Camilleri wins Malta Open

Maltese champion Theresa Camilleri won the first edition of the Malta International Scrabble Open Tournament held recently at the Topaz Hotel.

The tournament, sponsored by the Malta Tourism Authority, proved to be a great success. Scrabblers from England, Scotland, Ireland, Israel and Romania participated alongside their Maltese counterparts in what turned out to be a very keenly contested affair.

A total of 56 players took part - 29 coming from abroad and 27 locally-based - in an 18-round Swiss tournament played over three days.

Odds-on favourite Jared Robinson, from England, looked home and dry, leading the tournament on 13 wins with two rounds to go, while his nearest opponents were on 11 wins. However, against all odds, he lost his last two games to Paloma Raychbart (England) and Camilleri, to be overtaken by both players who registered a better spread.

Camilleri finished first with a spread of 1,098 points to carry off the top prize, which included €500 in prize money.

Raychbart won second place with a spread of 855 points and €200 in prize money, while Robinson had to settle for third place with a spread of 749 points and €100 in prize money. All three players recorded 13 wins.

The Maltese players in general did well, with Jojo Delia finishing fourth, Cecil Muscat fifth and David Delicata eighth.

Special rating prizes were also awarded to Romanian Dan Sandu, who finished seventh overall and Israel's Omri Rosenkratz, who finished in 18th place.