A New Plymouth teenager has beaten a puzzle inventor at his own mind game.

In a two-hour table-top duel, 15-year-old Jason Oliver won the New Zealand Open Nelson at the weekend, overthrowing the game's creator, Mike McManaway. "I'm quite surprised. I didn't expect to get this far", said the New Plymouth Boys' High School student yesterday.

"But being beaten in the final of his own game by a teenager did not faze Mr. McManaway. Those with younger brains seem to pick up the game and become skilful at it very quickly, he said. "It’s not a big surprise. The young guys are really good. The current world champion is 21-years-old. It works itself into the brain, like learning a new language", Mr. McManaway said.

This year, 16 Tantrix experts from New Zealand, Finland, the USA and Australia battled it our for gaming supremacy. The top ranked female Tantrix player, Heli Niemi from Finland came third in the tournament.

Jason said he had been playing the game for several years, after receiving it for his birthday. Despite playing the game most days, mainly online, he did not believe he was obsessed with the game. "I don't want to get too serious over it. I just play it for fun", he said.

While Jason did not plan to compete at any overseas tournaments, he was seriously considering defending his New Zealand title next year.