Ep. 13: Smith prepares for Gotou while Rei faces pressure against Kai Shimada in the Lion King Tournament.
Aired on January 14, 2017

Smith devises a strategy to counter Gotou’s preferred Static Rook and Bear in the Hole openings by utilizing Windmill tactics for their upcoming Lion King Tournament match. He enters the game relying on his strongest methods, though the outcome remains uncertain. Simultaneously, Rei competes in the same tournament against Kai Shimada, who holds the rank of 8 dan. Rei experiences intense pressure to secure a victory, which influences his approach as he steps onto the board. The narrative highlights the distinct challenges faced by both competitors as they navigate their respective high-stakes games within the prestigious tournament setting.
Episodes
- Ep. 9 · Rei faces veteran Shouichi Matsunaga in the second and third parts of the Distant Thunder arc.
- Ep. 10 · Rei prepares for his match against Manabu Yasui while reflecting on a past Christmas with the Kouda family.
- Ep. 11 · Akari, Hinata, and Momo visit bedridden Rei on New Year’s Eve
- Ep. 12 · Rei recovers at home and faces Takeshi Tsujii in the Lion King Tournament
- Ep. 13 · Smith prepares for Gotou while Rei faces pressure against Kai Shimada in the Lion King Tournament.
- Ep. 14 · Rei struggles against Shimada's superior skill while receiving subtle guidance from his opponent.
- Ep. 15 · Chapter 30 Moonlight and Chapter 31 Lump of Ego depict the first Gotou versus Shimada match.
- Ep. 16 · Hayashida helps Rei with a lab report before he watches a crucial Lion King Tournament match.
- Ep. 17 · Chapters 34 to 36 cover the Lion King Tournament festivities and a meeting with Touji Souya