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World Scrabble champion defends crown with ‘Ghostier’

The move earned Nigel Richards a whopping 140 points and the title for a second year running.
The move earned Nigel Richards a whopping 140 points and the title for a second year running. The move earned Nigel Richards a whopping 140 points and the title for a second year running.

Nigel Richards won the Mattel World Scrabble Championship for the second year running after a 140-point score helped him across the finish line.

Mr Richards, from New Zealand, beat Australian-born David Eldar 3-1 in a best-of-five match to claim the title and the 8,000-US dollar (£6,200) prize money.

The world number two, who has more than 20 years of Scrabble experience, competed against opponents from more than 15 countries to land the trophy.

The titanic tussle took place at Torquay Riviera Centre on Sunday, with the defending champion playing ‘GHOSTIER’ for 140 points en route to victory.

One of Nigel Richards' winning boards at the 2019 World Scrabble Championship
One of Nigel Richards' winning boards at the 2019 World Scrabble Championship (Mattel)

Other top words included ‘PUGAREES’ (a scarf) for 65 points and ‘UPGAZED’ (literally, to gaze upwards) for 106.

Mr Eldar did not leave empty-handed after his second-place finish, earning 3,500 US dollars (£2,700) for his efforts.