There are some rivalries that span across time and define the world as we know it. When an unlikely alliance forms between two classic enemies, we cannot help but sit up and take notice. Whether it is Brotherhood and the X-Men, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon, or the Yankees and the Red Sox, these rivalries are eternal. What can cause such bitter rivals to put aside their differences and combine forces against a common foe? I spoke with the powerhouse Your Move Games / Kings Games alliance to find out.
Your Move Games has long been a staple on the tournament scene. Since the early days of trading card games, Rob Dougherty and his Boston-based store have served as the launching pad for many of the game’s top names (not to mention many of the people responsible for designing Vs. in the first place!). Traditionally, this group has been very insular, keeping their new deck tech and drafting strategy close to the vest, waiting until the Pro Circuit to spring it upon an unsuspecting field.
Kings Games is at the heart of the Brooklyn Vs. community. Run by world-traveling gamer Alex Shvartsman, KG is one of the best places to hang out and get in some good gaming. The KG crew is clearly here to have a good time, but don’t think that makes them easy targets. They have put in the testing time and are hungry for a win.
Why have Vs. strongholds in New York and Boston, rivals in everything from sports to cuisine, joined forces for the Pro Circuit? I spoke with some of their members to find out.
Alex Shvartsman explained the reason for the team-up. “Rob and I have been friends for a while. My store has always been really into Vs. and Rob wanted to get access to our testing. Since the first PC, though, YMG has really provided a huge contribution to the team, and both of us test each other’s decks even though we don’t always play the same deck. This gives us both a huge edge in the field.”
When I asked which team was better, Pro Circuit Finalist Craig Edwards said he thought it was about even. The YMG/KG alliance has played in four of the five Pro Circuits, and they have put someone in the Top 8 each time—two from New York and two from Boston.
Anthony Shaheen, who was one round away from making Top 8 at the last Pro Circuit, had this to say: “I personally thought that we teamed up to help them out because they are Yankees fans and thus are clearly worse at Vs. than us.” To which Rob Dougherty added, “And of course, since YMG is based in Boston, it is filled with geniuses.”
Jacob Rabinowitz continued the good-natured ribbing with, “In particular, Dan Chulsky is useless. He clearly does more harm than good.”
Why all the rancor? Well, before this Pro Circuit, there was a small wager between members of YMG and members of KG on whether the Red Sox or the Yankees would win the AL East division. The stakes in this bet? Well, I’ll let you see for yourself.
Dan Chulsky, when informed of the YMG comments, smiled and quipped, “One ring every 86 years, one hat every Pro Circuit. Eat your heart out.”
Old rivalries die hard. We’ll see which half of this team comes out on top this weekend.