I would like everyone to press rewind as we head back in time to November 11, 2012.

Bo Steil has decided today is the day; he is going to earn a world record.

Everything must be in its correct and proper position.

The laptop is strategically placed on the table next to him; the television can be seen on the monitor thanks to the nifty webcam. The red circle signifying record is just begging to be pressed.

The  cartridge is placed into the top loader NES. With controller in hand, Tengen Tetris is ready to be played.

I leave Bo to his outrageous idea of playing this never ending game as I head to work. Both of us knowing it is a bad idea for this attempt to occur with me present. Especially with my excessive need for attention at times. I would not be willing to be completely ignored for such a time due to something so unimportant in my eyes.

A world record in both lines and score is achieved.

Lines – 5,597

Score – 10,481, 215

An overall playing time of 4 hours.

Only stopping because he had to go the land of tape… aka work.

*This particular variation of the game is a continuous Tetris in which an end doesn’t exist. Constantly falling Tetromenos fill the screen until you either top out or you no longer wish to continue. Unlike NES Tetris where the speed continues to accelerate, a playable pace is eventually reached; making survival possible. There is strategy and skill involved but also a certain amount of stamina.

The crowd erupts in celebration as Harry Hong is the winner of the first game. There is a shift in the thoughts of many. Jonas could potentially receive his first silver; hopefully Harry can continue to win the next two games.

I hold my breath at the beginning of game two; and with every falling piece I have to resist the urge to shut my eyes.

With a thrust of my hands in the air, I celebrate Harry’s second victory of the match.

I look over at Ben and Bo in disbelief. Ben runs his fingers through this hair in an attempt to release some of the anxieties. Bo just sits wide-eyed, in disbelief.

There is a clear sense of panic coming from Jonas. He swallows hard and announces the need for the audiences support since he is the underdog at the current moment.

I don’t see Jonas winning; he would need to win the next three games in order to come out in first. That seems to be too hard to achieve.

Jonas is announced the winner of the next two games.

It’s down to the final game. Whoever wins will be given the throne for the next year.

Too bad this wasn’t a best two out of three round…

Jonas is victorious for the fourth year in a row.

There is definite disappointment expressed by Harry.

I stand up and can’t believe the amounts of people in the audience behind me.

There has been such a great turn out for this tournament.

It may not have turned out in the way that most people wanted, the tournament was incredible to watch.

Complete disappointment washes over Bo’s face as Ben wins game 3.

I follow Bo to the back of the crowd. I express my congratulations to Ben but turn my attention to Bo. It is clear he is not happy with his performance. He claims he is alright but I know he will later admit to me his true feelings.

Round after round; people are eliminated. Everyone rooting for whoever is battling Jonas at the current moment. This will be the year that the crown will be ripped from the head of the Tetris king and placed onto another deserving victor.

Harry Hong wants nothing more than to be in the championship round against Jonas. He knows he can beat him.

In a few short hours; his dream has come true.

Jonas Neubauer and Harry Hong will be going into a head to head, best out of 5, match.

No one knows what is going to happen as they take their seats. Everyone is hoping for the best. Depending on whom you ask; this expression would differ.

I sit on the cold concrete floor ready for history to be made. Harry has to beat Jonas; it needs to be done and Harry deserves to be the one to do it.

No expected what was about to happen in the minutes to follow…

Today is the day; the 4th Annual Tetris World Championships.

Arriving at the convention center is no different than yesterday. Bo doesn’t appear to be nervous. Continually saying that he knows he will lose. I reassure him that he will do great!

Bo’s section of the bracket is the first to be called. He plugs in his Nintendo controller into the console and takes his seat. A few minutes go by with no sign of his opponent. Adam and Vince (those in charge of the tournament) give the opponent a ten minute warning.

The minutes tick by and still no sign of the individual he is supposed to go head to head against.

After the ten minutes have lapse; Adam declares Bo Steil winner by default which advances him to Round 2.

I greet him with excitement. He doesn’t seem too thrilled about his new placement in the bracket. I press him for answers not completely understanding his reasoning behind such disappointment.

“I didn’t want to have to play against Mullen cold. Wish I could have got the first game nerves out.”

Ben Mullen is victorious against his opponent moving him to the position in which he and Bo were dreading. They were now going to have to play one another. It’s a repeat of last year.

When round one is complete its clear that this is going to be a great day with incredible competition.

Bo and Ben are called to their positions. They joke and talk prior to the start of their games. Adam jokes over the microphone about the ‘friendly Minnesota rivalry.’

As Chris Higgins motions for game one to start, there is a shift in both men’s facial expressions. They both want to receive the bittersweet victory of winning and advancing to round three.

My hands are sweaty and my stomach is in knots. With the beginning of each new piece falling towards the stack below, I cringe.

Bo is declared the winner of game one.

Nerves are piercing throughout me.

Ben wins game two.

I place my hands on my legs in an effort to steady them.

3… 2… 1… GO!

Game number 3 begins.

A new Tetris tournament reared his head this year; Super Nintendo Tetris. After only fifteen short attempts, Bo has placed into the number one seed in the tournament. After getting a bye in the first round, Bo is eliminated in round two.

He doesn’t care in the slightest seeing as he has never played SNES Tetris prior to today.

After the day full of qualification, everyone is more than ready to unwind. This is where significant amounts of truth began to spill from the mouths of certain individuals.

Harry Hong, star of a documentary revolving around the story of the first man to officially "max out" the original NES Tetris by achieving an unbeatable score of 999,999.

Wanting more than anything to end in a successful victory this weekend, he begins to confess the reasoning behind the current Tetris Championships. Without him, there would have never been Ecstasy of Order meaning no original Tetris Championship or 4th annual tournament that everyone is currently gathered around.

It’s crazy to think that one individual could have such an impact.

Having been unable to nab a victory thus far the amount of frustration in everyone is intense. Especially in the veins of Harry Hong. He wants nothing more than to be handed the first place trophy tomorrow afternoon.

Will he prevail or will Jonas walk away yet again in first…

Only tomorrow will tell.



*McMENAMINS!!!!

Qualifications seemed to go a tad bit smoother this time around. Players had from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm to generate a score that will place them into one of the thirty two seeds for the championship.

Arriving early, Bo begins to play a few practice rounds. When the clock strikes 10, Bo presses ‘start’ to play his first qualification game of the day. A few minutes later, the screen radiates the score of 729,411. He raises his hand to indicate to score keepers that he wants to scored recorded.

The line begins to grow and snake throughout the Tetris area. More and more competitors believe they have what it takes to be the best in the world of Tetris.

Last year, there was an overall sense of annoyance as Bo attempted to receive a high enough score. You could see his urgency in the ways he played. Even though he had already beat his qualifying score from last year, there was still significant amounts of frustration radiating from Bo as he attempted to beat his current standing.

Jonas Neubauer sits down to play his first game. Everyone knows they don’t stand a chance in beating him. He has won the past three years. Each individual longs to be the one to throw him from his throne. After playing only 3 games, Jonas reaches the score of 999,999; placing him in the first seed of the bracket.

This fuels the fire in the pants of many in that Jonas must be beat tomorrow.

When qualification is complete, Bo Steil is placed in the 9th seed for the championship; 5 places better than last year.

Finding out that the 4th Annual Tetris World Championships were to be held in Portland, Oregon for the second year in a row I was disappointed to say the least. Bo and I both wished that it would be held somewhere more exciting such as Las Vegas which was rumored at one point or another throughout the past year. However, needless to say we purchased our tickets, booked a hotel and headed to the Rose City this past Thursday.

The plan appeared to be the same as the ones previous. Friday night is the initial gathering of the Tetris geeks where the comparisons of scores and trash talk begins. Saturday would be spent at the Oregon Convention Center while everyone attempts to be one of the lucky thirty-two people to qualify for the championships. Back to the convention center for another day of falling blocks will ensue on Sunday. One would think that two full days of Tetris would be enough for even those who devote such time to this game but they would be so wrong. Mingling yet again at the home of our gracious host, Robin, would result in more Tetris and mini competitions.

Upon learning of this mirror image itinerary, I realized that it may have been in my best interest to have stayed in Minnesota. I felt as though it would be important to try to make the best out of our mini vacation and just enjoy myself. Not only for me but also for Bo. What great memories came from those four days in Oregon.

To be continued…

The battle between Ben and Bo was a definite upset in the competition. Winning 2-1, Bo is moving on to the final 8 competitors. I can still imagine the shock on everyone’s faces as Ben topped out, Bo then beating his score. I clasp my hands over my mouth in excitement and disbelief.

The 8 finalists take their places on the stage of the auditorium.

I am frantically texting Bo’s sister-in-law so I am able to share the excitement with someone as I sit alone. The countdown to initiate the beginning of the final rounds begins. Tetrominos begin slamming left and right. Scores rising higher and higher.

A misdrop results in disappointment as Bo loses the first game. Game two begins but it sadly ends quickly. Too many nerves got to Bo. He was the first of the final eight out of the competition.

He was disappointed but was glad the opponent that beat him ended up finishing second.

Once the competition officially ends and trophies are distributed; the overall atmosphere has significantly shifted. People can be friends again as they have a year until they are competitors again.

We end our trip with a gathering at the house where we spent Friday. Relaxed conversation fills the room.

I can’t wait to go home and brag about my boyfriend placing eighth!