2020 News Archive

2020 has been a strange year for all of us, but it has certainly had major effects on the game we all love.

The 2020 AGM was held virtually on Sunday 1st November. The minutes have been published and will be circulated to all members.

The ABSP committee met at the end of July to discuss a number of current issues, and you can see a summary of decisions taken in the next OnBoard. You will have also already seen some action as a result of the meeting such as our polling on the slurs debate.

Congratulations to Olaiya Kabir for winning the gold medal for the Mind Sports Olympiad 2020 Scrabble main event, finishing with an unbeaten 12-0 (+1445) record in a field with over 70 players, featuring many strong players from around the world.

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With several events already completed, here's an update on the ABSP's online tournaments.

The latest edition of OnBoard is now available from the database (login required).

The ABSP committee has issued an updated statement regarding the impact of COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus, on face-to-face Scrabble in the UK.

Following on from our updated statement, an update from Chris Harrison on some forthcoming online tournaments.

The ABSP committee has issued a statement regarding the impact of COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus, on upcoming ABSP-rated tournaments in the UK and abroad.

Congratulations to all prize winners, and thanks to everyone who took part in 2019. There'll be plenty more fun and games ahead in 2020 so come and sign up using the BEST 2020 entry form and tell your friends, too!

After 10 months, 7 rounds and over 100 matches, we finally have a winner: Brett Smitheram is the BEST of the BEST, triumphing 9-5 over Wayne Kelly in an exciting, but sometimes intense, final.

If you're holding out for news about BEST 2020, you won't need to wait much longer, but there's the small matter of last year's final to take care of first, which will be taking place this coming weekend, February 15th and 16th. Here's a preview of the final match of the tournament from co-organiser Chris Harrison.

The latest edition of OnBoard is now available from the ABSP database website (login required), and postal copies should also be arriving soon.

Happy New Year! With the turn of the year, it's awards time, so Wayne Kelly rounds up the award winners for 2019, covering titles awarded, highest rated player, most improved player, prospects for 2020 and a few other stats too!

Ed Martin wrapped up victory in the first major of the new decade with a win against Calum Edwards in the penultimate round to put him clear of the field with one game to go.

The UK Open is underway in Coventry, with players in three divisions.

The first major of the year is already upon us just a couple of days after New Year's Day. Chris Hawkins previews this year's event for us.