"No Game No Life" volume 9 by Kamiya Yuu. This is what happens when chess and rhythm games and idol raising games are all combined into one game.
Combining games of different genres and call it "chess" might seem ridiculous, but it's exactly the kind of fun to be expected from No Game No Life. Initially it was just an idol raising scenario, which was a distraction for Sora and Shiro from running the Elkia kingdom. This got complicated when members of Ex Machina showed up, all with a strong desire to mate with Sora. After spending the first half of this volume running away from these relentless suitors, Sora and Shiro settles the matter in this unique mix of chess and rhythm game in the latter half. After the relatively serious games in 7 and 8, the seemly lower games in this one is very much welcomed.
Did the undefeated Kuuhaku win that bizarre chess game? This is not necessarily a rhetorical question since this volume opens with a spoiler, saying they lost everything on page 13. I thought "everything" referred to Sora's loss of his precious "macro economics" material, the analyses and reenactment of which was a real highlight for this volume. Actually it appears to be part of a larger plot that will be resolved in a later volume.
The cover for this volume resembles Stephanie, but is in fact a member of Ex Machina. This arrangement was intentional and possibly an attempt at some romantic development, although it's hard to see this series turning into a romantic comedy anytime soon. Just as the series appear to be going back to a more lighthearted track, war will probably resume in the next two volumes. Hopefully, those conflicts will be resolved with more crazy games.
Previous (2017-02-03): Rainbow
Next (2017-03-03): "Eromanga Sensei" volume 8 by Fushimi Tsukasa