Christian Georges won the first YCS that implemented a Top Cut Draft, and is currently undefeated in this tournament trying to take down another Championship Series. His opponent T.J. Kinsley is also currently undefeated and does not want to give up a loss here. Whoever wins this match is most likely guaranteed for the Top Cut because there are only two rounds tomorrow, so a win here is serious business for either Duelist. Both are using Nekroz Decks designed with the mirror match in mind, so we’ll see who can show true Ritual mastery.

Georges won the roll and opted to go second.

Duel One:

Kinsley opened with a hand of Senju of the Thousand Hands, Nekroz of Brionac, Reinforcement of the Army, Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands and Nekroz of Unicore. He started off with a Normal Summoned Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands and used its effect to add Nekroz Mirror to his hand. He then activated Nekroz of Brionac, discarding it to add Nekroz of Valkyrus, and followed it up with Reinforcement of the Army for Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz. He activated the Nekroz Mirror to Ritual Summon Nekroz of Valkyrus from his hand and add Nekroz of Clausolas to his hand via the effect of Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz. He then used the Nekroz of Clausolas to add Nekroz Kaleidoscope to his hand, using it to send Herald of the Arch Light to his Graveyard to Special Summon Nekroz of Unicore from his hand. The Herald of the Arch Light activated letting him add Nekroz of Valkyrus to his hand before he overlayed both of his Level four Monsters for Lavalval Chain, using its effect to send Djinn Releaser of Rituals to the Graveyard. He then used the effect of Nekroz of Valkyrus, tributing itself and the Lavalval Chain to draw two copies of Senju of the Thousand Hands making it a total of three in his hand. He banished Nekroz Kaleidoscope and Nekroz of Brionac from his Graveyard to add Nekroz Cycle to his hand, and then banished Nekroz Mirror and Nekroz of Unicore to add Nekroz Kaleidoscope. He activated the Nekroz Cycle, banishing Djinn Releaser of Rituals to Special Summon Nekroz of Clausolas from his Graveyard before passing.

Georges drew for turn and activated Reinforcement of the Army to add Nekroz of Clausolas which he then used to add Nekroz Kaleidoscope to his hand. He activated a second copy of Reinforcement of the Army to add Bull Blader, but when he Normal Summoned it and tried to attack Kinsley used Nekroz of Valkyrus to stop it. Georges passed with no further actions.

Kinsley drew a Bull Blader of his own before Normal Summoning Senju of the Thousand Hands and using its effect to add Nekroz of Unicore to his hand. He activated Nekroz Kaleidoscope, sending Herald of the Arch Light to his Graveyard, to Special Summon the Nekroz of Unicore and used the effect of Herald of the Arch Light to add Nekroz of Brionac to his hand. He declared an attack with Nekroz of Unicore on the opposing Bull Blader, which destroyed both Monsters because of the Blader’s effect, before attacking with Senju of the Thousand Hands and ending his turn.

Georges drew and looked through Kinsley’s Graveyard. He clarified that Kinsley searched Nekroz of Brionac last turn before activating Raigeki to clear his Field! He then used Nekroz Kaleidoscope, sending Herald of the Arch Light to the Graveyard, to Special Summon Nekroz of Unicore and search Nekroz of Brionac. The Brionac hit the Graveyard and he added Nekroz of Valkyrus to his hand before activating Nekroz Cycle, tributing Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz, to Ritual Summon Nekroz of Valkyrus from his hand and add Nekroz of Brionac from Shurit. He attacked with both Monsters to put Kinsley down 2800 Life Points, then moved to Main Phase 2 where he tributed both the Nekroz of Unicore and Nekroz of Valkyrus to draw two cards. He banished Nekroz of Brionac and Nekroz Kaleidoscope as well as Nekroz Cycle and Nekroz of Unicore to add Nekroz Kaleidoscope and Nekroz Mirror to his hand.

Kinsley drew Raigeki for turn before he banished Nekroz of Clausolas and Nekroz Cycle from his Graveyard to add another Nekroz Cycle to his hand. He banished Nekroz Kaleidoscope and Nekroz of Valkyrus to add Nekroz Mirror before Normal Summoning Senju of the Thousand Hands and using it to add Nekroz of Unicore. The Unicore activated its effect adding back Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz, which he then tributed for Nekroz Cycle to Special Summon Nekroz of Unicore fom his Graveyard. The Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz let Kinsley add Nekroz of Trishula before he activated Nekroz of Brionac to add Nekroz of Valkyrus to his hand. He slammed Nekroz Mirror, banishing Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz, to Ritual Summon Nekroz of Valkyrus prompting Georges to concede.

Between games both players agreed to side out Djinn Releaser of Rituals as well as Vanity’s Emptiness, which will greatly affect how the next two games will play out.

Georges chose to go second in the second game.

Duel Two:

Kinsley opened with Artifact Lancea, Preparation of Rites, Nekroz of Valkyrus, Mystical Space Typhoon, and Senju of the Thousand Hands. He added Nekroz of Brionac via the effect of Senju of the Thousand Hands before using Preparation of Rites to add Nekroz of Clausolas to his hand. He then used both Nekroz of Brionac and Nekroz of Clausolas to add Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz and Nekroz Cycle respectively. He activated Nekroz Cycle, tributing Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz, to Special Summon Nekroz of Valkyrus from his hand. He used the effect of Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz to add Nekroz of Brionac, then used Nekroz of Valkyrus tributing both itself and Senju of the Thousand Hands to draw Reinforcement of the Army and Nekroz of Trishula. He banished Nekroz of Clausolas and Nekroz Cycle to add Nekroz Kaleidoscope to his hand before ending.

Georges drew and contemplated his options before he Normal Summoned Senju of the Thousand Hands and used its effect to add Nekroz of Brionac. He declared an attack with Senju of the Thousand Hands and Set two to his back row before passing.

Kinsley drew Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands for turn and started it off by activating Nekroz of Brionac to add Nekroz of Unicore to his hand. He then activated Nekroz Kaleidoscope, sending Herald of the Arch Light to his Graveyard, to Special Summon Nekroz of Unicore and add Nekroz Mirror thanks to Herald of the Arch Light. He tried to declare an attack with Nekroz of Unicore over Georges’ Senju of the Thousand Hands, but Georges used his Mirror Force to stop it. Kinsley then tried to move in further by activating Mystical Space Typhoon on Georges’ back row, which prompted Georges to Chain the Set Mind Crush and rip the Nekroz Mirror from Kinsley’s hand. Kinsley didn’t falter, banishing Nekroz Mirror and Nekroz of Brionac from his Graveyard to add Nekroz Cycle. He then banished Nekroz of Unicore and Nekroz Kaleidoscope to add another Nekroz Mirror. Now with his hand full, he used Reinforcement of the Army to add Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz to his hand which he then tributed for Nekroz Cycle to Special Summon Nekroz of Trishula from his hand! The Nekroz of Trishula’s effect resolved, banishing Georges’ Senju of the Thousand Hands from the Field, Mind Crush from the Graveyard, and Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands from the hand. The Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz let Kinsley add Nekroz of Clausolas, which he then used to add Nekroz Kaleidoscope, before ending.

Georges drew to four cards and gave a heavy sigh before activating Reinforcement of the Army. He added Nekroz of Clausolas to his hand which he then used to add Nekroz Kaleidoscope; he activated Nekroz of Brionac to add Nekroz of Unicore and then the Nekroz Kaleidoscope to Ritual Summon Nekroz of Unicore by sending Herald of the Arch Light to his Graveyard. The Herald of the Arch Light triggered, which let Georges add Nekroz Cycle. Georges Normal Summoned Bull Blader and overlayed both for Lavalval Chain, using its effect to put Senju of the Thousand Hands to the top of his Deck. He Set both of his cards to his back row before ending.

Kinsley drew Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands for turn and saying things were looking good was a bit of an understatement. He Normal Summoned Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands and used its effect to add Nekroz of Unicore. He declared an attack with Nekroz of Trishula but Georges blew away the attackers with Mirror Force! Kinsley tried to banish Nekroz Cycle and Nekroz of Clausolas from his Graveyard but realized he had no targets, which Georges confirmed. Kinsley activated Nekroz Kaleidoscope, sending Herald of the Arch Light, and Special Summoned Nekroz of Unicore from his hand. The Herald of the Arch Light triggered letting him add Nekroz of Valkyrus. He passed shortly after.

Georges drew the Senju of the Thousand Hands that he had placed on top via Lavalval Chain, then Normal Summoned it using its effect to add Nekroz of Brionac which he used to search Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz. He activated the Set Nekroz Cycle, tributing Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz to Special Summon Nekroz of Unicore. He added Nekroz of Clausolas to his hand via the effect of Shurit, but when he tried to attack Kinsley blocked it with Nekroz of Valkyrus. He used Nekroz of Clausolas to add Nekroz Mirror, which he Set before ending.

Kinsley drew Nekroz of Trishula for turn and Normal Summoned Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands to add Nekroz of Valkyrus. He activated Nekroz Mirror, banishing Shurit, Strategist of Nekroz, to Special Summon Nekroz of Valkyrus. He moved to Battle Phase, declaring an attack with Nekroz of Valkyrus over Nekroz of Unicore and then an attack with Nekroz of Unicore over Lavalval Chain. He went to Main Phase 2 and overlayed both of his Level fours for Daigusto Emeral, shuffling back Herald of the Arch Light, Nekroz of Unicore, and Nekroz of Valkyrus and drawing Maxx “C”. He ended his turn.

Georges drew a card and gave a heavy sigh before conceding.

After some impressive play and good draws, T.J. Kinsley moves on with the perfect 9-0 Day One record!