Round 21 / 18 results

I’ve confirmed with Chris: he played ALIKELY* instead of LEAKILY. It was his first move replying to Panupol, so he had a choice of both words. But in Chris’s word: If Panupol doesn’t challenge, why should he care? Chris got two more blanks for OBTUNDs and ROTUNDeR, so it did work out well for him.

Two annotated games to be put up this round: Odette Rio (PHI) vs Andy Kurnia and Dean Saldanha (CAN) vs Komol (THA). Singapore’s lead was short-lived with Thailand storming back to a 4-1 win against team International, and Philippines doing Thailand a favour by beating Singapore 4-1.

Robbie Onate (PHI) eked out a 6-point win against Hubert Wee (SIN). Robbie needed a bingo to catch up late in the game, and Hubert played HIN to restrict the board. Unfortunately, Robbie still managed to squeeze in ONEnESS, with -ESS overlapping HIN to make (SH)E, (TI)S, and (EN)S, AND another overlap at the top where ON- overlapped to form (I)O and (AN)N. A nice find, which left Hubert rueing his HIN play, because he could have played HON, that would block the bingo.

Bob Jackman (AUS) pulled out a win over Nigel Richards (MAL), helping Australia beat Malaysia 3-2. Checking the table next to it, Trevor Halsall (AUS) didn’t manage to pull the same feat on Ganesh Asirvatham (MAL). He pointed out two of Ganesh’s moves which scored above 100: ACTIVELY to the center star, and SQUIZ with Q on the DLS and Z the TWS. Ouch.

Tony Sim (SIN) has pulled two games clear in division 2, as both people who were trailing him, Chaiwat (THA) and early leader Jocelyn Lor (MAL) lost. Pui Cheng Wui (MAL) accounted for Jocelyn and is up next against Tony. Pui played the nice WHENUA against Jocelyn. He was disappointed that Jocelyn didn’t challenge. Another nice word spotted in Open division was DYSURIa in the game between Tan Jin Chor (MAL) and Toh Weibin (SIN).

In Premier, Chris is still continuing his fine run, and Ganesh in hot pursuit. The two next closest contenders, Nigel and Hubert, have both faltered, so it looks like all between Chris and Ganesh now.