Breaking: Chiang Mai doctor wins all games on Day 3 to lead World Scrabble Championships

Our picture shows the leader board of the top 15 after game 24 in Kenya.

 

Chiang Mai doctor Jakkrit Klaphajone won all eight games on Friday to lead the de facto World Scrabble Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.

 

Jakkrit - a former Thai international champion of the world's most popular word game - is now on a nine game winning streak at the prestigious WESPA championships in the Kenyan capital.

 

He beat Wellington Jighere of Nigeria 418-382 in game 23 to take over first place then triumphed again over another Nigerian Peter Moses by 455-386.

 

He has now won 18 games and lost just 6.

 

Lurking in second place is the recognized best Scrabble player to have ever lived, Nigel Richards of New Zealand, on 17 wins and 7 losses.

 

Thailand's other contender Bangkokian Thacha Koowirat is just off the pace in 11th place with a 15 and a half to 8 and a half record. He beat Aussie ace Andrew Fisher of Australia 470-424 in the final game on Day 3.

 

The 119 member invitational field will play eight more games on Saturday after which the top two are expected to contest a best of seven game final on Sunday to crown the latest world champion.

 

Thailand is home to dozens of professional Scrabble players and has regular tournaments that attract thousands. Big companies sponsor Scrabble events and the game - known as Crossword Game in Thailand - enjoys the patronage of the Thai Royal Family. 

 

This weekend sees the championships of the Eastern Seaboard contested at Central Plaza in Rayong.