diff --git a/docs/UI_DESIGN.md b/docs/UI_DESIGN.md
index 435c525..a4ddd69 100644
--- a/docs/UI_DESIGN.md
+++ b/docs/UI_DESIGN.md
@@ -123,9 +123,11 @@ Login uses `Screen`.
   overlays the empty area below, so the layout doesn't resize/jank; other modals stay
   keyboard-aware (they size to the area above the keyboard).
 - **Highlights**: pending tiles use a slightly darker tile background (no outline). The
-  last completed word gets a dark tile background — static while it is the opponent's
-  turn (our word), and a 1 s flash when it is our turn (their word). While placing, only
-  the pending tiles are highlighted.
+  last completed word keeps the normal tile background; instead its letters — not the point
+  values — are drawn in the recent-move colour, in both themes. It is static while it is the
+  opponent's turn (our word), and a 1 s flash (the letter pulses between its normal colour
+  and the recent-move colour) when it is our turn (their word). While placing, only the
+  pending tiles are highlighted.
 - **Bonus-square labels** — a Settings choice (`boardlabels.ts`): `beginner` shows a
   split `3×` / `word` (localized слово/буква), `classic` a single `3W` / `3С`, `none`
   nothing. Default **beginner**.
diff --git a/ui/src/app.css b/ui/src/app.css
index de3930f..9729f05 100644
--- a/ui/src/app.css
+++ b/ui/src/app.css
@@ -29,7 +29,9 @@
   --tile-edge: #d8c190;
   --tile-text: #2a2113;
   --tile-pending: #f2cf73;
-  --tile-recent: #c8a85c;
+  /* Last-word highlight letter — a lighter burgundy than the dark theme on purpose: against
+     the lighter tile the perceived contrast needs it, so the two are tuned per theme. */
+  --tile-recent: #9c5849;
   --prem-tw: #e06a5b; /* triple word */
   --prem-dw: #efa6a0; /* double word + centre */
   --prem-tl: #4f8fd6; /* triple letter */
@@ -75,11 +77,11 @@
     --tile-edge: #b6a473;
     --tile-text: #20190d;
     --tile-pending: #d8b75e;
-    --tile-recent: #7a6638;
-    --prem-tw: #b1493d;
-    --prem-dw: #8c5450;
-    --prem-tl: #34608f;
-    --prem-dl: #3b5a72;
+    --tile-recent: #8c4a3c;
+    --prem-tw: #9c3f34; /* 3x word: a touch darker red */
+    --prem-dw: #a8636b; /* 2x word: softer, pinker */
+    --prem-tl: #2c527a; /* 3x letter: a touch darker blue */
+    --prem-dl: #4a779b; /* 2x letter: softer, sky blue */
     --prem-text: #e7eaf0;
   }
 }
@@ -106,11 +108,14 @@
   --tile-edge: #b6a473;
   --tile-text: #20190d;
   --tile-pending: #f0d98f;
-  --tile-recent: #4a4636;
-  --prem-tw: #b1493d;
-  --prem-dw: #8c5450;
-  --prem-tl: #34608f;
-  --prem-dl: #3b5a72;
+  /* Last-word highlight letter — a warm burgundy whose red hue stays distinct from both the
+     near-black glyph and the warm tile. The light theme uses a lighter burgundy (tuned per
+     theme; perceived contrast depends on the surrounding board). */
+  --tile-recent: #8c4a3c;
+  --prem-tw: #9c3f34; /* 3x word: a touch darker red */
+  --prem-dw: #a8636b; /* 2x word: softer, pinker */
+  --prem-tl: #2c527a; /* 3x letter: a touch darker blue */
+  --prem-dl: #4a779b; /* 2x letter: softer, sky blue */
   --prem-text: #e7eaf0;
 }
 
diff --git a/ui/src/game/Board.svelte b/ui/src/game/Board.svelte
index ffb2e89..9c33563 100644
--- a/ui/src/game/Board.svelte
+++ b/ui/src/game/Board.svelte
@@ -314,25 +314,26 @@
     box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 2px var(--accent);
     background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 18%, var(--cell-bg));
   }
-  .cell.hl {
-    background: var(--tile-recent);
-    /* The bottom edge goes darker than the highlighted fill (not lighter, as the plain
-       --tile-edge would), so the tile still reads as raised. */
-    box-shadow: inset 0 -2px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.32);
+  /* Last-word highlight: the tile keeps its normal fill (same as every other placed tile);
+     instead the letter glyph — not the point value — is drawn in the recent-move colour, in
+     both themes. */
+  .cell.hl .letter,
+  .cell.flash .letter {
+    color: var(--tile-recent);
   }
-  .cell.flash {
-    /* Two flashes to draw the eye, then settle back to normal so it does not distract. */
-    animation: tileflash 1s ease-in-out 2;
+  .cell.flash .letter {
+    /* When the opponent just moved and it is now our turn, the highlighted letter pulses
+       twice between its normal colour and the recent-move colour to draw the eye, then
+       settles on the recent colour (matching .hl). The tile background never animates. */
+    animation: letterflash 1s ease-in-out 2;
   }
-  @keyframes tileflash {
+  @keyframes letterflash {
     0%,
     100% {
-      background: var(--tile-bg);
-      box-shadow: inset 0 -2px 0 var(--tile-edge);
+      color: var(--tile-recent);
     }
     50% {
-      background: var(--tile-recent);
-      box-shadow: inset 0 -2px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.32);
+      color: var(--tile-text);
     }
   }
   /* cqw fonts are sized against the fixed viewport, so labels stay a constant size as