Malaysian Scrabble

Kiasuism

2008-12-02T20:44:00.003+08:00

30 minutes for RM1.30. + RM1.00 for printing 2 pages (maybe should have just printed one and photocopy many)

Anyway, just trying to maximize my remaining 20 odd minutes at the Internet Cafe.
Tomorrow, The Causeway Scrabble Challenge.
Next Year, THE WORLD SCRABBLE CHAMPIONDHIP.

It's nice to have goals, isn't it.

Anyway, have updated my ROTO list

mantra

2008-12-01T22:35:00.001+08:00

I start this game with a clean slate of mind. This game is neither reflective of my past performance nor indicative of my future performance. This is a new game; I will, at all times, play this game to the best of my ability AND I SHALL WIN THIS GAME (This I vow to myself).

5th Causeway Scrabble Challenge 2006

2006-07-09T17:50:00.000+08:00

Dear fellow Scrabblers,

I am pleased to announce that the 5th Causeway Scrabble Challenge will be held at Zon Regency Hotel (formerly known as Eden Garden Hotel) in Johor Bahru, Malaysia from 8th to 10th December 2006.

I am also pleased to announce that we will have 6 countries in the Premier Division this year. Top 5 players from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines, Australia and India will be competing on a team event basis to see which country will emerge champion. The individual top prize for Premier Division is USD2,500.

As usual, we will also have an Open Division for those who did not make it to Premier Division. They will be competing in a 20-game tournamet with the individual top prize of RM2,500. (Exchange rate is USD1 to RM3.65 )

Below are the details of the tournament:

Tournament: 5th Causeway Scrabble Challenge
Venue: Zon Regency Hotel, Johor Bahru
Date: 8 - 10 Dec 2006

Premier Division:

Teams: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines, Australia and India

Qualification: Top 5 players from each country based on ratings of each country as of 30 November 2006 or earlier as determined by Scrabble Association of each country. The next player on the rating list will be invited if any of top 5 players could not make it.

Format: 25 games (Team round-robin only, i.e. each country plays the other countries once)
Time per game: 25 minutes each
Dictionary: SOWPODS 2003
Challenge Rule: 5 points penalty per word challenged

Schedule:

Day 1, Friday 8th December 2006 (7 games)

1430-1815 Game 1-4
1815-1900 Dinner
1900-2230 Game 5-7

Day 2, Saturday 9th December 2006 (12 games)

0730-0830 Breakfast
0830-1230 Game 8-11
1230-1315 Lunch
1315-1830 Game 12-16
1830-1930 Dinner
1930-2230 Game 17-19

Day 3, Sunday 18th December 2005 (6 games)

0730-0830 Breakfast
0830-1230 Game 20-23
1230-1330 Lunch
1330-1530 Game 24-25
1530-1600 Prize Presentation

Prize Money:

1st: USD2,500
2nd:USD1,000
3rd: USD700
4th: USD600
5th: USD500
6th: USD400
7th: USD300
8th: USD200
9th: USD150
10th:USD150

Registration: USD100

Open Division:

Format: 12 Swiss No-Repeat and 8 King of the Hill
Dictionary: SOWPODS 2003
Challenge Rule: 5 points penalty per word challenged
Time per game: 25 minutes each

Schedule:

Day 1, Friday 8th December 2006 (3 games)

1800-1900 Dinner
1900-2200 Games 1-3

Day 2, Saturday 9th December 2006 (11 games)

0730-0830 Breakfast
0830-1230 Game 4-7
1230-1330 Lunch
1330-1830 Game 8-12
1830-1930 Dinner
1930-2130 Game 13-14

Day 3, Sunday 10th December 2006 (6 games)

0730 - 0830 Breakfast
0830 - 1230 Game 15-18
1230 - 1330 Lunch
1330 - 1530 Game 19-20
1530 - 1600 Prize Giving

Prize Money:

1st: RM2,500
2nd: RM1,000
3rd: RM700
4th: RM600
5th: RM500
6th: RM400
7th: RM300
8th: RM200
9th: RM150
10th: RM150

Registration:
Adults: RM100
Students: RM80

I will be sending out another e-mail with accomodation package details at Zon Regency Hotel in due course.

Please send your registration to me either at alchemist9189@gmail.com or you can call me anytime at my mobile no: +65-9189 9189.

Michael Tang
Organising Chairman

2006 World Youth Scrabble Championship

2006-07-09T17:28:00.000+08:00

Karen Richards, chair of the WESPA Youth Sub-Committee (and ably assisted by our very own Mrs. Yap and Yeo Kien Hung) has organized the inaugural World Youth Scrabble Championship in Wollongong University (East Campus) near Sydney from the 1st to 3rd December 2006.

To participate, you must be 18 years of age on 1st December 2006 (born 1st January 1989 or later). Malaysia has been allocated 5 spots for this WYSC but additional entrants can participate for the princely sum of AU$300 pax. (not inclusive of misc, transportation cost, etc).

A selection will be conducted soon to help shortlist 10-20 candidates from Malaysia's best junior players.

Interested students can obtained more information from Mrs Yap (012-302 2053 or sklyap@yahoo.com.sg) or Yeo Kien Hung (012-688 1236).

The WYSC website can be found at http://www.wespa.org/youth/2006wysc.html

Taylor Inter-College Scrabble Tournament (TICST)

2006-06-16T09:22:00.000+08:00

Date : August 5-6, 2006
Time : 9:00am – 6:00pm
Venue : Taylor’s College Subang Jaya

Organiser: Scrachess Club (formerly known as Card and Board Games Club)
Tournament Director (TD): Mrs Yap-Song Kim Lian

Objective
1. To promote scrabble as a healthy mind activity.
2. To discover more talents in scrabble.
3. To foster good relationships between colleges.

Eligibility*:
Players must be full time students in any colleges or private universities in Malaysia. Players from private universities must be either doing Foundation or first year only.

Format:
1. Time limit : 25 minutes per person, no increment
: Penalty of 10 points for each minute (or part of) overtime
: Maximum penalty of 50 points
2. Challenge mode : SINGLE (no penalty for a wrong challenge)
3. Dictionary : SOWPODS (Internationally accepted)
4. Pairing : Australian Draw for Round 1-8, and King of the Hill for Round 9-11
5. Other rules : As stated in the Scrabble Rules of Malaysian Scrabble Association

Registration: Team of 2, with both the members from the same college
: Maximum of 5 teams per college
: Places may be limited, so registration is on first-come-first-serve
basis. Only the first 50 teams who registered will be competing.
: Deadline for registration is July 31, 2006.
: Acceptance of late registration or change of team members after
the deadline will be at sole discretion of the organizers.
: Payment can be made beforehand or on the tournament day.

Entry Fees
1. RM50 per team of 2, RM40 for the fourth and fifth team (if applicable)
2. RM30 per individual participation without a team member only
3. Players who participate individually need not pay the team entry fee.

Placing
1. Players will register as a team, but compete as an individual.
2. Players will ranked according to points (number of wins), then spread.
3. There is possibility for a team member to play against his/her counterpart.
4. Withdrawal of a team member will not jeopardize the other player’s chance for a prize in the individual category, only the group category.

Tentative schedule*

August 5, 2006
0830 – 0900 Registration
0900 – 0920 Final Briefing by Tournament Director (TD)
0925 – 1035 Round 1
1040 – 1150 Round 2
1150 – 1300 Round 3
1300 – 1410 Lunch Break
1415 – 1525 Round 4
1530 – 1640 Round 5
1645 – 1755 Round 6
1755 End of Day 1

August 6, 2006
0830 – 0900 Registration
0905 – 1015 Round 7
1020 – 1130 Round 8
1135 – 1245 Round 9
1245 – 1355 Lunch Break
1400 – 1510 Round 10
1515 – 1625 Round 11
1635 – 1710 Prize Presentation
1710 Dismissal

Prizes*
1. Certificates of Participation will be awarded to participants and Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to winners.
2. Other prizes will be announced later.

Sets and Clocks
1. Scrabble Sets & Clocks will be provided by the tournament organizers for the duration of the tournament.
2. Colleges are also encouraged to purchase scrabble sets for their own collection. Purchase of original Scrabble sets can be made through Mrs. Yap-Song Kim Lian at 012-3022053. Scrabble sets will be priced at RM60 each.
3. To colleges who wish to use their own sets and clocks (optional), please contact Teddy Teo before 31 July 2006.

TICST 2006 Organising Committee

Staff Advisor : Mr. Kreisler Buy (Student Services)
Organising Chairperson (OC) : Albert Khor Yee Shin (A-levels)
Secretary : Kang Suk Yein (A-levels)
Registration Director : Natasya Elmi (A-levels)
Logistics Director : Teddy Teo (A-levels)
Publicity Director : Lydia Leong Lai Peng (SAM)

Should you have any enquiries, kindly contact:

Albert Khor (016-2336992, khor_albert@yahoo.com)
For all matters, including enquiries pertaining to registration

Natasya Elmi (016-2802977, weird_taste@hotmail.com)
For registration

Teddy Teo (016-2348915, lucasscottone@hotmail.com)
For matters pertaining scrabble sets and clocks

*Subject to change.

For interested university and college students, please call Albert Khor for more information.

2006-04-07T05:45:00.000+08:00

7th Penang Novices Scrabble Tournament

Date: Sunday 18 June 2006
Time: 8.30am to 6.30pm
Venue: City Bayview Hotel, Jalan Farquhar, Penang, Malaysia

Open to all Scrabble Players who have a rating of 1000 and Below

Format:
Dictionary: SOWPODS
Challenge Rule: Free challenge
Rounds: 7 games, KOTH pairing (no repeat pairing for first 5, repeat for last 2)

Novices Category
Local Players must be rated 1000 and below
Entry Fee: RM 30

Schedule:

Sunday 18 June 2006

0800-0830 Registration

0830-0930 Game 1
0930-1030 Game 2
1030-1130 Game 3
1130-1230 Game 4
1230-1330 Lunch
1330-1430 Game 5
1430-1530 Game 6
1530-1630 Game 7
1700-1730 Prize Presentation

Accomodation

City Bayview Hotel has a special package of Triple sharing with breakfast for 3 at RM 150 nett.For room reservations please contact
Mr. Leon Tan (leontan@citybayviewpg.com.my)
Tel : 04-263 3161 ext 281 Fax : 04-263 7232

Prizes

Positon Trophy/Certificate Cash(RM)
Champion Yes 100
1st Runner-Up Yes 75
2nd Runner-Up Yes 50
3rd Runner-Up Yes
4th Runner-Up Yes

For further info visit our website at

http://www.freewebtown.com/penster/

21 BRAND'S King's Cup

2006-02-08T17:10:00.000+08:00

Dear Players,

Welcome everyone to one of the world’s most exciting and challenging event of the year, the 21st BRAND’S Thailand International Crossword Game King’s Cup 2006, which will be held from June 29th – July 2nd, 2006 at Central City Bangna Shopping Complex, Bangkok, with the winner's prize of USD 6,000.

We proudly invite you to join a celebration of the wonderful 21st year of Crossword Game in Thailand and be a part of our greatest history together. This spectacular event will bring you to the world of real sport competition with an exciting and challenging atmosphere. Let’s join us! We are planning to set up this event to be the most memorable and enjoyable tournament ever.

Please find details of the tournament below. Should there be any queries or further information needed, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would greatly appreciate the presence of you and your friends at our event.

Best regards,

Amnuay P.

GENERAL DETAILS

21st BRAND’S THAILAND INTERNATIONAL CROSSWORD GAME KING’S CUP 2006

Date: June 29th - July 2nd, 2006

Venue: 1st floor, The Bangna Hall, Central City Bangna Shopping Complex

Division: Open Division, open to all without restrictions

Prize

- Champion: HM King’s Cup + USD 6,000 + Gift Set

- 2nd place-getter : 75,000 Baht + Gift Set

- 3rd place-getter : 40,000 Baht + Gift Set

- 4th place-getter : 20,000 Baht + Gift Set

- 5th place-getter : 10,000 Baht + Gift Set

- 6th place-getter : 7,000 Baht + Gift Set

- 7th place-getter : 5,000 Baht + Gift Set

- 8th place-getter : 4,000 Baht + Gift Set

- 9th place-getter : 3,000 Baht + Gift Set

- 10th place-getter : 2,000 Baht + Gift Set

Bonus Prize

Each player (except the winner and the 2nd place-getter) will receive 50 Baht for every winning game on June 29-30 and receive 100 Baht for every winning game on July 1-2. ***This means that everyone has a chance to win prize money.***

Super Bonus Prize

If a player wins every game he played on any particular day, he will receive five times the Bonus Prize he would normally receive on that day instead of the normal Bonus Prize.

::::::: NOTE :::::::

The above prizes will be given only to the players who have played all 27 rounds completely.
The prizes will be awarded at the end of the tournament.
Everyone who receives the total prize money of over 500 Baht during the tournament is subject to paying a 5% witholding tax.
Entry Fee

USD120 (including Reception Party & 2 days Coffee Break) For those who has confirmed and sent in their application forms by May 31, 2006.
** Those who send in their application forms after May 31, 2006, must pay another additional fee of USD 10.

*** The application fee can be paid upon Bangkok arrival.

Words Source

SOWPODS 2000 (there will be a list of all 2 & 3-letter words and their inflected forms provided for each player. This list can be opened at any time during the game).

Challenge Rule

Free challenge, a player does not lose his turn when he challenges the acceptable word(s). Self-checking method, a player and his/her opponent will take a look at challenged word(s) at computer table provided.

Game Timing

Each player is allowed 25 MINUTES per game.

Maximum Difference

In each game, a player is allowed to win/lose not more than a maximum point spread of +/- 350. If there is any player win/lose more than maximum point spread of +/- 350, (s)he should record in Master score card and tally sheet with only +/- 350 point spread.

Format

27 games in total.
Game 1-24 will base on Swiss pairing system.
Game 25-27 will base on King-of-the-Hill pairing system. Then after game 27, the top two players play the final.
Remark: The Gibson’s rule will be applied, in case, there is a player who has won enough games to guarantee 1st place or a seat in the finals, no matter how many games s/he loses thereafter.

The two finalists go to final with special rule: They have to play two games. If one of them wins both games, then that player will be the winner. But if they tie with a win and a loss, the third game will be played. The winner, in this case, is the one who scores the most when combining scores from three games.

Accommodation

The Novotel Bangna Bangkok Hotel (4 stars, 5-minute driving) offers the rate of 2,650 Baht net / night for a single room and 2,880 Baht net / night for a double room.
The Novotel Bangna is the nearest hotel to the venue. Its address is 14/49 Moo 6 Srinakarin Rd., Nongbon, Pravet, Bangkok 10250 Tel. (662)3660505 Fax.(662) 3660506.
Note: The above rates include American breakfast, complimentary use of Health Club, etc.

The King Park Avenue Bangkok Hotel (3 stars, 8-minute driving) offers the rate of 900 Baht net / night for either single or twin room with breakfast.
The King Park Avenue is located on 9/999 Soi Supapong 3, Srinakarin Rd., opposite to Seacon Square Shopping Complex, Nongbon, Pravet, Bangkok 10260. Tel.(662) 7481035 (15 Lines) Fax. (662) 7481050
:::::Remark:::::

The reservation can be done through us. (contact Mr.Ravee or Mr.Nuttakrit)

Schedule

Thursday, June 29, 11.15-18.00, Registration / Opening Remark / Round 1-5 / Reception Party (18.30-22.30)
Friday, June 30, 11.30-18.30, Round 6-12
Saturday, July 1, 8.30-19.30, Grand Opening Ceremony / Round 13-20
Sunday, July 2, 8.45-19.00, Round 21-27 / Final Round / Closing Ceremony
For Application and Inquiry, contact

Mr.Ravee or Mr.Nuttakrit by Email: info@thaicrossword.com or Telephone (662) 6819971-3 or Fax (662) 6819974

How to apply

Send us your info about the below topics as well as your recent 1-inch photograph (2 copies) at the above-mentioned address. (you may send them via snail mail, email or fax as your choices) For the photographs, you may attach with you email. Closing date is May 31, 2006.

-- Name:
-- Age:
-- Nationality:
-- Occupation:
-- Address:
-- Telephone Number: (please indicate your city’s code)
-- Fax Number: (please indicate your city’s code)
-- Email:
-- Past records in any tournament:

ICT Penang Open 2006 Scrabble Tournament

2006-01-31T23:03:00.000+08:00

The ICT Penang Open 2006 Scrabble Tournament
(Sponsored by ISLAND COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY, Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia)

Date: 23, 24 & 25 June 2006
Time: 8.30am to 6.30pm
Venue: City Bayview Hotel, Jalan Farquhar, Penang, Malaysia

Format:
Dictionary: SOWPODS
Challenge Rule: WSC 5-point penalty challenge
Rounds: 20 games, KOTH pairing (no repeat pairing for first 14, repeat for last 6)

Schedule:

Day 1, Friday 23 June 2006 (4 games)
1500-1530 Registration
1530-1830 Game 1-3
1900-2030 Opening Ceremony Dinner
2100-2200 Game 4

Day 2, Saturday 24 June 2006 ( 11 games)

0730-0830 Breakfast
0830-1230 Game 5-8
1230-1400 Lunch
1400-1900 Game 9 -13
1900-2030 Dinner
2030-2230 Game 14-15

Day 3, Sunday 25 June 2006 (5 games)

0730-0830 Breakfast
0830-1230 Game 16-19
1230-1400 Lunch
1400-1500 Game 20
1530-1630 Prize Presentation & Closing

Entry Fee
• Non-Malaysians RM 120
• Malaysians RM 80
• Additional charge of RM20 for late entries received after 16 June 2006

Positon Challenge Trophy/Medallion Cash
Champion Yes USD 1000
1st Runner-Up Yes RM1000
2nd Runner-Up Yes RM750
3rd Runner-Up - RM600
4th Runner-Up - RM500
5th Runner-Up - RM400
6th Runner-Up - RM300
7th Runner-Up - RM250
8th Runner-Up - RM200
9th Runner-Up - RM100

Room Accommodation

City BayView Hotel (Venue of Tournament)
Jalan Farquhar, Penang
Single /Twin Occupancy (superior ) @ RM 135.00 nett -per room per day
with buffet breakfast.

Optional:
RM70 nett per person for buffet lunch & dinner on Saturday 24th June 2006
RM30 nett per person for buffet lunch on Sunday 25th June 2006

For room reservations please contact
Mr. Leon Tan (leontan@citybayviewpg.com.my)
Tel : 04-263 3161 ext 281 Fax : 04-263 7232

Eastern & Oriental Hotel
RM480 (USD 130) per night with breakfast

Contact:
Aliza Abdul Rahman
Sales Manager
Eastern & Oriental Hotel
Tel : +6042222141
aliza@e-o-hotel.com

NOTE to all Malaysians Players: Please provide your own set of board, clock, racks and tiles. Thank you for taking notice.

Contact Persons: (Details and registration)
Dr Adele Tan (Organizing Chairwoman): adele@hlwe.com (+60194486534)
Dr Mohamad Salahudin (President, Penang Scrabble Club): drsala50@gmail.com (+60124527650 )
John Lam (Vice President, Penang Scrabble Club): kmlan@streamyx.com (+0124943950)

PENANG OPTIONAL TOURS

PROPOSED FULL DAY TOURS FOR DAY 01 (26Jun2006)

Langkawi Coral (Pulau Payar Marine Park)
Itinerary as attached
RATE: MALAYSIAN RM160 PER ADULT/RM100 PER CHILD
NON-MALAYSIAN RM250 PER ADULT/RM150PERSON

Full Day Langkawi Discovery Tour
Itinerary as attached
RATE: RM300 PER ADULT
RM200 PER CHILD

PROPOSED HALF DAY TOURS FOR DAY 02 (27Jun2006)

ROUND ISLAND TOUR (MAX. 4 HRS)
2-19 PAXS
RM40 PER ADULT
RM20 PER CHILD

20-29 PAXS
RM35 PER ADULT
RM20 PER CHILD

30-39 PAXS
RM27 PER ADULT
RM20 PER CHILD

40-42 PAXS
RM23 PER ADULT
RM20 PER CHILD

CITY & HERITAGE TOUR (MAX 3.5 HRS)
2-19 PAXS
RM46 PER ADULT
RM23 PER CHILD

20-29 PAXS
RM39 PER ADULT
RM23 PER CHILD

30-39 PAXS
RM31 PER ADULT
RM23 PER CHILD

40-42 PAXS
RM27 PER ADULT
RM23 PER CHILD

HILL & TEMPLE TOUR (MAX. 4 HRS)
2-19 PAXS
RM44 PER ADULT
RM22 PER CHILD

20-29 PAXS
RM36 PER ADULT
RM22 PER CHILD

30-39 PAXS
RM28 PER ADULT
RM22 PER CHILD

40-42 PAXS
RM24 PER ADULT
RM22 PER CHILD

NIGHT TOUR (MAX. 4 HRS)
2-19 PAXS
RM70 PER ADULT
RM35 PER CHILD

20-29 PAXS
RM60 PER ADULT
RM35 PER CHILD

30-39 PAXS
RM50 PER ADULT
RM35 PER CHILD

40-42 PAXS
RM44 PER ADULT
RM35 PER CHILD

Contact persons for the above tours
1. margaret.gasper_pen@holidaytours.com.my
2. alicia.yeap_pen@holidaytours.com.my

Holiday Tours in Penang can help oversea scrabblers to arrange regional flights , Penang to Bangkok or any destinations.Person to contact for flight arrangements: wendy.chan_pen@holidaytours.com.my

CNY Tourney Entrants

2006-01-22T23:57:00.000+08:00

Division A: Masters

Albert Khor Yee Shin (student, up)

Total Entry Fee: RM40
Division B: Intermediates

Tan Boon Aik (student)
Tan Jun Horng (student)
Foo Fang Hai (student)
Kenny Loh
Haravinth Thiruthond (student)
Tan Jia Yuan (student)+
Geoffrey Yeow (student)
Theodore Raj (student)
Wendy Lee Suk Ling (student)
Cedric Stewart Lewis (student)
Lee Pao Hsien
Jon Lim Kee Siang+
Louis Hew (student)
Kazrin bin Khairul Anuar (student,up)*
Kei Melia (student, up)*
Muhammad Syafiq Bin Mat Saad (student, up)*
Veronica Choong Wai Han (student, up)*

Total Entry Fee: RM365
Division C: Novices

Sharfizi Azmal
Adlinna Abdul Alim*
Dipesh Sanghvi (student)*
Khor Wye Funn (student)*
Louis Lim Yun Ying*
Meor Mohamad Tahar Bin Meor Abu Bakar*
Nigel Lee (student)*
Soe Kam Hoong (student)*
Sue Wye Luun (student)*
Tan Boon Lye (student)*+
Teddy Teo Swee Phin (student)*
Tung Mun Yee*

Total Entry Fee: RM280

CNY Tournament

2006-01-22T18:01:00.000+08:00

Champion of the New Year

Money Back tournament (Entry Fee - Cost = Prize Pool)

Date: 18th to 19th February 2006 (Saturday & Sunday)

Venue: Berjaya Times Square

Time: Starts at 9am on both days (Registration opens at 8.30 am)

Rounds:
Division A: 16 rounds (9 rounds on Saturday, 7 rounds on Sunday)
Division B: 15 rounds (8 rounds on Saturday, 7 rounds on Sunday)
Division C: 12 rounds (7 rounds on Saturday, 5 rounds on Sunday)

Format:
Division A: If 16 players or less, 1 full round robin and KOTH for the rest. If 17 players or more, KOTH 12 no-repeat + 4 repeat.
Division B: If 16 players or less, 1 full round robin and KOTH for the rest. If 17 players or more, KOTH 12 no-repeat + 3 repeat.
Division C: If 12 players or less, 1 full round robin + KOTH for the rest. If 13 or more, KOTH 9 no-repeat + 3 repeat.

Eligibility: Have been posted BELOW.
If you are playing in your first tournament, you will be placed initially in Div C. If you want to play in Div A or B, please consult the tournament organizers before the tournament begins.

Dictionary: SOWPODS

Challenge:
Division A: WSC 5-point challenge (5 points per WORD)
Division B: 5-point penalty (5 points per TURN)
Division C: Free challenge (NO penalties whatsoever)

Entry Fee:
Division A: RM60 for adults
Division A: RM30 for students
Division B: RM55 for adults
Division B: RM25 for students
Division C: RM50 for adults
Division C: RM20 for students

RM10 discount for those who register with Yeo Kien Hung before 10th February 2006
Walk-ins are welcomed on a first come first serve basis

Remarks: Please bring your own equipment (boards, racks, tiles & clock) if possible The organizers are not able to provide equipment for all present due to limited resources.

Interested participants please email your entry to Yeo Kien Hung at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk or sms your name and age to 012-688 1236

Divisions and play-up eligibility

2006-01-22T16:29:00.000+08:00

To everyone on the Malaysian Scrabble scene,

With the introduction of divisions in Malaysian tournament, it is difficult for many organizers to place players, especially new players in the appropriate division. As such the following list is intended as a guideline to help prospective organizers decide where to place such players (Assuming there are three divisions in a tournament: A, B and C).

Organizers may be flexible in their allocation of player but need to know that players should not be allowed to play down from their higher divisions, only play up above their division. Players at the borderline groups may be allowed to play up if they want, subject to organizers discretion. If in doubt, you can refer back to me by emailing rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk to get an updated list of eligibility after each tournament. This list can also be customised to your criteria which you should submit to me as well when you request such a list.

Players are order alphabetically within each group.

Division A
Aaron Chong
Alex Tan
Ayob Samad
Cheah Siu Hean
Chim Wai Main
Chuah Sim Swee
Gan Yi En
Ganesh Asirvatham
Jayston Wong
Jerry Jang
Jocelyn Lor
John Lam
Kong Chock Heng
Krishna Kumar
Leonard Leong
Leroy Ong
Loh Vern Sern
Martin Teo
Marzukhi Omar
Michael Tang
Michael Wong
Mohd Ali Ismail
Ng Chee Eng
Ng Peng Sang
Ong Suanne
Paulette Yeoh
Pui Cheng Wui
Sandy Tsen
Sarah Law
Seshi Ramanathan
Tan Jin Chor
Tan Khee Chiang
Tengku Asri
Thomas Tan
Warren Lau
William Kang
Yeap Gim Sai
Yeo Kien Hung
Zain Putra Bahruddin

Division A or B
Adele Tan
Ainaa Hafizah Aznat
Albert Khor Yee Shin
Albert Yeap
Alex Hong Wern Juin
Alex Zulkarnain
Andrew Ong
Anne Yap
Azlan Tajudin
Brian Lim Daqing
Bryan Lai Kin Toy
Cedric Stewart Lewis
Chai Yu Tak
Charles Lai ChuenFai
Cheah Kuan Xu
Chin Hon Yew
Ching San Song
Chong Mei-Fern
Clare Wong
Edwin Kan Sing Jern
Foo Fang Hai
Foong Yin Yee
Gan Han Meng
Geoffrey Yeow
Haravinth Thiruthond
Ho Sui-Jon
Jackie Cheah
Jason Lim
John Chin
Julian Tay
Kenny Loh
Kiranjit Kaur Sidhu
Krishna Iyer
Lee Yee Fun
Lim Sha-Lyn
LK Foong
Low Jia Wei
Luo Kean Hui
Mary Yap
Matthew Mathan Raj
Mohd Salahudin
New Sin Yew
Nigel Loh Boon Ee
Nikita Razali
Ooi Er Hern
P Resita
Rainier Ng
Rehdy Khairil
Sarah Sim Chui Chin
Siew Peng Mun
Sithambara Kuhan
Soo Wai Tseung
Tan Boon Aik
Tan Jia Yuan
Tan Jien Lee
Tan Jun Horng
Tan Yoke Perng
Theodore Raj
Wan Amir Abd Hakim
Wan Salmah bt
Warren Chan WenLoong
Wendy Lee Suk Ling
Wesley Wong KhongWah
Wong Kar Mun
Yang Mohsin
Yong Sze Huey
Zeenath Ariff

Division B
Afiq Mohd Taufik
Ahmad Tarmizi
Amirul Hafizi Zulkil
Ang Lye Boon
Ang Vincent
Azdee Muaz Adnan
Azhan Munif Zahran
Benjamin Ong
Charmaine Cheah
Chew Chin Yen
Choo Yie Lyn
Choong Khai Ling
Chua Zie Chen
Chua Zie Yang
Desmond Chee Yik Hao
Divya Adinarayanan
Edmond Capel
Eng Wen Liang
Eunice Tan Hui Ai
Fairuz Yusof
Foong Chee Meng
Goh Ee Teng
Goh Yeang Tong
Gopal Rai Sharma
Ham Kok Yew
Haw Tatt Yhew
Ian Tay Zhi Xian
Irene Lim
Jackie Tan Yen
Jane Wong
Jeshua Yeoh
Jon Lim Kee Siang
Jonathan Yeoh
Joshua Teng Ern Yung
Kavita Kayagoranam
Kennard Lai Xun Onn
Kenneth Hiew
Ker Jen Ho
Kevin Ong
Khairuddin Abd Halim
Khesvin Patel
Lee Pao Hsien
Leroy Tan Yong King
Liew Jian Wei
Lim Poh Imm
Lim Seng Chye
Lim Yeong Sheng
Lip Zhao Lin
Louis Hew
Low Chong Ee
Mior Zaharuddin
Mohamed Azli
Mohd Ali Yahya
Mohd Riyaludin
Mohd Yasir Mohd Ali
Muhammad Muzzammil
Nik Zuraik
Ong Beng Kiat
Prabhisimran Singh
Pushpa Krishna
Raymondo Chew
Sathis Venkitasamy
Shameer Muhammad
Shin Jenn Feng
Siew Woon Kwan
Siew Woon Teng
Siti Nur Ayuni
Somsak Tan En Choong
Stanley Oh Chan Ten
Sukumaran Perumal
Tan Yu Teik
Tan Chun Tyng
Tan Khai Shin
Teh Chee Kian
Tham Joon Hao
V Jeeven
Valerie Lee Sze Weii
Velerene Liaw Li Sim
Victor Ching
Vinesh Nair
Wan Masriah bt
Wan Rohim
Wong Chang Kwong
Wong Miu Suan
Yeoh Eiu Jyn
Yeoh Sue Ann
Yeoh Sue Jane

Division B or C
Adilah Ruqaiyah
Adrian Thean
Ahmad Hafizal Ismail
Alex Kuek Chung Seng
Alvin Gan
Amery Seow
Andik Norizza Ariffn
Andrew Lau
Andy Yong Weng Zhin
Ang Lye Aun
Chan Kai Sze
Chen Fawn Meng
Chong Wai Khuen
Darshan Raj
Edward Vinodh
Eric Tan
Gina Ong
Haji Masri Selamat
Helen Kong
Hemaraj Mahamteren
Ian Lingarajan
Jeff Fradaus
Joshua David Khoo
Kalaichelri Ponnamba
Ker Ken Wa
Kingsley Yong
Lawrence Low
Lee Cheng Har
Lee Meng Fatt
Leong Manwyn
Leong Yan Mei
Lew Yao Loong
Lim Sui Pheng
Llyod Lim Xinn Liang
Loh Sah Hooi
Loh Vern Ern
Loh Vern Kern
Madelene Khaw
Maizatul Akmar
Maizatul Baharuddin
Mas Anuar Imran
Mohammad Zamzami
Mohd Afizal B Salleh
Mohd Fareq B Johari
Mohd Khairi Zulkarn
Muhammad Shafeek
Muhd Azim Nadzari
Ng Yi Chung
Ng Chuin Min
Nur Syafeeq
Nurhidayah Rosli
Ooi Chin Yen
Othman Zakaria
Patrick Kuay
Philbert Tiki
Serena Foo
Syanon Munning
Tay Siow Han
Tharanee Tharan
Theresa Andrew
Voon Chern Min
Voon Siew Lee
Voon Siew Lian
Yap Calvin
Yap Yan Zhuang
Zakariah Zainodin
Zasman Mohd Gulam

Division C
Bashar Mohd Said
Daniar Borhanuddin
Issac Low
Leon Lim Yung Liang
Mahane Mohammad
Olivia Dambul
Samuel Lai
Sharfizi Azmal
Soo Wei Chee
Tan Choulyee

2005 Performers Winning % and average score

2006-01-06T19:30:00.000+08:00

Just the usual inane stats, Players marked with an asterisk* have played less than 50 games

469.34 82.5% Ganesh Asirvatham
440.55 75.9% Aaron Chong
399.25 67.6% William Kang Wei Liang
413.30 65.7% Ong Suanne
409.35 64.8% Gan Yi En
401.52 64.5% Leroy Ong*
394.54 64.2% Zain Putra Bahruddin*
413.97 62.7% Pui Cheng Wui
411.12 62.7% Yeo Kien Hung
397.25 61.3% Kong Chock Heng
400.59 58.5% Tan Jin Chor
400.97 57.1% Jocelyn Lor
412.63 55.1% John Lam
391.19 53% Tengku Asri
395.42 52.6% Mohd Ali Ismail
379.88 51.9% Tan Khee Chiang
387.14 51.1% Chim Wai Main

Berjaya Times Square Scrabble Tournament Updates

2005-12-03T07:42:00.000+08:00

Addendum to the first post:

Registration: 8.30am
Start Time: 9.30am

Prizes:
Door gifts will be given to all participants. Lucky draws for players on second day.
Prizes: U-15 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 10 consolation (60 participants)
U-18 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5 consolation (30 participants)
Open 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5 consolation (30 participants)
Debenhams department store cash vouchers.

Accommodation:
For lodging, YMCA is pleased to give special discount to scrabblers. Please mention Mrs Yap/scrabble event to enjoy the discount.
Room type Attached Bath Detached Bath
Single RM 70 RM 70
Double RM80 RM 80
Triple RM100
Quad RM120
extra mattress RM20 RM 20

All rooms are inclusive of set breakfast.
Tel: 03-2274 1439
Fax: 03-2274 0559
e-mail: azman@ymcakl.com website: www.ymcakl.com

Berjaya Times square is only about 3 monorail stops from YMCA(Jalan Brickfields)

PENANG MENSA INVITATIONAL SCRABBLE TOURNAMENT

2005-11-04T21:56:00.000+08:00

Date: 20/11/2005 (Sunday)
Venue: Penang YMCA
4th Floor, Conference Room 1 (New Wing)

Fees:
Masters RM30
Novices RM15

Number of games:
Masters – 8 games. Last 3 with repeats
Novices – 7 games. Last 3 with repeats

Prizes
Masters

First Prize RM200 + 1 year subscription of Redbox eCommerce Package (value RM799) - 1 pax (Redbox Ecommerce is the EASIEST way to start your online store. details at www.redboxecommerce.com)
2nd Prize RM 100 + 1 year subscription of Redbox DIY Pro version (value RM599) - 1 pax (Redbox DIY is the EASIEST way to start your own website AND you can even update it yourself. details at www.redboxdiy.com)
3rd Prize RM 50 + 1 year subscription of Redbox Hosting Plan 2 at 60Mb (value RM360) - 1 pax (details at www.redboxhosting.com)
4th Prize RM50
5th prize RM30

8 spot prizes - ) US$25 voucher to shop Redbox online eBook store.

Total RM430

Novices

First - Trophy + prize+RM30
2nd - Trophy + prize
3rd - Trophy + prize
4th - Trophy + prize
5th - Trophy + prize

7 spot prizes

Certificates of participation will be awarded to all players.

Please bring your own scrabble sets and clocks
Snacks and mineral water will be provided in the morning.

Please contact:
Miss Chuah Sim Swee: 04- 2270714 (csswee@yahoo.com)
John Lam: 012- 4943950
Dr. Adele Tan: 019-4486534

Berjaya Times Square Scrabble Tournament

2005-10-17T00:30:00.000+08:00

Date: 10-11 December 2005 (Saturday & Sunday)
Venue: Berjaya Times Square
Time: TBA

Dictionary: SOWPODS (Official Scrabble Words - International Edition)
Time: 25 minutes per player per round

Masters Division
Entry Fee: RM20
Format: 13 games (7 on Saturday, 6 on Sunday)

Open Division
Entry Fee: RM10
Format: 11 games (6 on Saturday, 5 on Sunday)

U-18 & U-15 Student Divisions
Entry Fee: RM10
Format 11 games (6 on Saturday, 5 on Sunday)

Closing Date: 3rd December (Entries received after this date will either incur a RM5 surcharge or be rejected at the organizers' discretion)

Berjaya Times Square Scrabble corner

2005-10-17T00:17:00.000+08:00

For those of you who want to play a relaxing game of Scrabble away from the tense competition environment, feel free to drop in at the 10th Floor of the Berjaya Times Square for a game from 12noon to 8pm every Saturday of the month.

Beginners may want to pick up pointers at the workshop that start from 2pm to 4pm at the same venue.

Enquiries can be directed to the Convenor: Mrs. Yap at 012-302 2053 or sklyap@yahoo.com.sg

4th Causeway Scrabble Challenge 2005

2005-10-09T14:37:00.000+08:00

Dear fellow Scrabblers,

I am pleased to announce that the 4th Causeway Scrabble Challenge will be held at Eden Garden Hotel, Johor Bahru from 16th to 18th December 2005.

I am also pleased to announce that we will have 4 teams in the Premier Division. Top 9 players from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and The Philippines will be competing on a team event basis to see which country will emerge champion. The individual top prize for Premier Division is RM4,000.

We will also have an Open Division for those who did not make it to Premier Division. They will be competing in a 20-game tournamet with the top prize of RM1,000.

Below are the details of the tournament:

Tournament: 4th Causeway Scrabble Challenge
Venue: Eden Garden Hotel, Johor Bahru
Date: 16 - 18 Dec 2005

Premier Division:

Teams: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and The Philippines

Qualification: Top 9 players from each country based on ratings of each country as of 30 November 2005. The next player on the rating list will be invited if any of top 10 players could not make it.

Format: 27 games (Team round robin only ie 9+9+9)
Time per game: 22 minutes each
Dictionary: SOWPODS
Challenge Rule: 5 points penalty per word challenged

Schedule:

Day 1, Friday 16th December 2005 (7 games)

1430-1815 Game 1-4
1815-1900 Dinner
1900-2130 Game 5-7

Day 2, Saturday 17th December 2005 (12 games)

0730-0830 Breakfast
0830-1230 Game 8-11
1230-1315 Lunch
1315-1830 Game 12-16
1830-1930 Dinner
1930-2230 Game 17-19

Day 3, Sunday 18th December 2005 (8 games)

0730-0830 Breakfast
0830-1230 Game 20-23
1230-1330 Lunch
1330-1730 Game 24-27
1730-1800 Prize Presentation

Prize Money:

1st: RM4,000
2nd:RM2,000
3rd: RM1,000
4th: RM700
5th: RM500
6th: RM400
7th: RM300
8th: RM200
9th: RM150
10th:RM150

Registration: RM120

Open Division:

Format: 12 No-Repeat and 8 King of the Hill
* (Subject to change depending on number of players)
Dictionary: SOWPODS
Challenge Rule: 5 points penalty per word challenged
Time per game: 22 minutes each

Schedule:

Day 1, Friday 16th December 2005 (3 games)

1800-1900 Dinner
1900-2200 Games 1-3

Day 2, Saturday 17th December 2005 (10 games)

0730-0830 Breakfast
0830-1230 Game 4-7
1230-1330 Lunch
1330-1830 Game 8-12
1830-1930 Dinner
1930-2030 Game 13

Day 3, Sunday 18th December 2005 (7 games)

0730 - 0830 Breakfast
0830 - 1230 Game 14-17
1230 - 1330 Lunch
1330 - 1630 Game 18-20
1730 - 1800 Prize Giving

Prize Money:

1st: RM1,000
2nd: RM500
3rd: RM400
4th: RM300
5th: RM200
6th: RM150
7th: RM100
8th: RM100

Registration: RM80
RM60 for students

Accommodation:
I am also pleased to announce the special package offered by Eden Garden as follows:

Package: 2 Nights accomodation + 6 meals (Day 1 - Dinner, Day 2, Breakfast,
Lunch + Dinner, Day 3 - Breakfast + Lunch)

Rates: Single Room - RM430 nett per person
Double Room - RM320 nett per person

Please note that for those who would like to extend their stay at Eden
Garden Hotel, the rate would be RM130 Nett for Single Room (incl 1
Breakfast) and RM 150 Nett for Double Room (incl 2 Breakfasts)

Please send your registration to me either at alchemist9189@gmail.com
or you can call me anytime at my mobile no: +65 9189 9189.

I look forward to seeing all of you in a couple of months time.

Michael Tang
Organising Chairman

6th Penang Open Scrabble Tournament

2005-09-11T13:48:00.000+08:00

From the Penang Scrabble Club:

The 6th Penang Open Scrabble Tournament
(Sponsored by ISLAND COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY, Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia)

Date: 1st and 2nd October 2005
Time: 8.30am to 6.30pm
Venue: City Bayview Hotel, Jalan Farquhar, Penang, Malaysia

Format:
Dictionary: SOWPODS
Challenge Rule: WSC 5-point penalty challenge
Rounds: 16 games, KOTH pairing (no repeat pairing for first 12, repeat for last 4)

Masters Category
Entry Fee:

Non-Malaysians RM 120
Malaysians RM 80

*Additional charge of RM10 for late entries received after 15 September

Positon	Challenge Trophy/Medallion	Cash (RM)
Champion	Yes	3000
1st Runner-Up	Yes	1000
2nd Runner-Up	Yes	750
3rd Runner-Up	-	600
4th Runner-Up	-	500
5th Runner-Up	-	400
6th Runner-Up	-	300
7th Runner-Up	-	250
8th Runner-Up	-	200
9th Runner-Up	-	100

Novices Category
Local Players must be rated 1000 and below
Entry Fee: RM 30

Positon	Trophy/Certificate	Cash(RM)
Champion	Yes	100
1st Runner-Up	Yes	75
2nd Runner-Up	Yes	50
3rd Runner-Up	Yes
4th Runner-Up	Yes

ATTRACTIONS
pre-tournament activities on Friday, 30th September 2005:

1. Golf game at Bukit Jambul Country Club (one of the designer golf clubs in the country) at RM 80.00 per pax Tee off time will be 2.00pm. ( Contact Dr. Adele)
2. City tour of Penang can be arranged at reasonable prices ( Contact Dr. Adele)
3. Opening Dinner and Closing Tea to be hosted by Penang State Government
4. Freebies lucky draw and spot prizes
5. Special Scrabble T-Shirt and Penang Tourism T-shirts

ACCOMODATIONS (Prices and Contacts will be forth coming)
A. City BayView Hotel (Venue of Tournament)
Address: Jalan Farquhar, Penang
Rate: RM120, inclusive of breakfast
Contact: Mr. Leon Tan (leontan@citybayviewpg.com.my)

Please register by 15 September 2005
NOTE to all Malaysians Players: Please provide your own set of board, clock, racks and tiles. Thank you for taking notice.

Contact Persons: (Details and registration)
Dr Adele Tan (Organizing Chairwoman): adele@hlwe.com (+60194486534)
Dr Mohamad Salahudin (President, Penang Scrabble Club): drsala50@gmail.com (+60124527650 )
John Lam (Vice President, Penang Scrabble Club): kmlan@streamyx.com (+0124943950)

From the Penang Scrabble Club

2005-09-11T13:46:00.000+08:00

Dear Henry,

The countdown has begun for the 6th Penang Open Scrabble Tournament. For those scrabblers and non scrabblers who are still in the dark, this year's tournament can be considered the premier scrabble competition in Malaysia this year . We, the committee members of the Penang Scrabble Club have put in a lot of effort and energy to make it the richest event in the country in terms of prize money up for grabs and also to attract players in this region to come and participate.

With Island College of Technology, Balik Pulau, Penang as the main sponsor, this event which will be held in the cool comfort of City BayView Hotel, offers a cool RM3000 to the champion and cash prizes up to the ninth position in the Masters category. Other attractions include golf at The Bukit Jambul Country Club, a sumptuous dinner sponsored by the Penang Tourism Board, freebies, lucky draws and spot prizes. There's even a special souvenir scrabble t-shirt for you to remember this tournament.

Those in the novices category have not been forgotten either. This category is aimed at school children and also for those who have a rating below 1000. Their tournament will be held on 2nd October at the same venue. Trophies and certificates will be awarded for the first five positions and cash prizes for the first three. Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants in this category.

So, to all you fellow scrabblers in and outside Malaysia, what are you waiting for? Sign up now! Give us your support to make this event a successful one and we will make it even bigger and better next year! Bring along your friends and family and have a jolly good scrabble holiday in Penang. City BayView Hotel (the venue of the tournament) is offering a very special room rate of RM120.00 nett inclusive of breakfast for a double room.

Yours sincerely,

Penang Scrabble Club

6th Penang Scrabble Open Schedule

2005-09-11T13:30:00.000+08:00

DAY 1
Saturday 1st October 2005
MASTERS CATEGORY

0830 – 0845 REGISTRATION

0900 – 1000 GAME 1
1000 – 1100 GAME 2
1100 – 1200 GAME 3
1200 – 1300 GAME 4
1300 – 1400 LUNCH BREAK
1400 – 1500 GAME 5
1500 – 1600 GAME 6
1600 – 1700 GAME 7
1700 – 1800 GAME 8

1900 – 2200 OPENING CEREMONY & DINNER
Dress Code: Smart Casual
City BayView Hotel

DAY 2
SUNDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2005
NOVICES & MASTERS CATEGORY

0800 – 0830 REGISTRATION FOR NOVICES

MASTERS NOVICES
0830 – 0930 GAME 9 GAME 1
0930 – 1030 GAME 10 GAME 2
1030 – 1130 GAME 11 GAME 3
1130 – 1230 GAME 12 GAME 4

1230 – 1330 LUNCH BREAK

MASTERS NOVICES
1330 – 1430 GAME 13 GAME 5
1430 – 1530 GAME 14 GAME 6
1530 – 1630 GAME 15 GAME 7
1630 – 1730 GAME 16

1745 – 1815 PRIZE GIVING / CLOSING CEREMONY

2005 Nationals

2005-09-10T21:51:00.000+08:00

As expected.

Masters (16 games):
Ganesh 1st (13 wins)
Yeo KH 2nd (12 wins)
Cheah SH 3rd (11 wins)

*No change from Day 1, howiszat?

Open (14 games):
Martin Teo 1st (13 wins)
Rainier Ng 2nd (11 wins)
Sithambara Kuhan 3rd (11 wins)

U-18 (11 games):
Ong Suanne 1st (10 wins, what do you expect?)
Foo Fang Hai 2nd (9 wins)
Ng Peng Sang 3rd (8.5 wins)

U-15 (11 games):
William Kang 1st (10 wins, any surprises?)
Sarah Sim 2nd (10 wins, she beat William. ain't she great?)
Tan Boon Aik 3rd (9 wins)

For more details, please check out the MSA archives. Link in the side bar to the right.

2005 Malaysian National Closed Scrabble Championship

2005-07-21T14:18:00.000+08:00

Updated: 25 July 2005

2005 Malaysian National Closed Scrabble Championship
Date: 10-11 September 2005
Venue: Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur

Format:
Dictionary: SOWPODS
Time: 25 minutes per player per game

Divisions:
Masters - 1200 rating points and up
*Winner will be crowned National Champion
Intermediate - 1199 rating points and below
Student U-18 Division - 18 years and below
Student U-15 Division - 15 years and below

Schedule:
Masters (16 games): 8 games each on Saturday and Sunday
Intermediate (14 games): 7 games each on Saturday and Sunday
Student Division (11 games): 7 games on Saturday and 4 games on Sunday

Entry Fee:
Masters:

Members - RM50
Non-Members - RM80

Intermediate:

Members - RM30
Non-Members - RM40

Students Division:

Students- RM10

Registration:
Masters: Mr. Michael Wong (012-647 7503)
Novices, U-18 and U-15: Mrs Yap (012-302 2053 or email sklyap@yahoo.com.sg)
Thank you.

MPH U-12 Scrabble Competition

2005-07-21T05:47:00.000+08:00

2005 MPH U-12 Scrabble Competition
*Hurry! Limited Space!

Date: 27th August 2005 (Saturday)
Time: 1-5pm
Venue: MPH Megastore 1-Utama

There will be a complimentary workshop held before the competition
Date: 13th August 2005 (Saturday)
Time: 2-4pm
Venue: MPH Megastore 1-Utama

Contact: Mrs Yap (012-302 2053)

LWMST results

2005-07-19T15:44:00.000+08:00

Masters Division

1. Michael Tang 12 wins + 975 spread
2. Pui Cheng Wui 12 wins + 779 spread
3. Jocelyn Lor 10 wins + 807 spread

Novice Division

1. William Kang 15 wins + 2826 spread
2. Foo Fang Hai 12 wins + 1640 spread
3. Ng Peng Sang 12 wins + 732 spread

Leonard Wong Memorial Scrabble Tournament

2005-07-17T15:30:00.000+08:00

Leonard Wong Memorial Scrabble Open Tournament
MSA-sanctioned and rated tournament

Money Back tournament (Entry Fee - Cost = Prize Pool)
Date: 20th to 21st August 2005 (Saturday & Sunday)
Venue: De La Salle Institute, Jalan Bukit Nanas
Time: Starts at 9am on both days (Registration opens at 8.30 am)
Rounds: at least 16 rounds (9 rounds on Saturday, 7 rounds on Sunday)

Format:
Division 1: Rated 1100 and above.
Division 2: Rated 1099 and below and newcomers.
Players may play up at the Tournament Director's discretion.

Dictionary: SOWPODS
Challenge:
Division 1: WSC 5-point challenge
Division 2: 5-point per turn challenge (2&3-letters wordlist provided)

Entry Fee:

RM60 for adults
RM30 for students
RM10 discount for entries received BEFORE 14 August 2005.
Walk-ins are welcomed on a first come first serve basis

Remarks: Please bring your own equipment (boards, racks, tiles & clock)

Interested participants please email your entry to Yeo Kien Hung at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk or SMS your name and age to 012-688 1236 (Buggy handphone but it will received your SMS when I want it to)

De La Salle July Mini results

2005-07-16T15:30:00.000+08:00

After one hectic day of Scrabbling, here are the top 3 results for the one day mini at De La Salle Institute:

Div 1:

Yeo Kien Hung	9.5	+ 1085
Tan Jin Chor	7	+ 450
Chim Wai Main	5	- 120

Div 2:

William Kang	6	+ 894
Martin Teo	6	+ 769
Chai Yu Tak	5	+ 379

The full results and ratings will be posted shortly in the MSA archives.

King's Cup Diary

2005-07-02T21:30:00.000+08:00

From one who has been there, down there and never up there until now.

3 years, 3 different hotel rooms,
same roommate, same results (10 wins or so, bottom 10).
Ah yes, my ex-roommate is a jynx.
What a difference in my results, now that I have got a different roommate.

And what about the jynx's roommate.
Well......he has 10 wins, and is in the bottom 10 of the standing this year.

King's Cup diary day 1

It is 7am bangkok time and I am trying to sleep until 9am (Tony's idea). We end up talking about Nigel Richards, ratings and every-scrabble-thing under the sun instead. Thirty minutes later, we give up and go down for breakfast.
After an extended opening ceremony, I treated Tony to ice cream sundaes for lunch. Upon returning to the playing venue, I was initially grouped together with Charnwit Sukhumrattanaporn (Thailand) and Odette Rio (Philippines), two of the top regional players. Luckily for me, we were shorthanded in our group of four when Thitipol failed to turn up. I was then paired into another group with Antonio Malonzo, Jocelyn Lor and Thavachai Thivanvrong. A stroke of luck handed me three straight wins, thanks to play like OREADES, RAOULIAS, DEROGATE, IDOLATERS (thru AT), and GRINDER.
Finding myself in the leading pack on three wins, I sat down to battle Atiruth Sadiyakorn. Trailing early in the game, I caught a break when he phonied MITING* and I played VAINEST and SHERRIES (missing the superior placement for HEIRESS and HERISSE) to hold off his late bingo of rOnDURE to salvage a victory. As my reward, I get to play the defending champion, Nigel Richards. Needless to say, I fell to back-to-back bingos, LITErATI and EpIFAUNAE (through IF). In desperation, I tried FAIRLESS* and ESTRUALS* but Nigel calmly challenged them off the board.

4-1, +100 spread, my best start yet to this tournament in four tries.
That evening, we attended a reception at the Assumption University and I retire to my bed after a vigorous traditional Thai message with Tony, Ricky and Gana.

King's Cup diary day 2

A much better rest the previous night, thanks to the Thai massage, but no luck across the board.
I fell to Nawapadol Sayawes, Roonghroj Harinvorarob, Cheah Siu Hean in quick succession. Dianne Ward snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when she played VOW hooking OOZES to form the phoney WOOZES* on her last turn.
I fell short of 27 points against Sam Kantimanthi despite playing a bingo, SNIRTLE on my final turn (Must be that pesky phoney I played, EPIZOTES, missing POETIZES). My following game against Akkarapol Kwansak gave me a chance to jump back into the fray with a 430-295 victory, with the help of ASTONIED and ADVERSER (Akkarapol also lost two turns playing URDLIKE* and PENSILED*). On the follow up, I found myself on the short end of a six-bingo shootout against Manop Phiphatboonseim. I got aCTURES, TANGIEST, SEDGIER and he played DOWAGER, UNtAMED, REROUTING (through the second R and T) to beat me by 25 points.
2-5, -121 spread. What a bad follow-up to yesterday’s roar. Still have the next 2 days to get back into the thick of the competition.

King's Cup diary day 3

I redeem myself after putting up a dismal performance on day 2. Unfortunately, it did not start off on the right note with Atiruth Sadiyakorn gunning for revenge after I beaten him on day 1. With no help from the tile bag, I suffered a humiliating 471-278 loss. Then I bounced back with wins over Akegapun Erbprasartsook (SETTLING, COESItES and RoGATION) and Akkarapol Kwansak (LONGERS and ELODEAS) when I held off their late charges in the endgame.
I then proceed to play against our very own Ong Suanne and Gerado Onate from the philippines, both were riddled with mistakes but Ong Suanne punished me with a loss while Gerado gifted me a win on a silver platter. I won a nailbiter against Michael Tang when he played the phoney, RON*, on a tight board which I challenged off. Sompong Plosongkram played nip and tuck until he blocked my bingo comeback, leaving me short at 435-396.
I ended the day with another rematch with Atiruth Sadiyakorn. This time, I was fortunate to bingo JOINTERs, VERSION and IMPUGNS much to his chagrin as I lay him down with my vengence for the morning defeat.
5-3, +20 spread, I am back in the running for the top ten (have to get a 6-1 or better record tomorrow). I will sleep better tonight.

King's Cup diary day 4

I needed six wins in seven games to finish in the top ten, so it was six wins or bust.

In our opening game, Liz Fagerlund played PIUR* on her opening move in our game and left me agonising for two minutes about challenging because I needed the R to convert my rack of AEIOUHT into THIOUREA. I played the bingo and settled for a nine point victory 437-428 after some nifty plays, including LeEWAYS, VESPAS and a last gasp RETINUES.
After that I was drawn onto table 5 with Manop Phiphatboonsiem, Femi Awowade and Taewan. I was quite happy to wreak havoc on Manop in return for an loss the previous day, with the help of TAJInES, AUTOGIRO and ANTIROLL, but Manop was gracious in defeat and corrected my score which I keep miscounting (and I passed my SPM advanced maths).
The following game, Taewan wished me not to draw another blank bingo out of the bag like the last game. Being the nice guy, I obliged him with HAH as a opening move (keeping QIE?, hehehe), and followed up with a double-double EQUItIES through the I of his GALLIOT for 114 points. I got down another bingo DIShPAN later in the game (he missed SACATON here) and was fortunately to draw favourable tiles to beat his X play in the endgame. A recount gave me an extra point when Taewan overscored one of his move.
Up next were two rematches with Nawapadol Sayawes and Liz Fagerlund was on the card but I could only beat Liz narrowly while Nawpadol defensive play of CANALS brilliantly blocked my BARRIOS from hitting the board for a victory.
Sitting on the bubble, I had to win the last two games to keep Malaysia's flag flying in the top ten. Up first was Gerry Carter, the 1998 Asia-Pacific Champion. I got down two early bingos, ESTRONES and INDORSER but Gerry's last gasp bingo, UNDeRAGE leftr me on the short end of a twelve point loss. Goodbye, Top Ten.
Playing for pride in the last game, I draw Komol Panyasophonlert, one of Thailand's representatives to the 2003 World Scrabble Championship. The game was nip and tuck as Komol's lead from playing two bingos, mEATIEST and RATTLERS, was erased as he had exchanged twice. I played a phony CLIT*, which he challenged off the board and use the free turn to put the game out of reach.

A few discussion about endgames and could-have-beens and we went to witness the final (we apparently miss the first game, which 2003 WSC champion, Panupol Sujjayakorn beat defending champion, Nigel Richards by 88 points). Nigel narrowly won the second game when Panupol scuppered his chance to amass a 100 point victory by playing MITzVAHS to an S that Nigel opened in the midgame.
Panupol then started the final game with a 77 point lead that Nigel had to erase to retain the trophy. Panupol played a bingo, INTEGRAL, and proceeded to shut down the scoring opportunities on the board while hoarding both the blanks. Nigel's bingo of ASCENDS was offset by Panupol's DOILTEst at the end and secure Panupol an insourmountable lead to win game 3 and the King's Cup.

Had dinner with Tony, Ricky, Jobeth & JP. MMMMMMMMMMMMM......
Dessert was just a tub of Swensen bought from the local Carrefour.

King's Cup Round by Round

2005-06-28T05:36:00.000+08:00

The King's Cup's results and player scorecard are all temporarily available on the MSA archives, but they will need to be cleaned up.

Nevertheless, if you are curious about how a particular player fared during the tournament, do have a look. The ratings for the Tournament will be calculated by Bob Jackman, who maintains the International Ratings.

Back in Malaysia

2005-06-28T02:56:00.000+08:00

Had a hectic four days of competitive Scrabble in the 20th Brand's King's Cup tournament. Considering my history at this event and the JINX of a roommate, I think finishing 26th looks nice, eventhough I was sitting on a opportunity to finish in the top ten on the very last day.

I will find time to post game by game humiliation later, once I compiled the necessary information. I have the soft copy of the tournament data that Andy Kurnia wants me to forward since he forgot to bring his peripheral drives, I think Ricky beat me to it.

I thought I would be the last oversea participant to return home today, until I saw Douglas Lobo walking up to his departure gate 30 minutes late and missing his flight back home. I hope he got on a later flight as it was already 8.30 when I departed.

Will put up more here when I have the time. That's all for now.

2005 Malaysia Mensa Scrabble Challenge

2005-06-19T18:39:00.000+08:00

A round of applause to MENSA for another excellent Scrabble Tournament.

The results and ratings have already been updated on the MSA archives. WSC Qualifiers standings have also been updated.

Participants walked away with cash prizes, hampers, game sets (Scrabble & Pictionary) and trophies. Sport prizes were also handed out by the hour throughout the competition.

Will post any reports or account here when I get them.

Here is an account from Tan Jin Chor of "Kopitiam" fame.

It was an 8-game tournament, 6 games without repeat and the last two being King-of-the-Hill.

I had a very good start, winning my first five games, some of which were very closely fought-out. My game with Jocelyn Lor was not won by me but lost by her: if she had not hooked an S to HAIKU she would have won it. Before the start of the sixth game, I was leading the field with 5 wins. My sixth opponent was Henry Yeo. I lost to him due as much to poor play on my part as to good play on his. At the end of that game, there were three of us with five wins: Pui, Henry and myself. My seventh game was with Pui, whom I had beaten earlier that morning. This time around, Pui thrashed me by 97 points.

Meanwhile, Jocelyn beat Henry and earned the right to play Pui in the final game. But she
needed to win by 151 points to clinch the title. Henry and I had to play each other
for 3rd and 4th position. As it turned out, Jocelyn beat Pui, but could only finish 2nd
as Pui's spread was superior. As for me, I lost my third game in a row, losing to Henry
mainly because I held GIINORS, saw SIGNIOR which would not play, failed to see ORIGINS and was not sure of SIGNORI and did not have the guts to "tembak"!
Henry finished 3rd and I was fourth.

Nevertheless, it was a most enjoyable tournament: coffee,tea and snacks were
provided both in the morning and the afternoon breaks, loads of spot prizes were
given away and the players were, without exception, highly competitive and
sportsmanlike. It ended with everyone wishing for more. Kudos and thanks to Goh
Siu Lin and her Mensa team for a job well done, indeed!

Malaysian Mensa Scrabble Challenge 2005

2005-06-03T00:37:00.000+08:00

Email from the Organisers
(The relevant hyperlinks have been added to the side column):

A warm hello to all you folks in the scrabble world,

Well, it's that time of the year again.......the Malaysia Mensa
Scrabble
Challenge 2005 is back!

Please circle 18.6.2005 (Saturday) in your diaries.

Kindly indicate your interest to my Assistant Tournament Director, Mr.
Benjamin Ong (email: mincay3@yahoo.com / 012-3177647).

As there are limited spaces, please register early to avoid
disappointment.

May the scrabble force be with you......

See you all there!

Siu Lin
Tournament Director
Malaysian Mensa Scrabble Challenge 2005

De La Salle Open

2005-05-23T19:00:00.000+08:00

Results and Ratings have already been updated.
You can find them by clicking on the hyperlink in the side column.

Briefly,
1st: Tan Jin Chor
2nd: Jocelyn Lor
3rd Tengku Asri

WSC Qualifiers standings have also been updated.

See you at the next tournament.

De La Salle Open registrant list

2005-05-16T14:56:00.000+08:00

Participants marked with an asterisk (*) have registered with the organisers by 15 May 2005 and qualify for a RM10 discount on their entry fee (payable at the door). Entry Fees are RM60 for adults and RM30 for students.

Nigel Richards*	1884
Sam Kantimathi*	1838
Pui Cheng Wui*	1647
Yeo Kien Hung*	1600	(reserve)
Tan Jin Chor*	1597
Jocelyn Lor*	1570
Tengku Asri*	1546
Chim Wai Main*	1471
Zain Putra Bahruddin*	1463	(student)
Yeap Gim Sai*	1433
Warren Lau*	1403
Tan Khee Chiang	1402
Rainier Ng*	986	(student)
New Sin Yew*	905	(student)
Foo Fang Hai*	799	(student)
William Kang Wei Liang*	773	(student)
Ng Chuin Min*	622	(student)
Kennard Lai Xun Onn*	502	(student)
Tan Jun Horng*	Unr	(student)
Bryan Lai*	Unr	(student)

WSC Bulletin 2

2005-05-11T14:33:00.000+08:00

7 May 2005

WORLD SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIPS -_UPDATE

VENUE/DATE/HOSPITALITY

The venue will be the Marriott Regents Park Hotel, 128 King Henry’s Road, London NW3 3ST. The tournament dates will be Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 November.

The hotel is close to Regent’s Park and London Zoo and a 15 minute train/bus ride from Central London.

Hotel booking

A special rate (room only) of £90 - weekend and £110 - weekday for a single room is available . Double rooms are £100- weekend £120 – weekday. The Hotel telephone number is ++ 44 (0)20 7591 1556, you can also book through Marriott worldwide enquiries. Quote World Scrabble Championship and then SMRA for the midweek rate and SWRA for the weekend rate.

If you require breakfast the cost is £20 extra per day. Quote SMBA for the midweek rate and SWBA for the weekend rate.

There are several other hotels of various price ranges within walking distance.

ALLOCATION OF PLACES

We omitted to state that, in addition to the above, Panupol Sujjayakorn receives an automatic invite to defend his title

PUBLICITY/REGISTRATION

The official WSC website can be found at www.wscgames.com. Once selected, players should log onto the Players area and complete their details, a jpeg image of all players should be provided. If players do not have online access then please send the relevant details + an image for scanning to Philip Nelkon at the address above.

See you there !

Philip Nelkon

World Scrabble Champioships - Organiser

WSC Bulletin 1

2005-05-11T14:27:00.000+08:00

27 April 2005

WORLD SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Mattel Inc. and Mattel (UK) are delighted to announce that the 2005 World Scrabble Championships will be held in London, England.
………………………………………………………………………………………

Mattel were not expecting to stage the event in 2005 but have stepped into the breach following Hasbro’s withdrawal. At this stage, our budget for the event is not large and this has necessitated some of the changes to previous events that are detailed below. The event will not be as lavish as in past years but we hope that you will agree with us that the most important principle is that the event takes place.

VENUE/DATE/HOSPITALITY

The venue will be the Marriott Regents Park Hotel, 128 King Henry’s Road, London NW3 3ST. The tournament dates will be Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 November.

The hotel is close to Regent’s Park and London Zoo and a 15 minute train/bus ride from Central London. A special rate (room only) of £90 - weekend and £110 - weekday for a single room is available. Double rooms are £100- weekend £120 – weekday. The hotel will be supplying us with a code for obtaining these rates shortly, we did not want to further delay the announcement of the event by waiting for this code. There are several other hotels of various price ranges within walking distance.

We will be providing buffet lunch only for all contestants and officials during the Championships. No other refreshments will be provided but there will be water stations in the playing room.

REGISTRATION

Registration will be held at the hotel at 7 p.m. on the evening of Wednesday 16 November. It is obligatory that you register then. We invite all participants to join us in toasting the success of the Championships with a glass of champagne.

On registration, as in previous years, contestants will all receive a ‘goodie bag’ of souvenirs.

FORMAT

There will be a 24 round modified Swiss tournament from Thursday 17 to Saturday 19 November, starting each day at 8.30 a.m. On Sunday the two top players will contest a 5 game final. The Official Dictionary will be Official Scrabble Words International. Websters 10th and Chambers 1998 are to be used for adjudication of words over 9 letters. If a challenge is unsuccessful, there will be a 5 point penalty on the challenger for each challenged word that is found to be in the dictionary.

Players will not play anyone from the same country in Round 1. No player will play any other player more than once per day.

The Final on Sunday 20 November will be open to the public and contestants. The award ceremony will follow shortly thereafter. We expect the finals to end no later than 6 p.m.

EQUIPMENT

All equipment, including chess clocks, will be provided.

PRIZE MONEY

The prize fund for the event is guaranteed to be over US$30,000 with prizes paid down to 10th position and a guaranteed payment of US$15,000 to the winner.

Prizewinners will be paid by credit transfer after the contest so please ensure you have details with you of a bank acccount that your prize can be paid into.
ALLOCATION OF PLACES

The provisional allocation of places based on the 2003 Championships is as follows :-

Country No. Country No.
Australia 4 Nigeria 3
Bahrain 2 Oman 2
Cameroon 1 Pakistan 2
Canada 7 Philippines 3
England 10 Poland 1
France 1 Romania 1
Gambia 1 Saudi Arabia 1
Ghana 3 Scotland 2
Gibraltar 1 Seychelles 1
Guyana 1 Singapore 3
India 2 South Africa 2
Indonesia 1 Sri Lanka 3
Ireland 1 Tanzania 1
Israel 2 Thailand 4
Japan 2 Trinidad 1
Kenya 4 U.A.E 1
Kurdistan - Iraq 1 Uganda 1
Kuwait 1 U.S.A 15
Malaysia 2 Wales 2
Malta 2 Zambia 1
New Zealand 5
TOTAL 104

Should any country be unable to take up its allocation, please be considerate and decide and inform us before 31 July 2005. There will be a reserve on standby from the UK to ensure even numbers. There are a number of extra countries, not shown above, who have enquired about competing for the first time.

We reserve the right to contact countries to establish that they fulfil the criteria for sending a team to the Championships.

RESERVES

The rules are :-

If one of the players already named drops out before registration on Wednesday November 16, then they should , if possible, be replaced by a representative from their own country.

If registered players do not turn up at registration then they will not be replaced other than if the numbers are odd when the official alternate will stand in.

If players drop out having begun the tournament, they will be replaced by the official alternate.

PUBLICITY

We’ll be in touch again shortly with an update including details of how to register on the official WSC website.In the meantime, we would be grateful if you could only contact us with urgent queries, channelling other queries through your country’s official representative.

REQUIREMENTS FROM EACH PARTICIPATING COUNTRY

Please confirm the name and contact details of your official country contact for further communication as soon as possible.

See you there !

Philip Nelkon
World Scrabble Champioships - Organiser

6th Equatorial Cameron Highlands Malaysian Open Scrabble Tournament 2005

2005-05-04T19:12:00.000+08:00

Dear Fellow Scrabblers,

You are cordially invited to the "6th Equatorial Cameron Highlands Malaysian Open Scrabble Tournament 2005" which will be held from 26 to 28 August 2005.

This is an 18 Games Tourney which to be played from 26/08 (Friday) to 28/08 (Sunday) at the Equatorial Cameron Highlands. At the same time, you will enjoy the cool atmosphere with green scenery at the highlands and the sumptuous mouth-watering foods provided by the hotel while competing each other during the tournament.

Those who are keen to join, the tournament is organised on the 4th week of August 2005 and also coincide with the school holiday week-end. Hence, plan your leave ahead and do not miss this tournament again for those who did not turn up in the past!!

Details of the Tourney :-

Venue : Equatorial Cameron Highlands

Format : 18 Games (No repeats SWISS Pairing for the first 10 games and last 8 games with Repeats King Of The Hill)

Trophy :-

Champion
1st Runner Up
2nd Runner Up
4th Placing
5th Placing

Highest Game
Highest No. Of Bingo
Highest Score -Bingo

Rating Below 1350 - Champion
Rating Below 1350 - 1st Runner Up
Rating Below 1350 - 2nd Runner Up

Cash Prizes :-

Champion - RM1,500
1st Runner Up - RM1,000
2nd Runner Up - RM600
4th Placing - RM300
5th Placing - RM200
6th Placing - RM100
7th Placing - RM75
8th Placing - RM75
9th Placing - RM75
10th Placing - TM75

Hotel Rates (rate quoted for per person for the whole duration of stay) :-

(i) Twin Sharing : RM318 nett (3 days 2 nights)
(ii) Single Occupancy : RM428 nett (3 days 2 nights)
(iii) Child Rate : RM199 nett (3 days 2 nights) (for child aged 12 years old or below only)

Rates Include :-

(i) 3 days 2 nights Accommodation at Superior Room
(ii) Meals : 2 Buffet Breakfasts at Coffee Shop
2 Lunches (1 Buffet Lunch at Coffee Shop ; 1 Hidang Lunch at Coffee Shop)
2 Dinners (1 BBQ Dinner at Level 3 Foyer ; 1 Steamboat Dinner at Golden Phoenix)
3 Coffee Breaks during the tournament

Registration Fees : RM50 per person

Check-in Time : 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm (26 August 2005 - Friday)

Starting Time : 1st Game at 6:00 pm (26 August 2005 - Friday)

Contact Persons :-

(i) Tan Khee Chiang (Financial Controller)
Tel No. : 05-496 1434 (Direct Line) ; Mobile Phone No. : 019-456 6765
Email address : kctan@cam.equatorial.com

(ii) Lau Kam Kee (Accounts Manager)
Tel No. : 05-496 1433 (Direct Line)
Email address : kklau@cam.equatorial.com

Attached herewith the Registration Form and the Tournament Schedule for your perusal. Please fill in the Registration Form and e-mail back to me for your Room Reservation as well as to confirm your tournament participation.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further inquiries.

Regards,

Tan Khee Chiang
Financial Controller
Equatorial Cameron Highlands

Attachments:
Schedule
Registration Form

De La Salle Open

2005-05-03T15:09:00.000+08:00

De La Salle Open

Money Back tournament (Entry Fee - Cost = Prize Pool)

Date: 22nd to 23rd May 2005 (Sunday & Monday, Wesak Day Weekend)

Venue: De La Salle Institute, Jalan Bukit Nanas

Time: Starts at 9am on both days (Registration opens at 8.30 am)

Rounds: at least 15 rounds (8 rounds on Saturday, 7 rounds on Sunday)

Format: If 16 players or less, 1 full round robin and KOTH for the rest. If 17 players or more, KOTH 12 no-repeat + 3 repeat.
If more than 20 participants show up, the organisers may consider having two divisions.

Dictionary: SOWPODS

Challenge: WSC 5-point challenge

Entry Fee:

RM50 for adults
RM20 for students
RM10 surcharge for later entries received after 15 May 2005.
Walk-ins are welcomed on a first come first serve basis

Remarks: Please bring your own equipment (boards, racks, tiles & clock)

Interested participants please email your entry to Yeo Kien Hung at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk or sms your name and age to 012-688 1236

King's Cup, Thailand: 23-26 June 2005

2005-05-02T20:00:00.000+08:00

Dear Player,

We are pleased to announce that our annual tournament, 20th Brand's Thailand International King’s Cup, is now set to be staged from June 23th - 26th, 2005, in Bangkok with the winner's prize of USD 6,000.

As for celebrating our 20th anniversary in 2005, we are preparing a very exciting schedule, including one of the most challenging and enjoyable tournaments you’ll ever participate in, as well as a fabulous party.

Please find details of the tournament below. Should there be any queries or further information needed, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would greatly appreciate the presence of you and your friends at our event.

Best regards,
Amnuay P.

===========================================================

GENERAL DETAILS

20th BRAND'S THAILAND INTERNATIONAL KING'S CUP

== Date ==
June 23-26, 2005

== Venue ==
The Bangna Hall, Central City Bangna Shopping Complex

== Division ==
Open Division, open to all without restrictions.

== Prize ==
- Champion: HM King’s Cup + USD 6,000 + Gift Set
- 2nd place-getter: 75,000 Baht + Gift Set
- 3rd place-getter: 40,000 Baht + Gift Set
- 4th place-getter: 20,000 Baht + Gift Set
- 5th place-getter: 10,000 Baht + Gift Set
- 6th place-getter: 7,000 Baht + Gift Set
- 7th place-getter: 5,000 Baht + Gift Set
- 8th place-getter: 4,000 Baht + Gift Set
- 9th place-getter: 3,000 Baht + Gift Set
- 10th place-getter: 2,000 Baht + Gift Set

++Bonus Prize ++
Each player (except the winner and the 2nd place-getter) will receive 50 Baht for every winning game on June 23-24 and receive 100 Baht for every winning game on June 25-26. ***This means that everyone has a chance to win prize money.***

++ Super Bonus Prize ++
If a player wins every game he played on any particular day, he will receive five times the Bonus Prize he would normally receive on that day instead of the normal Bonus Prize.

++Special 20th Anniversary Prizes++
There will also be several prizes for celebrating our 20th anniversary of the event given out. Further details will be announced soon.

::::::: NOTE :::::::
- The above prizes will be given only to the players who have played all 27 rounds completely.
- The prizes will be awarded at the end of the tournament.
- Everyone who receives the total prize money of over 500 Baht during the tournament is subject to paying a 5% witholding tax.

== Entry Fee ==
- USD120 (including Reception Party & 2 days Coffee Break) For those who has confirmed and sent in their application forms by May 15, 2005.
*** Those who send in their application forms after May 15, must pay another additional fee of USD 10.
*** The application fee can be paid upon Bangkok arrival

== Words Source ==
- SOWPODS 2000 (there will be a list of all 2 & 3-letter words and their inflected forms provided for each player. This list can be opened at any time during the game)

== Challenge Rule ==
- Free challenge, a player does not lose his turn when he challenges the acceptable word(s)

== Game Timing ==
- Each player is allowed 25 MINUTES per game.

== Format ==
- 27 rounds swiss-pairing based. Then the top two players play the final.
- The two finalists go to final with special rule: They have to play two games. If one of them wins both game, then that player will be the winner. But if they tie with a win and a loss, the third game will be played. The winner, in this case, is the one who scores the most when combining scores from three games.

== Accommodation ==
1.) The Novotel Bangna Bangkok Hotel (4 stars, 5-minute driving) offers the rate of USD 76.51*/night for a single room and USD 82.39**/night for a double room.
The Novotel Bangna is the nearest hotel to the venue. Its address is 14/49 Moo 6 Srinakarin Rd., Nongbon, Pravet, Bangkok 10250 Tel. (662)3660505 Fax.(662)3660506.
Note:
* based on the basic rate of USD 65 plus 10% service charge and 7% Value-added Tax
** based on the basic rate of USD 70 plus 10% service charge and 7% Value-added Tax
The above rates include daily buffet breakfast, free use of fitness center, etc.

2.) The D.C. Palace Hotel (3 stars, 15-minute driving) offers the rate of 800 Baht net /night for either single or twin room with breakfast. The D.C. Palace is located on 194 Moo 5 Srinakarin Rd., Samrong Nua, Muang, Samutprakarn 10270. Tel.(662) 7487520-5 Fax. (662) 7487526

:::::::NOTE:::::::::
The reservation can be done through us (contact Ravee or Nuttakrit)

== For Application and Inquiry, contact ==
Ravee or Nuttakrit by Email: info@thaicrossword.com, Tel. (662) 6819971-3, Fax (662) 6819974

== Schedule ==
-- Thursday, June 23, 11.15-18.00, Registration / Opening Remark / Round 1-5 / Reception Party (18.30-21.30)
-- Friday, June 24, 11.30-18.30, Round 6-12
-- Saturday, June 25, 8.30-19.30, Grand Opening Ceremony / Round 13-20
-- Sunday, June 26, 8.45-19.00, Round 21-27 / Final Round / Closing Ceremony

==How to apply ==
Send your info about the below topics as well as your recent 1-inch photograph (2-3 copies) and send them to us at the mentioned address. (you may send them via snail mail, email or fax as your choices) For the photographs, you may attach with you email. Closing date is May 31, 2005
-- Name:
-- Age:
-- Nationality:
-- Occupation:
-- Address:
-- Telephone Number: (please indicate your city’s code)
-- Fax Number: (please indicate your city’s code)
-- Email:
-- Past records in any tournament:

WSC Qualifiers as of today

2005-04-21T13:37:00.000+08:00

Now that the Nationals are over. Here is the final summary of the players who will represent Malaysia at the 2005 WSC in London.

The qualifiers will take the National Champion and the highest rated player at the end of the Nationals. Players who intend to qualify by ratings must play at least 60 games (excluding the Nationals) and the Nationals.
Final Update: 11 September 2005

Rank	Name	Ratings	# Games played
1	Ganesh Asirvatham	1904	96
2	Yeo Kien Hung	1745	181
3	Pui Cheng Wui	1668	106
4	John Lam	1612	111
5	Jocelyn Lor	1607	149
6	Kong Chock Heng	1600	83
7	Michael Tang	1571	79
8	Tan Jin Chor	1570	132
=9	Tengku Asri	1457	166
=9	Tan Khee Chiang	1457	113

Tournaments included:
5th Penang Open Scrabble Competition 2004
2004 Malaysian Nationals
3rd Causeway Scrabble Challenge 2004
Champion of the New Year (CNY) Tournament 2005
De La Salle April mini 2005
7th Penang YMCA Tournament 2005
De La Salle Open 2005
2005 Malaysia Mensa Scrabble Challenge
De La Salle July mini 2005
2005 Leonard Wong Memorial Scrabble Tournament
6th Equatorial Cameron Highlands Scrabble Tournament 2005
2005 Malaysias National Closed Scrabble Championship

Congratulations to Ganesh Asirvatham (2005 Malaysian National Champion & highest rated player) and Yeo Kien Hung (2nd highest rated player and 2005 runner up) for making the WSC team. May you do well this coming November.

The 2005 World Scrabble Championship selection criteria

2005-04-20T15:09:00.000+08:00

The Malaysian Scrabble Association Committee has finalised the criteria to select two representatives that Malaysia is going to send to the 2005 World Scrabble Championship (WSC).

One representative will be the 2005 Malaysian National Champion, who will be determined as winner of the 2005 Malaysian Closed National Championship.

Another representative will be the highest rated player at the end of the Nationals. This player must have played at least 60 rated games during the qualifying period between Nov 1, 2004 and Sep 11, 2005 to qualify one’s rating for selection (subject to the following clauses):

a) All walkovers and byes earned by any player will not be rated and will not count towards the minimum number of games needed to qualify ones rating for WSC selection. All other games will be rated as per norm.

b) Any player who forfeits any game or gives a walkover will still have his/her game rated as per norm but will forfeit all games in that tournament towards the minimum number of games needed to qualify one’s rating for WSC selection.

In the event that the 2005 Malaysian National Champion is also the highest rated player at the end of the qualifying tournament, the remaining spot will go to the reserve(s).

The first reserve will be the second highest rated player at the end of the Nationals. The second reserve will be the runner-up in the Malaysian National Closed Championship.

De La Salle April Mini Results

2005-04-10T19:13:00.000+08:00

Results after game
7APRIL 10, 2005 -- ALPHA

Rank	Player	Wins	Mar
1	Tan Jin Chor	6	606
2	Tengku Asri	5	0
3	Yeo Kien Hung	4	202
4	Thomas Tan	4	40
5	Aaron Chong	3	514
6	Warren Lau	3	-355
7	New Sin Yew	2	-444
8	Sithambara Kuhan	1	-563

HIGH GAME: Aaron Chong 563
HIGH WORD: Aaron Chong 106 "HYACINES"

Results after game 7
APRIL 10, 2005 -- BETA

Rank	Player	Wins	Mar
1	Rainier Ng	6	1183
2	Foo Fang Hai	6	615
3	Velerene Liaw Li Sim	5	515
4	Victor Ching	4	112
5	Ng Chuin Min	3	-338
6	Kennard Lai Xun Onn	2	-429
7	Luo Kean Hui	1.5	-728
8	Samuel Lai Nai Sen	0.5	-930

HIGH GAME: Rainier Ng 534
HIGH WORD: Rainier Ng 98 "CREAMED"

Results after game 6
APRIL 10, 2005 -- GAMMA

Rank	Player	Wins	Mar
1	Lee Pao Hsien	6	696
2	Alex Kuek Chung	Seng	4	262
3	Tan Choulyee	1	-462
4	Edward Vinodh	1	-496

HIGH GAME: Lee Pao Hsien 459
HIGH WORD: Edward Vinodh 88 "DICTATE"

De La Salle Apri Mini

2005-03-19T15:27:00.000+08:00

De La Salle Mini

Money Back tournament (Entry Fee - Cost = Prize Pool)

Date : 10th April 2005 (Sunday)
Venue : De La Salle Institute
Time : 9am (Registration closes at 8.45 am)

Rounds: 7-9 rounds (depending on divisions and participant turnout)
Format:

Divisions of 8 players (or less), 1 full round robin + KOTH with repeat for remainder)
Divisions of 9 players (or more), KOTH no repeat until last round.

Dictionary: SOWPODS
Challenge: WSC 5-point challenge

Entry Fee:
RM20 for adults
RM10 for students
RM5 surcharge for entries received after 5th April 2005.

Remarks:

Walk-ins are welcomed on a first come first serve basis
Please bring your own equipment (boards, racks, tiles & clock)
Scoresheets and scorecards will be provided by the organisers
Lunch will not be provided. Players will have one hour for lunch.

Interested participants please email your entry to Yeo Kien Hung at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk or sms your name and age to 012-688 1236

7th Penang YMCA Scrabble Tournament

2005-03-18T09:30:00.000+08:00

Once again the Penang YMCA Scrabble Club is happy to announce the 7th
Penang YMCA Scrabble Tournament.
There will be 2 Categories
====================================================
School Category
1 day tournament , 6 Games
Sunday 17 April 2005
Entry Fee Before 10 April is RM 15 and after that RM 20
Players are to bring their own sets and clocks.
Trophies and certificates will be given to winners
====================================================
Open Category
2 day Tournament 15 Games
Saturday and Sunday
16 and 17 April 2005
Entry Fee before 9th April RM 50 , thereafter RM 60
There will be 2 sections in this Open Category
a) Ratings Below 1350*
b) Ratings 1350* and above
* Subject to change
Cash prizes will be allocated to winners from the entrry fees collected
after deduction of expenses.
====================================================
Contact persons
John Lam 012-4943950
Dr Salahudin 012-4527650
Chuah Sim Swee 016-4981130
Jackie Cheah 012-5591178
Dr Adele Tan 019-4486534
====================================================
ACCOMODATION
For players needing accomodation
there are cheap and good rooms provided by Penang YMCA
Please contact Rahela at 04-2288211

OSW-I wordlist on the net

2005-03-07T20:20:00.000+08:00

Here are some premade/prefabricated wordlists on the Internet.

http://www.scrabble.org.au/words/index.htm

Of particular importance to beginners are the 2 letter words, 3 letter words, Q without U, and 4 letter words.

I will post other wordlist here whereever possible.

CNY TOP 10

2005-02-07T17:55:00.000+08:00

This may be a bit late, but here are the top 10 finishers from the CNY tournament.

Rank	Name	Wins	Spread
1	Aaron Chong	12	+1294
2	Yeo Kien Hung	11	+1222
3	Mohd Ali Ismail	11	+882
4	Tengku Asri	11	+813
5	Zain Putra Baharuddin	11	+406
6	Pui Cheng Wui	9	+882
7	Gan Yi En	9	-126
8	Yeap Gim Sai	8	+337
9	Wong Kar Mun	8	+7
10	Seshi Ramanathan	6	+219

If you want to see the full results and rating changes, please use the links in the sidebar to the right.

Regarding the next tournament, there has been no details about the goodrich tournament but the tentative dates have been announced to be 26-27 February 2005, so book those dates on your calendar.

CNY Tournament

2005-02-06T18:37:00.000+08:00

a big THANKYOU for all the participants who attended the CNY Tournament this weekend. The prize money was small but we had fun. To those who could not attend, there's always the next time.

Congratulations to Aaron Chong for winning the tournament, he gets RM80 for his effort. Zain finished 5th and won the prize for best student, RM30.

I will try to get some sponsors for the next tournament, but at least I am quite happy to organise and execute this tournament with only the entry fee covering everything from room rent to refreshments.

If you know of any other cheap venues (free would be even better!!!), please feel free to contact me. I am looking for rooms that can accommodate roughly 40 people, has furniture and computer facilities, air con for about RM150-RM200 per day.

Henry

Keep the entries rolling in

2005-01-31T18:33:00.000+08:00

It is still not to late to sign up for the CNY tournament. The entry fee is RM60 per adult or RM30 per student. It is very quick and easy to sign up: just email me at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk or SMS (no calls!!!) at 012-688 1236. More details HERE.

Here's an update on entrants as of 03/02/2005 (Participants marked with an * have registered early and earned an RM10 discount of their entry fee):

Adults:
Ganesh Asirvatham*
Pui Cheng Wui*
Aaron Chong*
Yeo Kien Hung*
Tengku Asri*
Alex Tan*
Jocelyn Lor*
Chim Wai Main*
Seshi Ramanathan*
Yeap Gim Sai*
Wong Kar Mun*
Zamri Majid*(paid)
Lawrence Low*(awaiting confirmation)
Malathi d/o G. Kunjithapatha*

Students:
Gan Yi En*
Leonard Leong*
Ng Peng Sang*
Ooi Er Hern*
Sithambara Kuhan*
Rainier Ng*
William Kang Wei Liang*
Foo Fang Hai*
Azreena Nasaruddin

No foot in the doors for discounts

2005-01-30T21:23:00.000+08:00

As of 30th January 2005, I will no longer offer the RM10 discount to participants who register for the CNY tournament after today. Please take note that participants who register from now onwards until the commencement of the tournament must pay RM60 per adult or RM30 per student. It is very quick and easy to sign up: just email me at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk or SMS (no calls!!!) at 012-688 1236. More details HERE.

Here's an update on entrants who have qualified for the RM10 discount (as of 30/01/2005):

Adults:
Ganesh Asirvatham
Pui Cheng Wui
Aaron Chong
Yeo Kien Hung
Tengku Asri
Alex Tan
Jocelyn Lor
Chim Wai Main
Seshi Ramanathan
Yeap Gim Sai
Wong Kar Mun
Zamri Majid (*paid)
Lawrence Low (awaiting confirmation)
Malathi d/o G. Kunjithapatha

Students:
Gan Yi En
Leonard Leong
Ng Peng Sang
Ooi Er Hern
Sithambara Kuhan
Rainier Ng
William Kang Wei Liang
Foo Fang Hai

Last Two Day for the Early Bird Discount

2005-01-29T14:48:00.000+08:00

Remember to sign up before 30th January to qualify for the RM10 discount. I will not entertain any protest. It is very quick and easy to sign up: just email me at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk or SMS (no calls!!!) at 012-688 1236. More details
HERE.

Here's an update on entrants who have qualified for the RM10 discount (as of 29/01/2005):

Adults:
Ganesh Asirvatham
Pui Cheng Wui
Aaron Chong
Yeo Kien Hung
Tengku Asri
Alex Tan
Jocelyn Lor
Chim Wai Main
Seshi Ramanathan
Yeap Gim Sai
Wong Kar Mun
Zamri Majid (*paid)
Lawrence Low (awaiting confirmation)

Students:
Ng Peng Sang
Sithambara Kuhan
Rainier Ng
William Kang Wei Liang
Foo Fang Hai

CNY entrants update

2005-01-24T20:57:00.000+08:00

Remember to sign up before 30th January to qualify for the RM10 discount. I will not entertain any protest. It is very quick and easy to sign up: just email me at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk or SMS (no calls!!!) at 012-688 1236. More details HERE.

Here's an update on entrants who have qualified for the RM10 discount (as of 25/01/2005):

Adults:
Ganesh Asirvatham
Pui Cheng Wui
Aaron Chong
Yeo Kien Hung
Alex Tan
Jocelyn Lor
Chim Wai Main
Yeap Gim Sai
Wong Kar Mun
Lawrence Low (awaiting confirmation)

Students:
Ng Peng Sang
Sithambara Kuhan
Rainier Ng
Foo Fang Hai

CNY entrant update

2005-01-22T13:39:00.000+08:00

Remember to sign up before 30th January to qualify for the RM10 discount. I will not entertain any protest. It is very quick and easy to sign up: just email me at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk or SMS (no calls!!!) at 012-688 1236. More details HERE.

Here's an update on entrants who have qualified for the RM10 discount (as of 22/01/2005):
Adults:
Ganesh Asirvatham
Pui Cheng Wui
Aaron Chong
Yeo Kien Hung
Alex Tan
Jocelyn Lor
Chim Wai Main
Yeap Gim Sai
Wong Kar Mun
Lawrence Low (awaiting confirmation)

Students:
Ng Peng Sang
Rainier Ng

WSC Qualifiers

2005-01-21T19:39:00.000+08:00

Here's a quick summary of the players in the running to represent Malaysia for the 2005 World Scrabble Championship. The qualifiers will take the National Champion and the highest rated player at the end of August. Players who intend to qualify by ratings must play at least 60 games (excluding the Nationals) and the Nationals.

Rank	Name	Ratings	# Games played	# Games needed to qualify
1	Ganesh Asirvatham	1929	62	Nationals
-	Cheah Siu Hean	1805	47	13+Nationals
-	Pui Cheng Wui	1729	33	27+Nationals
-	Michael Tang	1697	29	31+Nationals
-	Aaron Chong	1684	29	31+Nationals
-	Kong Chock Heng	1674	18	42+Nationals
2	John Lam	1635	62	Nationals
3	Yeo Kien Hung	1606	62	Nationals
-	Tengku Asri	1592	47	13+Nationals
4	Tan Jin Chor	1579	62	Nationals
-	Alex Tan	1579	29	31+Nationals
5	Jocelyn Lor	1544	62	Nationals
-	Chuah Sim Swee	1512	33	27+Nationals
-	Krishna Kumar	1498	-	60+Nationals
-	Ong Suanne	1471	35	25+Nationals

CNY entrants update

2005-01-17T13:31:00.000+08:00

Remember to sign more before 30th January to qualify for the RM10 discount. I will not entertain any protest.

To sign up: email me at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk or SMS (no calls!!!) at 012-688 1236

Here's an update on entrants who have qualified for the RM10 discount (as of 19/01/2005):

Adults:
Pui Cheng Wui
Aaron Chong
Yeo Kien Hung
Alex Tan
Chim Wai Main
Yeap Gim Sai
Wong Kar Mun
Lawrence Low (awaiting confirmation)

Students:
Ng Peng Sang
Rainier Ng

Henry

What do you want to read in the column?

2005-01-14T22:04:00.000+08:00

Here's an open invitation out to everyone.

What topic would you like to see covered in the Scrabble column every fortnightly Friday.

The best would be for you to email me at using the link given in the right hand column. (the email address is rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk)

Waiting to hear from you.

Henry

CNY tournament updates

2005-01-14T21:35:00.000+08:00

I realised a silly error today after I calculated that 16 players can play a 15 game round robin. Therefore, I have amended the format to reflect it. I hope this doesn't influence your decision to sign up.

Here's an update on entrants (as of 16/01/2005):

Adult:
Pui Cheng Wui
Aaron Chong
Yeo Kien Hung
Chim Wai Main
Yeap Gim Sai
Wong Kar Mun
Lawrence Low (awaiting confirmation)

Student:
Rainier Ng

Keep a watch here for a growing(hopefully) list of entrants

Henry

Chinese New Year Tournament

2005-01-10T17:16:00.000+08:00

Champion of the New Year

Money Back tournament (Entry Fee - Cost = Prize Pool)

Date: 5th to 6th February 2004 (Saturday & Sunday)

Venue: De La Salle Institute

Time: Starts at 9am on both days (Registration opens at 8.30 am)

Rounds: 15 rounds (8 rounds on Saturday, 7 rounds on Sunday)

Format: If 16 players or less, 1 full round robin and KOTH for the rest. If 17 players or more, KOTH 12 no-repeat + 3 repeat.

Dictionary: SOWPODS

Challenge: WSC 5-point challenge

Entry Fee:

RM60 for adults
RM30 for students
RM10 discount for those who register with Yeo Kien Hung before 30th January 2004.
Walk-ins are welcomed on a first come first serve basis

Remarks: Please bring your own equipment (boards, racks, tiles & clock)

Interested participants please email your entry to Yeo Kien Hung at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk or sms your name and age to 012-688 1236

Causeway results

2004-12-25T15:53:00.000+08:00

You can get the combined results from http://www.toucanet.com/msa or http://www.toucanet.com. Here are the breakdown of the results between the teams.

Causeway Scrabble Challenge
SINvMAL

Rank	Player	Wins	Margin
1	Ganesh Asirvatham	9.5	1176
2	Ricky Purnomo	8	481
3	Andy Kurnia	8	334
4	Goh Jiang Pern	6.5	178
5	Gan Cher Siong	6.5	-68
6	Nigel Richards	6	752
7	Cheah Siu Hean	6	298
8	Tengku Asri	6	64
9	Tan Jin Chor	5	391
10	Tony Sim	5	-257
11	John Lam	4	42
12	Aaron Chong	4	-234
13	Shim Yen Nee	4	-818
14	Chim Wai Main	3.5	-340
15	Jocelyn Lor	3	-84
16	Dylan Sharma	3	-339
17	Alex Tan	3	-346
18	Yeo Kien Hung	3	-370
19	Michael Tang	3	-371
20	Hubert Wee	3	-489

SG 53-47 MY

Traditional Tourney
SIN&MALvTHA

Rank	Player	Wins	Margin
1	Komol Panyasoponlert	10	870
2	Tony Sim	7	774
3	Nigel Richards	7	485
4	Cheah Siu Hean	7	389
5	Panupol Sujjayakorn	7	255
6	Ganesh Asirvatham	6	569
7	Aaron Chong	6	135
8	Roongroj 'Simon' Harinvorarob	6	-147
9	Goh Jiang Pern	5	140
10	John Lam	5	-144
11	Ricky Purnomo	4	131
12	Gerry Carter	4	-98
13	Alex Tan	4	-236
14	Nuttakrit Keskaroonkul	4	-257
15	Arun Methaset	4	-398
16	Marut Siriwangso	3	-133
17	Hubert Wee	3	-419
18	Surachaste Boonyasatian	3	-484
19	Amnuay Ploysangngam	3	-677
20	Ravee Joradol	2	-755

M&S 54-46 TH

Alternative Traditional
SIN&MALvTHA

Rank	Player	Wins	Margin
1	Andy Kurnia	8	411
2	Gerry Carter	8	374
3	Panupol Sujjayakorn	7	898
4	Marut Siriwangso	7	766
5	Michael Tang	7	434
6	Komol Panyasoponlert	6	214
7	Dylan Sharma	6	22
8	Jocelyn Lor	5	401
9	Gan Cher Siong	5	-15
10	Surachaste Boonyasatian	5	-166
11	Nuttakrit Keskaroonkul	5	-268
12	Arun Methaset	5	-315
13	Tengku Asri	4	28
14	Roongroj 'Simon' Harinvorarob	4	-29
15	Yeo Kien Hung	4	-280
16	Tan Jin Chor	3	-297
17	Shim Yen Nee	3	-467
18	Ravee Joradol	3	-539
19	Amnuay Ploysangngam	3	-693
20	Chim Wai Main	2	-479

TH 53-47 ALT
SINvTHA

Rank	Player	Wins	Margin
1	Andy Kurnia	8	411
2	Tony Sim	7	774
3	Michael Tang	7	434
4	Cheah Siu Hean	7	389
5	Panupol Sujjayakorn	6	282
6	Komol Panyasoponlert	6	184
7	Dylan Sharma	6	22
8	Arun Methaset	6	-232
9	Goh Jiang Pern	5	140
10	Gan Cher Siong	5	-15
11	Roongroj 'Simon' Harinvorarob	5	-171
12	Ricky Purnomo	4	131
13	Nuttakrit Keskaroonkul	4	39
14	Gerry Carter	4	-278
15	Surachaste Boonyasatian	4	-301
16	Ravee Joradol	4	-608
17	Marut Siriwangso	3	277
18	Hubert Wee	3	-419
19	Shim Yen Nee	3	-467
20	Amnuay Ploysangngam	3	-592

SG 55-45 TH
MALvTHA

Rank	Player	Wins	Margin
1	Komol Panyasoponlert	10	900
2	Panupol Sujjayakorn	8	871
3	Gerry Carter	8	554
4	Nigel Richards	7	485
5	Marut Siriwangso	7	356
6	Ganesh Asirvatham	6	569
7	Aaron Chong	6	135
8	Jocelyn Lor	5	401
9	Roongroj 'Simon' Harinvorarob	5	-5
10	John Lam	5	-144
11	Nuttakrit Keskaroonkul	5	-564
12	Tengku Asri	4	28
13	Alex Tan	4	-236
14	Yeo Kien Hung	4	-280
15	Surachaste Boonyasatian	4	-349
16	Tan Jin Chor	3	-297
17	Arun Methaset	3	-481
18	Amnuay Ploysangngam	3	-778
19	Chim Wai Main	2	-479
20	Ravee Joradol	1	-686

TH 54-46 MY

Looking forward to 2005

2004-12-23T20:19:00.000+08:00

2005 is upon us already.

To make the year more interesting, what new features do you want to add to make the year more exciting?

I may opt to launch a rotisserie/Scrabble fantasy manager if there is enough response. For the first year, I will probably start with RM5 just to make it lighter on your money purse. The competition can be based on many variables, including ratings changes, wins and losses, average score, etc. All of these can be easily accessed via toucanet.com

If there are any other features you would like to see added in the coming year, please do not hesitate to email me at rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk

Scrabble Stats

2004-12-23T20:05:00.000+08:00

Ho hum,

Just some number crunching
Player* have played less than 50 games

Player	Win%	Average score
Ganesh	83.87	464.21
Nigel	83.72	482.76
Cheah*	70.21	431.30
Pui	66.67	424.61
Ong Suanne*	62	387
Kong	61.67	415.27
John	61	412.91
Chuah SS	58.9	402.01
Yeo KH	58	404.16
Warren	57.14	375

Other 50%: Gan Yi En*, Tan JC, Jocelyn, Yeap Gim Sai, Leonard Leong*, Tengku Asri,Thomas Tan, Paulette Yeoh and Tan Khee Chiang.

All the above figures can be derived from toucanet.com

Causeway Scrabble Challenge

2004-12-21T17:24:00.000+08:00

The Causeway Scrabble Challenge is over and Singapore gets to keep the Causeway Challenge Trophy for another year while Malaysia and Singapore have combined to beat Thailand for the Traditional Challenge Trophy.

You can check out our hyperlink to the MSA archives for results.
Further commentaries were provided courtesy of Ricky Purnomo at http://csc2004.blogspot.com/.
We thank Ricky for his contributions and efforts to keep the world updated round by round, break by break.

Ganesh reigned as the individual champion for this tournament. He clinched the event with style by the 26th game when he stood 3 1/2 games clear of the field.

Causeway Challenge --- Expert's Pick

2004-12-14T18:45:00.000+08:00

Here are the picks from the Four Scrabble Players

Odette Rio (Philippines)

Top 10:

1. Nigel Richards
2. Ganesh Asirvatham
3. Panupol Sujjayakorn
4. Cheah Siu Hean
5. Charnwit Sukhumrattanaporn
6. Tony Sim
7. Gerry Carter
8. Komol Panyasopholert
9. Ricky Purnomo
10. Marut Siriwangso

Causeway Challenge Trophy: Team Malaysia over Team Singapore
Traditional Challenge Trophy: Team Malaysia and Team Singapore Combined Over Thailand

Andrew Fisher (Australia)

Top 10:
"The Thais may be slightly hampered by the SOWPODS (Thailand plays to the TWL lexicon) format, so I should think Nigel will finish on top!"
Nigel Richards
Komol Panyasopholert
Panupol Sujjayakorn
Ganesh Asirvatham
Cheah Siu Hean

Causeway Challenge Trophy: Team Malaysia over Team Singapore
Traditional Challenge Trophy: Team Thailand over Malaysia and Team Singapore Combined

Naween Fernando (Sri Lanka)

Top 10: "In no particular order,
Nigel Richards
Panupol Sujjayakorn
Charnwit Sukhumrattanaporn
Cheah Siu Hean
Ganesh Asirvatham
Gerry Carter
Tony Sim
Komol Panyasopholert
Aaron Chong
Goh Jiang Pern

Causeway Challenge Trophy: Team Malaysia over Team Singapore
Traditional Challenge Trophy: Team Thailand over Malaysia and Team Singapore Combined

Helen Gipson (England)

Top 10:
Nigel
Panupol
Komol
Marut
Ganesh
Tony
Cheah
Alex
Charnwit
Goh Jiang Pern

Causeway Challenge Trophy: Team Malaysia over Team Singapore
Traditional Challenge Trophy: Team Malaysia and Team Singapore Combined Over Thailand

Causeway Challenge Final List

2004-11-28T21:48:00.000+08:00

Here are the players who qualify to represent Malaysia at the Causeway Scrabble Challenge. (Cheah Siu Hean and Michael Tang have opted to play for Singapore)

Nigel Richards 1952
Ganesh Asirvatham 1920
Aaron Chong 1753
John Lam 1660
Alex Tan 1632
Yeo Kien Hung 1616
Tan Jin Chor 1609
Jocelyn Lor 1587
Tengku Asri 1550
Chim Wai Main 1512

Reserves:

Chuah Sim Swee 1512
Yeap Gim Sai 1501 (has opted to play in Open Division)
Krishna Kumar 1498
Thomas Tan 1449 (has opted to play in Open Division)
Warren Lau 1441
Ayob Samad 1420
Ong Suanne 1419
Paulette Yeoh 1412
Seshi Ramanatha 1398
Sandy Tsen 1379

2004 Penang Open Commentary

2004-11-23T17:21:00.000+08:00

It's been a long wait since Equatorial Cameron Highlands, but the 5th Penang Open Scrabble Competition was worth every bit of it.

I checked in to room 713 with my roommate, Pui Cheng Wui on Friday after a detour along Jalan Jelutong. We were delighted to find the tournament venue was situated on the 7th floor. Talk about having a tournament right outside your doorstep. We soon met Tan Jin Chor, John Lam, Jocelyn Lor, Irene Lim for dinner of gado-gado and mutton soup along Jalan Penang. Pui liked the soup so much that he order a second helping and promptly wound up with a heavy belly. Jocelyn Lor and I accompanied him to walk off the excess before heading back to the hotel for a friendly spar (which I lose to Pui twice) and retiring for the night.

Starting off the next day with 24 players, I had a good run over Dr. Mohamad Salehudin, Chuah Sim Swee, Ganesh Asirvatham and Yeap Gim Sai to earn 4 wins and a +666 spread. What an ominous sign to have before everyone headed down to Jalan Penang again to dine on Char Kuey Teow, Wanton Noodles and Prawn Noodles for lunch. Back at the hotel, I ding-dong with losses to Jocelyn Lor and John Lam and wins over Pui Cheng Wui and Ong Suanne to finish the day on top.

Later that night, all the participants were treated to a sumptuous dinner at the Executive Lounge. This was followed by wishes for birthday girl, Yeap Gim Sai. In her honour, many players put on an impromptu acapella concert, including Seshi Ramanathan (who has cut four albums), John Lam and Tan Khee Chiang.

We resume battle the next day as I fell Seshi Ramanathan and Tan Jin Chor before stumbling over Tan Khee Chiang. I won a squeaker against Alex Zulkarnain who misplayed the endgame.
After lunch at the same place the previous afternoon, I proceed to lose twice to Pui Cheng Wui in the repeat rounds and barely hanging on to a win over Yeap Gim Sai to finished 5th. Ganesh, Tan Jin Chor, Pui Cheng Wui and Jocelyn finished ahead of me respectively. Rounding up the prize winners were Ong Suanne and Yeap Gim Sai.

Tan Khee Chiang, Seshi Ramanathan and Warren Lau earned the class prizes for those under 1500 while Yang Mohsin and the Yeoh sisters (Sue Jane and Sue Ann) triumphed in the Intermediate Division (14 players)

2004 Causeway Qualifiers

2004-11-22T14:24:00.000+08:00

Here is the updated list of players in the running to represent Malaysia at the Causeway Scrabble Challenge to be held in Johor Bahru. 10 players will be chosen to play in the Premier Division.

Players in RED have declined their spot on the Malaysian Team for the upcoming event.
Players in GREEN desire to participate in the tournament and will be chosen if they qualify.
Players in YELLOW yet to confirm or refused their spot.

Nigel Richards (NZ) 1952
A Ganesh 1907
Cheah Siu Hean 1815 (opted to play for Singapore)
Vannitha Balasingam 1763
Aaron Chong 1753
Pui Cheng Wui 1707
Yeo Kien Hung 1685
Michael Tang 1649 (opted to play for Singapore)
Tan Jin Chor 1648
Jocelyn Lor 1646
Kong Chock Heng 1640
Alex Tan 1632
John Lam 1622
Azmil Aziz 1602
M Nashad (SRI LK) 1577
Tengku Asri 1553
Chim Wai Main 1505
Krishna Kumar 1498
Yeap Gim Sai 1497
Chuah Sim Swee 1491
Warren Lau 1449
Thomas Tan 1447
Sarah Law 1431 (opted to play in Open Division)
Zain Putra Baharuddin 1429
Ayob Samad 1420

2004 Penang Open

2004-11-22T14:14:00.000+08:00

Here are the results from the 2004 Penang Open Scrabble Championship held over the weekend. The ratings and archives will be updated within the next few days so that you can check out the round-by-round performance.

Results after game 15
NOVEMBER 17, 2004 -- MASTERS
Rank Player Wins Mar
---------------------------------
1 A Ganesh 13 1346
2 Tan Jin Chor 10.5 788
3 Pui Cheng Wui 10 1087
4 Jocelyn Lor 10 564
5 Yeo Kien Hung 10 421
6 Ong Suanne 9 -157
7 Yeap Gim Sai 9 -328
8 John Lam 8 528
9 Tan Khee Chiang 8 191
10 Seshi Ramanathan 8 103
11 Warren Lau 8 -307
12 Chuah Sim Swee 7 199
13 Sandy Tsen 7 58
14 Michael Wong 7 16
15 Ng Chee Eng 7 -172
16 Mohd Salahudin 7 -314
17 Alex Zulkarnain 7 -748
18 Paulette Yeoh 6.5 271
19 Zamri Majid 6 -602
20 Adele Tan 5 -253
21 Zeenath Ariff 5 -468
22 Irene Lim 5 -684
23 Shameer Muhammad 4 -508
24 Jackie Cheah 3 -1031

HIGH GAME: Seshi Ramanathan 600

Results after game 6
NOVEMBER 17, 2004 -- INTERMEDIATE
Rank Player Wins Mar
---------------------------------
1 Yang Mohsin 5 630
2 Yeoh-Sue Jane 5 294
3 Yeoh Sue Ann 5 220
4 Mohd Riyaludin 4 144
5 Loh Sah Hooi 3 136
6 Helen Kong 3 111
7 Muhammad Muzzammil 3 98
8 Goh Yeang Tong 3 -77
9 Goh Ee Teng 3 -180
10 Charmaine Cheah 2 67
11 Loh-Vern Ern 2 -182
12 Tan Yu Teik 2 -660
13 Lew Yao Loong 1 -287
14 Sharfizi Azmal 1 -314

HIGH GAME: Yang Mohsin 488

Causeway Challenge Updates

2004-11-12T17:51:00.000+08:00

Mr. Tang has some news about the Causeway Scrabble Challenge, here's his correspondance:

First and foremost, this is my new personal e-mail account so please use this e-mail for future correspondences.

I am pleased to finalise the accomodation pacakge as follows:

Tournament : 3rd Causeway Scrabble Challenge
Venue : Eden Garden Hotel, Johor Bahru
Date : 17 - 19 Dec 2004
Package : 2 Nights accomodation + 6 meals
(Day 1 - Dinner, Day 2, Breakfast, Lunch + Dinner, Day 3 - Breakfast + Lunch)
Rates : Single Room - RM400 nett per person
Double Room - RM300 nett per person

Please note that for those who would like to extend their stay at Eden Garden Hotel, the rate would be RM125 Nett for Single Room (incl 1Breakfast) and RM 145 Nett for Double Room (incl 2 Breakfasts)

Please note that registration deadline for both Premier and Open Division is 30 November 2004. I would appreciate if you can send me your confirmation and hotel reservation by e-mail to alchemist9189@gmail.com or call or sms me at +65 9189 9189.

Please also note that players are encouraged to bring along their own scrabble board, clock and score sheet as this tournament will be run with minimal assistance.

Looking forward to seeing all of you in Johor!

Michael
Organising Chairman

For more details, please refer to the hyperlink on the sidebar under upcoming tourneys

Clubhouses

2004-11-09T23:26:00.000+08:00

It has been 3 years since the death of the Parkroyal Scrabble Corner and it is about time that we wake up to reality. We really need a decent clubhouse.

For all you people out there, if you know of any suitable venue that can host a scrabble get-together, (minimum requirement being tables and chairs big enough), please email rhyen518@yahoo.co.uk . I will look into the suitability of the venue. It's okay if people have to pay for use of the space as long as the fee is reasonable.

One place that I have approached is the newly renovated KL Memorial Library. If we can get a scrabble corner there, players may have to pay a annual subscription fee of RM40 for an adult for RM20 for a student. So you get a scrabble corner and library membership for the price of one.

For more uptown people, the La Bodega Lounge on the 2nd floor in Bangsar is a pretty spiffy place but to patronize with snacks & drinks etc may be a bit expensive (since it is Bangsar) and parking may be a hassle. I hope to negotiate a settlement there.

So please, do keep a lookout for some good place to host Scrabble corners

Causeway challenge

2004-11-04T14:32:00.000+08:00

Check out the link for this tourney on the sidebar.

Basically what started off as Malaysian-Singapore friendly rivalry has now expanded to include the premier scrabble nation in South-East Asia --- Thailand!!! 29 games between 30 of the top players, 10 each from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

The open division was added last year, so you can still get to play instead of just watching games after games after games. Relax in between rounds by checking out the experts at their best or their worst games of their lifes at the cruel hands of their opponents

Register with Mr. Michael Tang at alchemist9189@gmail.com or
+65 9189 9189 (aka 02-9189 9189)

Hotel packages are still being finalised

Malaysian Nationals

2004-11-02T17:09:00.000+08:00

From the Tournament Chairman:

Dear players,

The National Championship will be held on the 27-28 ofNovember at YMCA KL. This will be an 18 game event and open to Malaysian Citizens only. The MSA's AGM will beheld on the 27th after the last game and members who wish to attend the AGM are reminded to pay the membership fees on the 27th morning.

Entance Fee is RM50 for Adults and RM20 for students.

There will be two categories; those who are 1300 andabove and those 1299 and below. Prizes will be awardedto the top five finishers in each category. Thewinners of the 1300 and above category will receivethe challenge trophy and the title of NationalScrabble Champion. There will also be cash spot prizesfor each of the 18 rounds.

regards

Ganesh Asirvathm(Tournament Chairman)

To register, email the tournament Chairman at metaplot@yahoo.com or message either of his handle on isc.ro: 'juggernaut' or 'waylander' or call him 016-628 8742 (to be disclose if he wishes to)

Rating Rants

2004-10-31T13:49:00.000+08:00

Just went through preliminary analysis of the tournament data accumulated over the years. I have found quite a number of discrepancies in the rating list, probably serious enough to warrant an overhaul of the rating list.

Did you know that the rating list was initially preseeded (one group at 1500, another at 1200). Nigel told me that when he took over it was the norm to perform the ratings without preseeding, so why the switch in the first place? now, there is a ripple effect throughout the rating list and many players are quite possible severely underrated.

Another problem created is a very flat bell curve in the rating since malaysia has a smaller scrabble playing population and yet its range is wider than even australia or US. Because of this and the ripple effect, some players can continue sandbagging just by playing(bullying would be more accurate) new players in the lower division. It will take forever for them to raise their rating to their true level and give problem to organisers to find a fair point to designate the cutoff.

This is only the tip of the iceberg that is about to sink the malaysian rating. Hopefully I can persuade the players to adopt a new and consistent approach towards the rating but I am worried that the switch, which is taking place early in the wsc selection period, will not be adopted because players are fearful for their ratings.

Oh well....guess we will have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

Let's get started

2004-10-26T20:59:00.000+08:00

Just compiled the data from the Interschool Championship held in Berjaya Time Square.

I also had the luck to interview three groups of students.
If i cannot publish the interview in the Star, will post them here so that everyone get to read about them/themselves.

my initial reflection of the event is that it feels like the King's Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, albeit on a much smaller scale: Scores of schoolchildren and noisy music in the background. The only thing lacking is the presence of masters playing in a separate division but i think Ganesh and I fulfill that to a certain degree. Unfortunately for Ganesh, i whooped him in all the games we finished. Heck! I even score and track the last game we played in my head, corrected his score twice and he surrendered!

As to the level of play, no MIKVEHS, like the one my dear friend from Singapore pointed out to me in Bangkok.
In the U-18 category, team Farbucks from St. Francis Institution probably spends too much time on ISC that they get more practice and and are better than everyone else. so everyone, the secret is out and here is the link www.isc.ro. So get cracking and you might catch up with Farbucks and give them a run for their money next year. Nice to see the established institutions like Sultan Abdul Samad and St. John Institution being humbled for once though.
U-15, a much closer fight but I am sorry that I cannot name anyone or any single team that stands out in my mind. So study hard and play more games and wow us seniors so that we will definitely write about you.

Still, the competition probably heralded the presence of St. Francis Institution as a Scrabble powerhouse in the school scene. Good for them since they live quite isolated from the vibrant Scrabble scene in KL and Penang, but they have also made the effort to travel up here to play as well. Hope to see more of them soon.

Enough gloating for now, my next post will probably be uncensored, unpolite and honest.

New Links

2004-10-03T18:09:00.000+08:00

Finally add some links below my profile, hope you find them useful.

Henry

First Post

2004-10-03T00:28:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone,

Welcome to this corner of the competitive Scrabble(r) scene in South East Asia.
I will be posting up tournament results, ratings, and tournament announcement here, so keep your eyes and ears glued to this screen