He is a champion of triple counting. Nigel Richards, already an unrivaled master of English and French Scrabble, added a new string to his literary bow on Monday, November 11, becoming world champion of Spanish-language Duplicate Scrabble in Granada, Andalusia. All without speaking a word of Spanish, just as he doesn’t speak a word of French. To avoid the boredom of playing in his native language – too easy – the talented competitor simply memorized the dictionary, or at least all the words allowed in Scrabble. Or, for the Spanish version, which also has the double letters, “words about four times more valid” than the French-speaking one, explained Jean-Baptiste Morel on X.
Editor-in-Chief ofActu.fr and a Scrabble enthusiast for about thirty years, the latter enjoyed it to tweet live the world championship broadcast on Twitch and where despite his notoriety, the 57-year-old New Zealander was far from the favourite. A good comeback was enough for him to overtake Lille polyglot Serge Emig, with an impressive track record on the Spanish-speaking scene and who was in the lead until the last part. Even more impressive, Nigel Richards will have matched the computer multiple times, capable of finding the best possible combination of letters each time.
“We didn’t realize it was a computer”
In 2015, arriving at the Francophone competitions with his hypermnesia and his gruff ways, Nigel Richards surprised and fascinated the small world of Scrabble. “We knew he was a monster, it was blowing at the time Liberation former world champion Benjamin Valor. We didn’t realize it was a computer.” The journalist of Free sent specifically to Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium, to meet the animal, he had tried in vain to extract more than three words from him. Alas, the genius always refused to speak to the press, and he didn’t “no exceptions”.
By winning this Scrabble Duplicate tournament – a form of individual gaming in which all players are given the same deck of letters and must each find the best possible word, the one that will earn them the most points – Nigel Richards now has his name on his list of successes “four English-language Scrabble world champion titles, ten French-language titles, and one Spanish-language title“, says Jean-Baptiste Morel again. It remains to turn the attempt into the classic Scrabble test, but most people have no doubt that he is capable of it.
Time.news Interview: Unraveling the Mind of Nigel Richards – The Triple Scrabble Champion
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we discuss the most fascinating stories shaping our world today. We’re thrilled to have with us Jean-Baptiste Morel, an esteemed Scrabble enthusiast and editor-in-chief at Actu.fr, who has been following the incredible journey of Nigel Richards, the newly crowned Spanish-language Scrabble world champion. Jean-Baptiste, welcome!
Jean-Baptiste: Thank you! It’s great to be here and talk about such an exciting event in the world of Scrabble.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. For our listeners, can you tell us who Nigel Richards is and what makes him a special figure in the Scrabble community?
Jean-Baptiste: Certainly! Nigel Richards is a New Zealander, widely regarded as one of the greatest Scrabble players of all time. He has previously conquered the English and French Scrabble championships, and now, as of November 11, he has added the Spanish-language title to his accolades. What sets him apart is not just his exceptional skills but also his unique approach—he memorizes dictionaries instead of learning the languages.
Editor: That’s remarkable! How did he manage to win the Spanish-language championship despite not speaking any Spanish?
Jean-Baptiste: It’s truly fascinating. Instead of learning the language through conversation or practice, Nigel memorized the dictionary of accepted words for Scrabble in Spanish. This means he performs at a high level with no comprehension of the language itself. He dedicates countless hours of study to ensure he knows which words are valid, making his strategy quite unorthodox but incredibly effective.
Editor: What challenges did he face while preparing for this championship?
Jean-Baptiste: Well, one of the unique challenges with the Spanish Scrabble game is the complexity of the words. In Spanish, there are many more valid words—some argue they are “four times more valid”—due to its double letters and diverse vocabulary. This adds an additional layer of difficulty which makes his achievement even more impressive, especially since he had to memorize more than just the basics.
Editor: And despite his notable reputation, you mentioned he wasn’t the favorite in this championship? What happened there?
Jean-Baptiste: Yes, exactly. Before the tournament, many observers expected other competitors, like the skilled polyglot Serge Emig from Lille, to take the victory. However, Nigel has a knack for coming back under pressure. His experience and strategic mindset allowed him to adapt and outplay his opponents, ultimately securing him the championship title.
Editor: It sounds like a classic underdog story! How did the Scrabble community react to his latest triumph?
Jean-Baptiste: The community has been both thrilled and surprised. While many respect his abilities, there’s an element of astonishment that someone can excel in a game in a language they don’t even speak. His victory sparked discussions on social media, where Scrabble enthusiasts celebrated his accomplishment, sharing their admiration and disbelief.
Editor: What do you think Nigel’s achievement means for the future of Scrabble, particularly in languages less prominently featured?
Jean-Baptiste: I think it opens up a new perspective for Scrabble as a whole. Nigel’s success could inspire more players to explore less common languages and even try unconventional methods of preparation. It highlights that passion and dedication can transcend linguistic barriers, inspiring both seasoned players and newcomers to engage with the game in different ways.
Editor: It’s indeed a testament to determination and strategy. what’s next for Nigel Richards? Do you think we’ll see him go for another language title?
Jean-Baptiste: Knowing Nigel, I wouldn’t be surprised if he sets his sights on conquering yet another language. He has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in Scrabble and continues to surprise us all. It will be intriguing to see where his journey takes him next!
Editor: Thank you, Jean-Baptiste, for sharing your insights on this fascinating topic. Nigel’s story is truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing what he does next and how it will shape the Scrabble world.
Jean-Baptiste: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing such an intriguing subject. Let’s see where the next championship leads us!