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EOSC 2010 Commentary: Round 6

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Go to: Before the Tournament, Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 7, Round 8, Round 9, Round 10, Round 11, Round 12, Round 13, Round 14, Round 15, Round 16, Round 17, Round 18, Round 19, Round 20, Round 21, Round 22, Round 23, Round 24, Round 25, Round 26, Round 27, Round 28, Round 29, Round 30, Round 31, Round 32, After the Tournament.

Prizes have been announced for each division: GBP 500, 200, 150, 100 and a class prize of GBP 50; as well, the top three players will get a coupon for a new Franklin Scrabble Master, which ships at the end of this month.

John Barker (AUS) is first to report in this round, and it's a relief to see him. His 456-312 victory over Gary Pollard (AUS) is his first of the tournament, and I'm sure he'll enjoy his dinner better with a win under his belt. Gary, also now 1-5, had his first win against his wife Alison Pollard (AUS) in the very first round.

Because of the Fontes pairing system, Nigel Richards (MYS) stayed at Board 1 despite falling to second place last round. He's playing Terry Kirk (Eng) in this round's annotated game. First-place Helen Gipson plays David Webb (Eng) at board 2.

Carmen Toscano (Eng) pointed out that in her game against Peggy Lavender (Eng) there were no challenges, and attributed this to the English free challenge rule, which discourages bluffing. She admits that they're having to learn to bluff and challenge as they play more and more internationally.

Nigel Richards (MYS) remembered that he tends to win games in which he scores 500 points and dispatched Terry Kirk (Eng) 555-299, ending the afternoon 5-1 +1165. This will turn out to be the shortest game played at Board 1, finishing in only 21 turns despite having only four bingoes.

Cecil Muscat (MLT) came close to having the high loss of his division so far, with a 463-464 to Evelyn Wallace (Eng), but fell ten points short of Theresa Brousson's (MLT) 473-507 from last round.

Helen Gipson (Sco) beat David Webb (Eng) 478-455 and remains undefeated, at 6-0 +278. An unidentified high-ranked Englishwoman suspects she'll be playing Helen or Nigel after dinner, and can't decide whether to prepare by staying sober or drink herself into oblivion. I haven't the heart to tell her she's playing Nigel first and then Helen Gipson.