Lille(Cliff News)The World Scrabble Championship came to an end here at Lille France with Brett Smitheram of England defeating countryman Mark Nyman in the best of 5 final
Mark Nyman who won the world championship in 1995 could do nothing as the in-form Smitheram played bingo after bingo and won each of the first three matches. The score 638-351 in the third match sealed it up for the champion.Brett Smitheram received a cash prize of 8000 Euros and a glittering trophy.The third position also went to a Briton Lewis Mackay, rounding off a perfect tournament for the British players.Moiz Baig of Pakistan received the prize for the highest score in a single move.In the division 2 Mpakaboari Jack of Nigeria defeated Sandy Nang of USA to win the trophy and 3000 Euros cash prize. Howard Reiner of South Africa beat Daniyal Sanaullah in the third position playoffs.
It was another good day for the Pakistanis as no less than four Pakistani players received cash prizes for finishing in the top ten.Young Taha Mirza received the trophy for the best position among players rated under 1100 while Ali Rashid won the award for the best player with rating under 1200.Monis Khan received the encouragement award for being the youngest player in the competition.The Pakistan team will return home on 7th September.