Ottawa Mathematician Adam Logan Claims Second Scrabble Title

Ottawa mathematician Adam Logan has achieved a remarkable feat by winning his second title at the Scrabble World Championship, held in Accra, Ghana. This victory not only adds to his impressive credentials but also places him among an elite group of only three individuals globally to have secured multiple championship titles.

During the championship, Logan executed a strategic move using the word “diopters,” earning an astonishing 149 points by placing his tiles across two triple-word squares. This play was pivotal in his comeback during the third game of the best-of-seven final, where he previously secured 103 points with the word “infamies.” With a total score of 252 points added in just two turns, Logan turned the tide against his opponent, Nigel Richards, who is often regarded as the greatest Scrabble player of all time with five world titles to his name. Logan ultimately triumphed in the match with a final score of four games to two.

Reflecting on his journey, Logan recalls the moment he first discovered his passion for Scrabble at the age of nine, when he stumbled upon a strategy book in a cottage in Quebec. “I had to consciously tell myself to slow down. Look at it for a few seconds. Make sure that you’re spelling correctly,” he noted about the final moments leading to his championship win. At 50 years old, Logan’s journey in competitive Scrabble has been filled with significant milestones, including his first championship victory in 2005 in London, England.

Logan’s early experiences in the game were noteworthy. He started competing in tournaments at just ten years old, an unusual age for players in the sport. His mother, Michal Ben-Cera, remembers how he was initially allowed to play only if there was an uneven number of participants. He quickly proved his skill by finishing in the top four of that tournament, advancing to further competitions.

Over the years, Logan has accumulated a total of approximately $110,000 USD in lifetime earnings from Scrabble, with his recent world championship win netting him a cheque for $10,000 USD. His competitive journey has been driven by a passion for language and strategy, cultivated through years of practice and study.

Logan’s academic background also plays a significant role in his success. After graduating at the top of his class from Princeton University, he earned a PhD from Harvard University in 1999. His analytical skills, honed through mathematics, have greatly benefited his gameplay. He dedicates time daily to studying the Scrabble dictionary using a spaced repetition method, which helps him retain words and improve his performance in tournaments.

The blend of strategy and luck in Scrabble mirrors many aspects of life, according to Logan. He emphasizes the importance of patience and risk-taking, principles he believes are valuable both in the game and beyond. “Scrabble teaches us a lot about life,” he explained. “By challenging ourselves, we can improve our lives and push our boundaries.”

While Logan continues to compete, he remains humble about his achievements. His mother describes him as more concerned with personal growth and performance than with winning titles. “He would analyze every game afterwards and feel really good if he felt he played well, even if he lost the game,” she said.

Now back in Ottawa, Logan remains committed to both his career in mathematics and his passion for Scrabble. With upcoming tournaments on the horizon, he looks forward to further opportunities to showcase his skills. Logan’s journey illustrates not only the potential for personal achievement through dedication and hard work but also the profound lessons that games like Scrabble can impart on life.