World Scrabble Championships 2005
London, November 20-24

  What is this?

Helen qualified for the WSC 2005 by virtue of being 4th in the ABSP Ratings at the end of 2004. This was her third appearance at a WSC, having played previously in Melbourne (1999) and Kuala Lumpur (2003).

Helen finished a disappointing 29th after a good start. Poor tiles and good opponents contributed to a mid-tournament slump and it needed a good run at the end to finish as the top woman. Theresa Camilleri (Malta) finished just behind Helen (on the same number of wins) and performed extremely well for her first WSC. Lisa Odom also finished on the same number of wins.

The event was deservedly won by Adam Logan (Canada). Adam has spent much of the last couple of years researching at Liverpool University and is popular with all the players, not just the British. His performance at this event was phenomenal, winning 20 of 24 round robin matches and then cruising through the final.

Adam was "Gibsonized" with two rounds to go (meaning that he had qualified for the final and would now play people not in contention) and the race for the second spot in the final was intense. Pakorn (Thailand) eventually qualified with a 3-point win over Gareth Williams (Wales) in the final match, with Naween the most unfortunate to miss out as he would have qualified if Pakorn had lost.

Our photo album of the event.

There are a number of websites with information on the WSC 2005:

1. Mattel's official web site of the championship
   • Helen's WSC profile
2. Association of British Scrabble Players

A number of other reports related to the tournament have been posted:

1. Wilma Vialle's photo album of the event.
2. Henry Yeo's blog - a view from Kuala Lumpur.
3. Malaysian Scrabble blog may also provide some interesting reading.
4. Email scrabble if you want an entry here.

Final ranking of UK and other significant players:

Rank  Name                      Team            Wins  Spread            

1     Adam Logan                Canada          20.0   +1613                       
2     Pakorn Nemitrmansuk       Thailand        18.0    +678                       
3     Naween Fernando           Australia       17.0    +741                       
4     Ganesh Asirvatham         Malaysia        16.0    +690                       
5     Gareth Williams           Wales           16.0    +664                       
6     Paul Cleary               Australia       16.0    +643                       
7     David Boys                Canada          16.0    +612                       
8     Dave Wiegand              United States   16.0    +599                       
9     Lukeman Owolabi           Nigeria         15.0    +832                       
10    Siu Hean Cheah            Singapore       15.0    +776                       
12    Paul Allan                Scotland        15.0    +591                       
16    Panupol Sujjayakorn       World Champion  14.5    +422                       
17    Harshan Lamabadusuriya    England         14.0   +1209                      
20    Terry Kirk                England         14.0    +770                       
24    Edward Martin             England         14.0    +210                       
29    Helen Gipson              England         13.0    +736                       
31    Nick Ball                 England         13.0    +407                       
35    Theresa Camilleri         Malta           13.0    +349                       
36    Femi Awowade              England         13.0    +332
38    Lisa Odom                 United States   13.0    +272                       
41    Phil Appleby              England         13.0    +167                       
43    Brett Smitheram           England         12.5    +117                       
44    Andrew Davis              England         12.0    +808                       
45    Russell Byers             England         12.0    +469                       
52    Mark Nyman                England         12.0    +193                       
62    Peter Finley              England         11.0    +257                       
66    Karl Khoshnaw             Kurdistan-Iraq  11.0      -9                       
74    Kien Hung Yeo             Malaysia        10.5     +95                       
75    Allan Simmons             Scotland        10.0    +416                       
85    Neil Green                Wales           10.0    -698                       
86    Anand Buddhdev            Netherlands     10.0   -1399                       
90    Brendan McDonnell         Ireland          9.0    -556
	  

Helen's accounts of her matches

Game 1 played #22 Leslie Charles (TTO) and won 509 to 360 (a spread of 149)

The draw for the first round ensured that you did not play someone from the same country and I got an easier draw than KL. My score in this game was helped when I played the amazing phony XYPHOI (muddling it with XIPHOID) that was not challenged. Also Leslie failed to spot the place to play out with TATTIES or ATTUITES.

Game 2 played #9 Peter Armstrong (USA) and won 439 to 346 (a spread of 93)

Peter responded to my opening play with a bonus and I was playing catchup from the word go. A second bonus from him on move 5 and I was now 100 points adrift. However, on move 6 I played a bonus for 95 and Peter responded with YAB. One of us was going mad, and I hoped it wasn't me as a stated 'Challenge'. The board then tightened up, and I gained another free go when Peter tried to put an S on the end of CUM. I managed to play a bonus for face value including a blank for 58 points to gain the upper hand and hold on to the finishing line. A 30 point time penalty for Peter also helped my spread. (Not a classic – 18 moves by me, 17 by Peter!!!)

Game 3 played #66 Edward Martin (Eng) and won 402 to 327 (a spread of 75)

I started this game with a bonus (UNWRITE) and gained an extra 5 points on move 2 when Ed challenged WHILOM off the W. Another 5 was added when OVONIC was also challenged. A bonus on move 6 by Ed saw him back to only 27 behind, but 3 moves later I could slot OUTsAIL on a tight board to see me home.

Game 4 played #15 David Boys (CAN) and lost 391 to 458 (a spread of -67)

This was nip and tuck all the way,the lead changing hands every couple of moves. Near the end I was holding DEISSVZ and decided on VIS keeping ZEDS on my rack. David spent a long time thinking before playing REGAINED off the R, opening a 9-timer but taking a 90 point lead. Unfortunately I had left the last blank in the bag and picked the X instead. Good tiles in a close end game, but unfortunately not for me in this game...

Game 5 played #52 Mark Kenas (USA) and won 549 to 356 (a spread of 193)

Mark started with a dump play and bingoed on move 2. However, I had opened with 40 and 45 so we were still neck-and-neck. I was forced to change on move 4, which saw Mark take a 40 point lead.However, my change was rewarded immediately with a bonus and another 2 moves later. A further bonus on move 10 and I was well in command. Mark was running very low on his clock so I played out slowly gaining an extra 20 points spread on the clock.

Game 6 played #71 John O'Laughlin (USA) and lost 329 to 365 (a spread of -36)

A very low scoring game. John started better than me and then proceeded to block the board. By the time I got any tiles worth writing home about there was nowhere to put them. Eventually I managed to make an opening John couldn't kill completely and got SHELTIE down. Unfortunately this opened the triple and John could score enough to seal a relatively easy win.

Game 7 played #28 Dylan Early (ZAF) and won 449 to 311 (a spread of 138)

Nothing much happened in this game until move 10. The board was a classic blocked ladder. Sitting with a blank and S I played MOJOS around the J for 44 to take a small lead and force an opening. I was rewarded with back-to-back bonuses and the game.

Game 8 played #21 Gerald Carter (THA) and lost 328 to 453 (a spread of -125)

Gerry started by changing 7 and I struggled on with bad tiles. After 9 moves we had both scored around 200. Then the pendulum swung in Gerry's favour. He managed to play OUTRUNS (with a blank). I was holding QuIETER and nowhere to play it. I just dumped the Q for 11 and Gerry laid another bonus which also completely killed the board. I was now 120 down and feeling miserable...

Game 9 played #84 Dean Saldanha (CAN) and won 436 to 416 (a spread of 20)

We both started slowly and each played a 73 point bonus on move 4 for Dean to maintain a slight advantage. A 51 point play by Dean on the next move and another bonus by me gave me a slight lead. Dean got another bonus on move 7 after a dump play the move before to take the lead back, but I responded with a bonus on move 8 that drew me an extra 5 points. Good scoring by Dean almost caught me up as my rack deteriorated, but a dump play followed by 54 just about saw me home.

Game 10 played #62 Ralph Lobo (OMN) and won 464 to 282 (a spread of 182)

My opening rack of EIIIIOU saw me change, keeping just the E. Luckily Ralph couldn't take advantage and had to change himself on move 4. On move 7 I got a bonus+5 to take a 90 point lead. Ralph then tried making dangerous openings which I pounced on, extending my lead. A phony desperation bonus play by Ralph near the end allowed me to determine the last few tiles in the bag, and clear my rack accordingly. I did have a bonus that played in the spot Ralph had tried, but unfortunately for me Ralph played a tile there to make it more open – except that my word no longer fitted. I blocked it to stop Ralph's bonus. Ralph then played EOANS down the triple which also came off, and allowed me to maximise the spread.

Game 11 played #32 Naween Fernando (AUS) and lost 369 to 458 (a spread of -89)

Naween is an excellent player and won this game easily when a bonus on move 2 was followed by a RETAIN? pickup out of the bag. I never got back in contention for the remainder of the game.

Game 12 played #81 Nigel Richards (NZL) and lost 377 to 561 (a spread of -184)

Although Nigel had a poor tournament by his standards, he had an easy win in this game. Nigel bonused on moves 2, 3, 4 and played out with JOYANCES off the J. Other than his opening move his lowest score was 31. Nigel blocked a V in the triple lane, stopping my VACATUrS. I tried ACTUAlS instead which Nigel held for a long time before challenging, and it coming off the board. I had to settle for a much lower scoring ACTUATeS on my next go, followed by a face-value FORELAID.

Game 13 played #51 Zev Kaufman (CAN) and lost 436 to 454 (a spread of -18)

I had to change on my first rack again, Zev having a small lead. We exchanged bonuses on move 4, Zevs scoring more than mine so extending his lead to about 40 points. Zev then played STRIG which I held, before realising that I didn't care if it was good or not because it set my Q up for QUINELA and 102 points! Zev generously gave me another 5 for my audacity :) I maintained a 50 point lead on a tight board. Zev made an opening of LOD which with a rack of ENNRTUU I could not block but tried to restrict by playing LUNT. Zec then played TONeTIC/CLOD for 93 to take a 19 point lead. Unfortunately, my pick out of the bag was BIW, leaving OSE in the bag...

Game 14 played #100 Gareth Williams (Wal) and lost 419 to 430 (a spread of -11)

The only game that I feel I really blew in the tournament. Failing to spot CREDIbLE and trying the phony CLERgIED cost me the game. I played UnDRLIE the next go which we determined would have been enough for me to win if I had played it first time round. Gareth went on to be the top placed UK player with an excellent 5th spot.

Game 15 played #49 Paul Yandisha Kalumba (ZMB) and won 499 to 291 (a spread of 208)

This was not my most enjoyable match despite the score. I gained 10 points in penalties and challenged off NONS by my opponent. I will say no more.

Game 16 played #18 Russell Byers (Eng) and lost 429 to 459 (a spread of -30)

This was a close game all the way until Russell bonused on move 11. I managed to restrict the spread when Russell did not block my LEMURIAN playout.

Game 17 played #90 Brett Smitheram (Eng) and won 496 to 331 (a spread of 165)

This game really flowed for me. Started with 38, then another 38 for HEBONA onto the triple and VAQUERO around the E for 47 on move 3. Bonuses on moves 5, 8 and 9 sealed an easy win against a very tough opponent.

Game 18 played #73 Olatunde Oduwole (NGA) and won 427 to 412 (a spread of 15)

An excellent game. After 5 moves we were still more or less level. I bonused on move 6, choosing to play STEADIeR rather than DISAsTER (not that I am superstitious). Olatunde pulled back to level. I had bad tiles and blocked the floaters by playing TORA under steadier, leaving 3 more vowels on my rack. We remained locked together until I bonused again on move 11 and picked 7 consonants out of the back. The remaining tiles looked very good. Luckily for me Olatunde could not bonus straight back and just dumped a couple of tiles, leaving an open U for me to play onto the triple for 33. Olatunde bonused out but could not score enough to catch me.

Game 19 played #55 Terry Kirk (Eng) and lost 366 to 428 (a spread of -62)

Well played game by Terry included an excellent play of MISTRIALS through the two esses. I had to make a decision in this game as to whether to play DEFICITS for face value or FECIT for 48, keeping the DS. I opted for the bonus but am not at all sure this was the right decision.

Game 20 played #72 Lisa Odom (USA) and lost 376 to 408 (a spread of -32)

Helen could not believe how poorly Lisa played in this game and yet still had enough of the tiles and luck to emerge a winner. Another particularly frustrating loss – Paul

Lisa started like a rocket with bonuses on move 2 and 4 (MISSPACE that I challenged, but we agreed ESCAPISM would have been better) to be over 120 ahead. Lisa opened a 9-x with W in 3^rd, and I held EELNST?. I eventually played ENSTyLE to open the 9-x on the other side of the board. Lisa took that spot off. I then played XI onto an S and Lisa took off the axis hook. I played JAW at the top and am now only 60ish behind. A couple of moves later Lisa played GOADERS which I challenged off, but now knew she had the last S. I could not easily block DOGEARS, so decided to score/balance instead as there was a good chance she wouldn't see/play it. She didn't, and played GRADE/misspaced (GOAD better I think). I responded with GLOZE for 48 to get back to only 24 behind. My rack was AIENTTH, with an openish M at 08. With what was unseen I could see a possible MARTINET or MONTEITH given a chance. Lisa emptied the bag :(

Game 21 played #97 Joel Wapnick (CAN) and lost 351 to 445 (a spread of -94)

I knew this was not going to be my game when Joel blocked an open I near the start where I had PROWLNG. The board became very tight, and I had a bonus that wouldn't play. Unluckily for me Joel's did. I responded with VISIERS, and Joel immediately played FREEDOM to take a 100 point lead which I could never really dent.

Game 22 played #57 Andy Kurnia (SGP) and won 421 to 344 (a spread of 77)

Andy was not happy to find Helen down in his part of the competition as she has an excellent record against him (from the King's Cup I believe) – Paul

Andy bonused on moves 3 and we exchanged bonuses on move 4 to see him with a 50 point lead. On move 7 I was praying that he didn't block an open G, he didn't and I played WIDOWING to take a 30 point lead. I just managed to outscore him from that point on.

Game 23 played #95 Asad ul-Haq (QAT) and won 401 to 326 (a spread of 75)

Asad told me after the game that he had changed his tactics in this game and decided to keep the board open. It almost paid off for him as I was never in control until a high scoring bonus on move 9. He had to change but bonused back on move 10. However, the game was strangled by then as there were no vowels left in the bag.

Game 24 played #70 Mark Nyman (Eng) and won 496 to 402 (a spread of 94)

A repeat of the last World Championships with a final game against Mark, although with less at stake this time. However a comfortable win meant that Hels walked off win the Scrabble board this time – Paul

It was with some trepidation that I sat down for the last game of the WSC. I knew that I had to win to guarantee the top placed woman slot. I could have had an easier draw! Mark reminded me of my brain-dead play in the last game of WSC2003 against him. As it turned out this was my second flowing game of the tourney. Why did they both have to be against other England players? My first rack was AADEMRS. After worrying for a while that I was missing something I played MA and picked OX from the bag. Mark obliged by playing BEFIT/EM/FA, and I picked RAMJETS straight from the bag. On move 5 I played TRISKELE from a T. Then I just concentrated on score/turnover. I picked the second blank, and got my 4^th bonus of the game (DEFACING). Mark got a bonus back near the end, but was too far behind to cause me any worry.

This page has been visited times.

Back

This page was last updated on 2005-12-26

© 2005 P S Gipson