French Openings

Excerpts from Diplomacy A-Z

BELGIAN GAMBIT

F Bre-MAO, A Par-Pic, A Mar-Bur. Unless there is a standoff in Bur, France places two units on Bel (thus passing up two SC's in Iberia) without F Lon-ENG.

BURGUNDY OPENING

The very common F Bre-MAO, A Mar-Spa, A Par-Bur. There may be an arranged standoff in Bur. This guards Bur, permits both Iberian centres to be taken, and still gives France some say in Bel, though if A Par-Bur goes, Bre is less protected.

ENGLISH ATTACK

(1) Those French moves based on F Bre-ENG, accounting for 1/4 of all French openings. Sometimes the armies move to Spa and Gas, to "assure" 2 builds, a very pro-G and pro-I opening, and may indicate that France expects F Lon-ENG. Other times A Par-Pic is used, giving France either the convoy to England or further muscle in Bel. See also Northern Dash and English Maginot.

(2) A series of French openings involving the move F Bre-ENG. It is commonly acknowledged that England is the trickiest power to eliminate, courtesy of its island position and inevitable emphasis on building fleets. Consequently, some players believe that France must contain its northern neighbour early in the game, and at all costs prevent England putting a fleet into the Channel. F Bre-ENG may therefore be intended to stand off F Lon-ENG rather than actually threaten the English home centres. Alternatively, this can be a bid by France to take Belgium, perhaps coupled with the move A Par-Bur or A Par-Pic, in which case the name may be a misnomer. This is not the most popular opening for F Bre: it is unlikely to result in a centre gain for France, unlike F Bre-MAO, and compromises an assault on England by most likely pinning down the Fleet in Brest, where the French player would rather be building a second fleet.

ENGLISH DEFENCE

Richard Sharp's name for the opening F Bre-ENG, A Mar-Spa and A Par-Gas.

ENGLISH MAGINOT

F Bre-ENG, A Mar S Par-Bur. This is an alternative approach to taking Belgium (See Belgium Gambit and Northern Dash), or can be used when a Anglo-German attack is believed to be imminent.

GASCONY OPENING

The pro-German A Mar-Spa, A Par-Gas, F Bre-MAO. This denies France any say in Belgium, allowing him a self-standoff in Mar or in Bre if there are units in Pie or ENG. It does give France the ability to take both Iberian builds and still have the fleet free to enter English or Italian waters in F01 or S02. The drawback is that the armies will be holed up in Iberia in W01, and will take a while to return to action.

GASPIC OPENING

Richard Sharp's name for the opening: F Bre-MAO, A Par-Pic and A Mar-Gas.

MAGINOT OPENING

(1) F Bre-MAO, A Mar S Par-Bur is the most popular French opening. This assures that France can have a say in all three of her bordering neutrals, and, if there is A Pie, Mar can be guarded without risk to Spa. The mere threat to Mun usually pins down the German army, making Bel and Ruhr more accessible in F01. See English Maginot.

(2) A strong French opening featuring the Spring 1901 orders: F Bre-MAO, A Mar S Par-Bur. It assumes an understanding with England over the English Channel, and though it must be regarded as anti-German, the opening still allows France the opportunity to take three neutral centres in Autumn (with A Bur-Bel, A Mar-Spa and F MAO-Por). Naming it after the Maginot Line has emphasized its defensive qualities, but there can be no doubt that the opening poses a direct threat to Munich, and may signal a frontal assault on Germany by an Anglo-French alliance. This is both a strength and a failing, as it exposes France to a stab from England and is likely to cause maximum offense to a neighbour who is not usual an initial threat to France. However, it does assure the French player of a say in Belgium's future (a useful bargaining chip even if France cannot take the centre himself) without leaving Burgundy unguarded -- and still allows him to take both the Iberian centres in 1901.

NORTHERN DASH

(1) F Bre-ENG, A Par-Pic, A Mar-Bur is the ultimate in ignoring Iberia. This discourages other from going for Belgium, while preserving anti-German (if A Mar-Bur succeeds) or anti-ENGlish (if F Bre-ENG) options for F01 and beyond. Extremely pro-Italy.

(2) Another French opening, but one that contrasts markedly with the Maginot Opening. I believe the name was originally coined by Nicky Palmer, and involves the moves F Bre-ENG, A Par-Pic, A Mar-Bur. It is debatable whether this is an aggressive defense or defensively aggressive: it could be seen as a French version of the Austrian Hedgehog openings, standing off attacks from England (F Lon-ENG) and Germany (A Mun-Bur); alternatively, it could be regarded as an all-out bid for Belgium or attack on England. As a defensive posture, it can only be regarded as a sign of failed diplomacy, since if France can trust neither of his neighbours in 1901, he is surely doomed. Moreover, it doesn't even offer complete protection, as an Italian opening to Piedmont would expose Marseilles; as an offensive, it may be applauded for making such a distinct commitment against England (a power that many Diplomacy players regard as France's greatest threat in the early years, and which needs to be eliminated early if it's to be eliminated at all). However, the opening will deprive France of two certain builds in 1901 (Spain and Portugal) unless A Mar is stood off by Germany, and this will weaken France in 1902. Less severe is the "Belgian Gambit", which uses F Bre-MAO instead.

NORTHERN LIMP

Richard Sharp's name for the opening: F Bre-ENG, A Par-Pic and A Mar H. A Mar-Bur, the Northern Dash, is the more common move.

PICARDY OPENING

F Bre-MAO, A Mar-Spa, A Par-Pic preserves France's options in Bel without antagonizing any of his neighbours by entering ENG or Bur, and provides some flexibility in defending Bre, either by tempting the English fleet with support into Bel, defending Bre with A Pic, or doing a self-standoff in Bre.

PIEDMONT SYSTEM

A Mar-Pie, F Bre-MAO, A Par-??? A standoff in Pie may be arranged. This can be of great value to France, as it permits him to take Spa without having to guess the intentions of any Italian A Pie. The standoff also provides Italy with good camouflage if he intends to make a grab for Tri in F01. Otherwise, entry into Pie by France is more likely to be a back door attack on Germany than an attack on Italy. (See the German Northern Tier Alliance Opening.)

VINEYARD OPENING

Richard Sharp's name for the opening: F Bre-MAO, A Par-Gas and A Mar-Bur. The idea is to arrange a stand-off with Germany in Bur and then capture Spa (from Mar) and Por (from Gas) leaving France with F MAO and more options for 1902. Gained popularity in the 1980's in British postal circles.

Excerpts from the Player's Guide

GENERAL COMMENT

A big French problem is that she has almost too many possible openings. The price of guessing wrong is often grim. In general, get Spain and Portugal, even at the price of losing a home center. For France, such a loss is frequently only temporary if her diplomacy is sharp.

OPENING 1: [A Mar S Par-Bur, A Par-Bur, F Bre-MAO]

This is the basic French opening. There are few times when anything else would be a good idea. The fleet still has the option of going to (Por) or (Spa). The army in Paris is left with the primary burden for defense or additional offense.

OPENING 1a: [A Mar-Spa, A Par-Bur, F Bre-MAO]

This is essentially defensive. In the event, Germany orders A Mun-Bur, there will be a standoff. However, if A Par-Bur succeeds, France can then try for Belgium, or threaten Munich, or protect Marseilles.

OPENING 1b: [A Mar-Spa, A Par-Pic, F Bre-MAO]

This is more offensive (than, 1a:A Par-Bur) but more limited. The order always succeeds. From Picardy, France can try for Belgium, defend Paris if Germany gets into Burgundy, or defend Brest if England slips into the Channel. This should only be tried when France is certain of German friendship.

OPENING 1c: [A Mar-Spa, A Par-Gas, F Bre-MAO]

This can be tried when there is a strong chance of an Italian attack. If Italy orders a (Ven-Pie), France can order (in Fall 1901) (A Gas-Mar, A Spa-Mar, F MAO-Por). Hopefully, Marseilles will be vacant for the build of a fleet.

OPENING 2: [A Mar S Par-Bur, A Par-Bur, F Bre-MAO]

This is a more powerful defense against Germany [than Opening 1a] because A Par-Bur always goes. France can thus be assured of Spain and Portugal no matter what Italy does. However, her fleet is relegated to a weaker position in Portugal. Munich and Belgium are also threatened.

OPENING 3: [A Mar-???, A Par-Gas, F Bre-MAO]

This sequence put the defensive burden on A Mar. The intent is basically anti-Italian.

OPENING 3a: [A Mar-Bur, A Par-Gas, F Bre-MAO]

Just in case the Germans try a stab. Perhaps Belgium can be picked up, too. In either case, Marseilles is covered. This opening can be used in alliance with England, where a strong push into the Mediterranean is desired, and Germany is neutral.

OPENING 3b: [A Mar-Pie, A Par-Gas, F Bre-MAO]

This attack on Italy can sometimes yield stunning results. The fall orders can include (A Pie-Ven or Tus). The latter is actually a little better because in 1902 the army threatens two Italian centers. This sequence presumes a 3-way Western alliance and England/Germany are attacking Germany.

OPENING 4: [A Mar-Spa, A Par-Gas, F Bre-ENG]

This is the best that can be done in the every of dark suspicions about England. Hopefully, France has an alliance with Germany. It is not advisable to attack England this early, but if she is going to try for the channel, she must be stopped. France can still get Spain and Portugal this way, and those gains are almost indispensable to French survival.

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