Episode 404

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Episode 404 was broadcast on 8 April 1986, as the final of Championship of Champions II. It was a specially extended 45-minute edition with eight letters games, four numbers games, and three conundrums.

Clive Freedman played Peter Evans, with Clive Freedman winning 91 – 81. The Dictionary Corner guest was Gyles Brandreth, and the lexicographer was Catherine Clarke.

This was the first episode in history where a sudden-death conundrum had to be used to decide a winner.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Clive Freedman	Score	Peter Evans	Others	Max.
1	RDSRICAEL	cradlers ☓	0 – 7	LARDERS	RADICLES*	8
2	TWFUANDEH	unthawed ☓ *	0 – 14	HAUNTED		15
3	25 6 8 3 8 5 → 539	542 (8 + 8 + 6) × 25 − (5 + 3)	7 – 14	—	Best: 542 = (8 × 8 + 25) × 6 + 5	25
4	GEEYDMTIS	MIDGETS	14 – 21	STYMIED	EDGIEST*, TIMESED*	32
5	GNVAEASRO	RAVAGES	21 – 28	ORANGES	AGAROSE*, ANGORAS*, GOVERNS*, ONAGERS*	39
6	25 4 6 9 8 5 → 244	244 (6 + 4) × 25 − (9 + 5 − 8)	31 – 38	244 (6 + 4) × 25 − (9 + 5 − 8)		49
7	AMODELARM		31 – 48	MELODRAMA (10 seconds)		59
8	PSYIETQNA	PANTIES	38 – 55	PANTIES	SAPIENT*	66
9	HBEOFTLEI	BLITHE	44 – 61	BOTHIE	BELIEF*, BOLETE*, EOLITH*, FOIBLE*, LEFTIE*	72
10	75 10 9 6 3 7 → 402	399 (7 × 6 − 3) × 10 + 9	51 – 61	396	Best: 402 = (10 × 7 - 3) × 6	82
11	KCSAELRNO	LOCKERS	58 – 68	SLACKER	EARLOCKS*	90
12	SGIEZNNAG	GAZING	64 – 74	AGEING	GINSENG*, SIGNAGE*	97
13	50 9 5 5 4 4 → 837	840 4 × 4 × 50 + (9 × 5 − 5)	71 – 81	840 (9 + 4 + 4) × 50 − 5 − 5	Best: 837 = (50 × 4 + 9) × 4 + 5 ÷ 5	107
14	APEXJOUST	JUXTAPOSE (5 seconds)	81 – 81			117
TB	ANGLEHOAX	HEXAGONAL (3 seconds)	91 – 81			117

• Round 2: Although not valid at the time, UNTHAWED is now acceptable and first appeared in the NODE.