Four Decks remained in the tournament: Samurais, Infernities, Frog Monarchs, and Tengu Synchro. This Match would pit Tengu Synchro Duelist Tyree Tinsley against Frog Monarch Duelist Peter Nguyen. The victor in this Match would guarantee themselves a set of the Darklord prize cards, and would move on to the Finals to compete for the honor of a Championship title. The other Duelist would have to duke it out for Third Place to win a set of prize cards.

Tinsley opened the Match with a hand of One for One, Debris Dragon, Dimensional Prison, Foolish Burial, Book of Moon, and Effect Veiler. He activated Burial, sending Dandylion to the Graveyard to Special Summon 2 Fluff Tokens. He Summoned Debris Dragon, Special Summoned Dandylion, and Synchro Summoned Stardust Dragon, not going for Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier. He Set Prison and Book.

Nguyen activated Monster Reborn, Special Summoning Tinsley’s Debris Dragon to attack a Fluff Token. He Tributed the Dragon for Enemy Controller, targeting Stardust, but lost out to Book of Moon! He destroyed Dimensional Prison with Mystical Space Typhoon, then Set a monster.

Tinsley drew Mystical Space Typhoon. He Flip Summoned Stardust Dragon, then attacked to destroy Nguyen’s Spore. Tinsley discarded Effect Veiler to activate One for One, and Special Summoned Glow-Up Bulb from his Deck! He Tuned it to a Fluff Token for Formula Synchron, drawing another Mystical Space Typhoon, and set both.

Nguyen Set Enemy Controller, and lost it to Typhoon in the End Phase.

Tinsley drew Dark Hole and attacked with Stardust Dragon for 2500 Battle Damage.

Nguyen Summoned Genex Controller and attacked Tinsley’s last Fluff Token.

Tinsley drew Pot of Duality, and activated it to reveal Debris Dragon and 2 Solemn Warning from the top of his Deck. “Well, then!” laughed Nguyen. He immediately scooped his cards, conceding and revealing an all-monster hand.

Tyree Tinsley successfully defends an early game Stardust Dragon, and Peter Nguyen simply has no escape. Tinsley takes the first Duel in under five minutes! Both competitors made careful use of their Side Decks.

“You need to slow that down,” laughed Nguyen. “You can’t beat me that bad!” Tinsley chuckled, and Nguyen started the second Duel. He Set a monster.

Tinsley had Torrential Tribute, Reborn Tengu, Lonefire Blossom, D.D. Crow, Torrential Tribute, and Chain Disappearance. He Summoned Tengu and attacked into Treeborn Frog, then Set 3 cards to his back row.

Nguyen drew and lost his Treeborn Frog to Tinsley’s D.D. Crow. He Summoned Lonefire Blossom, then Tributed it to Special Summon anther. He Tributed that for Dandylion, and Tinsley responded with Chain Disappearance: Nguyen Saved Dandylion, Tributing it for Enemy Controller to take Reborn Tengu! He Special Summoned 2 Fluff Tokens and attacked with Tengu. In Main Phase 2, Nguyen activated Foolish Burial to send Spore to his Graveyard, then banished Lonefire Blossom to Special Summon it. Tinsley fired back with Torrential Tribute! He Special Summoned another Tengu.

Tinsley drew another Lonefire Blossom, and Summoned it to Special Summon his own Spore. He Tuned it to Tengu, Synchro Summoned Magical Android, and Special Summoned his last Tengu from his Deck. He then banished Lonefire to try and Special Summon Spore, but Nguyen banished it on the Chain with D.D. Crow. Tengu and Magical Android both made direct attacks, dropping Nguyen to 3900 Life Points. Tinsley went to 8600 Life Points in his End Phase, thanks to Android’s effect.

Nguyen passed.

Tinsley drew Mirror Force and Summoned another Lonefire. He Tributed it to Special Summon Glow-Up Bulb, and attacked with Tengu. Nguyen tried to Special Summon Battle Fader to save himself, but Tinsley responded with Royal Oppression to negate the Summon! Nguyen smiled and congratulated Tinsley.

Tyree Tinsley moves on to the Finals with Tengu Synchro!