THE Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP) is all set to host one of its most anticipated events of the year, the GASP Top Ten Tournament, which will be staged tomorrow at 9:30h at the Georgetown Cricket Club, Bourda.

Just as the name suggests, the tournament involves the top ten ranked scrabble players in Guyana testing their mettles by pitting their skills against each other, it is because of this high level of competition that this is one of GASP’s most anticipated events.

The rating system used to rank players is the ARAPD ELO rating system, which is based upon the statistical principal of expectation, and is the same system that is used in Chess. Players are ranked based upon the number of games they should win instead of their actual wins in competition.

Current #1 ranked player and former National Champion Fred Collins will have his work cut out as he tries to stave off challenges from current National Champion Abigail McDonald, who is currently #3, and former National Champion Moen Gafoor, who is currently #2, and is hot on his heels in the current points standing.

Collins was briefly displaced by McDonald sometime ago but in his recent good form he has reclaimed the top spot. As the rankings currently stand, Sunday’s competition will be very decisive for the top three as there is no big disparity in their points tally.

McDonald who is currently in training for the world tournament said that this will serve her preparation well as it will be a measuring stick of sorts for gauging her current form.

James Krackowsky will also be one to watch as he made a huge leap in the points standing since his 5-game victory in the last tournament. Krackowsky will be looking to reach the 1800 point milestone for the first time, at the moment he is 15 points shy of his goal.

GASP’s players who are outside the top ten will also be in competition as there will also be a 2nd tier tournament that will run simultaneously, trophies will be up for grabs.