Cesar Gonzalez has re-branded himself here this weekend, and is taking a new nickname out for a spin, insisting that it be featured in his coverage this weekend. I’m not sure we have an established protocol for this, and I guess Cesar can call himself whatever he wants so, yeah — as of this weekend, he’s now “The Princess.”

Game 1

Corn won the roll and opened with a single set card to his back row. Gonzalez made the no-risk play, searching for Elemental Hero Stratos with Reinforcement of the Army, summoning him, and seeking out Destiny Hero – Disk Commander with his effect. Stratos attacked, Corn flipped Mirror Force, and Gonzalez passed. He was anticipating Monster Reborn from Corn, but Corn had no such play.

Instead, he normal summoned Gladiator Beast Secutor, special summoned Test Tiger, and tagged Secutor in and out. It attacked, brought two Gladiators to the field, and Corn contact Fused all three for Gladiator Beast Heraklinos! He set a spell or trap, Gonzalez set a spell or trap, then summoned Cyber Valley. He ended, and in his end phase Corn activated Book of Moon to turn the Cyber face down.

He summoned Gladiator Beast Laquari, attacked with both of his monsters, and tagged Laquari out for Bestiari to destroy Gonzalez’s set Return from the Different Dimension. Gonzalez activated Brain Control, Corn negated it with Heraklinos, and Gonzalez could do nothing but summon Cyber Valley and hope. That plan was cut short though, as Corn revealed Phoenix Wing Wind Blast in the end phase — moments later it was over, and Corn was the victor.

Adam Corn takes a quick victory in Game 1, smoke screening and shuffling just as quickly before moving to Game 2.

Game 2

Gonzalez started the second duel with Destiny Draw, discarding Destiny Hero – Malicious. He followed up with Allure of Darkness, removing Destiny Hero – Fear Monger from play, then used Reinforcement of the Army to get Elemental Hero Stratos. That got him Disk Commander, and he discarded him for another Destiny Draw!

Corn shook his head for a moment. “Sure.” Gonzalez brought the Commander back with Premature Burial, drew two, and then activated another Allure of Darkness! This time he removed his second copy of Malicious for its effect, then set two more cards to his back row after pausing to think for a few moments. “Go.”

Corn had an all-monster hand: two Gladiator Beast Darius, Spirit Reaper, Gladiator Beast Laquari, Bestiari, and Test Tiger. He summoned one copy of Darius, attacked Disk Commander, and lost out to Mirror Force. “Go.”

Gonzalez normal summoned Dark Grepher, discarded Sangan for its effect to send Dark Magician of Chaos from his deck to his graveyard, then activated Monster Reborn to bring back the Magician. He took back Reborn, played it, and Corn scooped instantly.

Game 3

Play moved to Game 3 mere moments later — Corn did no siding, but definitely did a thorough shuffle. He summoned Elemental Hero Stratos, searched for Prisma, set a spell or trap, and ended. Gonzalez got to his Stratos via Reinforcement of the Army, used him to get Destiny Hero – Malicious, and then activated Heavy Storm. Gonzalez reeled, realizing he’d forgotten to play Heavy first. He special summoned Dark Grepher by discarding Destiny Hero – Malicious, discarded another monster to send Dark Magician of Chaos to his graveyard, and special summoned Dark Armed Dragon! He special summoned Malicious, blew away Stratos with Dark Armed Dragon’s effect, and attacked to drop Corn to 900 life points! A set spell or trap ended the turn.

Next turn, Corn used Prisma and Test Tiger to get to Gyzarus — Gyzarus’ effect destroyed Gonzalez’s Dark Armed Dragon and Mirror Force! Gyzarus attacked Malicious, and Corn tagged Gyzarus out for Murmillo in defense mode and Laquari in attack. Murmillo destroyed Dark Grepher and Corn concluded his turn by setting two cards to his back row.

Gonzalez drew and attacked Murmillo with Stratos — Corn let it go, losing Murmillo, and Gonzalez set a monster, his last card. Next turn Corn had Elemental Hero Prisma, used it to contact Fuse for Gyzarus, blew away Stratos and Gonzalez’s face-down Fear Monger, and attacked for 2400 damage. He traded for Heraklinos, then set a second spell or trap. Play was back to Gonzalez.

He summoned Phantom of Chaos, removed Dark Armed Dragon with priority for the Phantom’s effect, and lost it to Corn’s chained Phoenix Wing Wind Blast! He ended with no cards left, and play was to Corn.

He had Heraklinos on the field, but needed another monster to finish the game. Corn drew what he needed, Reinforcement of the Army, and revealed it. Gonzalez immediately offered the handshake.

Cesar Gonzalez’s new self-inflicted nickname doesn’t prove to be the lucky charm he hoped it would be, and Adam Corn moves on undefeated!