The Grandmaster is one of the Elders Of The Universe, a group of celestial individuals as old as time itself. Most of the Elders are dominated by a single personality trait or vice. The Grandmaster is the ultimate gambler. Everything is a game to him, and even the most important events can be reduced to a game of chance (which is how he is often defeated). The Grandsmaster was involved in a cosmic "chess game" with the time-travelling Kang, and the two immortals decided to choose superhuman combatants for their game. Kang chose theAvengers Vision, Yellowjacket, and Black Panther. The Grandmaster selected the 40s versions of Captain America, the Sub-Mariner, and the Human Torch. While the Avengers knew the reason for the battle, the Invaders were oblivious to the game and assumed the Avengers were Nazis. Having been able to study their opponents' battle moves for decades, the Avengers won. The Grandmaster then appeared, explaining the game to the bewildered Invaders. Defeated, but ever a man of his word, the Grandmaster admitted his loss and sent the Invaders back to their 40s lives.

Invaders Appearance: INVADERS ANNUAL #1 (1977)

(The first part of the game was shown in AVENGERS #71)

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