Round 1

The Worlds Protiles were unveiled for all to see this round.  Bob
Schoenman's latest creations come in two colors: dark pink with white
letters, and cream with dark pink letters.  They certainly are
unmistakably clear and unlike any other Protiles.  Perfectly appropriate
for the Worlds!

The players gather today at 9 AM and broke up into pairs, one set at each
table.  Elbow room will not be at a premium here! As was to be expected,
the challenges poured in during the first round of play.  Volunteer
runners brought the challenges to the word judge desk, where the judges,
working in pairs (one looking in the OSW and the other looking in All
Words), adjudicated swiftly.  The slips are being saved for later use:
wallpapering the NSA reception room, perhaps?

More onlookers than I would have expected have turned out, and the media
attention, particularly at table 1 (where David Boys (CAN) challenged
Austin Tan Kiat Hing (SIN) and was victorious, 543-228) was
overwhelming.  I think I spied four video cameras!!!!!!!!!!!

Robert Springer (FRA), who thought this was an OSPD-only event,
apologized to the word judges in advance! I guess he expects to challenge
early and often. 

Rich Baker, one of the word judges, mentioned that the very same player
tried the following words: UBIQUES, UBIQUER, and UBIQUETY, which he is
quick to point out are not acceptable plays. 

Jim Kramer (USA), the American alternate, had his moment of fame today,
and he remains undefeated, 488-303 in his first game.  He subbed in for
Randall Gibbons (GUY), who was unable to make the first game.  However,
much to Jim's disappointment (and I am speaking for him now—he did not
say this to me), Randall did show up and will be playing the rest of his
games. 

Rita Norr, another word judge, took a RESTAIN challenge.  She and Rich
Baker spent the next several moments going through all the possible words
(very quietly, of course). 

Adam Logan (CAN) lost his first game to Shafique Thobani (KEN), but he
did manage to get down three OSW words: JARK, IGAPO, and WUSHU (for this
word alone, I am all for SOWPODS—what an incredible dump!!). 

Howard Turkenkopf, co-director of operations with Laura Klein, is keeping
up with the big board reporting while Laura helps Charlie Southwell, the
tournament's director, manually Swiss-pair contestants for round 2. 

Jan Dixon, one of the many non-playing experts in attendance, has decided
that Charlie has more than earned his pay for having to pronounce all
those very difficult names as he announces pairings. 

Gitonga Nderitu (KEN) lost to Norbert Saldanha (ARE) in the first round,
366-355.  However, there was a discrepancy in the endgame.  According to
an observer, Gitonga was in time trouble, and after the bag was empty,
stopped writing down his opponent's total scores after his plays. 
Norbert was alleged to have turned on Gitonga's clock and insisted that
he total the scores on his clock.  This action perhaps led to Gitonga
going over time. 

After round 1, rankings are:

Boys (CAN) +315

Sigley (NZ) +247

Onyeonwu (NIG) +231

Perrins (AUS) +216

Fernando (BAH) +216.