In a small room in Torremolinos, Spain, Ottawa’s David Eldar has once again proven he’s a master of words, not just numbers. The 35-year-old mathematician clinched his second Scrabble World Championship title earlier this month, besting Malaysia’s Cheong Yi Hua in a nail-biting final match with a score of 4-1.
“The feeling is pretty incredible,” Eldar told me during our video call yesterday. His eyes still light up recounting the victory. “Winning once could be luck, but twice? That’s validation.”
Eldar, who first claimed the world title in 2017, has maintained his ranking as one of the world’s top Scrabble players for nearly a decade. His background in mathematics gives him a unique edge in a game many consider purely linguistic.
“People often think Scrabble is just about knowing words,” Eldar explains. “But at the championship level, it’s probability, spatial reasoning, and strategic decision-making. The mathematics absolutely helps.”
The championship, held every two years, drew 108 elite competitors from 30 countries. Players competed in multiple rounds over five days, with games often lasting more than an hour.
Ottawa’s Scrabble community has rallied around their hometown champion. Sandra Marshall, president of the Ottawa Scrabble Club, describes Eldar’s achievement as “extraordinary but not surprising.”
“David has always had this remarkable ability to see patterns on the board that others miss,” Marshall says. “He’s incredibly humble about his talent, which makes his success all the more deserving.”
What makes Eldar’s victory particularly impressive is how he balances his Scrabble career with his day job as a financial analyst. Unlike some competitors who train full-time, Eldar estimates he practices only 10-15 hours weekly.
“I’m fortunate that both my passions involve pattern recognition and statistical thinking,” he notes with a modest smile. “One feeds the other.”
The final match turned on Eldar’s strategic placement of “AXIOM” on a triple word score, earning him 62 points in a single move. Spectators watching the livestream erupted in virtual applause at what commentators called “the perfect mathematical solution to a linguistic puzzle.”
Mark Jacobson, Eldar’s former coach and a respected figure in competitive Scrabble, wasn’t surprised by the win. “David combines natural talent with disciplined study,” Jacobson told me. “He doesn’t just memorize words—he understands their strategic value in different board situations.”
Back home in Ottawa’s Glebe neighborhood, Eldar maintains a low profile despite his international success. Neighbors might spot him at local coffee shops, often with a pocket Scrabble set nearby, quietly analyzing game scenarios.
“I’ve seen him at Ministry of Coffee running simulations on his laptop,” says barista Jen Wilson. “Most customers have no idea they’re sitting next to a world champion.”
The victory comes with a $10,000 prize, but Eldar says the real reward is earning respect in a community he deeply values. “The Scrabble world is small but incredibly supportive,” he reflects. “These are people who appreciate the beauty of words and numbers working together.”
For aspiring players, Eldar offers practical advice: “Start with the two-letter words. All of them. They’re the building blocks of high-level play.”
The championship hasn’t been without controversy. Some traditionalists have questioned the inclusion of certain neologisms in the official dictionary. Eldar acknowledges the tension between preserving the game’s heritage and reflecting evolving language.
“Language is living, breathing, and constantly changing,” he says. “Scrabble needs to balance tradition with evolution, just like mathematics does.”
Looking ahead, Eldar plans to defend his title at the next championship in 2026, likely to be held in Australia. Until then, you might find him at the Ottawa Scrabble Club’s Wednesday night gatherings, where he occasionally coaches younger players.
“What I love about David is how generously he shares his knowledge,” says 16-year-old club member Aisha Patel. “He explains his thinking process in a way that makes complex strategies seem accessible.”
As our conversation winds down, I ask what words he lives by. Eldar pauses, thoughtfully arranging invisible tiles in his mind.
“Precision and patience,” he finally answers. “In Scrabble and in life.”
For Ottawa, having a two-time world champion in our midst is something to celebrate—even if most of us would be thoroughly trounced should we ever challenge him to a friendly game.
