoro Spread 1 V. Little 6 350 Bonuses M Cairns (10) 2 P. Cartman 5 411 3 M. Greenyer 5 186 01v C 4 J. Gershon 4 408 1 R Gray 388 5 P. Hunting 4 243 2 L Ulshart 326 3 H Polhill 284 EDINBURGH SCRABBLE TOURNAMENT 16/10/99 Report by Highest Game Score L Wishart 498 Amy Byrne Highest Move W Haston (sparkier) Bonuses A Clark (6) With only 3 hardy souls from die north of England, die remaining 81 contestants came from all over Scotland to take part in die Elgin event October - report by tournament. There were 3 divisions and we Lorraine Gordon ran a little bit late at die start as we waited for die Inverness train to get in. The time A record entry of 42 competitors took part was made up over lunch, which was prepared in this year's Elgin tournament on 23 October as usual by Kenneth Ross, die tournament 1999. organiser, and friends. I think die general consensus of opinion, based on die number of In Division A. Donald Macleod received die people having seconds, was that he had Championship shield after a nail-biting victory surpassed himself again. For my part. I was in die final-round decider widi Moya Dewar. beginning to think that there was "a drop of Donald subsequendy revealed die surprising the hard stuff" being consumed given the fact that this was his first win on Scottish soil frequency that tiles were being dropped on since he moved back to Scodand 4 years ago. die floor! No major adjudication decisions Moya clinched second place with her Glasgow were required and everyone seemed to enjoy team-mate, Tom Wilson taking third spot. themselves, apart from die usuallack of 'blanks', dreadful racks and nowhere to play Jean Gallacher recorded a total of 499 to win die bonus when one finally appeared, which die prize for Highest Game Score in Division Otctflibtr 1999 Page 37 The U« Wort

A and there were joint winners for the Division B: Highest Move prize when Kate Leckie 1 P. Fernandez S 132 (TRAWLING) and Michael Hariey 2 P. Sims 4 346 (DEPENDS) both scored 98 points. 3 N. Skinner 4 303 4 U. Tiley 4 251 Divisions A and B were won by Edinburgh 5 R. Todd 3 366 players with Margaret Harkness taking the Division C: Division B tide. This was a sweet victory for Margaret having lost last year by the 1 N. Lane 5 238 narrowest of margins. Rhoda Grey took 2 J. Jarvis 4 274 3 J. Swallow 4 259 second place, continuing her good form after 4 D. Fletcher 4 209 the previous weekend's Edinburgh 5 S. Booth-Mi Hard 4 108 Tournament and Helen Polhill was third. World Dictionary Division: The Division B Highest Game Score prize was T. Kirk 311 won by Margaret Macdonald with a score of K. Khoshnaw 252 497. Sandy Gerrard ensured that an Elgin F. Awowade 327 player took some of the marbles when he G. Thomas 119 won the Highest move award with 89 for E. Simpson -14 DESPOTS. The main tournament at the Isle of Wight was the largest ever, with 160 players. A Being one of the smaller tournaments, Elgin splendid time was had by all. The 12 World hasa reputation for its friendly yet Dictionary Division players played a round- competitive character and hopefully thiswill robin. The remaining148 players played a ensure its continued success. 10-round Swiss event followed by one round of King of the Hill. Isle of Wight weekend • results as reported to the email list Division A:

The Vectis event is a small warm-up event for 1 D. Bekhor 9.5 699 the main Isle of Wight tournament, starting 2 A. Perry a 789 after dinner on Friday night, and concluding 3 S. Balntent 8 786 4 F. Mairey 8 370 on Saturday morning. This year 100 players 5 K. Khoshnaw 7 389 took part. After a good deal of to-ing and fro-ing the SOWPODS division was renamed Division B: the World Dictionary Division, and had 8 1 B. Margereson 9 714 players; they played a 7-game round robin. 2 M. Partner 9 476 The remaining 92 players just had 5 games. 3 V. Wright 8 540 Swiss-paired. 4 M. Skinner 8 411 5 M. Smith 8 210

Division A: Division C:

1 Green 5 362 1 n. Harding 9 486 2 S. Balment 4 643 2 C. Davies 8 639 3 P. Hunt 4 207 3 V. SIme 8 260 4 M. Pritchett 4 37 4 J. Swa11ow 8 190 5 M. Partner 4 -100 5 J. Mil ford a 47 The last Won) Page 33 Deombw 1999

D1v A Division 0: l G. Gruner 5 444 440 1 M. Copieston 9.5 599 2 J. Jacobs 5 411 2 V. Allen 8 383 3 E. Garrett-Jones 5 R. Maclnerney 5 252 3 A. Jones 8 367 4 4 352 4 E. Fernando 8 109 5 B. Vfolett 5 J. Jarvis 7.5 556 Oiv B

World Dictionary 01 vision: 1 P. Aldous 5 316 141 1 F. Awowade 9.S 791 2 K. Synott 5 123 2 E. Simpson 9 601 3 A. Shin 5 3 A. Davis 7 50S 4 P. Bassett 4 305 4 T. Kirk 7 5 5 N. Galley 4 247 5 G. Thomas 6 116 Div C

Havering Event November 1999 - 1 A. Golding 6 429 report from Christina French 2 E. Dwyer 5 255 3 J. EU1s 4.5 49 J. Berliner 4 324 There were five divisions at the 5th Havering 4 5 0 Lv6S 4 241 One Day Evenc three OSW and two SOWPODS. It would be nice now if all the Sowpods A related myths of SOWPODS play were well K. Khoshnaw 5 659 and truly put to rest. We had a SOWPODS B 1 ? 4 c 137 division consisting mainlyof Havering Club 3 H. Post 4 45 players who play in the dub's SOWPODS 4 0. Dennis 4 34 league: Cindy Hollyer very kindly stood in" at 5 M. Reed 3.5 12 the last minute in this division. Cindy had SOWpuua o never played a SOWPODS game beforebut

assured me afterwards that she thoroughly 1 M. Cook S 544 enjoyed this more open style of play and has 2 S. Ball 4 367 4 122 now joined the club league. 3 C. Ruckstuhl 4 M. Pratesi 3 -162 5 C. Dolan 3 -216 Thank you to everybody who contributed to the raffle. All the prizes were donated by Melton Charity event 20/11/99 (non- Havering club players. We raised £126 for rated) report from Graham Wakefleld the Marie Curie Cancer Care Organisation. The culinary delights on the day were baked Last event of the year for the Melton club by Maureen Austin, Sue Ball and Moby Cook. with proceeds going to the Hospital in whose A vast amount ofhelp was given to David and hail we were playing. myself by a very long list of people but special mention has to go to Peter Shutdewood and Steve Balment ran the days proceedings as Peggy Lavender for their indefatigable help smoothly as ever. Players from 4 local clubs before and after the event. (Melton, Bourne, Leicester and Nottingham) were invited with 20 in Div. A and 18 in Div Congratulations to George Gruner on his B. excellent win. December 1999 Page39 The bit Word

O1vA In Division A Bryn Packer defeated Pete Liggett by 42 points in the 5th round decider. l M.Grylls 5 +668 Jean Rappitt of Penarth was runner up with 2 N.O'Rourke 4 +584 3 G.Wakefield 4 +136 threeofthe Lydney quartet taking 3rd 4th 4 O.Taylor 4 +123 and 5th places. 5 M.PMtchett 3 +251 A spread of just 25 points separated the top Div B three players in Division B. Joyce Smith 1 F.Burford +476 narrowly won I st place over Prue 2 U.Bennett +163 Buckingham by just 2pts. Newport's Gail 3 A.Vye +94 Allen took 3rd place and another two locals, 4 H.Aley +152 5 S.Brookes +24 Eunice Conibear and Joan Davies took 4th and 5th places. Glasgow 20 November • Results from Paul Allen My thanks to everyone who supported the event and assisted me, particularly Dennis Division A Nelson who obliges with hall preparations and table positioning. 1 P.ALLAN 635 2 R.TATE 339 Division A 3 C.HAMILTON 161 4 A.BYRNE 101 1. Bryn Packer 5 +325 5 S.KOFFLANO 98 2. Jean Rappitt 4 +348 3. Alan Buckley 4 +254 Division B 4. Chris Oavison 4 +220 5. Pete Liggett 4 +116 J.GALLACHER 261 M.MCDONALD 168 Division B J.TATE 132 M.IRONS -30 1. JoyceSmith 4 +270 W.SCOTT 150 2. Prue Buckingham 4 +268 3. Gall Allen 4 +245 Division C 4. Eunice Conibear 4 +197 5. Joan Davies 4 +113 A.JOHNSTONE 512 0.MATTHEW 259 P.MENON 210 M.DAVIE 383 O.JAQUES 166

Highest move (A) ZIRCONS 104 M.OUIRIE Millennium prize CONGAED M.BENNIE

Swansea Tournament 20 November - Report byRobert Johnson

This smooth running event was held at the Gorseinon Institute and comprised of two divisions with 26 players in Division A and 24 in Division B. The Last Word Page 40 December 1999

Forthcoming £750 with top prize £250. Cheques payable to Femi Awowade. Tournaments SSM, do Femi Awowade, 21 Constance Road, Croydon CR0 2RS 90208 406 9313. RICHMOND MILLENIUM TOURNAMENT Saturday 8 January 2000 COME AND SCRABBLE FOR The Hawker Centre, Lower Ham Road. CHARITY Kingston upon Thames (tel 020 8296 9747) Saturday 5 February 2000

5 games. 3 or4 divisions including Bryce Potter, Waveriey Care Trust. 4A Royal SOWPODS division. Registration 9.45, First Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 0LQ 90131 556 Game 10.30. Entry fee £11.50. add 50p if not 3959. an ABSP member.

Peter Ernest, 148 Park Road, Hounslow TW3 NOTTINGHAM NOMADS 2HP 9020 8894 3791. Saturday 5 - Sunday 6 February 1999

Gateway Hotel, Nottingham, 3 miles from J26 CHESTER WEEKEND M1. 8 games each day. Friday 14 to Sunday 16 January 2000 There is a provision for SOWPODS play. Please call for availability of places. Registration 11.30 for 12.00sort.

Kathy Rush, Riverside Cottage, 10 The Quay, Please contact dive Spate for availability of Frodsham. Cheshire WA6 7/G 901928 places. 733565.

WEST SUSSEX PETERLEE INVITATION Sunday 13 February 2000 Sunday 23 January 2000 Field Place, The Boulevard, Worthing, West Samantha Bedcwrt/i 9 0191 586 6436 Sussex. Five minutes from the A24 and A27. Three minutes from Durrington railway station.

SOWPODS SCRABBLE MATCHPLAY 5 games, 4 divisions. Registration 9.45. Entry Sunday 6 February 2000 £ 12 - deduct SOp.if bringing a clock. Cheques payable to Rustington Scrabble Club. Fairfield Hotel. I Landsdowne Road, Croydon. The hotel is 5 minutes walk from Peter Hail, 11 Biscay Close, Uttlehampton BNI7 East Croydon station. 8 games. 6SW901903 717571

First game 10.00. Entry fees: £19.50 for DivisionA. £15.50 Division B. Non ABSP members add £3. Guaranteed prize fund of LEICESTER MATCHPLAY Deambtr 19)9 41 The bit Werd

Saturday 26 February 2000 John Harrison, 37 Qendale Close, Chapel Park, Leicester West End Neighbourhood Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne 90191 243 4682 or Andrews Street, Leicester. 07887 781236.

5 games. Registration 10.15, First Game 10.45. Entry £11 - deduct SOp if bringing a clock. Cheques payable to Leicester West JERSEY SCRABBLE MASTERS End Scrabble Club MP Event Saturday 18 - Friday 24 March 2000

Marjorie Smith. 9 Brazil Street Leicester LE2 7/A. Hotel de Normandie, St Helier, Jersey. Two tournaments to be held: a weekend tournament of 11 games, and a weekday

SWINDON evening tournament of 20 games. Both tournaments will have SOWPODS and OSW Sunday 5 March 2000 divisions. ABSP Rating will be applied for. £1,000 in prize money will be available. Nationwide Building Society, Pipers Way, Swindon. Please note that Vanessa Peters is the new organiser. 5 games. A SOWPODS or World Dictionary division will run if there is sufficient Vanessa Peters 9020 7366 9237 demand. Registration 9.30. Entry Fee £12.50 - deduct SOp for chess clock, add SOp if not an ABSP member. 5™ EAST SUSSEX MATCHPLAY Charity event in aid of Macmillan Nurses. TOURNAMENT Light lunch provided, free tea/coffee all day. Saturday 25 March 2000 Cheques made payable to Highworth Scrabble Club Macmillan Account Hailsham Community Hall. Vicarage Lane, Hailsham. The hall is adjacent to Wealden Steve Perry, 29 Bm Road, Faringdon, Oxon, SN7 Council Offices in the centre of the town. 7Ej 901367 244757 Ample car parking and easy wheelchair access.

5 games. 2 or 3 divisions. Registration 10.00, First Game 10.30. Entry £9.50 - deduct SOp NEWCASTLE DSS SCRABBLE if bringing a clock. Add 50p if not an ABSP Sunday 12 March 2000 member.Cheques payable to South Downs Scrabble Club. Civil Service Sports Club. Darsley Park. Whidey Road, Longbenton, Newcastle Upon Stan Skinner, 2 Nursery Lane, Windmill Hill, Tyne. 5 games. Herstmonceux. EastSyssex BN27 4TP. First game 10.30. Entry fees: £10.50 less SOp for chess dock. Non ABSP members add 50p. Cheques payable to "J Harrison". ABSP DURHAM TOURNAMENT Closing date 29 February 2000. Saturday I - Sunday 2 April 2000 IhtUnWonl 42 Dtwnbtr 1999

Chris Rnlay, I Utdifidd Crescent Midanbury, Entry form to be endowed in February newsletter. Southampton SOI8 26/ 9023 8055 8013. If you would like toregister your entry in advance of this please contact Pete Rnley on 0191 56S 4079. HAVERING SCRABBLE CLUB WEEKEND Saturday 24 - Sunday 25 June 2000 10™ SOUTHAMPTON MATCHPLAY TOURNAMENT Entry form enclosed with this newsletter. Sunday 9 April 2000 Stoke Rochford, Lincolnshire. Eastpoint, Burgoyne Road, Southampton. Reisdent package £80. 12 games. 4 divisions. 5 games, 2 or 3 divisions. Registration 09.30. Christina French, 127 Cariton Road. Romford Entry £14.50 - deduct SOp if bringing a clock. RM2 SAU S 01708 701578 or email Add £1 if not an ABSP member. Cheques christinafrench@tineonejtet payable to Southampton Scrabble Club. There is no start/reply system. Closing date 10 March 2000.

Note to Entrants:

These rules apply to all tournaments!

• The entry cost of all rated tournaments includes the ratings levy. • Positions are determined on win and spread unless otherwise stated. • Smoking is not permitted within the playing area. • You will normally be placed in a division equivalent to your rating or ability. You may request toentera higher division but the Tournament Organiser reserves the right to reject your

request. • Entries are at the sole discretion of the Tournament Organiser. • You must always Include a SAE with your application forentry. • Please arrive on time!

Note to Tournament Organisers:

Our esteemed Chairman, on behalf of the ABSP*s crack team of envelope sniffers, is charged with keeping flyers to a minimum. Tournament Organisers are therefore requested to only provide a copy of their entry form if details are complicated (e.g. including accommodation or special requirements of any kind). Otherwise, please provide full details for inclusion in thenewsletterto allow members to enter on generic entry forms. The last WoH Page 44 Dtambtr 1999

The Bade Page

The ABSP Newsletter is published in February. April. June. August. October and December. The deadline far the next issue is 20 February 2000.

Letters and Mike O'Rourke. 22 Kestrel Lane. Oakham. Rutland LEI5 6BU event entry forms Tel: 01572 756968 (for the time being) e-mail: o'[email protected]

Events Information Mike O'Rourke. 22 Kestrel Lane. Oakham. Rutland LEI5 6BU Tefc 01572 756968 e-mail: o'[email protected]

Word-related pieces Nick Oeller, 17 Windsor Road. Godmanchester, Cambs PEI8 8DD Tet 01480 454464 e-mail: [email protected]

Game positions Amy Byrne, 12 Northfield Terrace. Edinburgh EH8 7PX and anything else Tel: 0131 661 3869 e-mail: [email protected]

And finally...

This is the last TLW that sees me as part of the team. I'm taking a long,long, long break from Scrabble and won't be involved in organising or playing for a while. I have to saya big thank you to everyone whose kind comments on the content and quality of The Last Word havekept us ail going strong. Good luck to the person who fills my place, and to everyone else, please make sure that your many contributions continue to flood in well before the deadline!... PG

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