Michael Kalish is a newcomer to the feature match tables, but no stranger to competition. The 16 year-old duelist from Chicago is playing an innovative Monarch deck here today, main decking multiple copies of Vanity’s Fiend to shut down special summons.

His strategy would be put to the test in this match, because while he had his favorable Gladiator Beast matchup, the pilot of that deck was none other than two-time Shonen Jump Champion Shane Scurry. Scurry’s reputation as both a deckbuilder and competitive duelist is literally world-renowned. Kalish had his work cut out for him.

He opened with Solemn Judgment, Bottomless Trap Hole, Mystical Space Typhoon, Vanity’s Fiend, Card Trooper, and Allure of Darkness. He activated the Allure, removed Vanity’s Fiend after drawing D. D. Assailant and D. D. Warrior Lady, then set three cards to his back row. He set Card Trooper to finish out and play was to Scurry.

Elemental Hero Prisma came down for Scurry, and Kalish flipped Bottomless Trap Hole in response — Scurry had not opted to use priority with Prisma’s effect. Scurry set two cards to his back row and lost one of them, Book of Moon, in the end phase to Mystical Space Typhoon.

“Trooper,” announced Kalish next turn, flip summoning it to send three cards to the graveyard. He sent Card Trooper to attack Scurry for 1900 damage, then set D. D. Warrior Lady. “Go.”

Gladiator Proving Ground let Scurry search his deck for Gladiator Beast Laquari, but when he summoned it Kalish responded with Solemn Judgment. Scurry had the answer though, activating Monster Reborn to bring back Laquari! He special summoned Test Tiger, tributed it to send Laquari back to his deck, and pulled Gladiator Beast Secutor. Normally this would be a great play — Secutor would hit the defense mode monster, bounce off, and then bring out two more Gladiator Beasts. But when Secutor hit D. D. Warrior Lady her effect removed it from play, keeping it from resolving. Scurry could do nothing but end.

Kalish sent another three cards to his graveyard for Card Trooper, attacked again, and set a spell or trap card to protect the Trooper. Scurry set another spell or trap, then ate another 1900 from Card Trooper. He had just 1100 life points remaining, and Kalish set another card to his back row.

Scurry summoned Gladiator Beast Bestiari, attacked, and Card Trooper was destroyed. Kalish drew for Trooper’s effect, dropped to 2900 life points, and Scurry tagged out to bring Laquari to the table. He set Trap Dustshoot and activated it next turn during his opponent’s draw phase.

That revealed Kalish’s hand of Soul Exchange, Solemn Judgment, D. D. Assailant, and Snipe Hunter. Scurry labored over the decision before sending Snipe Hunter back to Kalish’s deck. Kalish set his three remaining cards — two to his spell and trap zone, and one monster. “Go.” He had five cards to Shane’s three: Laquari and two set spell or trap cards.

Shane drew, and summoned Gladiator Beast Murmillo. The set monster was D. D. Assailant. Kalish flipped Solemn Judgment, Shane activated his own, and Kalish activated another! But Scurry had a second Solemn as well, and activated it to keep Murmillo around! Laquari attacked into D. D. Assailant, both monsters were removed, and Murmillo attacked for what would have been game.

Kalish had Fires of Doomsday set! He activated it, placing two Doomsday Tokens onto the field in defense position. Scurry attacked one Token with Murmillo, and then tagged out to bring in Gladiator Beast Hoplomus in defense position. Hoplomus was Scurry’s last card. All Kalish could do next turn was pass. The duel stood at 725 to 275.

Hoplomus was turned to attack position, ran over the last Doomsday Token, and Scurry brought out Bestiari to destroy Kalish’s set Soul Exchange! Next turn he summoned Snipe Hunter, discarded his topdecked Caius for Snipe’s effect, but missed! Kalish attacked with Snipe Hunter to destroy both Snipe and Bestiari, and then passed with an open field.

“Got a monster?” Scurry shook his head, passed, and Kalish passed back. On the turn that followed Scurry topped Reinforcement of the Army, and that was game!

Shane Scurry digs himself out of a tough position, winning a topdecking war to chalk up his first victory in this match! Both duelists began siding, and took the full amount of time allotted to do so.

“Let’s hope Snipe doesn’t fail again,” remarked Kalish. He was still feeling that missed roll. He opened game 2 with a great hand though — his luck seemed like it was changing.

He set Sangan and activated Prohibition, declaring Bestiari for its effect. He ended, holding Reinforcement of the Army, Brain Control, Dust Tornado, and Necro Gardna. Scurry activated Reinforcement of the Army, searched his deck for Elemental Hero Prisma, and used its effect to send Bestiari from his deck to the graveyard — Prisma could send Bestiari to the ‘yard, but could not assume its name due to Prohibition’s effect.

Prisma attacked Sangan, Sangan’s effect got Kalish his Snipe Hunter, and Scurry set two cards to his back row to finish his turn. “Go ahead.” Kalish summoned Snipe Hunter, used its effect with priority to discard Necro Gardna, and attempted to target Prisma. Scurry had no response, and Kalish’s roll destroyed the Elemental Hero. Snipe attacked directly and Kalish set two cards to his spell and trap zone. He lost Prohibition to Dust Tornado in the end phase, and Scurry used Dust Tornado’s second effect to set another card. Play passed to Scurry.

“Starting my main phase . . . I’ll activate Cold Wave.” Kalish chained Solemn Judgment in response, and was left with one remaining spell or trap card. Scurry flipped the card he had set last turn, Trap Dustshoot, but Kalish had one himself! He chained it, and that forced Scurry to chain his last card, Book of Moon, to turn down Snipe Hunter. Scurry summoned Bestiari and tried to attack, but Kalish rejected the move with Necro Gardna! Scurry ended with Bestiari on the field and just one card in hand.

Next turn, Kalish summoned D. D. Assailant and flip summoned Snipe Hunter. D. D. Assailant took down Bestiari, Snipe Hunter made a direct attack, and Kalish set a spell or trap to end. Scurry fought back next turn though, summoning Laquari and attacking over Snipe Hunter. He tagged out Laquari for Darius, brought back Bestiari from the graveyard and contact Fused both in main phase 2 for Gladiator Beast Gyzarus! Kalish lost his Mystical Space Typhoon and D. D. Assailant!

But next turn he ripped into Brain Control! He took control of Gyzarus, attacked, and tributed Gyzarus for Vanity’s Fiend! The crowd in the Duel Dome gave a collective gasp, and Kalish ended. Scurry drew, set a spell or trap, and passed.

Kalish set a card to his back row and tried to attack with Vanity’s Fiend — Phoenix Wing Wind Blast sent it back to the top of his deck. Scurry passed next turn, Kalish passed back, and Scurry summoned Gladiator Beast Laquari. Kalish destroyed it with Solemn Judgment!

But Scurry had one card left: Monster Reborn. He activated it, brought back Gyzarus, and attacked for game!

Shane Scurry takes a 2-0 victory against a deck specifically built to defeat his own! An unbelievable win carries Shane Scurry to a 4-0 record.