December 5-8, 2003

Live Coverage
Schedule
Venue and Directions
History
Info for Players
Committee
How to Qualify
Rules
Info for Media

Go to: Commentary Games Players Photos Profiles Standings Press Merchandise

Back to 2003 Canadian SCRABBLE Championship Live Coverage

2003 Canadian SCRABBLE Championship Commentary: Round 5

Go to: Before the Tournament, Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 7, Round 8, Round 9, Round 10, Round 11, Round 12, Round 13, Round 14, Round 15, Round 16, Round 17, Round 18, Award Ceremony, Final Round 1, Final Round 2, Final Round 3, Final Round 4, After the Tournament.

round 5

From the "too cute for words" department, a very polite Daniel West approached my table and asked, "May I recite all the RETINAS bingos to you?" Of course I nodded and he set in, pointing out that he would be doing so alphabetically. After he was done he said, "It's all John's fault." I guess his godfather has been doing bingo stems with him!

Today I'm wearing my SCRABBLE^® tile bracelet from the NSA's Word Gear site and Diane Brown noticed it. While we were admiring the blonde tiles, she sheepishly showed me the one she had made in Myanmar. It is a much larger, heavier style with silver tiles spelling out her initials and an elephant. I'll talk to the NSA about maybe adding animals to theirs!

At table 14 I catch a game-ending play between Tim Anglin (Scarborough ON) and Allan Simon (Calgary AB). As is almost always the case between these players, I can't tell who won! Finally, I ask and it is Tim's game, 372-354. Three very nice plays: Tim's MORnINGS for a 90-point double-double and INDEVOUT from the I for 88 and Allan's SEEMInG for 90.

A blistering loss for John Robertson (Cambridge ON) this round at table 1 to Evan Berofsky (Thornhill ON), 294-472. In a very respectful way, John let me know that he had entirely too many vowels. Evan, in the catbird seat, played GLISTeR for 75, EXORDIA for 82, and BOATELS hooking on to make EXORDIAL for 96. Evan is now 4-1 and smiling broadly.

Toronto players, Robin Pollock Daniel (Toronto ON) vs. Lisa Kessler (Toronto ON), squared off at table 4. While Lisa had two late-game blanks, making mAGNETS to the triple and extended Er to VIVID, it was Robin's win, 519-338. Robin's better plays: LATENING, STUMPER, and TUREENS.

At table 11, Ray Francis (Pickering ON) defeated Jeff Parsons (St. John's NF), 412-309. I see Jeff's STRINGED to the D on the triple line and Ray's EVASIVe and EXUvIA (a non-bingo).

At table 2, a barn-burning game between Craig Rowland (Mississauga ON) and David Boys (Dorval QC) was going down. I see Craig's RETIRANT through the I for 62, DIORITES through the second I for 74, and ARIDNESS from the A for 80. Dave played TEFILLiN for 72 and IGUANAS for 84. In the end, it was Montreal over Mississauga and Dave won this game, 491-453.

Breathing a little hard, smiling broadly, and excited to share, Trevor Sealy (Oshawa ON) approached me to tell me about his opponent's great play. Zev Kaufman (Toronto ON) played SOLONETZ for 128 points! I'm sure he must have lost and start to console him when he tells me he won, 457-398. Trevor's best play from memory was ANIMATER from the first A. He can't remember play's total, but he does remember that Zev challenged!

An aside, it is important to be bilingual when working in Canada. It catches me less and less now when players report the plays containing "zeds." My mind sees and wants to hear "zee," but the players here just don't know that word!

John Robertson (Cambridge ON) played Evan Berofsky (Thornhill ON) at Board 1 this round, and their annotated game is available for browsing.

David Boys (Dorval QC) played Craig Rowland (Mississauga ON) at Board 2 this round, and their annotated game is available for browsing.