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NASC 2015 Commentary: Round 13

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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, Round 19, Round 20, Round 21, Round 22, Round 23, Round 24, Round 25, Round 26, Round 27, Round 28, Round 29, Round 30, Round 31.

Round 13

I follow Mohammad Sulaiman (United Arab Emirates) and Stefan Rau (Hudson, NY) to the challenge machine. There are two Collins adjudication laptops set up in the room with lots of STOP signs and warnings on them so that TWL players don’t inadvertently use them. GIRR# is ruled acceptable and I follow them back to their board. I see GOLDEYeS, PRIVIES, TrITOMA, MENHIRS, GLUTENS, and the fun BUNJIE#. It ended up very close, a 465-456 win for Stefan.

So, I walk by Becky Dyer (Austin, TX) vs. Jason Broersma (Caledon ON). She puts down the nonbingo OUTROLL to the last L on the triple lane, keeping one tile. He holds her. Clearly there is something going on. Maybe she is trying to block up the board to maintain a lead? I’m not sure, but they speak softly to each other, he shakes his head, and they laugh nervously together. She then says she can make a courtesy draw and he hands her the extra rack that is at their board for just such a case. I see BASTIDE#, TIRASSE#, OVERaGES, and AEOLiAN on their board. I’m not sure what unfolded, but I later learn that Becky won, 426-414.

Jason Keller (Highland Park, NJ) vs. Tasha Asberry (Cordova, TN). Their game just wrapped up, Tasha points to Jason’s FIBSTERS, SEDAtION, and PANETELLA. Of this last bingo she said, “I knew something was up because his face got all red. I sensed something big coming!” It was a double-double! He points out her TIGEREyE to the second E. A 496-373 win for Jason.

The word IRONmAN catches my attention on a Paul Hagelstein (Waco, TX) vs. Daniel Novinson (San Francisco, CA) board. I also spot TREATER and PRODDER. Then I notice that Paul has under 30 seconds on his clock and I scurry off. Daniel won by a bit, 382-372.

Another last-play win for Lila Crotty (Metairie, LA), this time against Carol McDonald (Northboro, MA). They bingoed back and forth with INLACES, DAWTIES, NEROLIS, and PATTIeS, but right at the end, Lila found NEGaTIVE for 86 and the game was won, 457-422.

So, Cesar Del Solar (Albany, CA) is well known in our community for writing a word program called AEROLITH. This round, in a game against Kenji Matsumoto (Berkeley, CA), he was able to get down the anagram of that game: ISOTHERAL (the other one is HORSETAIL—I thank my anagram program for that morsel). He pointed out that Kenji had really fun bingos: OCEANAUT and TASTINGS (one of our new TWL additions!).

Norases Vesdapunt (Stanford, CA) had a tough game with Matthew Tunnicliffe (Ottawa ON) this round. Matt got down QUOTABLE, pAISANA, and CORTEGE to Norases’ TENENAGER. Matt won that game.

I see a smiling, but leaning against the command center scaffolding, Jim Pate and I ask if he’s tired. He said, “Not one bit, but my legs sure are!” There is an enormous amount of walking, running, and standing around in running an event this size. Kudos to him for his enthusiasm and help.

Jesse Matthews writes:

Miriam Gregory (Vancouver BC) took on NASSC star Chloe Fatsis (Washington, DC) this round. Miriam commented to me how fast Chloe was with her plays! She tells me that the game was fairly close throughout, but she made what she describes as a crucial error. She played off all of her vowels in a scoring play, but not only drew all consonants, she gave Chloe a place to play off her J for a lot of points and build an unsurmountable lead in the endgame. Miriam had OUTLAYED* and SWEETENS as high plays, while Chloe got down SALTINES, SNOWIeR and REMOTeS.

I see CLUTZ*, sEQUOIA and SALOONS on the board as I walk by Cathy Poole (Winston-Salem, NC) and Gloria Miller (Santa Monica, CA).

There have been some nice triple-triple plays today. In the matchup between Geoff Tongue (Tacoma, WA) and Chris Schneider (Chicago, IL) UPFLOwED was played through the blank W from a prior play of WATTAPES. Other high scoring plays on the board included EMINENCE, SOVREN* and ZINNIA.

Robin Pollock Daniel writes:

If you all don’t already appreciate Sherrie (and who couldn’t?), I am humbled to tread meekly in her footsteps, as I spend my first day reporting on games. So many lessons to learn, and here's one of the first: don’t report on six games in one round. I missed most of Round 13 as I typed up those six games, and now feel really out of step. But I managed to get the dirt on a couple.

In CSW, Evans Clinchy (Boston, MA) found himself down by 40 going into the late endgame. With a rack of AAIORRW and an N in the bag, he shrewdly fished off the W, luckily being able to score 26 point as GUNWALE, just played by Steve Polatnick (Miami, FL) gave him a triple-letter spot in two directions. Evans picked that N, and got down ORARIAN# for 73, eking out a 432-423 victory. Steve, burdened by consonant-itis much of the game, managed to play DoMESTiC through the E (ergo with a rack of CDMST??), but that created the line for Evan’s ORARIAN, hooking underneath the D and O. Evans also played LENTORS# for 71, to Steve’s RETAXING (66).

Back on the North American side, Kenji Matsumoto (Berkeley, CA) took on Cesar Del Solar (Albany, CA). Both are having tough tournaments. Cesar got down RELUMING for 70, followed soon by SHEEREd (66) and ANAEMIAS (82). At one point, holding AEHILRT, Cesar bingoed down to H15 with a phoney 9 through SO, which Kenji forthwith challenged off. However, there is a playable bingo in AEHILORST (and three allowable words altogether; you know there is a quiz coming) which Kenji saw. Without a plausible way to block, he had to hope that Cesar wouldn’t see it and/or know it, and played elsewhere. Now considering that AEHILORST anagrams to AEROLITHS, do you think that Cesar knew the word?* Yup, he did. 473-394 victory for Cesar.

*ISOTHERAL was playable. HORSETAIL was not.

Division 1 Round 13 Auto-Commentary

Orry Swift (Houston, TX) remains in the lead for the 5th consecutive round, 11-2 +705. Joey Krafchick (Richardson, TX) is 1 game behind at 10-3 +875, #2 climbing from #3. Joe Edley (Port Jefferson, NY) is +694, on a 3-game winning streak, #3 climbing from #4. Jason Li (Dollard-Des-Ormeaux QC) is +337, #4 falling from #2. Jesse Day (Berkeley, CA) is +296, steady at #5. Thomas Reinke (Middleton, WI) is 2 games behind the leader at 9-4 +717, on a 4-game winning streak, #6 up from #7. Panupol Sujjayakorn (Thailand) is +669, on a 4-game winning streak, #7 rising from #9. Matthew Tunnicliffe (Ottawa ON) is +620, on a 3-game winning streak, #8 improving from #12. Chris Cree (Dallas, TX) is +520, #9 climbing from #11. Darrell Day (Richardson, TX) is +364, #10 improving from #14.

In Class B: Thomas Reinke (Middleton, WI) is the lead, 9-4 +717, on a 4-game winning streak. Chris Cree (Dallas, TX) is +520, #9 climbing from #11. Darrell Day (Richardson, TX) is +364, #10 improving from #14. Charles Reinke (Middleton, WI) is 1 game behind at 8-5 +545, #13 sliding from #10. Patricia Barrett (Houston, TX) is +232, #19 jumping up from #24. Sal Piro (New York, NY) is +69, #20 down from #15. David Whitley (Monrovia, CA) is 2 games behind the leader at 7-6 +671, #22 jumping up from #30. Kate Fukawa-Connelly (Lawrenceville, NJ) is +490, #23 tumbling from #17. Avery Mojica (Overland Park, KS) is +470, #24 rising from #31. Jason Keller (Highland Park, NJ) is +409, #25 climbing from #32.

In Class C: Terry Kang Rau (Hudson, NY) is the lead, 7-6 -32, on a 3-game winning streak. Alec Sjoholm (Lynnwood, WA) is 1 game behind at 6-7 +162, #39 up from #44. Tom Bond (Everett, WA) is -50, #41 tumbling from #33. Jeff Fiszbein (South Lyon, MI) is -132, #42 tumbling from #35. Ross Brown (Ottawa ON) is -134, #43 improving from #47. Greg Heidler (Waialua, HI) is -164, #44 down from #39. Tasha Asberry (Cordova, TN) is -414, on a 3-game losing streak, #46 slipping from #43. Joel Elkins (West Hollywood, CA) is -649, #47 rising from #56. Reid Hattaway (Moscow, ID) is 2 games behind the leader at 5-8 -119, #49 sliding from #45. Bruce D Ambrosio (Los Angeles, CA) is -345, #54 leaping up from #62.

High Win: David Whitley (Monrovia, CA) 575-343 vs. Jeff Fiszbein (South Lyon, MI). Low Wins: Joel Elkins (West Hollywood, CA) 394-387 vs. Paul Erland (Pegram, TN); Terry Kang Rau (Hudson, NY) 394-346 vs. Ken Kasney (Meridian, ID). High Loss: Ian Weinstein (Coral Springs, FL) 446-484 vs. Orry Swift (Houston, TX). Low Loss: Tom Bond (Everett, WA) 285-574 vs. Nick Meyer (Berkeley, CA).

Division 2 Round 13 Auto-Commentary

Chris Williams (Vancouver BC) remains in the lead for the 7th consecutive round, 11-2 +939. Howard Pistol (Oakland Park, FL) is +779, on a 5-game winning streak, still at #2 for 4 rounds. Mark Peltier (Seattle, WA) is 1 game behind at 10-3 +179, on a 4-game winning streak, #3 climbing from #5. Kevin Fraley (San Jose, CA) is 2 games behind the leader at 9-4 +943, #4 climbing from #6. Gunther Jacobi (Portland, OR) is +869, on a 7-game winning streak, #5 climbing from #8. Jeff Martin (Albuquerque, NM) is +622, #6 falling from #3. Kevin Bowerman (Chapel Hill, NC) is +473, #7 up from #11. Dave Leifer (Alpharetta, GA) is +457, #8 up from #12. Paul Avrin (New York, NY) is +278, #9 improving from #13. Carolyn Easter (Birmingham, MI) is +272, on a 5-game winning streak, #10 climbing from #14.

In Class : In Class B: Mark Peltier (Seattle, WA) is the lead, 10-3 +179, on a 4-game winning streak. Jeff Martin (Albuquerque, NM) is 1 game behind at 9-4 +622, #6 falling from #3. Tod Taylor (Seattle, WA) is +180, on a 5-game winning streak, #11 climbing from #15. Kit Morehead (Berkley, MI) is 2 games behind the leader at 8-5 +274, on a 3-game winning streak, #19 rising from #25. Martin Weisskopf (Huntsville, AL) is +246, #20 collapsing from #10. Guy Ingram (Ellenwood, GA) is -190, #23 leaping up from #31.

In Class C: Carolyn Easter (Birmingham, MI) is the lead, 9-4 +272, on a 5-game winning streak. Paula Catanese (Mountain View, CA) is 1 game behind at 8-5 +456, on a 4-game winning streak, #17 improving from #21. Gwen Stewart (Ellicott City, MD) is +45, #21 down from #16. Elizabeth Ralston (Los Angeles, CA) is -53, on a 4-game losing streak, #22 dropping from #17. Edward Gowash (Fort Worth, TX) is 2 games behind the leader at 7-6 +157, #32 climbing from #37. Carol McDonald (Northboro, MA) is +35, #34 tumbling from #26. Carl Davis (Riverdale, GA) is -27, on a 3-game winning streak, #36 rocketing up from #49. Diana Grosman (Reisterstown, MD) is -335, #45 collapsing from #32.

High Win: Gunther Jacobi (Portland, OR) 545-316 vs. Martin Weisskopf (Huntsville, AL). Low Win: Paul Mishkin (San Francisco, CA) 360-299 vs. Mark Fidler (Waltham, MA). High Loss: Marichelle Roque-Lutz (New Holland, PA) 444-464 vs. Edward Stewart (Elicott City, MD). Low Loss: Kay Patterson (Fair Oaks, CA) 253-484 vs. John Karris (San Jose, CA).

Division 3 Round 13 Auto-Commentary

Bill Ewing (Missoula, MT) stays in the lead for the 6th consecutive round, 12-1 +765. Charles Dupont (Seattle, WA) is 2 games behind at 10-3 +791, unchanged at #2. Tapani Lindgren (Roseville, CA) is +460, #3 rising from #6. Lynda Wise (Toronto ON) is +421, on a 4-game winning streak, #4 climbing from #5. April McCarley (Austin, TX) is +326, #5 rising from #7. Daniel Novinson (San Francisco, CA) is 3 games behind the leader at 9-4 +600, #6 rising from #9. Carol Tillson (Silver Spring, MD) is +515, on a 3-game winning streak, #7 up from #11. Paul Hagelstein (Waco, TX) is +442, #8 falling from #4. Greg Feldkamp (Cleveland Heights, OH) is +435, on a 6-game winning streak, #9 rising from #13. Dave Lockrem (Blaine, MN) is +403, #10 tumbling from #3.

In Class B: Carol Tillson (Silver Spring, MD) is the lead, 9-4 +515, on a 3-game winning streak. Zachary Ansell (Los Angeles, CA) is +154, #12 improving from #16. Lindsey Dimmick (Baton Rouge, LA) is 1 game behind at 8-5 +522, on a 3-game winning streak, #16 leaping up from #21. Rhonda Morris (Oklahoma City, OK) is +134, #22 up from #28. Margo Kuno (Philadelphia, PA) is +58, #23 dropping from #18. Lynn Dreyer (Tacoma, WA) is 2 games behind the leader at 7-6 +222, #30 zooming up from #43. Sonia Wilmot (Littleton, CO) is +138, #32 jumping down from #25. Julie Ellen Maria (Oxnard, CA) is +83, #33 leaping up from #40. Claudia Finn (Seattle, WA) is -41, #37 collapsing from #27. Kay Adam (Volin, SD) is -207, #39 jumping down from #30.

In Class C: Chloe Fatsis (Washington, DC) is the lead, 9-4 +237. Cooper Komatsu (Los Angeles, CA) is 1 game behind at 8-5 +478, #17 jumping down from #10. Joey Gordon (Fort Worth, TX) is +50, #24 tumbling from #17. Noah Kalus (New Paltz, NY) is -113, on a 5-game winning streak, #26 leaping up from #32. Sander Post (Ottawa ON) is 2 games behind the leader at 7-6 +244, #28 down from #23. Nandini Dickens (Bethesola, MD) is +60, on a 3-game winning streak, #34 hurtling up from #46. Anne LaDu (Des Moines, IA) is +56, on a 6-game winning streak, #35 rocketing up from #47. Chris Autio (Missoula, MT) is -4, #36 leaping up from #45.

High Win: Lindsey Dimmick (Baton Rouge, LA) 520-347 vs. Betsey Wood (Concord, MA). Low Win: Ruth Brower (Hockessin, DE) 338-327 vs. George Bissonnette (Seattle, WA). High Loss: Joey Gordon (Fort Worth, TX) 421-485 vs. Joe Roberdeau (Cincinnati, OH). Low Loss: Nancy Hanley (Wilmington, DE) 268-421 vs. Noah Kalus (New Paltz, NY).

Division 4 Round 13 Auto-Commentary

Jennifer DeWaelsche (San Antonio, TX) remains in the lead for the 3rd consecutive round, 11-2 +717, on a 4-game winning streak. Hannah Rozear (Durham, NC) is 1 game behind at 10-3 +659, #2 rising from #3. Jim Laris (Altadena, CA) is +265, #3 slipping from #2. Richard Banker (Ankeny, IA) is 2 games behind the leader at 9-4 +529, #4 improving from #5. Jack Peters (Nantucket, MA) is +491, #5 rising from #6.

In Class B: Jennifer DeWaelsche (San Antonio, TX) is the lead for the 3rd consecutive round, 11-2 +717, on a 4-game winning streak. Jim Laris (Altadena, CA) is 1 game behind at 10-3 +265, #3 falling from #2. Richard Banker (Ankeny, IA) is 2 games behind the leader at 9-4 +529, #4 improving from #5.

In Class C: Jack Peters (Nantucket, MA) is the lead, 9-4 +491. Dustin Brown (Fairfield, CT) is 1 game behind at 8-5 +405, #6 rising from #7. Jennifer Hay (Portland, TX) is 2 games behind the leader at 7-6 -141, #21 down from #16. Annie Adkins (Waukomis, OK) is -269, on a 4-game winning streak, #24 jumping up from #30.

High Win: Chandra Hebert (Lafayette, LA) 478-295 vs. Ron Barker (Boise, ID). Low Win: Wendy Wilkinson Ridout (Ankeny, IA) 316-305 vs. Karen Kaminski (Demotte, IN). High Loss: Dustin Brown (Fairfield, CT) 397-427 vs. Jack Peters (Nantucket, MA). Low Loss: Desiree Engel (Anaheim, CA) 231-381 vs. Dawn Mennear (Des Moines, IA).

Division CSW Round 13 Auto-Commentary

Becky Dyer (Austin, TX) remains in the lead, 11-2 +903, on a 3-game winning streak. Dave Wiegand (Portland, OR) is +883, steady at #2. Austin Shin (United Kingdom) is +589, on a 7-game winning streak, remaining unchanged at #3 for 3 rounds. Evans Clinchy (Boston, MA) is 1 game behind at 10-3 +661, on a 5-game winning streak, remaining steady at #4. Peter Armstrong (Oakland, CA) is 2 games behind the leader at 9-4 +472, #5 rising from #6. Amit Chakrabarti (Hanover, NH) is +256, #6 falling from #5.

High Win: Leslie Charles (Trinidad and Tobago) 505-313 vs. Tony Leah (Ajax ON). Low Win: Walker Willingham (Bainbridge Island, WA) 370-357 vs. Eric Kinderman (Burlington, VT). High Loss: Bradley Whitmarsh (Attleboro, MA) 461-500 vs. Dave Wiegand (Portland, OR). Low Loss: Caroline Polak Scowcroft (Australia) 244-475 vs. Puneet Sharma (Cambridge, MA).