Dark Horse

With a sleepless night after seeing the worrying entrant list, I awoke with a start. One week ago I was apprehensive. After seeing the entrant list 2 days before the game, I wondered I should have signed up at all.

Of course, I went for the game anyway. The Penang Novice Scrabble Tournament is for novices – participants having a rating below 1000. That's me. Mine's zero.

It was held at the City Bayview Hotel. Quite a nice place, on the other side of the island from where I stay.

I was warmly welcomed with a Penang Scrabble Club T-shirt and 2 bottles of Pharmaton Kiddi Syrup. I have no idea what's the latter for. Boosting the brainpower I suppose.

After a sleepless night, I walked in into people mugging the Scrabble dictionary. In fact, I have hardly looked through my own copy. Practise with Valeria the Scrabble A.I. was all I've done.

There were seven games altogether. First five without pairing, last two are King of the Hill.

In between games, or while waiting for my opponent to move, I looked out of the window, and an old Penang town greets me, with the Penang bridge far ahead.

All the seven games were mentally strenuous, especially towards the end.

My opponent Yin Yee gave me the best game I've had in years. She's a bright tactician and a good strategist. It's a pleasure to play with her.

I won 7 games consecutively, and thus, ends my rating-less status here.

My dad says this is a Father's Day gift.