ChessvsLT

This Gates of the Garden one-rounder was less of a battle and more of a demolition. Chess stepped on stage looking to make a statement, and he left no room for debate. Facing off against the lesser-known LT, the Bronx native showed the clear levels between a top-tier elite and an up-and-comer.

From the opening bars, Chess was in a different stratosphere, stringing together complex schemes like his widely praised Austin Powers set and landing haymaker after haymaker, including the viral 'BBL' punchline that sealed the deal. With his Cave Gang comrade Tay Roc providing ad-libs, the energy was electric for Chess's entire round. To his credit, LT didn't back down from the challenge, and fans noted he had some bars on paper.

However, his performance was hampered by a hesitant delivery and apparent memorization issues that prevented him from connecting with the crowd. Against a focused and flawless Chess, any stumble is fatal. The result was a clear-cut victory and a performance of the year candidate for Chess, who reminded everyone why he's considered a problem when he's on his A-game.