This year saw a major drop in attendance in Tyranno Ex, but not in the competition level - multiple games came down to a final battle to determine the winner. 23 players vied for the title, including four past champions. Taking over as GM this year, I thought I had finally solved the riddle of how to score wood ­ run the tourney. I won my games in the first two heats, but it was not to be, however, as Pete Pollard bested myself as well as all those ex-champions to claim the title in 2004.

The three initial heats saw nine games played with eight winners or alternates advancing to the semis. In the first round I had to withstand two attacks on the last turn to win, Peter Staab won his game over Francis Spencer by one point and defending champ Gary Noe by three points, and Pete Pollard won a final battle to outscore Verity Hitchings 54-51 in his game.

The semis consisted of two 4-player games. In mine, I upgraded both starting animals on my first play and it was downhill from there. I was quickly targeted and was largely out of the game by turn 3. The two Petes (Stabb and Pollard) took advantage of the distraction to separate themselves from myself and Verity Hitchings. Pete Staab had two full turns use of a rare 6-strength creature. Verity and I tried to struggle back in vain and the Petes advanced to the final. In the other semi, a close contest developed with only 13 points separating 1st and 4th on turn 4. The final turn saw past champions Tom DeMarco shut out and Gary Noe fall three points short as Rob Drozd and Francis Spencer advanced.

The final saw Pete Pollard and Francis creep to a small lead by turn 2, but Pete Staab laid the groundwork to surpass the crowd on turn 3 and build a substantial lead on turn 4. Pete Pollard clawed back to within 5 points on turn 5. The pack concentrated on the leader the final turn and Pete Pollard was able to edge out the victory by the score of 82-74. Francis and Robert Drozd rounded out the field at 70 and 62 points, respectively. It was Pete's fifth WBC wood but his first of the Euro variety. Heretofore, he has been kicking butt exclusivey in the Squad Leader tournament.

For those curious about whether there is a seating advantage in Tyranno, the third player (green), won six of seven 4-player games. With a variable number of turns (4-7) and a rotating first player, green has the last play only once a game, while playing first twice only in a 7 turn game. Whether this is a meaningful difference or not, only more data will tell. Be there next year to help find out.