New Zealander has the Final Word and Wins $10,000 at 2010 National SCRABBLE® Championship in Dallas

DALLAS, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Spread the word. Nigel Richards, 43, a New Zealand security analyst who lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia spelled his way into first place at the 2010 National SCRABBLE® Championship. Richards, now a two-time National Champion, as well as a World Champion, won $10,000 and bragging rights among the world's 25,000 SCRABBLE® tournament players. Richards finished 25-6 with a +2213 spread.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100811/NY49381 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100811/NY49381 )

Second place was won by another former National and World Champion, Brian Cappelletto, 40, an options trader from Chicago.  Cappelletto finished 21-10 with a +1231 spread.  In third was Laurie Cohen, 43, a research director at a community college from Tempe, AZ.  Cohen finished 21-10 with a +172 spread.  This was the second highest finish by a woman in the 30-year history of the event.

More than 400 word wizards from 42 states and 4 countries played for five days at the Hotel InterContinental Dallas. Competitors ranged from ages 12-92.

Internet coverage including standings, play-along games, color commentary and photos is featured on www.scrabbleplayers.org.  For all things SCRABBLE® visit the National SCRABBLE® Association's website www.scrabble-assoc.com.

About Hasbro:

Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable and play experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All rights reserved. SCRABBLE is a trademark of Hasbro in the U.S. and Canada.

SOURCE National SCRABBLE(R) Championship