Episode 6981

Episode 6981 was broadcast on 3 January 2019, and was the second preliminary of Championship of Champions XV.

Ann Dibben played John Cowen, with John Cowen winning 97 – 94. The Dictionary Corner guest was Kate Humble, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Ann Dibben	Score	John Cowen	Others	Max.
1	GRAEFSAIH	HEGIRAS	7 – 7	HEGIRAS	AGRAFES, ASHRAFI, GARFISH, RAGFISH*	7
2	WUNMGEORU	monger ☓	7 – 7	monger ☓	MURGEON*	14
3	50 4 6 1 2 7 → 491	491 (6 + 4) × 50 − 7 − 2	17 – 17	491 (6 + 4) × 50 − 7 − 2		24
TTT	ONCEISOME	Once I get some work, we can slacken the purse strings, but until then we need to cut back.			ECONOMISE
4	CREOTESDL	CORSETED	25 – 25	ELECTORS	CLOSETED, CORSELET, ELECTROS, ESCORTED, RECLOSED, RECOLTES, REDCOLES, SELECTOR	32
5	SBIONMENI	BONNIES	32 – 32	MINIONS	NOMINIES*	40
6	5 1 7 7 4 9 → 288	288 ☓	32 – 42	288 (7 × 5 − (7 − 4)) × 9		50
7	LRTASEOET	TOLERATES	50 – 60	TOLERATES	LETERATOS*	68
8	DUEVOEQPA	OPAQUE	56 – 60	VAPED	OPAQUED	75
9	50 2 1 3 1 6 → 709	710 (50 × 2 + 1) × (6 + 1) + 3	63 – 60	711	Best: 708 = (50 × (6 + 1) + 3 + 1) × 2	82
TTT	LAIDMINCE	He'd have a few snifters before bedtime, purely for these purposes.			MEDICINAL
10	DOEVTUDEG	DEVOTED	70 – 67	DEVOTED		89
11	SFROAZUED	FEDORAS	77 – 74	FEDORAS	AROUSED	96
12	AEPTBJARW	APART	77 – 80	ABATER	PATERA*	102
13	SHLIASKED	SLASHED	84 – 87	SLASHED	ALSKIES, HALIDES, HASSLED, SHEILAS, SHIELDS	109
14	7 5 10 9 6 2 → 572	572 (9 × 10 + 5) × 6 + 2	94 – 87	—		119
15	SHYBIRDIE		94 – 97	HYBRIDISE (1.25 seconds)		129