Tristan Vanech (2nd from Left) of Venice, California, chats with father Bob Vanech (C) at a 2009 Scrabble Tournament. Source: National Scrabble Association

ADDISON, Texas, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- A father-son pair of Scrabble enthusiasts from California found themselves facing one another at the National Scrabble Championship in Texas.

Tristan Vanech, 14, and dad Bob Vanech of Venice, Calif., said their rankings led to a father-son match Sunday, the second day of the tournament at the Hotel InterContinental in Addison, The Dallas Morning News reported Monday.


"There was a genuine parenting moment where I thought, 'I can't beat him,'" Bob Vanech said. "But then I also didn't want my score lowered by losing."

"Maybe I got too cocky," Tristan said after losing to his father, who played "defeated" as his final word.

The tournament is scheduled to crown its $10,000 winner Wednesday.