Scrabble Champ Chris Cree Survives Scare Against David Higbee in D Magazine Words With Friends
Chris Cree was going to be traveling today, so he and David Higbee worked in their Round 3 match last night. It’s clear that Krista’s husband has got game. Cree calls Higbee “quite the boardsman” after claiming a narrow 397 to 380 victory. He considers himself lucky that he didn’t have to encounter the environmental consultant in the semifinals of our contest — which will be played as a one-minute-per-turn speed match.
Here’s Cree’s account of the fun:
David Higbee is another superb player; quite the boardsman. This was an extremely tense and exciting game that came down to the last draws. The Q, which I exchanged early on, was the key factor in late game decisions and, ultimately, the game. I decided that I needed to pass up a cheap bingo (58 points) late, instead, playing ETH for 32, knocking out a QI dump spot and keeping IRS? to have the best chance to win. David made a beautiful blocking setup for the Q, which I suppose he must have drawn on the previous 3 in 9 scenario, by playing CON, taking out two bingo alleys while at the same time setting up QI/ICON. Fortunately, I had the tiles to block that setup. I cannot fathom any way to have intuited any part of this endgame in a one minute time limit game. – whew!!
Krista should be proud. Board after jump.
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5 comments
I didn’t understand a single word Mr. Cree said/typed. However, I like turtles.
I am proud! It was a great game to watch. As a WWF newbie, I honestly had no idea there was so much strategy involved. (I thought it strange Cree swapped his tiles so early in the beginning. Now I get it. David kept saying he was playing defensively. I had no idea what he meant.)
But they both played really well. Good luck in the next round, Cree.
Excellent game overall, there was a brief moment I thought I could pull the Cinderella upset. Mr. Cree has much greater analytical foresight for the game than most, I imagine there is a great chess player there too. The last few plays were very intense and I knew having that Q would be a big reason for a loss. Good luck in round 4.
The rack I had that I exchanged on was BCCQTUX. My only play was CUB/CASK, but CUB takes an easy E hook. I probably should have kept QU to get it out of the game next turn, but I thought the X to be powerful and a C with 4 H’s in the game seemed like a good tile to keep. Although I got 40+ with the X, the retort by David, FOES, was 61.
dang, i was rooting for David Higbee. hoped he was the “david” to take this scrabble goliath down! nothing against the scrabble goliath. except that his scores are so high.