The Second BSO : Decisive Move

Hi all! In this post I'm going to breakdown one or several moves per game at The Second BSO that are crucial or pivotal in the game.
Here are my selections :
Round 2 against Steven Surya, won 480-415
After turning the game around by playing DIOPTRES for 91 pts, I decided to play a bit more cautious since the game was reaching the end and I need to secure the win.

With this board condition and only had less than 40-point lead, I played KOPS down the triple word line to prevent a bingo by Steven which would win him. I was right, he held VOIDING on his rack and about to play VOIDINGS. Quackle suggests to play PLONK using the L from SCROLL, I did consider it but wasn't sure. PLONK also would open another floater (N) for bingo although the chance was lesser.

Round 5 against Amelia Ekawaty, won 434-379

Trailing for most part of the game. Had a lifeline by playing QAT (45 pts) and successfully challenged off TROWErS* and took advantage to play BIRK (34 pts). I was having a slight lead at that time.

The one who can get a bingo first at this stage will probably win the game. Amelia played WROTE right after her unsuccessful play, leaving S? and looked to get the bingo first. I took a gamble by playing LO and hoping to find a bingo next turn and I did. With Amelia was still fishing, played only one letter A, YUGA/AMI, I already had GREISEN on my rack. I chose to play GREISEN at 10A, could score better with RESE(W)ING at B8 or GREISEN/TIS/ENE/aN at 14A. I decided to play at 10A because the play blocked the easiest spot for bingo also the floaters made by WROTE. RESEWING would open another floaters. I left row 14 open because it had to make 3 parallel words in minimum to make a bingo and column N, the bingo should start with either I or U, or must start with SI or SU to do parallel move with WEX. All I and U have been played, only possible to do it with blank, made it more unlikely there.

Round 7 against Julius Wilson, won 447-408
We both know the game could go either way. Yes, it was neck and neck until Julius opened a 50-point gap with SEROSAE (84). I decided to play KAT to open another spot for bingo, having missed one in the previous move. That play was intentional from me to call his attention to that spot, since I already had two blanks on my rack, hunting for triple-triple across the V of VADE. He instantly played PIVOT/KATI and bagged 38 points.

My plan worked. Played one of the easiest triple-triple, STRIVeRs for 131 pts and went back to the lead by 50 points. That was enough to hold Julius off until the game end.

Round 15 against Christian Oktavius, won 461-458

This was the only loss that Christian conceded during the whole tournament and he conceded it in a dramatic fashion.

This picture above shows the endgame situation, I led 429-405 at that time and Christian to play. He got EGOP on his rack after playing ZOA (36), setting up himself to play OP/ZO/WOP on the Triple Word. That was his obvious chance to overturn the game. My rack (JMRT) wasn't too good to block it, actually I could do it by playing (WO)T but the score was too low and I couldn't go out in only two moves. The J wasn't too flexible with that board condition so I had to get rid of it first, also I had to maximize my last moves or I'd be caught up. After screening the board, I spotted the maximum play for the J and could go out in two moves. I played JET/JO/TE for 21 pts and it brought me to 450 pts. Then, without any doubt Christian played OP for 53 pts and was very hopeful to win with 458 pts. I went out by playing R(I)M for 5 pts, I still lose by 3 pts (455-458) but I got additional points from his unplayed tiles (6pts - EG) and won 461-458! 

Final board : 

The Second BNEC Scrabble Open : Full Results