The 2012 Independence Day Scrabble Open will kick off today at the dance studio of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) with around 50 of Cebu’s best word wizards battling for supremacy.
The event, which starts at 9 a.m., is this year’s first major local scrabble tournament. It is held in line with the celebration of the country’s 114th Independence Day.
Spearheading the list of top contenders will be world rated Theodoro Martus, who will battle with other noted players such as University of Visayas’ Renante Dela Cerna and other pro scrabble players.
According to chief arbiter Roger Abella, this tournament will serve as Cebu’s first major tournament for scrabble since it is usually only held during multi-sporting events.
Abella said he is hoping that this tournament will be able to promote the sport to the youth.
A big scrabble tournament was supposed to be conducted as part of the Cebu Festival but the entire event was cancelled and moved to next year.
The tournament’s format will be six rounds of king of the hill with two repeated games. Each game will have 25 minutes.
The tournament will be using the 2011 scrabble general rules.
Cash prizes await the top five overall and trophies will also be given to the top two players. Cash prizes will also be given to the top three high school and elementary players.
Scrabble tournament shirts will be raffled in between games for the players.
Registration will open at 8 a.m. at the venue. Registration fee is pegged at P150 for professionals, P75 for the high school and college students and P50 for elementary students.
The tournament proper will start at 9 a.m. and will end at 4p.m.
Assisting Abella will be Dr. Marsha Malbas./CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL