WOCaday

Another day of top-level othelloing today, between the old guard and the new generation - Piyanat Aunchulee (world champion 2016) finished top of the table in the swiss with 12 out of 13, despite losing to Keisuke Fukuchi (new youthful star of the othello world) - he and Yusuke Takanashi (world champion 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2017) drew their game and ended on 11½. Those three were out in front all the way, with a close scrap for the fourth semi-final spot behind them. It went to a playoff between Michele Borassi (world champion 2008) and Ben Seeley (world champion 2003 and 2004, so he's really due another one by now), which Ben won.

I had to follow it during the day while at least pretending to do some work, but got home in time to watch the playoff on youtube with entertaining commentary from Guy and Imre (runner up 1983, and very close this time to getting that fourth place). Maybe I'll stay home tomorrow and watch the finals - the winners of eight world championships between them and one eleven-year-old wild card, it'll be interesting stuff! I'll tell my bosses I thought it was Saturday.