a) 案 -> 棋 -> 期 -> 腕
案 AN - plan, proposal
棋 KI - go, shogi, Japanese chess
期 KI, GO - time, period, term
腕 WAN, ude - arm, ability, talent, skill
b) 粒 -> 音 -> 明 -> 臓
粒 RYUU, tsubu - a grain
音 ON, IN, oto, ne - sound
明 MEI, MYOU, aka(rui), a(keru) - bright
臓 ZOU - internal organ