The players for this feature match are Malte Wellner and Florian Chitic (known as “Master1” on the message boards). Florian Chitic is one of the most famous, successful, and popular German players. Some say that the number of his girlfriends is the only thing that exceeds his tournament wins.

 

Wellner started the conversation and wanted to send some greets to his brother, the somewhat popular “landenshort.” He explained that he uses his brother’s account when he's taking a look at etcg.de, the biggest German trading card game community.

 

 

After a short delay, the featured match finally began. The players used the time well to present several shuffling techniques, and I took a few photographs.

 

Chitic, the heartbreaker from Franconia, won the second die roll (he wanted to give his opponent a second chance to win) and started the game. He swept the table clean with his drawn card and set a spell or trap and a monster. Then he started his world-famous banter and thought aloud about his opponent’s options, mentioning Cyber Dragon, Don Zaloog, and some of the other popular cards.

 

Wellner started with Mystic Swordsman LV2 and attacked into Sakuretsu Armor, then set a trap before passing. Chitic flipped his Spirit Reaper, attacked, and D. D. Warrior Lady had to go to Wellner’s graveyard. Another monster was set and Chitic passed.

 

Reinforcement of the Army fetched Don Zaloog for Wellner and Chitic predicted, “I’ll take 1100 damage, I’m so lucky!” Well, it happened like Chitic predicted and it was his turn again. Strike Ninja, together with a flip summoned Don Zaloog, were Chitic’s answers. After Strike Ninja attacked and destroyed Wellner’s Don Zaloog, Chitic’s Don Zaloog dealt some damage and Wellner lost his Swords of Revealing Light.

Finally, during the end phase, Chitic’s set Scapegoat was destroyed by Wellner’s Dust Tornado.

 

Wellner tried to come back into the game by summoning Exarion Universe, then activated Premature Burial in order to bring back D. D. Warrior Lady and he attacked. The Lady removed Strike Ninja and Exarion Universe took revenge for the Swords. It was gone, but not forgotten. Chitic was able to keep up the pressure, with Cyber Dragon taking out Exarion.

 

A topdeck from Wellner and a set spell or trap later, it was again Chitic’s turn. The Franconian attacked with his Cyber Dragon into Sakuretsu Armor, then summoned another Strike Ninja in the second main phase. Wellner’s answer was a Cyber Dragon of his own, attacking directly after Chitic opted to shift. After a quick return from Strike Ninja during the end phase and a short discussion about the life points, Chitic admitted that he made an error in shifting the Ninja. However, Dark Hole cleared the field before Don Zaloog took another card from Wellner’s hand.

 

Wellner kept his defensive play going and set another card. Chitic set a monster of his own after his Don was stopped by Enemy Controller. Wellner set another card as Chitic’s Don Zaloog dealt some damage and took two cards in the process.

 

A topdecked Reinforcement of the Army fetched D. D. Assailant for Wellner, but it attacked into Sakuretsu Armor. Don struck another time, and this time, Wellner lost Cyber Dragon together with another card from the top of his deck. Wellner set another spell or trap and passed.

 

Chitic attacked with Don Zaloog for another time, and this time he was able to finish the game! With only Torrential Tribute and Brain Control left, Wellner wasn’t able to turn this game around.

 

Game Two

 

Wellner set a card to each zone, and Chitic outplayed his opponent with a Cyber Dragon destroying the set Magician of Faith. Chitic set another monster in the second main phase and passed. Wellner answered with a Cyber Dragon of his own, together with a Nobleman of Crossout and a Smashing Ground. After Wellner’s Cyber Dragon attacked directly, Chitic activated Reinforcement of the Army to fetch a “piratically Don,” according to Chitic. The next Cyber Dragon went for the double-kill and Don Zaloog forced Wellner to drop Brain Control.

 

Wellner played Blade Knight and attacked into Don, and again it was up to the Franconian. After setting two cards to each zone, he passed and Wellner tributed Exiled Force in order to destroy Chitic’s set Mystic Tomato. His Blade Knight got another big bite of his opponent’s life points. Chitic set another monster, just before Reinforcement of the Army fetched Mystic Swordsman LV2 for Wellner. The Swordsman cleared the way for Blade Knight to strike yet another time.

 

Chitic answered with a Strike Ninja attacking into the Swordsman and it was Wellner’s turn again. Wellner drew into another monster and won game two!

 

Game 3

 

Chitic admitted that this was his first loss the entire day, and just then, Adrian Madaj arrived at the table. Madaj is another member of Team Royal and very famous for his banter. Looks like all members of this team share this characteristic. Madaj started some talk of his own with some phrases like, “Show him your fist!” But most of it just went unheard.

 

Chitic started the game offbeat with a face-up Strike Ninja in front of two set spells or traps. Wellner summoned Cyber Dragon together with D. D. Warrior Lady, and the Dragon risked a bite at the Ninja. Chitic caught Wellner off guard with Blast with Chain, so the Ninja beat up the Dragon. Wellner was left with only a set in the second main phase, so he passed.

 

Chitic summoned Breaker the Magical Warrior in order to gain more field advantage. After the Magical Warrior made short shrift of Sakuretsu Armor, he also took D. D. Warrior Lady with him, giving the Ninja another chance to strike again! Wellner’s Smashing Ground destroyed Strike Ninja and after setting a card to each zone, his Torrential Tribute got shot down by Chitic’s Mystical Space Typhoon during the end phase.

 

The Franconian had a spell or trap of his own and passed. Wellner flipped D. D. Assailant and the warrior took a shot at Chitic’s life points, then Chitic had another set before he eventually passed. The Assailant attacked again, but was stopped this time by Sakuretsu Armor. Wellner passed, and Chitic set another monster and passed, too.

 

Wellner summoned another D. D. Assailant, but attacked into Spirit Reaper, then Chitic did his bit to keep up the speed and activated Heavy Storm, clearing the lower zones in the process. Snatch Steal was equipped to D. D. Assailant, then Chitic shifted Spirit Reaper into attack position and summoned another Strike Ninja. The Ninja destroyed a Magician of Faith, D. D. Assailant had a shot at Wellner’s life points, and Heavy Storm was discarded with Spirit Reapers effect, much to Wellner’s dislike.

 

Wellner started the turn that was supposed to be his comeback with Brain Control and no D. D. Assailant, attacking Strike Ninja. The Ninja took some time on the field to consider its next move, then Wellner had a shot at the Reaper.

 

During the second main phase, Smashing Ground destroyed Spirit Reaper and Wellner passed. Since D. D. Assailant changed sides again and the Ninja made an unspectacular comeback to the field, Chitic had everything needed to attack for the win!

 

Chitic is still on track to the Top 8 with his win in this round. Even his first loss of the day couldn’t stop him!