Tobias Outi wins the 2023 British Matchplay Scrabble Championship

Tobias Outi has won the British Matchplay Scrabble Championship held at the Kents Hill Park Conference Centre in Milton Keynes over the August bank holiday weekend.

Tobias beat Wayne Kelly 426-378 in the final round to win the title with a 18-6 +998 record, just ahead of Brian Po (17-7, +900) with Wayne ending up in third position (16-8, +860) The fourth and fifth place prizes were split by just two spread points, with Chris Cummins (16-8, +634) just edging out Nick Deller (16-8, +632)

Although Tobias had held a one game lead going into the final round of games, none of the prize positions had been decided, so there was everything to play for. Tobias' victory meant he secured the title, with Brian having to settle for second after defeating Chris in that final round. Nick defeated Craig Solomons (15-9, +763) by just 11 points in their round 24 match to clinch fifth place.

There were also three ratings prizes in the championship division, with the first going to Teresa Lyes (14–10, −220) who raised her rating by nine points by achieving a tournament performance rating of 35 above her initial rating, including a win against top seed and defending champion Lewis Mackay. Rafal Dominiczak (19 above rating) and Rose Northmore (17 above rating) won the other two ratings prizes.

In division B, Jared Robinson clinched victory with a round to spare, finishing 18½-5½ +1452 to win by two games ahead of Paul Thomson (16½-7½, +793) who was, himself, two games in front of Colin Nicol (14½-9½, +572) The ratings prize in division B was won by Janet Adams (12-12, +175) with a performance 12 points above her initial rating.

Division C was also clinched before the final round, with the victory going Margaret Pritchett (18-6, +827) just ahead of Paul Habershon (17-7, +1141) and Paul Cartman (15-9, +1090) The division C ratings prize was won by Lisa Atkins (11-13, +397) with a tournament performance rating 26 points higher than her rating.

Final standings: Championship Division | Division B | Division C