Pesta Pulau Pinang Scrabble Championship 2012

Let's look back to December 2012, when the inaugural Pesta Pulau Pinang Scrabble Championship replaced the legendary Causeway Scrabble Challenge as the end of year international major tournament in Malaysia. Taking place at the beautiful city of Penang, many top players across the world came to join the tournament. The tournament is held from 13th to 16th of December 2012 With almost 100 participants in two sections, Masters and Intermediate, based on WESPA ratings. Masters will play 33 rounds, while Intermediate will play three less. I joined the Intermediate section at that time. Julius Wilson, Steven Surya and Christian Oktavius all from Indonesia also joined the Intermediate section.

Day 1 (Thursday)
I started the tournament against Tanasak Supphaphibun from Thailand. It was an unpleasant welcome for me, he played TAILARD in the opening move and I challenged it (forgot about that word) and it's good. Meh. This round wasn't my round, I lost 380-494 and placed 40th. Not a start that I expected but straight after round 1, I had an unforgettable sequence. Here it is. In the second round I won comfortably from Alvin Teh (MYS) by 517-274 and it takes me to 18th place after round 2. Round 3, a low-scoring game with Chek Wu Kong (MYS) but I still won 379-299 and go up to 15th. Contrary to round 3, round 4 against Mahboob Khan (SAU) was quite a free-scoring game, I beat him 517 to 412 and reach the top ten. After lunch, I met Cheong Yi Hua (MYS), I hadn't won any game against her previously and yes, finally I got the first win over her, 415-356. Next round, I beat Sinatarn Pattana (THA) in a competitive game (448-427) with ANErGIES (68 pts) as the winning move and placed at the top 5. Julius Wilson (IDN) for my next opponent in round 7, I took control of the game and won 490-350 as I finish the first day with 6 VP, +530 points margin and place third behind Sittichok Boonsiri (THA) and Choo Zi Wei (MYS) with the same VP.

Day 2 (Friday)
The draw was reset and you could meet the same person you've met at the previous day. Round 8, I met Tanasak Supphaphibun (THA) again in the opening match of the day. Unlike the first day, this time it was my round. I beat him by 511-388 to go second just behind Choo Zi Wei (MYS) who won against Sittichok Boonsiri (THA). Next, I played Sittichok Boonsiri (THA). At the end of the game, it looked like a win already for him until my ENCLOSE on an unpredictable and tight spot saved me and gave me the win which took me to the summit. I lead with 8 VP (one more than the second place) after 9 rounds. Round 10, I met Choo Zi Wei (MYS) and got another comfortable win with 472-338. I've collected 9 VP so far. Somphong Phosai (THA) would be my next opponent in round 11. I managed to secure my tenth consecutive win in the tournament, the game ended 408-331 in my favor. Just one game to go before lunch and I faced Sinatarn Pattana (THA). A tight game which I still could extend my winning sequence to 11 wins. Oh, the final score of the game was 380-360. Leading with 2 VPs ahead seems so perfect to have a good lunch :p

And there you go! That's my unforgettable winning sequence. 11 wins in a row in international tournament, absolutely grateful!

11 consecutive wins

After lunch, I was hit by back-to-back defeats from Tawan Paepholsiri (THA) (377-411) and Lim Sha Lyn (MYS) (415-436) and lost my 2 points lead but still leading. Played a bit careless against Sha Lyn and I had to surrender the lead. Pity me. But I got back to winning ways with another two wins from Yeap Gim Sai (SGP) (390-364) and Steven Surya (IDN) (417-392). I close the second day at the top with 13 VP.

Day 3 (Saturday)
For the third time in a row, I faced Tanasak Supphaphibun (THA) in the opening match! I started brightly with FLOREAT (76 pts) and FILETING (83 pts). I kept the lead until the end to win 494-464. Round 18, I won another game from Tawan Paepholsiri (THA) by 409-379 and now leading 2 VPs clear with 15 VP. But again I couldn't stretch the lead. Yannakit Sirisup beat me by 484-309. It was my worst game in the tournament. Moving to round 20, another Thai player to be played with. This time, it was Somphong Phosai. I beat him again to stay firm at the top (384-306). 10 rounds to play. Round 21, Lim Sha Lyn (MYS) as my opponent. OUTLEAPs for 140 pts from a floating P made me in control. I won 523-414 and back to 2 VPs clear. My lead was quickly cut down again by Paul Richards (AUS), he beat me by 408-376 in round 22. I met Christian Oktavius (IDN) in the last round of the day. If only I played carefully, I would win the game. I played AGRISES and the A opened a spot for his INSUrANt for 118 pts. Could play GASSIER for a far more safe place. The third day is over, I still in the lead with 17 VP.

Day 4 (Sunday)
Final day. I would play Thai opponents all day! The pairing systems were Prince of the Hill before lunch and King of the Hill after lunch. It wasn't a good start for me as I lost to Yannakit Sirisup (THA) for 415-425. I also missed RADIOMEN for double-double. Yannakit takes the lead. Round 25, Tawan Paepholsiri was my opponent in that round. I stayed close to the new leader by beating Tawan 452-398. Next, I met Yannakit again and succeeded to take the lead back by beating him 439-357. Moving to round 27, last game before lunch. I managed to find a breather when I beat Sinatarn Pattana (THA) (384-367).
After lunch, 3 more games to play. Because of KOTH pairing, I was paired with Yannakit again in round 28. This was a heartbreaking game because I lost only by 3 points, I unsuccessfully challenged him twice and not aware enough to block his last big move. 460-463. Round 29, again I lost to Yannakit and blew away my chance to become the champion. I lost by 396-414 and dropped to third place. And finally, the last round. Round 30! Battling against Sinatarn Pattana to claim the second place (should I win) or at least to defend the third place spot. The second option suits me the best as I wasn't having a great game there. No bingo and had to keep the margin low. I lost 352-373 but Sinatarn couldn't overtake me since my margin is still higher.
I finish the tournament third with 20 VP and +996 points margin.

It was VERY close to win the tournament but some silly mistakes and carelessness cost me. But third place is more than I expected though. We had an amazing tournament at Penang :D

My bingos throughout the tournament :
1. REACtED (76)
2. NOTItIa (77), AROINTS (64)
3.
4. EASEFUL (78), IMPORTS (77)
5. OLDSTeR (68), POINTIeR (65)
6. TYRONES (96), ANErGIES (68)
7. NETHERS* (89), FOISTERS (66), sItULAE (76)
8. HEAPIESt (91), GROUPINg (70), AROINTED (85)
9. SItTING (74), ENCLOSE (77)
10. GOMERILS (68), AIRLINE (66), PAESANO (104)
11. DILUTES (67)
12. PRELUDE (101)
13. RAPIDeST (62), LIGATURE (63)
14. READIES (75), LIsTENS (80)
15. ARENITE (70), SLAINTE (74)
16. OUTREDS (78)
17. FLOREAT (76), FILETING (83), NOTICES (81)
18. SALTERN (79)
19.
20. BEDOUIN (78)
21. OUTLEAPs (140), cOENURI (76)
22. NEROLIS (68), SADDENS (87)
23. ENGRAVE (78), AGRISES (66)
24. CIlIATE (63), KOTARES (78)
25. OUTLIED (68), TINNERS (71)
26. GENItURE (66), REMINDS (76)
27. DENARII (68)
28. REENLIST (82)
29.
30.

PPPSC 2012 Full Result