Wednesday, September 01, 1993

1993 World SCRABBLE® Championship

Contents:
  • WSC 1993 Details
  • Complete Results
  • Summary of Matches
  • Finals Game 1
  • Finals Game 2
  • Finals Game 3
  • Finals Game 4
  • Finals Game 5

WSC 1993 Details:
Venue: Plaza Hotel, New York, USA 
Dates: Aug. 26-30, 1993 
No. of Players: 64
Dictionary: SOWPODS
Challenge Rule: Free Challenge
Winner: Mark Nyman
Runner-Up: Joel Wapnick
Top Prize: $10,000
Format:
 The first 15 rounds used modified Swiss pairing. After this, players #1 vs. #3 and players #2 vs. #4 played a best-of-five semifinal to determine the finalists while the remaining 64 players played three more games. The semifinals were followed by a best-of-five finals while the two other semifinalists played a best-of-five match to determine third and fourth place.

Complete Results: 
(win/loss numbers include semi-finals, finals, and consolation match) 
1. Nyman, Mark (England) 18-7 +779 
2. Wapnick, Joel (Canada) 17-8 +1200
3. Gibson, David (USA) 16-9 +503
4. Williams, Gareth (Wales) 15-10 +404
5. Saldanha, Allan (United Kingdom) 13-5 +951 
6. Felt, Robert (USA) 12-6 +642
7. Sigley, Michael (New Zealand) 12-6 +467 
8. Schoenman, Bob (USA) 12-6 +131
9. Spate, Clive (United Kingdom) 11-7 +530
10. Sherman, Joel (USA) 11-7 +526
11. Logan, Adam (Canada) 11-7 +477
12. Morris, Peter (Canada) 11-7 +421
13. Nelkon, Phil (United Kingdom) 11-7 +336
14. Lund, Richie (USA) 11-7 +224
15. Odom, Lisa (USA) 11-7 +221
16. Catto, John (United Kingdom) 10-8 +557
17. Greenspan, Randy (USA) 10-5 +541 
18. Edley, Joe (USA) 10-5 +495 
19. Dennis, Di (England) 10-5 +399 
20. Thorogood, Blue (New Zealand) 10-5 +326 
21. Byers, Russell (England) 10-5 +215 
22. Day, Darrell (USA) 10-5 +204 
23. Lipton, Bob (USA) 10-5 +196 
24. Grant, Jeff (New Zealand) 10-5 +188 
25. Kaufman, Zev (Canada) 10-5 +26 
26. Ploysangngam, A (Thailand) 10-5 -433 
27. Nderitu, Patrick (Kenya) 9-6 +743 
28. Graham, Matt (USA) 9-6 +319 
29. Jaruwan, Ong-Arj (Thailand) 9-6 +274 
30. Cappelletto, Brian (USA) 9-6 +272 
31. Ballard, Nick (USA) 9-6 +168 
32. Elbourne, Peter (Malta) 9-6 +52 
33. Warusawitharana, M (Sri Lanka) 9-6 +34 
34. Luebkemann, John (USA) 9-6 -141 
35. Sim, Tony (Singapore) 9-6 -164 
36. Finley, Pete (England) 9-6 -230 
37. Nevarez, Johnny (USA) 9-6 -293 
38. Gruzd, Steven (South Africa) 9-6 -362 
39. Pollock, Robin (Canada) 8-7 +463 
40. Rosenthal, Joan (Australia) 8-7 +62 
41. Khoshnaw, Karl (Kurdistan-Iraq) 8-7 -34 
42. Filio, Roland (Philippines) 8-7 -48 
43. Cohen, Evan (Israel) 8-7 -113 
44. Grayson, John (Wales) 8-7 -177 
45. Wright, Geoff (Australia) 8-7 -379
49. Onani, Magwanga (Kenya) 7½-7½ -391
50. Butler, Lynne (New Zealand) 7-8 +190
51. Neuberger, Jim (United States) 7-8 -123
52. Clenaghan, Nuala (Ireland) 7-8 -245
53. Benjamin, Larry (South Africa) 7-8 -331
54. Lerman, Jerry (United States) 7-8 -424
55. Holgate, John (Australia) 7-8 -617
56. Jackman, Bob (Australia) 6½-8½ -525
57. Filio, Candido (Philippines) 6½-8½ -588
58. Norr, Rita (United States) 6-9 -372
59. Koroda, Kunihiko (Japan) 6-9 -913
60. Meghan, Eileen (Éire) 6-9 -950
61. Abdullah, Raja Fuadin (Malaysia) 6-9 -1205
62. Alimohamed, Amirali (United Arab Emirates) 5-10 -1237
63. Roff, Lynn (South Africa) 5-10 -867
64. Yeh, Winnie (Hong Kong) 3-12 -896


Summary of Matches:
  • Semifinals: 
Mark Nyman 3 - David Gibson 2 
Joel Wapnick 3 - Gareth Williams 2 
  • Consolation Match:
David Gibson 3 - Gareth Williams 2 

  • Best-of-Five Finals: Mark Nyman vs Joel Wapnick
WSC 1993 Finalists, Mark Nyman and Joel Wapnick

Game 1
The first game of the finals looked like it would go Nyman's way when he bingoed with MUTAGENIC from a MU on his second play and then challenged off Wapnick's DOX*. But Nyman later played a phony of his own VERGINGS* and then got stuck with the Q while Wapnick drew both blanks and won by 38. (Note that QI was not yet valid in SOWPODS in year 1993.)
Play through by clicking Forward button or any part of the board.
Scoresheet Summary:
Mark Nyman
vs.
Joel Wapnick
Rack
Main Word
Pos.
Score
Total
Turn
Rack
Main Word
Pos.
Score
Total
AIILNOU
AULOI
8H
12
12
1
ADDEFMR
FAMED
7G
32
32
ACEGINT
MUTAGENIC
I7
66
78
2
DNOOQRX
DOX
H12
29
61





3
DNOOQRX
Lost challenge

-29
32
CEEEEEU
Exch CEEEEU

0
78
4
DNOOQRX
AXON
10I
27
59
EGGIRSV
VERGINGS
13D
69
147
5
DEOPQRV




EGGIRSV
Lost challenge

-69
78
6
DEOPQRV
PEDRO
M9
34
93
EGGIRSV
GRIEVE
12D
18
106
7
?AEQSVY
Exchange QVY

0
93
EGLNPSW
PEC
15G
21
127
8
??AEIRS
vERItAS
N4
78
171
GLNOSWY
OWLY
L12
37
164
9
AACELTT
LYTTA
15K
24
195
GMNSTUV
MUG
6J
27
191
10
ABCERUY
GUY
11I
33
228
BNOSTUV
BUTE
5K
29
220
11
ABCENRS
BENT
N12
23
251
EJNNOSV
JOIN
F10
27
247
12
ACHIORS
COIRS
14B
32
283
ADENSTV
VAV
4L
26
273
13
AAEEHOR
AH
O8
26
309
ADELNST
LAT
M3
6
279
14
AEEIORR
AERIE
6C
12
321
ADEFNST
FASTENED
D2
76
355
15
DEIKOOR
OIK
C1
31
352
EIINQSZ
SIZE
8A
39
394
16
DEHORTW
WHET
15A
45
397
EINQ
ENJOINS
F8
14
408
17
DOR
ROD
B2
27
424
IQ




18

(IQ)

22
446
































Game 2
In game two, Wapnick drew both blanks again and won by almost 100 points, aided by the 102-point DYsuRIC.
Play through by clicking Forward button or any part of the board.
Scoresheet Summary:






Joel Wapnick
vs.
Mark Nyman
Rack
Main Word
Pos.
Score
Total
Turn
Rack
Main Word
Pos.
Score
Total
AEEILOS
OE
8H
4
4
1
EEEEFIW
WIFE
9G
29
29
AAEILMS
MALAISE
K4
79
83
2
AADEEER
AREAE
L1
22
51
BGHOOQS
HOBO
L10
23
106
3
ADEEIIT
DIE
M11
19
70
AGOQRUU
QUAG
J2
43
149
4
ABEIRTU
ARBUTE
10B
17
87
?LNOORU
NOUL
M5
10
159
5
DFILPTY
PITY
11E
34
121
?HIORVV
HAVIOR
B9
24
183
6
DFKLLOT
KILD
12A
28
149
?DNRSTV
VANTS
1K
24
207
7
FGLORTT
FROG
N6
33
182
??CDIRY
DYsuRIC
A4
102
309
8
GJLMNTT
Exch GJLMNTT
0
182
DEINPRX
PIX
O8
54
363
9
AENOSWZ
ZO
B2
25
207
DEEIJNR
DJIN
1B
26
389
10
AEINSTW
WANTIES
14F
80
287
AEEENRT
ENE
15F
22
411
11
ACEMOSU
CUM
C3
26
313
AELNRTT
TART
D4
16
427
12
AEGOS
SODA
11K
30
343
ELN
NE
E5
16
443
13
EGO
EGO
F5
22
365
L

14

(L)
2
367
(time)
-10
357


Game 3
Game three was tight until Nyman played two successive bingos (CLARiNO and OBTENDS) and went on to win this round to trail 1-2. 
Play through by clicking Forward button or any part of the board.
Scoresheet Summary:
Mark Nyman
vs.
Joel Wapnick
Rack
Main Word
Pos.
Score
Total
Turn
Rack
Main Word
Pos.
Score
Total
ABEFIMV
MAVIE
8D
26
26
1
AELNORS
RELOANS
I2
70
70
?BDEFIP
FIB
G7
15
41
2
EEHIOOS
OOH
J4
31
101
?ADEIPW
PAW
K5
32
73
3
EEEIQSZ
SEIZE
8K
54
144
?DEGISU
vIDUAGES
E4
86
159
4
CEHIQRU
CHEQUIER
O6
73
228
AEILOXY
XI
F10
52
211
5
AEFGMTT
MAT
N10
25
253
AELOOVY
LOVER
13K
22
233
6
DEFGIRT
GRIFTED
2H
28
281
AAORTUY
YURTA
1D
45
278
7
EILORTU
OURIE
1K
31
312
AANNORY
NAY
12J
24
302
8
AGILNRT
TAG
3K
25
337
ADLNORW
WOAD
11H
26
328
9
IIKLNRT
KIN
14J
28
365
?ACLNOR
CLARiNO
15D
89
417
10
EILNPRT
RIG
9C
9
374
BDENOST
OBTENDS
B8
81
498
11
EEJLNPT





(EEJLNPT)
32
530
12






























Game 4
The fourth game again started close, until Wapnick scored 212 points on three successive turns which include VISTAED (89) (though he missed a 107-point bingo, BUTLERY or BRUTELY) in the process) settled with UBERTY (54) instead and took a seemingly insurmountable 174-point lead after the bingo, FORMABLE (69). In his suceeding turn, Wapnick had the opportunity to take a 212 point lead with HELMING, but the play would have opened a triple-triple line with both blanks unseen so he opted for a more conservative 41-point play (EHING) and still led by 170. Nyman was holding SEXTOO? at that time. Had Wapnick played HELMING, a desperate Nyman could have tried PHOtOSEX* for a triple triple play (that could have been challenged off the board). Against the odds, Nyman came back with a 50-point X play and two successive bingos (ASTOnES and LEErING) with both blanks and went on to a devastating 9-point victory. An agonizing situation for Wapnick who could not stop the play out of Nyman in two separate locations, HOnK (5a) and KHI (13j) So, the championship match was tied, 2-2.
Play through by clicking Forward button or any part of the board.
Scoresheet Summary:
Joel Wapnick
vs.
Mark Nyman
Rack
Main Word
Pos.
Score
Total
Turn
Rack
Main Word
Pos.
Score
Total
ADEQSVZ
8G
26
26
1
CGIOORU
9C
23
23
AIQRSUV
D8
48
74
2
ADEEGOT
10F
84
107
EFIPSUV
11C
39
113
3
CDIINTU
7I
71
178
AAIJPTU

4
CDIINTU
-71
107
AAIJPTU
K6
30
143
5
CDIINTU
L8
32
139
ADEISTV
13B
89
232
6
AAALTUY
B12
12
151
BELRTUY
A7
54
286
7
AALRTWY
8K
30
181
BEFLMOR
N4
69
355
8
?ARTTXY
O1
45
226
EGHILMN
O11
41
396
9
?EOOSTX
14E
52
278
LMNNORW
B4
19
415
10
?AEOSST
C1
78
356
AILNNPR
1A
21
436
11
?EEGILN
15D
87
443
AEINOOR
4J
24
460
12
HK
M2
20
463
NOO
13
(NOO)
6
469




Game 5
The key point in the final game came when Wapnick, holding a blank, played STUM instead of SMUR (of which he was unsure). Nyman then played BEDAWIN setting up an S-hook on the O column. Unable to play a bingo ending in S because of his STUM play, Wapnick instead played GROANERs when he could have blocked the O column with ORANGiER. Sure enough, Nyman drew an S and played VELURES for 91 points then coasted to an easy win to become the first non-North American to win the world championship.
Play through by clicking Forward button or any part of the board.
Scoresheet Summary:
Mark Nyman
vs.
Joel Wapnick
Rack
Main Word
Pos.
Score
Total
Turn
Rack
Main Word
Pos.
Score
Total
AFHNRTZ
ZARF
8G
32
32
1
ADEIIOR
DIARIZE
G3
21
21
HINQTUY
QUINT
H1
53
85
2
AACEOOS
OCAS
K5
29
50
EHMOTVY
MOTHY
L1
37
122
3
ACEEOUX
AXE
M1
37
87
EINSUVY
NY
N1
41
163
4
ACDEOPU
CROUPADE
I7
69
156
EIINSUV
IVIES
15E
38
201
5
?MNRRST
STUM
10G
30
185
ABDINUW
BEDAWIN
14H
38
239
6
?EGNORR
GROANERs
12F
68
254
?EELSUV
VELUrES
O8
91
330
7
EHIILNT
INTIRE
6C
23
277
AEIJOPR
PIA
5C
20
350
8
AGGHLOT
HOLING
4D
35
312
DEJOORW
DOJO
13C
27
377
9
AFGLNOT
FLOG
12A
33
345
BEEKRUW
REBUKES
M6
14
391
10
AAELNRT
AFTER
A11
24
369
ETW
WET
7B
20
411
11
ALN





(ALN)

6
417
12


















Final Results:
Game 1: Wapnick 446 - Nyman 408 
Game 2: Wapnick 443 - Nyman 357 
Game 3: Nyman 530 - Wapnick 374 
Game 4: Nyman 469 - Wapnick 460 
Game 5: Nyman 417 - Wapnick 369 

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