WESPA

UK Open Returns for 2018

Preview



The event that UK Grand Master Wayne Kelly refers to as “a marathon” has returned to the UK Calendar in 2018.

Indeed, the announcement at the beginning of last year that the UK Open will be back in 2018 was great news for those who enjoyed what would typically be the first big tournament on the global calendar. As WESPA Chairman Elie Dangoor observed, “it is back by popular demand”, a statement supported by the increase in field from the 2017 results.

Coupled with its Warm Up event, players in, and traveling to, the UK could begin their Scrabble year with 48 games against a strong field.

In its eleven years, only three people have won the Open. Helen Gipson and Paul Allan have both won it once with Nigel Richards victorious on every other occasion, including the last two Opens.

Room photo from 2016's UK Open

The UK Open is back for 2018


Nigel is back, defending this title and the player list features some very notable players.

The UK (and US CSW) Champion, Austin Shin is in attendance, as is the player he was victorious over in the third place play off at the World Championships in Nottingham (Goutham Jayaraman). World Championship Runner-Up Harshan Lamabadasuriya is also listed to play as is 2015 Open Champion, Paul Allan. Players from Continental Europe, Africa and Australia are also on the playing list at the time of writing.

Despite the fact it is up to 48 games of Scrabble at the highest level, the intensity is tempered by the social side. Whilst Elie Dangoor agrees, that “it is an intense but enjoyable event”, Wayne Kelly goes further: “I quite like it as a social gathering and a way to postpone going back to work after Christmas!”

Live streaming of games is expected on Twitch, allowing fans worldwide the chance to experience the atmosphere in Coventry this year.

So, who will win? Wayne believes it is going to be difficult to get past Nigel - will it be a threepeat for him at the Open? Will Austin Shin continue his fine form from 2017 and make it a first Open for him? Or will it be someone else….

One thing is for sure, and that the WESPA Scrabble Calendar has a worthy tournament to see in the new year and we can’t wait to see what occurs!