A braconid is a parasitic wasp, and because Brett Smitheram knew the word and how to spell it, he’s 7,000 euros richer and the World Scrabble Champion.
Smitheram, 37, is a British recruitment consultant who beat fellow Briton Mark Nyman in a three-round final to become champion, after five days of competition among avid players of the venerable board game in the French city of Lille.
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Competitors from 30 countries took part in the event, held as part of the Mindsports International Championships.
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The players came up with words ranging from “variedly” to “gynaecia”, a flower, but “braconid” was the winner, scoring Smitheram 176 points.
The 2000 UK champion and 2014 world championships quarter finalist said he was “absolutely thrilled” with his victory.
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