Etefan wins seven in a Rau to claim Late Bird

Things got slightly edgy for Stefan Rau (right of photo) when, after a run of seven wins and needing just one more win in the last three games, the American top seed entered the last game needing to beat Karen Richards (left of photo) of Australia in order to claim the 10th MISO Late Bird, held at the be.Hotel and sponsored by SportMalta, Malta Tourism Authority, Intercomp and Dolce Plus.  

 

But win that tense last game Rau did, and boy, what a huge sigh of relief he breathed!

 

Despite the missed opportunity, disappointment cannot have been one of the feelings nagging Richards, who after starting the tournament as the eighth seed finished in runner-up spot topped up with a copious gain of over 100 rating points

 

Another happy man was Colin Northmore of England who took home some silverware from his participation in all three 10th MISO events after placing third. 

 

It was something of a fairytale result in Section B with the young Jamie Jones of England, playing his first internationally rated event and only his third official event overall, being crowned champion with a solid record of twelve wins out of sixteen games.

 

By contrast, Brid Ni Bhriain of Ireland and another Aussie, John Barker, were two MISO veterans whose persistence finally paid off after placing second and third respectively behind the young neophyte Jones. 

 

Israel, one of a host of stalwart MISO nations, got some glory with Fifi Lefebvre winning the Ratings Prize in B. Ruth Macinerney showed her success in the Main Event was no fluke after winning the Ratings Prize in A in the Late Bird as well, while also winning a special prize, consisting of free participation in next year's event, for being the most improved player in the 10th MISO.  

 

At the end of tournament and a total of six days and fifty games of competitive Scrabble, participants and organisers looked somwhat fatigued but satisfied, yearning already for another spring, another MISO. 

 

(penned and published by Nicky Vella Laurenti)