Zygosity? Such a word may not stump expert Scrabble players - like the foursome representing Singapore in next month's 2009 World Scrabble Championships.

A champion will emerge from the biennial tournament, which will be held this time in Johor Baru from Nov 26 to 29. A total of US$30,500 (S$42,750) in prize money is at stake.

The four Singapore finalists, who qualified with their high rankings earned from other tournaments, are Mr Marlon Prudencio, Mr Ricky Purnomo, Mr Toh Weibin, and Mr Hubert Wee Ming Hui.

The four were announced last Thursday as finalists in the tournament organised by toy maker Mattel.

Mr Wee, 21, an information systems student, took part in the 2007 championships in Mumbai, placing seventh out of 104 players.

'I hope to improve my ranking this year. It will be tough, with more young players but I still think I can do it,' said Mr Wee, who picked up the game six years ago.

He started out playing the game with his friends and family but they have stopped competing with him as he always wins now.

He admits to reading the dictionary regularly and sharpens his skills online.

'I really love the challenge,' said Mr Wee, whose best word is a whopping 98-point scoring 'zygosity'.

Zygosity refers to the make-up or characteristics of a zygote, the initial cell formed when a new organism is produced by reproduction.

A first-time finalist, Mr Purnomo, 31, is a project manager with an IT-related printing and copying firm.

He said: 'I've played in other tournaments before, but this is the big tournament everyone aims for. I've been dreaming of it for a while.'

He got addicted to Scrabble while in university.

'At first I was just okay, but after practising in tournaments outside school, I got better and I got bitten by the Scrabble bug. I really love the fact that it's a word game and a strategy game.'

Mr Prudencio, 38, is an IT professional and Mr Toh, 19, is currently serving national service.

Mr Philip Nelkon, marketing manager for Mattel UK, said: 'Singapore has an active and vibrant Scrabble community and the quality of players is very high.

'We hope to see the Singapore players do well in this year's championship.'

Shuli Sudderuddin

This article was first published in The Straits Times.