$CRABBLEBIZ

I can tell you that last week Causeway Challenge at Bangkok created an uproar in the Scrabble Community. The Asian players were very dominant in the tournament. This has not happened in the his of scrabble before. Well, that is that.  The international Scrabble spotlight turns to Albany, New York, as New Zealand's Nigel Richards and Canada's Adam Logan prepare for a blockbuster WESPA Word Wars showdown 1st Edition. Richards, a five-time World Scrabble Champion, will face two-time world champion Logan in a best-of-15 match tagged "The Ultimate Scrabble Clash." Will keep you abreast... Scrabblebiz

The Scrabble community in Bayelsa State is gearing up for another exciting showdown as Peremabiri Scrabble Club hosts Ekowe Scrabble Club in the return leg of the 2nd Edition Interclub Scrabble Match. The highly anticipated fixture is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Town Hall, Peremabiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (SILGA), Bayelsa State, Nigeria.  The interclub encounter will feature seven players from each team, comprising five regular players and two reserves. This time, the competing is expected to be more intriguing and dicey as Peremabiri Scrabble Club will up their game against the Ekowe Scrabble Club who clinged the title on the 1st Edition . Organizers have announced attractive prizes for outstanding performances. The winning team will receive ₦100,000, while the Most Valuable Player (MVP) will earn ₦30,000. The first runner-up will receive ₦20,000, while the second runner-up will take home ₦10,000. Team captains are required to submit their t...

The international Scrabble calendar continues to fill up as the Indonesia Scrabble Open 2026 has been officially scheduled for October 2 - 4, 2026, at Citywalk Gajah Mada, Jakarta, Indonesia.  The tournament will feature 24 games using CSW24 and is expected to attract top players from across Asia and beyond. The event will be divided into two categories: Category A: ISF Rating ≥1500 or WESPA Rating ≥1700. This should interest Supitcha Inloi for her son Chayapol IQ who craves to play in the WESPA Premier category  Category B: ISF Rating <1500 or WESPA Rating <1700. With Jakarta set to host another major international event, players will have an excellent opportunity to compete for ranking points and test their skills against a strong field. Scrabble enthusiasts interested in participating can find additional information through the tournament organizers on the official poster photo. Sit tight for more updates...

  The Australian David Eldar emerged as the champion of the Premier Division at the Causeway Challenge 2026 in Bangkok, finishing with an impressive 26-10 record and a commanding +1847 spread after 36 rounds. Eldar’s consistency at the top of a world-class field saw him finish ahead of strong challengers including Joshua Castellano and Harshan Lamabadusuriya.  While I predicted a Nigerian to clinch top (we'll talk about that maybe later), the standout performer was Kenya’s Michael Gongolo, who finished 17th overall with a 20-15-1 record and an excellent +832 spread, making him the highest-placed African player in the Premier Division. Entering the event as Seed 81, Gongolo produced one of the tournament’s most remarkable runs, holding his own against some of the strongest international competitors.  Final Standings

The Causeway Challenge 2026 has officially begun in Bangkok, Thailand, with top Scrabble players from around the world competing for honours across multiple divisions. We posted this tournament last September Scrabblebiz brings you  updates on notable performances, standings , and key moments from the tournament. 

While other masters battled it out over the board, Precious Igali calmly observed from the sidelines since he was on bye for this round. The one time national gold medalist was  just patience, composed, and maintained his mental focus for the.  This quiet picture moment captured the mindset of a winner.  Earlier, immediately after the first round and he lost, he jet-moded into his space to prepare his state of mind for the business of the day.  Precious Igali eventually emerged champion of the event in the masters category. Check in for the full tournament results : 

 Today is my birth date. I want to use this medium to briefly reflect on a simple but powerful discussion on  consistency beats impulse play .  Top players distinguish themselves not only by finding high-scoring words, but by:  Managing tile balance across turns Prioritising board control over short-term gains Preserving flexibility for endgame transitions Reducing volatility through disciplined word selection In elite play, especially at club and tournament level, matches are often decided not by a single “big word,” but by cumulative positional advantage built over multiple turns . My Scrabble Friends can comment on this. In conclusion, strong players don’t chase every opportunity but rather build winning positions. The 4 points I put up there can be critically analyzed through your comments  Stay tuned for more Scrabblebiz insights

Top Players Likely to Feature The 2026 Scrabble Players Championship is expected to attract a world-class field, featuring a blend of legendary champions, elite professionals, and emerging stars.  Venue: DoubleTree Convention Complex /> Will it be: Nigel Richards – 5-time world champ. Regarded as the GOAT of scrabble. Adam Logan – The reigning world champion 2025 (Accra)  David Eldar – 2-time world champion 2017 & 2023 Brett Smitheram – Former world champion 2016 Josh Sokol – One of the highest-rated players in North America Mack Meller - North American champion.  Wellington Jighere – Africa’s first world champion 2015 Enoch Nwali, a former African champion who has relocated the US is expected to participate in the event. Another Nigerian player to expect is Timi Woko, who went 1 to 10 games unbeaten, the last world championship in Accra 2025 where Nigel Richards ended his runs on the 11th game. I player to watch.  Hubert Wee from Singapore is also a player to wa...

 The Niger Delta Games 2026 (NDGames 2026) featured competitive scrabble as a core mind sport, with u20 players from across the Niger Delta states competing in Singles, Doubles, and Team events. The tournament was held in the commissioner's secretariat in the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium🏟️ Benin city.  The Singles Event Gold Medalists: Sophia Ekeruche (left) and Clinton Imode (right). NSF President Bright Idahosa (middle) Singles Event Rundown Male Singles Champion: Clinton Imode (Edo) – unbeaten 10–0, spread +1694 Notable Performers: Samuel Emelike (Abia), Pereowei Edide (Bayelsa) Female Singles Champion: Sophia Ekeruche (Delta) – unbeaten 10–0, spread +1985 Notable Performers: Roseline Emelike (Abia), Rhoda Ikoko (Bayelsa) Doubles Event Male Doubles Top Team: Edo State – 7–1 Strong Contenders: Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom Female Doubles Top Team: Delta State – 7–1 Strong Contenders: Abia, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom Team Event Male Teams Champion: Edo State – 6–0, spread +1661 Top Challengers: Ak...

Why Scrabblebiz Exists Basically, scrabblebiz exists to publish and document Scrabble events and analysis. Competitive scrabble in Nigeria and Africa has grown significantly over the last two decades, producing world-class players like Wellington Jighere, Enoch Nwali, Etim Nsikak, Dennis Ekekeregon etc. Despite this progress, structured media coverage and analytical documentation remain limited.   Scrabblebiz was created to fill that gap by: Preserving records of tournaments as many as possible. Providing informed analysis of Scrabble development Highlighting African participation in global Scrabble Examining the social impact of scrabble in education and youth engagement    Vision To become a trusted reference platform for scrabble information and analysis in Africa, while contributing meaningfully to global Scrabble discourse.    The Mission of Scrabblebiz is to: Publishing accurate and well-researched scrabble content. Promoting Scrabble as a tool for intell...

The 2nd Cashier Bruce Olotu Memorial Scrabble Championship , held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, delivered an exciting showcase of competitive Scrabble, attracting top players from across the South-South region and beyond. Timi Woko the winner of the 2nd edition  At the end of a highly competitive schedule, Timi Woko , Dennis Abiori , and Barbar Chris emerged as standout performers, each claiming top honours in their respective categories. Their performances highlighted consistency and strong endgame execution throughout the tournament. A Tournament of Depth and Purpose The championship, organized in honour of the late Cashier Bruce Olotu, continues to grow in stature as a key event in the Nigerian Scrabble calendar. Beyond the competition, the tournament serves as a platform to promote grassroots development and foster unity within the Scrabble community. Players competed across multiple rounds, with formats designed to test endurance, adaptability, and board management under tim...

The February 2026 edition of the Scrabble Sense Tournament is scheduled to hold on Saturday, 28 February 2026, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (WAT), continuing what has rapidly grown into one of the most engaging monthly online Scrabble competitions. What began in October 2025 as a modest friendly showdown has evolved into a structured and competitive online tournament attracting players from diverse locations. The event offers a vibrant mix of tactical depth, competitive intensity, and meaningful rewards. Host and Sponsor The tournament is hosted by Patricia Kio, whose leadership has been instrumental in building the Scrabble Sense brand into a consistent monthly fixture. Sponsorship support comes from Best Umudafe, reinforcing the tournament’s sustainability and prize structure. Tournament Platform The event will be played on Woogles, a globally recognized online Scrabble platform known for its stability, tournament-friendly interface, and competitive environment. Participants are required ...

The Bayelsa scrabble community is set for another major competitive showdown as the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association, in collaboration with the Yenagoa Scrabble Club and Peremabiri Scrabble Club, presents the 2nd Cashier Bruce Olotu Memorial Scrabble Championship. Scheduled to take place from Saturday, 14th to Sunday, 15th March 2026, the tournament will be hosted at the prestigious Golden Tulip Hotel and Resort, Onopa, Yenagoa, with play commencing at 9:00 AM daily. This second edition continues the legacy of honoring Cashier Bruce Olotu while strengthening the competitive scrabble structure in Bayelsa State. It is a thing to also note that all players who have not played the Gov Douye Diri National Open is qualified to play in category C. Tournament Format The championship will be played over 15 rounds, ensuring a comprehensive ranking system across all categories. Time Control Category A: 25 minutes per player Categories B & C: 20 minutes per player The time format is designed...

The global Scrabble community has reached a historic milestone as Matthew Tunnicliffe of Canada has been officially recognized as a Scrabble Grandmaster (GM) by the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA). Tunnicliffe is the first player to achieve the Grandmaster title since WESPA launched its official Titles System, making this achievement both pioneering and symbolic for international Scrabble. This recognition places Matthew Tunnicliffe at the very summit of competitive Scrabble and underscores his consistency, excellence, and long-term impact on the game at the highest level. The WESPA Titles System was designed to formally recognize sustained elite performance across rated international competitions. Becoming a Grandmaster is not based on a single tournament win but on long-term dominance, rating strength, and competitive depth. Being the first recipient of this title sets Matthew Tunnicliffe apart as a benchmark for future generations of elite players worldwide. A lit...

The Nigerian Scrabble community is set to gather in grand style as Aiyewunmi Adeyinka Nathaniel, marks his birthday with a special competitive event tagged “ Biggy Birthday Jamz ”, held as part of the YCT New Year Retreat. Biggy is widely respected within the Nigerian Scrabble circles for his passion for the game, competitive spirit, and consistent involvement in Scrabble development. He is also a certified Tournament Adjudicator that has built a reputation as a committed adjudicator whose enthusiasm for Scrabble goes beyond personal achievement, extending to the promotion of camaraderie and sportsmanship among players. A very interesting and entertaining Pro player. Furthermore, elite players like Joseph Okere, the reigning King of the Jungle champion, Musa Lateef, the SKO Champion and other prospective and emerging players. And beyond the tiles and score sheets, Biggy Birthday Jamz represents more than a celebration of age; it is a celebration of Scrabble culture, friendship, and the...

The 6th edition of the Janet Adowei Memorial Scrabble Classics (JAMSC) is set to take place as a virtual tournament, bringing together Scrabble players from across Nigeria and beyond in honour of the late Janet Adowei. This year’s competition will be hosted online via Woogles.io, offering players an opportunity to compete for prestige, honours, and attractive prizes in a well-structured and competitive setting. Dates: 26th – 28th December, 2025 Platform: Woogles.io Registration Closes: 24th December, 2025 Regular Registration: ₦20,000 Students/Female Players: ₦15,000 International Players: $20 Star Prize: $500 USD Plus several additional prizes Time Control: 10 minutes per player Lexicon: CSW24 Challenge Rule: 10 points Overtime: 1 minute per 10 points The Janet Adowei Memorial Scrabble Classics continues to serve as a fitting tribute while promoting competitive Scrabble and community engagement. Players are encouraged to complete their registration early and prepare for an exciting vi...

Joseph Okere has officially been crowned the king of the Scrabble In The Jungle (SITJ) Tournament, delivering a dominant performance that left no doubts about his supremacy in the field.  Okere was gibsonised in the 34th round, a result that mathematically secured the championship title even before the final rounds were concluded. This early confirmation of victory underscored the commanding lead he had built throughout the tournament.  His triumph was anchored on consistent excellence, sharp strategic precision, and outstanding mental resilience, qualities that enabled him to outclass a highly competitive and determined field of players. By the time the closing rounds were played, the title race had already been decided in his favour. Joseph Okere’s victory at the Scrabble In The Jungle Tournament stands as a testament to elite-level preparation and composure under pressure, further cementing his status as one of the game’s leading figures.  See here

The World English-language Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) has announced the appointment of Yong Jian Rong (Singapore) as its new Ratings Officer, a strategic move aimed at strengthening the global scrabble rating framework. Effective 1 January 2026. Yong Jian Rong is a Scrabble Expert from Singapore and will oversee the administration and continuous improvement of the WESPA Rating System, which serves as the international benchmark for competitive Scrabble rankings. Yong's mandate includes stimulating global competitiveness, promoting wider adoption of the system, and ensuring consistency and transparency in ratings management. According to  Chris Lipe the  WESPA Secretary " His strong technical insight, combined with a deep understanding of both competitive play and rating methodologies, positions him well to take on this important role. In his capacity as Ratings Officer, Yong is expected to introduce fresh ideas and innovations that will further strengthen the integri...

The fourth edition of Scrabble in the Jungle returns in 2025 with the theme “Legacy Keepers”, promising another competitive and high-energy tournament experience. The event is NSF, WESPA, and PANASA rated and will be played using the CSW24 lexicon. Players will compete in 36 games (6 round-robin + 6 KOTH), with a ₦300,000 star prize on the line. Registration has been pegged at ₦20,000. • Date: 19th – 21st December 2025 • Venue: To be communicated (Lagos State) Scrabble athletes across the country are expected to attend what has now become one of Nigeria’s standout year-ending tournaments. More information will be shared as soon as the organizers release further updates.

  Delta Scrabble Club, in partnership with Delta Scrabblers in Diaspora, has officially announced the 2025 edition of the Scrabble Fiesta. The event is scheduled to hold on 26 December 2025 at Merchant Club, Enerhen–Warri, with games commencing at 9:00am. The one–day tournament will feature 10 rated games and is open to both licensed and unlicensed players. A total prize pool of ₦500,000 has been confirmed, with only 50 slots available. Registration Licensed players: ₦3,000 Unlicensed players: ₦8,000 Payments are to be made to the following account: Bank: Opay Account Number: 9014187055 Account Name: Larry Etuwa After payment, players are required to send proof of payment to 08061288946 (Emmanuel Ogiogio) on WhatsApp for confirmation. Registration closes on 25 December 2025 at 9:00am. Participants are reminded to come with clean Scrabble kits. Scrabblebiz will continue to provide updates as the event date approaches.