I took the liberty of consulting the Diplomacy Openings Library at The Pouch to do a little research concerning our respective openings:
Austria: Army Budapest -> Serbia.
Austria: Army Vienna -> Galicia. (*bounce*)
Austria: Fleet Trieste -> Venice. (*bounce*)
The Southern Hedgehog, used five times in over 300 games. This opening gives Austria complete protection against early attacks by Italy or Russia, while still ensuring another supply center in Serbia. Gal-Rum is a possibility with this opening, but not in this particular game. The moves seem agressive, but are just defending against War-Gal, Ven-Tri. A sensible opening in gunboat play.
England: Army Liverpool -> Edinburgh.
England: Fleet Edinburgh -> Norwegian Sea.
England: Fleet London -> North Sea.
The Churchill Opening, the most popular used by England (142 instances). Usually ensures a build in Norway; flexible enough to let her explore other opportunities in the fall. If England is really interested in Scandinavia (and hence, an attack on Russia), this may be hinting at an EFG alliance. Another good gunboat opening.
France: Army Marseilles -> Spain.
France: Army Paris -> Burgundy.
France: Fleet Brest -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
The second-most popular French opening -- The Burgundy Opening. Defensive with respect to Germany, without giving up the Iberian builds. Also defends against an Italian Ven-Pie. Given that Mun held and Ven didn't go to Pie, I'm in pretty good shape and will go for three builds in the fall.
Germany: Army Berlin -> Kiel.
Germany: Army Munich HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Kiel -> Denmark.
A variant of the Anschluss. Germany tries to keep Austria strong to protect themselves, though diplomacy is normally needed to make this work. By threatening Denmark, Germany weakens a Russian attack on Austria. Leaves me to wonder what Munich plans to do, though -- it's useless for F1901. The second most popular German opening, after the good-ole Blitzkreig.
Italy: Army Rome -> Apulia.
Italy: Army Venice SUPPORT Austrian Fleet Trieste. (*void*)
Italy: Fleet Naples -> Ionian Sea.
This is the start of a Lepanto attack. Ven S Tri is the no-press equivalent of a olive branch, and Rom-Apu (to be convoyed to Tunis in the fall) is the standard beginning to a joint A/I attack on Turkey and Russia. R/T had better beware -- when these two runts get together, they can beat up on the big boys. Now, will Austria cooperate? The second-most popular Italian opening, after the Tyrolia attack.
Russia: Army Moscow -> Ukraine.
Russia: Army Warsaw -> Galicia. (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol -> Black Sea. (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet St Petersburg (south coast) -> Gulf of Bothnia.
This is the Ukraine System, with a southern defense. Sev-Bla is cautious, but you never know what you neighbor's temperment is in a no-press game. The bounce of War-Gal and Sev-Bla sets Russia back, and he may not get a build. It's difficult recover from an early stumble in this kind of game, so it doesn't look good for the Bear. This was the second-favorite Russian opening.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Turkey: Army Smyrna -> Armenia.
Turkey: Fleet Ankara -> Black Sea. (*bounce*)
The Crimean Crusher, number four on the list of Turkish openings. Coupled with the Russian opening, it looks terrific. Unfortunately, A/I may get it together more quickly and Turkey might be scrambling to save Smyrna by 1903.
Overall: things look good for F, I, A, and E; so-so for G and T, bad for R. I expect England may try to convoy to Bel or Hol, in addition to taking Nor. Germany will try for Hol as well and will probably bounce in Swe with Russia. I'll take Iberia and try for Bel, Italy will take Tun and support Tri again, Austria might gamble for Ser-Gre, Tri-Ser, and will have to choose between Bud-Gal, Bud-Rum, and Bud S Tri-Ser. Turkey might as well try for Bla again and cut any support Sev is trying to give, Bul could do just about anything. Russia should pray.
Austria: Army Serbia -> Rumania.
Austria: Army Vienna -> Galicia. (*bounce*)
Austria: Fleet Trieste SUPPORT Italian Army Venice.
A more trusting Austria might have ordered Tri-Alb to start the joint A/I attack, but this will probably suffice. After building the army in Bud, he'll have to try to take Serbia from an awkward position -- perhaps a trade of Rumania for Serbia and Greece is his strategy?
England: Army Edinburgh -> Norwegian Sea -> Norway.
England: Fleet Norwegian Sea CONVOY Army Edinburgh -> Norway.
England: Fleet North Sea HOLD.
This is very conservative, and it seems that he's waiting to choose an ally between France and Germany, or hoping for an E/F/G. Russia is weak, so perhaps he want to go right after Swe and Stp. I don't think that would be wise with a 6-center France nearby. I can't believe he didn't try to stop either me in Belgium or Germany in Holland. Right now, he's my first target. A build in Edi would be pro-EFG, a fleet in Lvp would be anti-French, and a Fleet in London would be ambiguous -- I expect the last option.
France: Army Spain HOLD.
France: Army Burgundy -> Belgium.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> Portugal.
Can't ask for much more. Munich didn't move (ask expected), I took Belgium, and now have three builds to England's one, Italy's one, and Germany's two. I'm going with F Bre, F Mar, and A Par. This is obviously pro-F/G, and I hope the German picks up on it (after he builds two fleets, I hope!).
Germany: Army Kiel -> Holland.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Austrian Army Vienna -> Bohemia. (*void*)
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> Sweden. (*bounce*)
Okay -- Munich was used to communicate a treaty proposal with Austria, rather than actually encouraging Vie-Boh. I'm hoping for two fleets to join me in an F/G vs. E battle, which will be to my advantage (particulary if Italy heads east). Kiel is the important build -- an army is anti-French, a fleet is anti-English.
Italy: Army Apulia -> Ionian Sea -> Tunis.
Italy: Army Venice SUPPORT Austrian Fleet Trieste.
Italy: Fleet Ionian Sea CONVOY Army Apulia -> Tunis.
Continues the Lepanto by taking Tunis, to be followed by F Nap. The Venice support for Trieste is the confirmation of the alliance with Austria proposed in S1901M. Now for the tricky part -- moving away from those centers and taking their strength eastward. I assume Italy will build F Nap and won't freak out when he sees F Mar -- I'll order Mar-Spa(sc), Spa-Gas in the spring, which should allay his fears.
Russia: Army Ukraine -> Sevastopol. (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Warsaw -> Galicia. (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol -> Black Sea. (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia -> Sweden. (*bounce*)
Trouble, obviously. His one chance is that Turkey sees the impending danger of the A/I alliance and calls off the dogs, pronto. He can try for Sweden, but England might be coming after Stp (Nwg-Bar). Sev-Rum has a chance and he can defend against Austria and hope for I to stab A (not likely). But if England attacks, it's over.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Greece.
Turkey: Army Armenia -> Sevastopol. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Ankara -> Black Sea. (*bounce*)
I really don't think Turkey's making a good decision here. As soon as A/I join forces, R/T had better get to the battlefield. They can bounce in Bla and Sev till the cows come home and not make any progress. I think he'll wise up and call off the attack, but he's badly out of position.
My predicitions for builds: Austria: A Bud; England: F Lon; France: F Bre, F Mar, A Par; Germany: F Kie, A Ber; Italy: F Nap; Turkey: F Smy.
Italy: Builds a fleet in Naples. Austria: Builds an army in Budapest. France: Builds a fleet in Brest. France: Builds an army in Paris. France: Builds a fleet in Marseilles. Turkey: Builds an army in Constantinople. Germany: Builds an army in Kiel. Germany: Builds a fleet in Berlin. England: Builds a fleet in Edinburgh.Italy, Austria, and France are as expected, but Turkey has made a somewhat confusing build. With three armies, he leaves himself in very defensive position against Italy. Furthermore, with the fleet on the shores of the Black Sea, the Italian fleets will have free reign of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, which will make the Turk's supply centers very hard to defend.
Germany's build indicate a nervousness about my intentions and a longing for the centers in Scandinavia. Assuming Ber-Bal, he'll be able to take Sweden in the fall.
England still seems to be hoping for an E/F/G, but with my fleet build in Brest, he may high-tail it back to NAO and the English Channel to pick up the fight.
Austria: Army Rumania SUPPORT Army Vienna -> Galicia.
Austria: Army Vienna -> Galicia.
Austria: Fleet Trieste CONVOY Turkish Army Armenia -> Sevastopol.
Austria: Army Budapest -> Serbia.
A perfect set of moves for Austria -- he's in position to take Serbia and defend Rumania. The bizarre convoy is his way of telling Turkey that he'd like to see Arm-Sev and presumably, a Austrian-Turkish alliance. The Italian probably isn't too fond of this, if he wanted to continue the A/I vs. R/T theme. This could just be a tactic to convince Turkey not to order Gre-Ser, Bul S Gre-Ser.
England: Army Norway HOLD.
England: Fleet Norwegian Sea -> North Atlantic Ocean.
England: Fleet North Sea -> English Channel. (*bounce*)
England: Fleet Edinburgh -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
As expected, England rushes to the French front. The bounce in the English Channel keeps a French fleet off of the cliffs of Dover.
France: Army Spain -> Gascony.
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT German Army Holland.
France: Fleet Portugal -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
France: Fleet Brest -> English Channel. (*bounce*)
France: Army Paris -> Burgundy.
France: Fleet Marseilles -> Spain (south coast).
I manuever my fleets into place so I can try for the English Channel or Irish Sea without risking MAO. However, the Italian moves may force me to rethink that strategy. I ask for Germany's cooperation and...
Germany: Army Holland SUPPORT French Army Belgium.
Germany: Army Munich HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> Sweden. (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Kiel -> Holland. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Berlin -> Baltic Sea.
...Germany replies in the affirmative. Ber-Bal sets up the taking of Sweden in the Fall, but I'm going to need Germany's help with England. Not sure what Kie-Hol was supposed to accomplish....
Italy: Army Tunis -> North Africa.
Italy: Army Venice -> Piedmont.
Italy: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Tunis.
Italy: Fleet Naples -> Tyrrhenian Sea.
Naturally, this is extremely troublesome for me in France. I didn't expect Italy to react in this way, and I hope that my moves (which were clearly pro-Italy) will convince him that he doesn't need to fear his western flank. I'll have to order Bur-Mar and set up for the possibility that Italy will order Pie-Mar, Tys-Lyo, Tun-Wes. I'm not sure why Italy is picking a fight with me, to be honest -- the A/I alliance was going to work very well, and he won't pick up centers very quickly in this fashion.
Russia: Army Ukraine -> Sevastopol.
Russia: Army Warsaw -> Galicia. (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol -> Black Sea.
Russia: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia -> Sweden. (*bounce*)
This is progress, and perhaps England will give him a hand in Sweden (although the German already has brought two fleets to bear against that supply center). If Austria and Turkey do collaborate, it's even more troublesome than that A/I alliance that looked like it had formed. Or, if Turkey helps him out, he might take Rumania.
Turkey: Army Greece SUPPORT Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Turkey: Army Armenia -> Ankara.
Turkey: Fleet Ankara -> Constantinople.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
What the heck is going on here? The fleet is moving to the Med to fight the Italians, but Italy never got the invitation. Now he and Russia have to guess about each other's intentions and try to figure out who exactly they want to fight.
This game started out as a fairly well formed, standard Dip duel, with A/I vs R vs T, and E vs F/G. Now, it seems that Italy might help out England and Turkey might join with Russia. The board is in severe flux right now, and the Fall moves might help to straighten things out.
 Turkey stabs Austria, who stabs Italy, who's attacking France, who's attacking England, who could have taken a center from Russia. |
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I was starting to get very concerned with my position in France, since I'd manage to attract the attention of both Italy and England. I needed a break this Fall, and perhaps I got it.
Austria: Army Rumania SUPPORT Army Serbia. (*cut*)
Austria: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Rumania.
Austria: Fleet Trieste -> Venice.
Austria: Army Serbia SUPPORT Army Rumania. (*cut, dislodged*)
RETREAT: Army Serbia retreats to Albania.
Austria did me a huge favor by stabbing Italy. Actually, I think this is a dreadfully short-sighted move on his part, since it leaves him without an ally (expect for Germany, I guess). The army could have retreated to Tri or Bud; he chose to go to Albania instead. He only gets one build; I'm not sure I understand his motivation. He's really stretched across three fronts and could collapse quickly.
England: Army Norway HOLD.
England: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Irish Sea. (*bounce*)
England: Fleet North Sea -> English Channel. (*bounce*)
England: Fleet Edinburgh -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
England guessed right, bouncing me in Eng and Iri. We'll try again in the Spring. He also passed on an opportunity to take Stp. Hopefully, Germany will join me in the attack in 1903.
France: Army Gascony -> Spain. (*bounce*)
France: Army Belgium HOLD.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> Irish Sea. (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Brest -> English Channel. (*bounce*)
France: Army Burgundy -> Marseilles.
France: Fleet Spain (south coast) -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean. (*bounce*)
I was repulsed on all attacks, but that's the guessing-game that no-press Diplomacy boils down to sometimes. Since England does not build this winter, I'm still in good shape on that front. Italy must disband; I hope it'll be a fleet.
Germany: Army Holland HOLD.
Germany: Army Munich HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Denmark SUPPORT Fleet Baltic Sea -> Sweden.
Germany: Army Kiel -> Berlin.
Germany: Fleet Baltic Sea -> Sweden.
Germany takes Sweden, as expected, and matches my six centers. Kie-Ber is encouraging; I hope it precedes a build of a new fleet in Kiel. Hol H and Mun H is very cautious -- he might consider heading south or east with Munich as Russia and Austria collapse.
Italy: Army North Africa -> Tunis.
Italy: Army Piedmont SUPPORT French Army Burgundy -> Marseilles.
Italy: Fleet Tunis -> Western Mediterranean.
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Tunis -> Western Mediterranean.
The Italian continues to confuse me. He contines after me, but the best attack he could have made on Mar and Spa is a 50% chance of success. Now that he must disband a unit, that evaporates. I hope he removes F Wes, then convoys Tun back to the mainland to help expel Austria from Ven.
Russia: Army Sevastopol -> Rumania. (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Warsaw HOLD.
Russia: Fleet Black Sea SUPPORT Army Sevastopol -> Rumania.
Russia: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia -> Livonia.
What does Bot-Lvn accomplish? If England had taken Stp, I would have been severly upset. All is not lost though; since A and I have thoroughly blundered away their early advantage, Russia could now play a second-fiddle to a strong Turkey. Not bad for someone I had written off in 1901.
Turkey: Army Greece SUPPORT Army Bulgaria -> Serbia.
Turkey: Army Ankara -> Constantinople.
Turkey: Fleet Constantinople -> Bulgaria (south coast).
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Serbia.
Turkey makes the most of a bad guess early in the game. After chasing Russia, he realized that he had to head west. The move to the south coast of Bulgaria is a sign to Russia that Turkey sincerely wants to make amends. Luckily for him and Turkey, Italy and Austria don't seem to be up to the challenge.
My guesses on the builds (not that I was even close in 1901): Austria: A Tri; Germany: F Kie; Italy: Removes F Wes; Turkey: F Smy, A Ank.
Austria: Army Rumania -> Serbia.
Austria: Army Galicia -> Budapest.
Austria: Fleet Venice CONVOY Italian Army Piedmont -> Venice.
Austria: Army Albania SUPPORT Army Rumania -> Serbia. (*dislodged*)
Austria: Army Trieste SUPPORT Army Rumania -> Serbia.
Well, these moves are very defensive. He's going to lose Rumania and certainly communicated an intent to leave Venice (that's what that bogus convoy is for). Does this mean he's going to move Ven-Adr in the fall? Or perhaps Tri-Alb, Ven-Tri. What ever his choice, he'd better hope that the Italian is very forgiving of that Venetian stab.
England: Army Norway HOLD.
England: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Irish Sea. (*bounce*)
England: Fleet North Sea -> English Channel. (*bounce*)
England: Fleet Edinburgh -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
Dang-nab-it, he guessed right again. Things look stagnant in this area of the board, but I only have to guess right to throw things in my favor. England will lose Norway this turn, I presume. I'm surprised that he's let that fleet in Edi stay where it is.
France: Army Gascony -> Burgundy.
France: Army Belgium HOLD.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> Irish Sea. (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Brest -> English Channel. (*bounce*)
France: Army Marseilles SUPPORT Italian Army Piedmont. (*void*)
France: Fleet Spain (south coast) -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean. (*bounce*)
Next turn, I'll try MAO-Eng, S by Bre, and Spa-MAO. This prevents him from moving to MAO (which would be very bad for me) and gives me a protected convoy to the English mainland. However, it land-locks the fleet in Brest and reduces it to a supporting role. Gas-Bur is only to set up Bur-Bel when Bel convoys to the British Isles.
Germany: Army Holland HOLD.
Germany: Army Munich HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> Skagerrak.
Germany: Army Berlin HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Sweden SUPPORT Fleet Kiel -> Denmark.
Germany: Fleet Kiel -> Denmark.
Germany's doing very well with a conservative gameplan. I assume he'll order Den-Nth, Ska-Nor, Swe S Ska-Nor. This dislodges the English army and get him another build. I fear that he might build an army in Kie and start thinking about moving against me; I hope he'll order Ber-Pru in the fall and build A (or F) Ber.
Italy: Army Tunis -> Tyrrhenian Sea -> Rome.
Italy: Army Piedmont -> Venice. (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea CONVOY Army Tunis -> Rome.
About all he could do. Perhaps Austria is sincere about moving F Ven; I'd still order the attack with a support. I'm considering ordering Mar-Pie, so Italy won't get that build back if Austria ordered F Ven to Hold, but I want Italy to continue east after he gets the build, not turn around and attack me again.
Russia: Army Sevastopol -> Rumania.
Russia: Army Warsaw -> Galicia.
Russia: Fleet Black Sea SUPPORT Army Sevastopol -> Rumania.
Russia: Fleet Livonia -> St Petersburg (south coast).
The white bear gets moving after all! He should be able to hold Rum and get a build. An R/T alliance looks like a reality after all, and Russia is probably ecstatic about it. War-Gal, followed by A War? or does he need to build A Mos to protect StP (hint: never let StP be captured)?
Turkey: Army Greece SUPPORT Army Serbia -> Albania.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Turkey: Fleet Bulgaria (south coast) -> Aegean Sea.
Turkey: Army Serbia -> Albania.
Turkey: Army Ankara -> Constantinople.
Turkey: Fleet Smyrna -> Eastern Mediterranean.
I don't like the growth of Turkey and I don't like two Turkish fleets in the Mediterranean. I need a strong Italy to help hold Turkey in place, that's why I'm not going to interfere with A Pie. I think Austria is on the decline and R/T is about to pounce -- I just hope my attack on England doesn't take so long that Turkey is off my southern shore before I'm ready for him.
As expected, Austria's being attacked from both sides. He's desparately appealing to Russia for a treaty, but it will fall on deaf ears. He should have never stabbed at Venice....
England: Army Norway HOLD. (*dislodged*)
England: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Irish Sea.
England: Fleet North Sea -> English Channel. (*bounce*)
England: Fleet Edinburgh -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
Norway will get to retreat to StP -- why Russia left it unguarded is beyond me. That army is now completely out of the way; he won't be able to protect it or capture anything else with it (unless Russia lets him have Moscow, too).
France: Army Burgundy HOLD.
France: Army Belgium HOLD.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> English Channel.
France: Fleet Brest SUPPORT Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> English Channel.
France: Army Marseilles SUPPORT Italian Army Piedmont. (*void*)
France: Fleet Spain (south coast) -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
Third time's a charm, and I finally get into the English Channel. I would have much rather kept him out of the Irish Sea, but I needed to get some pressure on the English Isles before Turkey makes it to my southern shore.
Germany: Army Holland HOLD.
Germany: Army Munich HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Skagerrak -> Norway.
Germany: Army Berlin HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Sweden SUPPORT Fleet Skagerrak -> Norway.
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
He's up to seven centers and looking strong. He didn't move Berlin, though, and I don't really want him to build another fleet. I wish he'd move east, but I don't think he will yet.
Italy: Army Rome SUPPORT Army Piedmont -> Venice.
Italy: Army Piedmont -> Venice.
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Ionian Sea. (*bounce*)
Back to four supply centers -- he needs to get ready for Turkey, so building a fleet in Naples is imperative. By moving Pie-Vie (rather than Rom-Ven), he all but assures me that there won't be a second attack on France. This is good news indeed, since I plan to move further north.
Russia: Army Rumania -> Budapest. (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Russia: Fleet Black Sea -> Rumania. (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet St Petersburg (south coast) -> Gulf of Bothnia.
Gack! StP-Bot? "Here, Mr. Prime Minister, please! Take St. Petersburg, I don't want it!" I wouldn't mind a Russia that could keep Turkey in check (maybe with an I/R alliance), but I haven't seen many brilliant moves out of the Russian yet, so I don't expect it.
Turkey: Army Greece SUPPORT Army Albania -> Serbia.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria SUPPORT Army Albania -> Serbia.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea SUPPORT Fleet Eastern Mediterranean -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Albania -> Serbia.
Turkey: Army Constantinople SUPPORT Army Bulgaria.
Turkey: Fleet Eastern Mediterranean -> Ionian Sea.
Getting into Ionian is a crusher -- Italy has to guard against a convoy now, and Tunis is exposed. Taking back Serbia is nice -- maybe he and Russia will reach some consensus about how to divide the evaporating Austrian.
Austria's dislodged army was destroyed; its fleet will probably retreat to the Adriatic. England has nothing to lose by retreating to Stp, since the Russian isn't helping him out against France and Germany.
Right now, here's how I rank the powers: Turkey, Germany, France, Russia, Italy, England, Austria. Russia is only that high because of cooperation by Turkey (and collapse of the A/I alliance). If Germany plays it right, he could really hurt me just as I go after England in force -- I'll have to be wary of that. Turkey is first mainly because of his position -- expanding, with a second-fiddle ally and two enemies in disarray.
Austria's disband means he is trading the fleet for an army, which is probably wise. I don't think it will make a difference in a few years, though.
Italy: Builds a fleet in Naples. Germany: Builds a fleet in Kiel. Austria: Builds an army in Budapest.I'm really torn right now about how to attack England. I could try to convoy Bel to either Wales or London, but I really doubt it would lead to a captured SC this fall. I could focus on improving my position by ordering Eng-Iri, S by MAO, and Bre-Eng (which might get bounced). I don't know what the German fleets are going to do -- I have to assume at least two of them are heading towards North Sea. It's possible that England will be dislodged from that space and be able to put fleets in London, Lvp, and Yorkshire.
Right now, I need to consider the more puzzling problem of Germany, who is growing faster than I am and already has four fleets on the board. This means she'll want a piece of England and will be poised to attack France after that. I have to prepare for what will likely be a conflict with Germany immediately following the conquest of England. Furthermore, I must capture London and Liverpool -- I can't allow Germany to take the lion's share.
For the moment, I'm leaning towards a convoy. But I don't think I can afford another parried attack by the Brit.
In other news, it looks like Italy will fight Turkey after all. Too bad for him that it didn't start two years ago, when Italy had all the aces in his hand. He and Austria will have to cooperate, and cooperate perfectly, to survive.
Russia is toast, once again. England can move to Moscow and camp there for the forseeable future. Geez, what a boneheaded move that allowed England to retreat to Stp.
 A reunited Austrian/Italian alliance tries to hold back Russia and Turkey, while France and Germany start to carve up England. |
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Austria: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Budapest.
Austria: Army Trieste -> Serbia. (*bounce*)
Austria: Army Budapest SUPPORT Russian Fleet Black Sea -> Rumania.
Well, it looks like Austria and Italy are working together again. It's probably too late to do them any good, though -- Turkey and Russia have the tactical advantage now.
England: Army St Petersburg HOLD.
England: Fleet Irish Sea HOLD. (*dislodged*)
England: Fleet North Sea -> English Channel. (*bounce*)
England: Fleet Edinburgh -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
England's moves have been pretty straightforward -- maybe I've been reading too much into his options and should just attack all out. At this point, I'm falling far behind Germany and Turkey and have to do much better in order to catch up.
France: Army Burgundy HOLD.
France: Army Belgium HOLD.
France: Fleet English Channel -> Irish Sea.
France: Fleet Brest -> English Channel. (*bounce*)
France: Army Marseilles -> Gascony.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean SUPPORT Fleet English Channel -> Irish Sea.
I think that I'll now order a convoy from Gas-Wal, while bouncing England in the Channel.
Germany: Army Holland -> Ruhr. (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Munich -> Ruhr. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Norway -> Barents Sea.
Germany: Army Berlin -> Kiel.
Germany: Fleet Sweden -> Norway.
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> Sweden.
Germany: Fleet Kiel -> Denmark.
I'm really hoping he doesn't order Kie-Ruh. If he does, I'll have to deal with his oncoming attack (why else would he do it?) before I've finished with England.
Italy: Army Rome -> Apulia.
Italy: Army Venice SUPPORT Army Rome -> Apulia.
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Naples -> Ionian Sea.
Italy: Fleet Naples -> Ionian Sea. (*bounce*)
At least he didn't continue attacking Austria. I just hope he can slow down Turkey enough to give me time to catch up. I don't think it will happen though.
Russia: Army Rumania -> Budapest. (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Russia: Fleet Black Sea -> Rumania. (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia SUPPORT German Fleet Sweden. (*void*)
He's going to lose Moscow in the fall, as Germany takes StP and StP retreats (or moves) to Moscow. Shouldn't have let England take StP in the first place. I've played Russia before and swore that I'd never again let StP fall into enemy hands.
Turkey: Army Greece -> Ionian Sea -> Tunis.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria SUPPORT Army Serbia.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Russian Army Rumania -> Budapest. (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Constantinople SUPPORT Army Bulgaria.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea CONVOY Army Greece -> Tunis.
Strong. He has too many armies, though -- his main opponent should be Italy, since Russia should be helping against Austria. Right now, he needs both fleets to hang onto Ionian. But he gets a build this winter, it will be a fleet in Smyrna, and he'll rearrange his forces next year.
The English fleet in the Irish Sea retreated to Liverpool. He's left with fleets that can't really defend one another. Once I get an army on the island, he'll be on the run. It might be too little, too late, though.
Right now, I rank the powers TGFR(EIA). The last three are probably goners.
Well, Austria can hold on for a while with his block of three armies, but he doesn't have any hopes for expansion. In Diplomacy, that means a long, boring game with little chance of a successful outcome. Tri-Ser isn't ever going to work; then again, it would require Gal and Rum to support Ser-Bud for this maneuver to backfire -- that isn't likely, either.
England: Army St Petersburg -> Moscow.
England: Fleet Liverpool HOLD.
England: Fleet North Sea -> Norwegian Sea.
England: Fleet Edinburgh -> North Sea.
France: Army Burgundy -> Ruhr. (*bounce*)
France: Army Belgium -> Ruhr. (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Irish Sea CONVOY Army Gascony -> Wales.
France: Fleet Brest -> English Channel.
France: Army Gascony -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> Irish Sea -> Wales.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean CONVOY Army Gascony -> Wales.
Since England doesn't have a build or a disband, I can plan strategy now. Iri-Lvp, supported by Wal would secure that SC, followed by Eng-Lon, supported by Wal in the fall. The supports can't be broken and the English fleets can't support one another. England could order Nwg-Cly or Nwg-NAO, which would force me to protect the fleet that takes Lvp, but I don't think he will. F MAO could move to NAO to block this, but I'm still behind Germany and need to take a chance to get caught up (especially since the German is being so cautious). I'll order Eng-Lon, MAO-Eng, just to see if it'll work.
Germany: Army Holland HOLD.
Germany: Army Munich HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Barents Sea -> St Petersburg (north coast).
Germany: Army Kiel HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Norway SUPPORT Fleet Barents Sea -> St Petersburg (north coast).
Germany: Fleet Sweden -> Gulf of Bothnia. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Denmark HOLD.
Seven units, and four of them hold. That's borderline sacrelige to me. He takes StP, at least. I wish he'd move east to attack Russia (if he's intending to do so eventually), but I suspect he's gearing up to attack me. I certainly would, if I were him.
Italy: Army Apulia SUPPORT Army Venice.
Italy: Army Venice SUPPORT Austrian Army Trieste. (*void*)
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Naples -> Ionian Sea.
Italy: Fleet Naples -> Ionian Sea. (*bounce*)
He can remove Venice and still hang on for a few years.
Russia: Army Rumania -> Budapest. (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Russia: Fleet Black Sea -> Rumania. (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia -> St Petersburg (south coast). (*bounce*)
Oh, now he wants StP back! (smile) He probably has to remove the northern fleet, but in doing so, he gives up all hope of ever recapturing St. Petersburg. He'll never see five supply centers.
Turkey: Army Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria SUPPORT Army Serbia.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Russian Army Rumania -> Budapest. (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Constantinople SUPPORT Army Bulgaria.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea HOLD.
Conservative, but there isn't much else he could do. Build that fleet, rearrange with Smy-Eas, then Eas S Ion, Aeg-Gre, etc.
My prediction for the builds: Germany builds A Ber, Italy removes A Ven, Russia removes F Bot, and Turkey builds F Smy.
Italy: Removes the army in Apulia. Russia: Removes the fleet in the Gulf of Bothnia. Turkey: Builds a fleet in Smyrna. Germany: Builds an army in Berlin.Italy is still a little nervous about Austria, I guess. The army in Berlin makes me breathe easier -- it would be much easier for him to move east (although he still has all those fleets), especially since Russia disbanded her northern fleet. It's like a big welcome mat for the German.
Well, he's trying to hold off R/T, but he and Italy are really backed into a corner. He's probably hoping that Germany will attack Russia, but that only means that Austria would be next. He might be able to retake Bud in the fall.
England: Army Moscow HOLD.
England: Fleet Liverpool HOLD. (*dislodged*)
England: Fleet Norwegian Sea -> North Atlantic Ocean. (*bounce*)
England: Fleet North Sea -> Norwegian Sea. (*bounce, dislodged*)
Ah, very nice. I should take two SC's this year. If England retreats North Sea to English Channel, it will complicate things: I'd probably order MAO-Bre to prevent his Eng-Bre, but if he didn't bounce me, I wouldn't be able to build a fleet there in the fall. Let's hope he doesn't.
France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT Army Belgium.
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT Army Burgundy.
France: Fleet Irish Sea -> Liverpool.
France: Fleet English Channel -> London.
France: Army Wales SUPPORT Fleet Irish Sea -> Liverpool.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> North Atlantic Ocean. (*bounce*)
Thanks to England's ill-positioned fleets, I have no problem holding both SC's. As I mentioned above, an English retreat to the Channel could pose problems.
Germany: Army Holland HOLD.
Germany: Army Munich -> Silesia.
Germany: Fleet St Petersburg (north coast) SUPPORT Fleet Norway.
Germany: Army Kiel -> Munich.
Germany: Fleet Norway SUPPORT Fleet Denmark -> North Sea.
Germany: Fleet Sweden -> Denmark.
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> North Sea.
Germany: Army Berlin -> Prussia.
Germany continues to roll -- too fast for my tastes. I hope England retreats to Edinburgh and defends that SC from Germany. Not likely, though.
Italy: Army Venice -> Apulia.
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Naples -> Ionian Sea.
Italy: Fleet Naples -> Ionian Sea. (*bounce*)
Hanging on -- but now Eas can support Ion while Aeg moves to Gre, then Alb, then Adr, etc. It's slow, but inevitable. France needs to be ready to react when Italy falls.
Russia: Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Russia: Army Galicia -> Warsaw.
Russia: Fleet Black Sea -> Sevastopol.
Well, Russia's going to get it from all sides pretty soon. Warsaw will fall (unless England supports from Moscow -- a possibility!) and the White Bear will be left with exactly one SC. Not a good sign.
Turkey: Army Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria SUPPORT Army Serbia.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Russian Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Turkey: Army Constantinople SUPPORT Army Bulgaria.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Smyrna -> Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey contines to maneuver so he can bring three fleets to the Italian front. It'll take a while, though. He could try Ion-Adr, along with Eas-Ion, S by Aeg. Eas-Ion would bounce, but you could bring it in with two supports the next year. That would actually be much better than trying to inch Aeg-Gre-Alb-Adr.
Austria: Army Budapest -> Vienna. England: Fleet Liverpool -> Clyde. England: Fleet North Sea -> Edinburgh.Ah, this is good news. Now I'm assured of keeping Lvp and Lon and picking up two builds this fall. I'm thinking about MAO-Naf, to help Italy in the south. It's tricky -- I want him to think that I'm coming to help him, not fight him. Of course, if Germany derives this fact, he'll realize that he's my next target.
Actually, I'm not totally convinced that I should attack Germany. But he has four fleets, and I have to believe he's not going to let them rust from disuse. So how do I proceed? England will have to disband two units this winter, but it isn't clear whether or not he'll hold onto that army. That means he might have one fleet or two defending Edinburgh, and we don't know which (of Cly and Nwg) he might keep. I'd bet he keeps Nwg, since Germany can't easily break Edi S Nwg, Nwg S Edi. Of course, keeping Nwg means giving up A Mos, which means Stp can move to Bar and support the attack on Nwg -- oh well, how much defense can you put up with two fleets?
I need to get into position to (a) protect Belgium and London, (b) keep Edinburgh from falling to Germany or take it myself. I'm hoping that England orders Mos S War to prevent Germany from gaining another SC.
For the fall, I think I'll try MAO-Eng, Lon-Nth (to prevent a potential Hol-Bel, S by Nth, Mun-Bur from succeeding), Wal-Yor, Lvp H, Bel H, Bur S Bel. Then build F Bre, A Mar, maybe? moving Mar-Pie-Tyr would help a lot. This would depend on what Turkey and Germany do in the fall, though.
Austria: Army Trieste SUPPORT Army Albania -> Serbia.
Austria: Army Albania -> Serbia. (*bounce*)
Austria: Army Vienna -> Budapest. (*bounce*)
He tried for Ser instead of Bud, but there was no chance that Serbia was going to be left unprotected. I don't understand why he didn't order Alb-Ser, Vie-Bud, S by Tri. This would have let Bud retreat to Gal and threaten Vie, but it's certainly better than this alternative.
England: Army Moscow HOLD.
England: Fleet Clyde SUPPORT Fleet Edinburgh.
England: Fleet Norwegian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Edinburgh.
England: Fleet Edinburgh HOLD.
This looks like a resignation to me. Why not Edi S Nwg, Mos S War? Oh well -- now I wonder which two he'll remove. To be honest, I have no idea.
France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT Army Belgium.
France: Army Belgium HOLD.
France: Fleet Liverpool HOLD.
France: Fleet London -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
France: Army Wales -> Yorkshire.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> English Channel.
This is fine. I didn't expect Lon-Nth to work (I'd have lost a build if it had).
Germany: Army Holland -> Ruhr.
Germany: Army Silesia -> Warsaw.
Germany: Fleet St Petersburg (north coast) HOLD.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Holland -> Ruhr.
Germany: Fleet Norway SUPPORT Fleet Denmark -> North Sea.
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> North Sea.
Germany: Fleet North Sea -> Holland.
Germany: Army Prussia SUPPORT Army Silesia -> Warsaw.
He's never going to give up the North Sea now that he's positioned fleets in Holland, Norway, and Nth. I'm gonna fight him for it, though. Hol-Ruh, supported by Mun is pretty much a declaration of war on me. Good thing I saw it coming, I guess.
Italy: Army Apulia -> Venice.
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Naples -> Ionian Sea.
Italy: Fleet Naples -> Ionian Sea. (*bounce*)
Ven-Apu, followed by Apu-Ven. And this is the power that's holding Turkey off of my southern shore.
Russia: Army Budapest HOLD.
Russia: Army Warsaw HOLD. (*dislodged*)
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
The Russian Army in Warsaw can retreat to Livonia or Ukraine or Galicia. Three holds. Not very agressive, is it? He could have gotten some help from England in the form of Moscow supports Warsaw, but it didn't happen.
Turkey: Army Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria SUPPORT Army Serbia.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea CONVOY Army Constantinople -> Greece.
Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Russian Army Budapest. (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Aegean Sea -> Greece.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea SUPPORT Army Constantinople -> Greece. (*cut*)
Turkey: Fleet Eastern Mediterranean SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea.
He didn't try Ion-Adr, Eas-Ion, S by Aeg like I thought he might. That slows his progress, which is good for me. Unfortunately for him, Russia is collapsing and he isn't in position to pick up his share of the spoils. Germany is looking very strong now.
Whatever. I doesn't matter much at this point.
Austria: Removes the army in Albania. England: Removes the fleet in Clyde. England: Removes the fleet in the Norwegian Sea. France: Builds a fleet in Brest. France: Builds an army in Paris. Germany: Builds an army in Berlin.Germany has gone abandoned and been replaced by a much more experienced player. At first, I thought this might be an advantage for me, since he might not be as ready for my attack as the first German. His build in Berlin is certainly not very threatening to me, yet. Time will tell, though, if he's going to be a fierce competitor. His HoF record shows that he has a good bit of experience (more than me), but not much success.
A quick check of the board shows that I have a guessing game in Belgium. Germany *could* attack with Nth-Eng, Hol-Bel, Ruh S Hol-Bel, and Mun-Bur. This would break any potential supports from Eng and Bur and leave Belgium dislodged (and considering my Par-Pic, destroyed).
However, I could order Bel-Ruh, S by Bur and Lon-Nth, S by Eng, which would be a strong counterstrike to that attack. Gaining Nth would be enough compensation for the supply center, in my opinion, especially since I could take Edi if I wanted to, or I could try to hold onto Nth (against all three German fleets, though) or push into Ska or Hel, just to drive the Kraut back.
Germany also has an opportunity in Burgundy, if he guesses that I might move from Par-Pic. I could attack with Mun and Ruh and open a hole in my defenses.
The only positive from this is that he can't do all these things at once. I just have to outguess him -- risk a loss to make a gain. I'll leave Bur open by ordering Par-Pic. Bre-MAO will travel to NAO in the fall, to help form my naval front in the north. Lvp travels freely to Cly, if I can safely predict England's move (or lack thereof) at this point. Lon and Eng present the sticky problem. Lon-Nth, S by Eng? or Eng S Bel? I think Nor-Nwg is a safe bet, but Stp must hold (England is still in Moscow and could move in at any time). Will Hol S Nth? Or will Hol-Bel, S by Ruh. Mun-Bur is a given, so Bur's support is useless -- maybe I'll try Bur-Ruh, just to break a support that might be coming from Ruh. But if Germany orders Ruh-Bel, S by Hol, Nth-Eng, Mun-Bur, then Ruh AND Mun succeed, I take Ruh, but he can take Mar or Par in the fall and is behind my lines.
If Germany goes after Belgium, it will probably be with F Hol, since any other attack would leave that fleet behind the battle line. I hope that attacking Nth and Ruh will be enough to prevent the fall of Belgium. I'll make a bid for Nth with Lon-Nth, supported by Eng. If all goes well, I'll have F MAO, F Cly, A Yor, F Nth, F Eng, A Bel, A Pic, A Bur to match up against his F Nwg, F Den (probably), F Stp, F Hol, A Ruh, A Mun. In the fall, I hold Belgium, take Edinburgh (well, maybe), and build A Par. Worst case, Germany takes Belgium and Burgundy and Italy attacks Mar. Well, here it goes....
Austria is overmatched now and has no one to bail him out. It's only a matter of time.
England: Army Moscow HOLD.
England: Fleet Edinburgh HOLD.
England seems to have given up -- that's fine with me, as I think I now have the inside edge for taking Edinburgh.
France: Army Burgundy -> Ruhr. (*bounce*)
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT Army Burgundy. (*void*)
France: Fleet Liverpool -> Clyde.
France: Fleet London -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
France: Army Yorkshire SUPPORT English Fleet Edinburgh.
France: Fleet English Channel SUPPORT Fleet London -> North Sea.
France: Fleet Brest -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
France: Army Paris -> Picardy.
This is good news -- I've gotten my fleets into position in Clyde and MAO, now I can ensure myself of NAO while protecting Edinburgh from the German, or try for Edinburgh myself. I risked Burgundy so I could move Par-Pic, but I've got to live on the edge a bit here, since Turkey will be at my back door in a few more years.
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Fleet Holland. (*cut*)
Germany: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Prussia -> Livonia.
Germany: Fleet St Petersburg (north coast) HOLD.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr.
Germany: Fleet Norway -> Norwegian Sea.
Germany: Fleet North Sea SUPPORT Fleet Norway -> Norwegian Sea. (*cut*)
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet North Sea.
Germany: Army Prussia -> Livonia.
Germany: Army Berlin -> Prussia.
He took Norwegian, as expected, but was pretty conservative elsewhere. He protected his fleet in North and didn't try for Burgundy -- terrific, as far as I'm concerned. Also, he's moved east to take Moscow next turn. This will keep Stp in harbor for one more season to prevent an English retreat there. After that, he's coming after me.
Italy: Army Venice -> Apulia. (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Naples -> Ionian Sea.
Italy: Fleet Naples -> Ionian Sea. (*bounce*)
Not much longer now, especially since Austria is collapsing. He just has to hope that Turkey will go north, rather than west, after the fall of Austria. I hope so, too.
Russia: Army Budapest HOLD.
Russia: Army Ukraine -> Rumania.
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Russia's fleet is worthless and both armies are outside of home territory now. Germany will steamroll him if Turkey doesn't do it first.
Turkey: Army Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Aegean Sea -> Ionian Sea -> Apulia. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea CONVOY Army Bulgaria -> Apulia.
Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Russian Army Budapest.
Turkey: Army Greece -> Albania.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea CONVOY Army Bulgaria -> Apulia.
Turkey: Fleet Eastern Mediterranean SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea.
I don't think the convoy was really necessary. It's a gamble that leaves you no better off if it fails. Ion-Adr, Eas-Ion, Ion S Eas-Ion seems like it would have been much more effective.
 Austria and England evaporate, Italy and Russia continue to shrink, and an FGT draw becomes more and more likely. |
|---|
Austria: Army Trieste SUPPORT Army Vienna. (*cut, dislodged*)
RETREAT: Army Trieste -> Tyrolia.
Austria: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Trieste. (*cut*)
Sinking fast....
England: Army Moscow HOLD. (*dislodged*)
RETREAT: Army Moscow -> Ukraine.
England: Fleet Edinburgh HOLD. (*dislodged*)
Already there....
France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT Army Belgium.
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT Army Burgundy.
France: Fleet Clyde -> Edinburgh.
France: Fleet London -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
France: Army Yorkshire SUPPORT Fleet Clyde -> Edinburgh.
France: Fleet English Channel SUPPORT Fleet London -> North Sea.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> North Atlantic Ocean.
France: Army Picardy SUPPORT Army Belgium.
I'm very happy to take Edinburgh. There's a small hole in my armor at Clyde, but I don't think Germany will go after it. I'll probably have to build another fleet in Brest, because Germany's going to build a fleet (in Kiel, I suspect). With fleets in NAO, Edinburgh, London, English, and Brest, I'll have a good chance of taking the North Sea. And once I do that, good things happen.
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Fleet Holland.
Germany: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Livonia -> Moscow.
Germany: Fleet St Petersburg (north coast) HOLD.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr.
Germany: Fleet Norwegian Sea SUPPORT Fleet North Sea.
Germany: Fleet North Sea SUPPORT Fleet Holland. (*cut*)
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet North Sea.
Germany: Army Livonia -> Moscow.
Germany: Army Prussia -> Livonia.
Pretty darn conservative for fall moves. He's letting me catch up. He'll be able to munch on a few more SC's in the east though -- I have no such opportunity in the west.
Italy: Army Venice -> Apulia. (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Ionian Sea. (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Naples -> Apulia. (*bounce*)
Holding on! But Turkey has a fleet in Adriatic, and Italy is even more comprimised now. He can only hope that Turkey build an army and goes north.
Russia: Army Budapest -> Vienna. (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Rumania -> Galicia.
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
I hear the white meat is delicious....
Turkey: Army Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria SUPPORT Army Serbia.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea SUPPORT Fleet Eastern Mediterranean -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Army Albania -> Trieste.
Turkey: Army Albania -> Trieste.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Adriatic Sea.
Turkey: Fleet Eastern Mediterranean -> Ionian Sea.
Finally gets that fleet into Adriatic. Coinciding with the fall of Trieste, it's seriously bad news for Italy. He'll be to Marsielles in the next two years.
Austria: Removes the army in Tyrolia. England: Removes the army in Ukraine. Germany: Builds a fleet in Kiel. Turkey: Builds a fleet in Constantinople. France: Builds a fleet in Brest.Oh man, that Turkish fleet is more bad news for Italy and me. I fear that I may have gone one fleet to far in building F Brest. Turkey's going to be knocking on my door *really* soon, and I don't have anything to protect Mar/Spa with.
I can take Nth this turn with a minimum of risk -- especially if I have reached the point where I can read Germany's tendencies correctly. He's been extrememly defensive in the north, happy to make gains in the east.
I expect he'll order Stp-Nor, Nwg S Nth, Hol S Nth, Kie S Hol and perhaps attempt a Ruhr/Mun attack on Bur. In the mean time, he manuevers his three eastern armies to take another SC, probably Stp.
I might risk Belgium with my moves, if it ensures that I can take Nth. From that position, I'll (hopefully) be able to retake Bel in the fall.
Right now I'd rate the powers like so: Turkey, Germany, France, Russia, Italy, Austria. Austria's probably dead, Italy and Russia aren't far behind. I might have to start angling for a three-way draw....
He can retreat to Tyrolia or Bohemia. He actually got a support from Italy, but he'd already given up hope.
France: Army Burgundy HOLD.
France: Army Belgium -> Holland. (*bounce, dislodged*)
France: Fleet Edinburgh SUPPORT Fleet English Channel -> North Sea.
France: Fleet London SUPPORT Fleet English Channel -> North Sea.
France: Army Yorkshire SUPPORT Fleet Edinburgh.
France: Fleet English Channel -> North Sea.
France: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Norwegian Sea.
France: Army Picardy SUPPORT Army Burgundy.
France: Fleet Brest -> English Channel.
My army had no retreats and was destroyed. I never like to be dislodged from an SC, but I really needed to be aggressive. Turkey is pushing through Italy and I needed to be firm in the north, lest I collapse from attacks on two fronts. I did take the North Sea; I'd like to try to retake Belgium and keep it. I'm still between a rock and a hard place. Italy will likely disband F Tys this winter, which means Turkey will reach Mar/Spa by 1909. I hoped to steal a center from Germany this year and the next to fortify that side; now it seems highly unlikely. Perhaps I'll try to take Belgium back while making peace with Germany. Perhaps Nwg C Mun-Swi would do the trick, since Bar-Nwg or Nor-Nwg is almost guaranteed, anyway? That leaves Nth at a bit of a risk, but I expect that Germany will order Hel-Den.
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Fleet North Sea -> Belgium.
Germany: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Moscow -> Ukraine.
Germany: Fleet St Petersburg (north coast) -> Barents Sea.
Germany: Army Munich -> Burgundy. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Norwegian Sea -> Norway.
Germany: Fleet North Sea -> Belgium.
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet North Sea -> Belgium.
Germany: Army Moscow -> Ukraine.
Germany: Army Livonia -> Moscow.
Germany: Fleet Kiel -> Helgoland Bight.
I'm not sure why he retreated from Nwg -- maybe that's a sign that he doesn't want to fight me. But with five fleets, he really doesn't have much choice. Of course, in the EOG, he may claim that I forced him to build the five fleets. Chicken or egg, I suppose. At any rate, he can threaten Nwg, Nth, and still defend Denmark pretty easily. I think I'll just retake Belgium if possible.
Italy: Army Venice SUPPORT Austrian Army Vienna -> Trieste. (*void, dislodged*)
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Ionian Sea. (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Naples SUPPORT Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Ionian Sea.
The Venice army can retreat to any of five places, but Italy is doomed now, and Turkey's on his way.
Russia: Army Budapest SUPPORT Army Galicia -> Vienna.
Russia: Army Galicia -> Vienna.
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
The SC shuffle doesn't improve your situation, it just delays the inevitable.
Turkey: Army Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Serbia.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Serbia -> Trieste.
Turkey: Army Trieste -> Venice.
Turkey: Fleet Adriatic Sea SUPPORT Army Trieste -> Venice.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Constantinople -> Black Sea.
Good moves -- I just wonder whether or not he'll try to take Nap or Rom in 1908, or just head straight for Spa and Mar.
Austria: Army Vienna -> Tyrolia. Italy: Army Venice -> Rome.Austria could give me a hand if he orders Tyr-Mun. I thought he was sort of giving up; I'm surprised he didn't just disband.
France: Army Burgundy -> Ruhr. (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Edinburgh SUPPORT Fleet North Sea.
France: Fleet London SUPPORT Fleet North Sea.
France: Army Yorkshire -> North Sea -> Belgium.
France: Fleet North Sea CONVOY Army Yorkshire -> Belgium.
France: Fleet Norwegian Sea CONVOY German Army Munich -> Switzerland. (*dislodged*)
France: Army Picardy SUPPORT Army Yorkshire -> Belgium.
France: Fleet English Channel SUPPORT Army Yorkshire -> Belgium.
I got back Belgium, but got bumped out of Nwg -- that's a trade I'll accept. At this point, I'm really in hopes that Germany paid attention to my moves and saw my plea for peace. I'm also hoping he seriously considers it. I know it's tough to mix that signal with the destruction of his Belgian fleet, but I'm just trying to stay alive, now.
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Fleet Belgium. (*cut*)
Germany: Army Warsaw -> Galicia.
Germany: Fleet Barents Sea SUPPORT Fleet Norway -> Norwegian Sea.
Germany: Army Munich -> Burgundy. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Norway -> Norwegian Sea.
Germany: Fleet Belgium SUPPORT Fleet Holland. (*cut, dislodged*)
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet Belgium.
Germany: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Moscow -> Sevastopol.
Germany: Army Moscow -> Sevastopol. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Helgoland Bight -> Denmark.
The fleet in Belgium has no valid retreats and was destroyed. Turkey prevents him from taking Sev, which really works to my advantage. He doesn't get an immediate build and now must consider Turkey in his plans for expansion. Maybe he'll see the light and build A Ber....
Italy: Army Rome -> Apulia. (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Rome. (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Naples -> Apulia. (*bounce*)
But he loses an SC and cannot defend himself against Turkey. I am in no position to help -- he's doomed.
Russia: Army Budapest SUPPORT Army Vienna.
Russia: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Budapest. (*cut*)
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Still alive, but he's only a satellite power now. He'll never put a fourth unit on the board.
Turkey: Army Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Army Trieste.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Trieste SUPPORT Army Venice.
Turkey: Army Venice SUPPORT Army Trieste.
Turkey: Fleet Adriatic Sea SUPPORT Army Venice.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea SUPPORT Russian Fleet Sevastopol.
He's been playing quite conservatively the last few years, which is wise. He doesn't want to get France and Germany to take notice of his growth and stop our squabbling. I hope that his support of Russian F Sev and my peace missive to Germany are enough to end the Franco-German conflict and start to stabilize the board.
I'm hoping for a F/G/T draw at this point. I rank the powers T, G, and F, with the other two as nearly insignificant.
Italy: Removes the army in Rome. Germany: Builds a fleet in Kiel. France: Builds an army in Marseilles. Turkey: Builds an army in Constantinople. Russia: Build waived. Austria: Defaults, removing the army in Tyrolia.
Yuck. Germany is still hostile, I guess. I don't blame him, though. At this point, I'm hoping to end the conflict with Germany and set up a MAO/Spa/Mar line that is safe from Turkey. I only need units in those three spaces, along with Por, Gas, and Bur to solidify things (if Germany cooperates). If he wants to put on the squeeze with Turkey, he can, but Turkey will win the race to eighteen. I hope he sees this.
It's nice that I guessed correctly in Clyde, but the German is coming after me. He's thinking about a solo win, but he'll never outrace Turkey to the necessary 18 centers. I just hope he realizes it in time.
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Fleet Holland.
Germany: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Ukraine -> Rumania.
Germany: Fleet Barents Sea -> Norway.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr.
Germany: Fleet Norwegian Sea -> Clyde. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet Kiel -> Helgoland Bight.
Germany: Army Ukraine -> Rumania.
Germany: Army Moscow -> Sevastopol. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Kiel -> Helgoland Bight.
He has five fleets surrounding North Sea. Methinks that I'll won't have a fleet there after this fall. Meanwhile, he also wedged himself in Rumania, correctly guessing what the Turk would do. Now we'll see if he can hold onto it -- if I were him, I'd order Rum-Bul and force the issue with Turkey. I expect he'll try something like Mos-Sev, supported by Rum, Gal S Rum.
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Western Mediterranean.
Italy: Fleet Naples -> Tyrrhenian Sea.
Wonderful. Italy is giving up and running for Spain. Good thing I moved to protect it. That means Turkey will likely take Rome and Naples (no, on second thought, he'll probably conservatively protect Tunis). I wonder if that will get Germany's attention.
Russia: Army Budapest -> Rumania. (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Vienna -> Budapest. (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Budapest -> Rumania. (*cut*)
Moves like that leave him susceptible to a Turkish attack from Trieste and Serbia -- I wonder if Russia thinks Turkey is actually trying to help Russia recover? Russia is nothing more than a shield that Turkey is propping up to protect him from the German.
Turkey: Army Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Army Trieste.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea CONVOY Army Constantinople -> Apulia.
Turkey: Army Trieste HOLD.
Turkey: Army Venice SUPPORT Army Constantinople -> Apulia.
Turkey: Fleet Adriatic Sea SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea CONVOY Army Constantinople -> Apulia.
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea SUPPORT Russian Fleet Sevastopol.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Aegean Sea -> Ionian Sea -> Apulia.
Well, I didn't think he'd convoy to Apulia. This is more distressing news for me -- both Germany and Turkey are gearing up for western attacks. I'd order Ven-Rom, Apu-Nap and take one or both. Ion will probably support Tunis, but I'd consider supporting Apu-Nap, or even trying Ion-Nap, Aeg-Ion, Apu-Rom, S by Ven. I actually like the latter one quite a bit.
I'm going to do my best now to speed up the death of Italy and the growth of Turkey (well, short of handing him my SC's). Germany must realize that attacking me will not win him the game. Soon, Turkey will have 11 SC's, plus whatever he can take from Russia (perhaps Budapest, this season!). Germany will have 11 as well -- he's being much more aggressive than Turkey, and it's paying off.
France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT Army Belgium.
France: Fleet Edinburgh -> Clyde. (*bounce*)
France: Fleet London -> Yorkshire.
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT German Fleet Holland.
France: Fleet North Sea -> English Channel.
France: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Clyde. (*bounce*)
France: Army Picardy SUPPORT Army Belgium.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> Spain (south coast). (*bounce*)
France: Army Marseilles SUPPORT Army Burgundy.
I guessed right in Clyde. In retrospect, the move to Yorkshire was probably silly; I can't order mutual bounces like Yor-Lon, Eng-Lon; Germany will just order an unwanted support and break up that defense. Italy continues its mad dash -- that's really too bad. He'll be gone next year.
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Fleet Holland.
Germany: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Germany: Fleet Norway -> North Sea.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr.
Germany: Fleet Norwegian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Norway -> North Sea.
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet Norway -> North Sea.
Germany: Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Germany: Army Moscow -> Sevastopol. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Denmark SUPPORT Fleet Norway -> North Sea.
Germany: Fleet Helgoland Bight SUPPORT Fleet Holland.
Germany is apparently not going to let up on its attacks against me. It's funny, I originally thought that Turkey would be the leading power in the endgame, but he's played so conservatively that Germany has passed him up. Since Germany is in a better position in the east and has more attack options, he's likely to be the endgame leader. This could be a pretty bad miscalculation on my part, unless Turkey jumps ahead again. I *need* a strong Turkey to force Germany to stop attacking me in the north (lest Turkey take my centers in the south).
Italy: Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Spain (south coast). (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Naples. (*bounce*)
Goodbye.
Russia: Army Budapest -> Rumania. (*bounce, dislodged*)
Russia: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Budapest. (*void*)
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Budapest -> Rumania. (*cut*)
The Russian Army in Budapest with no valid retreats was destroyed. How much longer is Russia going to hang on? It can't get back that destroyed army, since he's sitting on his only home center in Sev. Now he has only two separated units -- it should only be a matter of which power picks them off.
Turkey: Army Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Army Trieste.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea -> Bulgaria (south coast).
Turkey: Army Trieste SUPPORT Army Serbia.
Turkey: Army Venice -> Rome.
Turkey: Fleet Adriatic Sea SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea SUPPORT Army Tunis.
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea SUPPORT Russian Fleet Sevastopol.
Turkey: Army Apulia -> Naples. (*bounce*)
Turkey is still one SC behind Germany, but could pick up some ground next year. Naples and Vienna should go to Turkey, right?
Italy: Removes the fleet in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Turkey: Builds an army in Constantinople. Russia: Build waived. Germany: Builds an army in Berlin.
 Turkey destroys Germany's army in Budapest and asserts its dominance over the rest of the continent! |
|---|
France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT Army Belgium.
France: Fleet Edinburgh HOLD.
France: Fleet Yorkshire -> London.
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT Army Burgundy.
France: Fleet English Channel -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
France: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Norwegian Sea. (*bounce*)
France: Army Picardy SUPPORT Army Belgium.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> Spain (north coast). (*bounce*)
France: Army Marseilles -> Spain. (*bounce*)
I guess right again; no progress for Germany. I'll have to guess again in the fall, but he can't take an SC this turn.
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Fleet Holland.
Germany: Army Galicia -> Vienna. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet North Sea -> Edinburgh. (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr.
Germany: Fleet Norwegian Sea SUPPORT Fleet North Sea -> Edinburgh. (*cut*)
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet Denmark -> North Sea.
Germany: Army Budapest SUPPORT Army Galicia -> Vienna. (*cut, dislodged*)
Germany: Army Moscow -> Sevastopol. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> North Sea. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Helgoland Bight SUPPORT Fleet Holland.
Germany: Army Berlin -> Silesia.
Ow! Budapest has no retreats and is destroyed! That means Turkey will pick up Naples, Bud, and maybe Vienna. This swings things back to Turkey again, and may be enough for Germany to cut its losses and rush back to the line for a three-way draw. God, I hope so. Germany should support Sev and Vie in place now and hope the Russian cooperates.
Italy: Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean. (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Vienna -> Budapest. (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol -> Rumania. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Serbia -> Budapest.
Turkey: Fleet Bulgaria (south coast) -> Aegean Sea.
Turkey: Army Trieste SUPPORT Army Serbia -> Budapest.
Turkey: Army Rome SUPPORT Army Apulia -> Naples.
Turkey: Fleet Adriatic Sea SUPPORT Army Trieste.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea SUPPORT Army Tunis.
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea CONVOY Army Constantinople -> Rumania.
Turkey: Army Apulia -> Naples.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Black Sea -> Rumania. (*bounce*)
This is a big win for Turkey. Two SC's for sure, maybe more.
Argh. I wasn't expecting Nth-Eng, and it cuts me into two pieces. I'll hold on as best I can, but make it clear that I'm willing to hold the line against Turkey at Gibralter. Hopefully, Turkey can run the table in the east and take control there.
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Fleet Holland.
Germany: Army Galicia -> Ukraine.
Germany: Fleet North Sea -> English Channel.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr.
Germany: Fleet Norwegian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Denmark -> North Sea. (*cut*)
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet Denmark -> North Sea.
Germany: Army Moscow -> Sevastopol. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> North Sea.
Germany: Fleet Helgoland Bight SUPPORT Fleet Holland.
Germany: Army Silesia -> Galicia.
My hope is that Germany ends up with control of StP, Swe, Nor, Den, Kie, Ber, Mun, Hol, Bel, Lon, Edi, Lvp, Bre, Par, and that Turkey has Ank, Smy, Con, Bul, Rum, Ser, Gre, Sev, Mos, War, Bud, Vie, Tri, Ven, Rom, Nap, and Tun. That's 17 for Turkey, 14 for Germany and 3 for me (and I wouldn't mind losing one or two more to Germany). Germany, even with this attack, can't win the race to eighteen, especially if I don't cooperate.
Italy: Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Spain (south coast). (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Vienna -> Tyrolia.
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol -> Rumania. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Budapest SUPPORT Army Trieste -> Vienna.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea CONVOY Army Constantinople -> Venice.
Turkey: Army Trieste -> Vienna.
Turkey: Army Rome -> Tuscany.
Turkey: Fleet Adriatic Sea CONVOY Army Constantinople -> Venice.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea CONVOY Army Constantinople -> Venice.
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea -> Rumania. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Naples HOLD.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Aegean Sea -> Ionian Sea -> Adriatic Sea -> Venice.
Turkey's moving fast now. I hope Germany realizes what I'm trying to do here.
I'll retreat the Belgium army to to Picardy. I lose Belgium, of course, but I've repositioned myself rather well. Taking Nth and Nwg is most convenient; I'll be able to take Norway in the fall to compensate for my loss.
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Fleet North Sea -> Belgium.
Germany: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Moscow -> Sevastopol.
Germany: Fleet English Channel -> Wales. (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Munich -> Burgundy. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Norwegian Sea -> Clyde.
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet North Sea -> Belgium.
Germany: Army Moscow -> Sevastopol.
Germany: Fleet North Sea -> Belgium.
Germany: Fleet Helgoland Bight SUPPORT Fleet Holland.
Germany: Army Galicia SUPPORT Russian Fleet Sevastopol -> Rumania.
Germany's fighting a two front war (well, except for the fact that I'd really rather not be fighting him, so that I could block Turkey in the Mediterranean. He takes Sev and Belgium, but he's getting spread pretty thinly.
Russia: Army Tyrolia -> Munich. (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol -> Rumania.
Turkey: Army Tunis -> Ionian Sea -> Adriatic Sea -> Trieste.
Turkey: Army Budapest SUPPORT Army Vienna.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea HOLD.
Turkey: Army Vienna HOLD.
Turkey: Army Tuscany -> Piedmont.
Turkey: Fleet Adriatic Sea CONVOY Army Tunis -> Trieste.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea CONVOY Army Tunis -> Trieste.
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea -> Rumania. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Naples -> Rome.
Turkey: Army Venice SUPPORT Army Tunis -> Trieste.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Turkey: Army Ankara -> Armenia.
Turkey: Fleet Smyrna -> Eastern Mediterranean.
He'll take Rumania first, I presume, then go after Germany and me full force. I just have to time this correctly so that Germany has no choice but to ally with me against Turkey and accept a three-way draw.
France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT Army Picardy.
France: Fleet Edinburgh -> Clyde.
France: Fleet North Sea -> London.
France: Army Picardy SUPPORT Army Burgundy.
France: Fleet Irish Sea -> Liverpool.
France: Fleet Norwegian Sea -> Norway.
France: Army Brest SUPPORT Army Picardy.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> English Channel. (*bounce*)
France: Army Marseilles SUPPORT Army Burgundy.
I've protected everything and taken Norway as I needed to, but I did so at the expense of my southern fortification. This may have been a big mistake on my part, since Turkey might be able to press the issue and take Mar and Spain and push to 18 centers. Hopefully, Germany will pull back (as will I) and we'll dig in against Turkey. It won't be so easy, though, because he has a fleet in NAO and I have a fleet in Norway. I'm hoping that he'll order NAO-Nwg and we can get this straigtened out before it's too late. No-press games can get very tangled....
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Army Munich.
Germany: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Sevastopol.
Germany: Fleet English Channel SUPPORT Fleet Belgium. (*cut*)
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr.
Germany: Fleet Clyde -> North Atlantic Ocean.
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet Belgium.
Germany: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Galicia -> Rumania. (*cut*)
Germany: Fleet Belgium SUPPORT Fleet English Channel.
Germany: Fleet Helgoland Bight -> Denmark.
Germany: Army Galicia -> Rumania. (*bounce*)
Well, he's not retreating yet. He tried to take Rumania himself, rather than supporting the Russian in place, and lost the center to Turkey because of it.
Russia: Army Tyrolia -> Trieste. (*bounce, dislodged*)
Russia: Fleet Rumania SUPPORT Turkish Fleet Black Sea -> Sevastopol. (*void, dislodged*)
The fleet was destroyed, and he chose to end his own suffering by disbanding the Tyrolia army rather than retreat it. It's about time. Now only the three of us remain.
Turkey: Army Trieste SUPPORT Army Vienna. (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Budapest SUPPORT Army Bulgaria -> Rumania.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea HOLD.
Turkey: Army Vienna HOLD.
Turkey: Army Piedmont SUPPORT Army Venice -> Tyrolia.
Turkey: Fleet Adriatic Sea -> Apulia.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Tunis.
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea SUPPORT Army Bulgaria -> Rumania.
Turkey: Army Rome -> Venice.
Turkey: Army Venice -> Tyrolia.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Rumania.
Turkey: Army Armenia -> Sevastopol. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Eastern Mediterranean -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey has very little to discuss anymore; he's in a tactical battle to grab 18 centers. Here he gets Rumania, to raise his total to 14. Germany has 11 and I have nine.
Germany: Builds an army in Berlin. Turkey: Builds an army in Constantinople.This is a good sign for France; Germany and Turkey are both building to fight one another.
I was hoping that Germany would move NAO-Nwg, so we could get our fleets on the right side of a treaty line. My armies are in a pretty stable order; neither Germany or Turkey can break them up alone. Germany will be able to dislodge Norway in the fall, and I'll disband rather than retreat to Stp to show my non-agression. I hope he reads it that way.
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Fleet Belgium.
Germany: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Sevastopol. (*cut*)
Germany: Fleet English Channel -> North Sea.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr.
Germany: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Norwegian Sea.
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet English Channel -> North Sea.
Germany: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Galicia -> Rumania. (*cut, dislodged*)
RETREAT: Army Sevastopol -> Moscow.
Germany: Fleet Belgium SUPPORT French Army Picardy.
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> Sweden. (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Galicia -> Rumania. (*bounce, dislodged*)
RETREAT: Army Galicia -> Warsaw.
Germany: Army Berlin -> Silesia.
Losing Galacia and Sevastopol is not good -- we have to focus on stopping Turkey from here on out. I hope he agrees with me, or Turkey will take the win.
Turkey: Army Trieste -> Budapest.
Turkey: Army Budapest -> Galicia.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Budapest -> Galicia.
Turkey: Army Piedmont SUPPORT Army Venice -> Tyrolia.
Turkey: Fleet Apulia -> Naples.
Turkey: Fleet Tunis -> North Africa.
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea SUPPORT Army Armenia -> Sevastopol.
Turkey: Army Venice -> Tyrolia.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia -> Bohemia.
Turkey: Army Rumania -> Ukraine. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Armenia -> Sevastopol.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Tyrrhenian Sea.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Frighteningly successful. He'll launch his first attack on Mar/Spa in two seasons.
 France forgoes the retreat to St Petersburg as an olive branch to his German neighbor. The game is resolving to a French/German stand against the Turkish aggressor. |
|---|
France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT Army Marseilles.
France: Fleet Clyde -> Edinburgh.
France: Fleet English Channel -> London.
France: Army Picardy SUPPORT Army Burgundy.
France: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
France: Fleet Norway -> North Sea. (*bounce, dislodged*)
France: Army Brest -> Gascony.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> Spain (south coast).
France: Army Marseilles SUPPORT Army Burgundy.
My fleet has three places to retreat, including St. Petersburg, but I will disband it instead. This is the best news I've received in a while, actually. I can make my intentions crystal clear to the German by not taking StP. This helps set up a detente in the north, so we can focus on the south. Brest-Gascony is another hint to Germany -- I don't care to fight him anymore. Let's go get a three-way draw.
Germany: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Fleet Belgium.
Germany: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Moscow. (*cut, dislodged*)
Germany: Fleet North Sea -> Norway.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr. (*cut, dislodged*)
RETREAT: Army Munich -> Berlin.
Germany: Fleet Norwegian Sea SUPPORT Fleet North Sea -> Norway.
Germany: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet Belgium.
Germany: Army Moscow SUPPORT Army Ukraine.
Germany: Fleet Belgium SUPPORT Fleet Holland.
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> Sweden.
Germany: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Moscow.
Germany: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Of course Germany has to stop Turkey. I think we can take back Munich; losing Ukraine (no retreats) doesn't hurt that bad. If we can stop the Turk's expansion at Tun, Rom, Nap, Ven, Tri, Vie, Bud, Ser, Gre, Bul, Rum, Sev, Con, Ank, Smy, War, and Mos -- that would only be 17 centers. Germany has enough fleets to hold Ber and StP; I can help him hold onto Munich.
Turkey: Army Budapest SUPPORT Army Galicia.
Turkey: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Rumania -> Ukraine.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Tunis.
Turkey: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Galicia.
Turkey: Army Piedmont HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Naples -> Tyrrhenian Sea.
Turkey: Fleet North Africa -> Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea SUPPORT Army Sevastopol.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia SUPPORT Army Bohemia -> Munich.
Turkey: Army Bohemia -> Munich.
Turkey: Army Rumania -> Ukraine.
Turkey: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Rumania -> Ukraine.
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Gulf of Lyon.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Rumania.
Turkey will soon have fleets in Naf, Wes, and Lyo and an army in Pie. I can stalemate these forces with A Mar, A Bur, A Gas, F Spa(sc), F MAO, and F Eng. If we can get Germany back into Munich and get those six pieces in place, we're all set.
Turkey: Builds an army in Constantinople. Turkey: Builds an army in Ankara.These pieces will likely never see battle.
I guessed right about which German army would attack Munich, although it didn't really matter. My pieces are in place; I can hold off Turkey indefintely with Mar H, Spa(sc) H, Bur S Mar, Gas S Spa, MAO S Spa, Eng S MAO. Unfortunately, Munich may need help, so I should try to either slip a unit into Por (freeing Gas to support Mar and Bur to support Munich) or move an army into Ruhr. Easier said than done.
Germany: Army Ruhr -> Munich.
Germany: Fleet Norway SUPPORT Fleet Norwegian Sea -> North Sea.
Germany: Army Berlin SUPPORT Army Ruhr -> Munich.
Germany: Fleet Norwegian Sea -> North Sea.
Germany: Fleet Holland -> Kiel.
Germany: Army Moscow SUPPORT Army Warsaw. (*cut, dislodged*)
RETREAT: Army Moscow -> St Petersburg.
Germany: Fleet Belgium SUPPORT Fleet Norwegian Sea -> North Sea.
Germany: Fleet Sweden -> Baltic Sea.
Germany: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Moscow. (*cut*)
Germany: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Ruhr -> Munich.
Germany wants to hold onto Stp, Ber, and Mun. He'll lose Warsaw in the fall, but he can retreat to Pru. F Nor and A Stp can hold onto Stp indefinitely. Armies in Mun, Ber, Sil, and Pru form a good defense, but Turkey could break it with War-Pru, Tyr-Mun, Gal-Sil. Then Boh could support either Gal-Sil or Tyr-Mun, and if he guessed right (with Ber S either Sil or Mun), he'd destroy an army. If he takes Munich, he wins the game; if he takes Silesia, he wins quicky thereafter. So I need to count on Bur S Mun. I'd better try to get Bre-Por. Only Gas need support Spa (I don't know why I thought it needed two supports), so I'll have to order Bur S Mar this season, one last time. Hopefully, Turkey won't take Mun and War both this season and win outright.
Turkey: Army Budapest -> Galicia. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Galicia -> Warsaw. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Tunis -> North Africa.
Turkey: Army Vienna -> Bohemia.
Turkey: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Fleet Western Mediterranean SUPPORT Fleet Tunis -> North Africa.
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea -> Constantinople.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia SUPPORT Army Munich.
Turkey: Army Munich HOLD. (*dislodged*)
Turkey: Army Ukraine -> Moscow.
Turkey: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Ukraine -> Moscow.
Turkey: Fleet Gulf of Lyon SUPPORT Army Piedmont -> Marseilles.
Turkey: Army Rumania -> Ukraine.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Turkey: Army Ankara -> Armenia.
The Turkish Army in Munich with no valid retreats was destroyed.
Success! The Army convoyed to Portugal and Munich did not fall. Now I'll order Bur S Mun, Edi H, Eng S MAO, Por S Spa(sc), MAO S Spa(sc), Gas S Mar, Spa(sc) S Mar, and Mar S Spa(sc). And "set draw". This game is now reduced to seeing if Germany can hold off Turkey -- I bet he can.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Silesia. (*cut*)
Germany: Fleet Norway -> St Petersburg (north coast). (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Berlin -> Prussia.
Germany: Fleet North Sea -> Norway. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Kiel -> Baltic Sea.
Germany: Army St Petersburg -> Moscow. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Belgium HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Baltic Sea -> Gulf of Bothnia.
Germany: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army St Petersburg -> Moscow. (*cut, dislodged*)
RETREAT: Army Warsaw -> Livonia.
Germany: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Warsaw. (*cut*)
Germany loses Warsaw (removing the Norway fleet) and has decided to occupy Livonia and Prussia instead. It's a good thing I freed up Burgundy to support Munich. Germany should order Mun S Sil, Sil S Mun, Pru S Mun, Lvn S Stp, Stp S Lvn. He doesn't even need his four fleets -- good work by the German in setting up an even better stalemate line than I anticipated (I'll admit, I'm no expert in the area). He has to hope that Bur S Mun -- and it will.
Turkey: Army Budapest -> Galicia.
Turkey: Army Galicia -> Warsaw.
Turkey: Fleet North Africa SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
Turkey: Army Bohemia -> Silesia. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Western Mediterranean. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Constantinople -> Aegean Sea.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia -> Munich. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Moscow SUPPORT Army Galicia -> Warsaw. (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Moscow.
Turkey: Fleet Gulf of Lyon -> Spain (south coast). (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Galicia -> Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Rumania.
Turkey: Army Armenia HOLD.
Turkey: Builds an army in Constantinople. Turkey: Builds an army in Smyrna. Turkey keeps growing, this time building two armies, in Constantinople and Smyrna. He can now attack Mar with a force of two, but Gas S Mar. He can attack Spa with a force of two and cut supports from Mar and MAO, but Por S Spa. He can attack MAO with two, but Eng S MAO. He can attack Mun with a force of two and cut support from Sil, but Bur S Mun. He can attack Sil with three and cut Munich's support, so he could take Sil and push that army to Berlin. Okay, given that he does that, he can attack Mun with three, but Ber and Bur S Mun. He could attack Pru with two, but Bal S Pru. He could attack Lvn with two, but Bot S Lvn. So he can take Silesia, but he can't get another SC. Looks like the three-way draw I've been working towards since 1906, back in August....
These moves won't change for the rest of the game, and are accompanied by "set draw"
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Silesia. (*cut*)
Germany: Army Prussia -> Warsaw. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet North Sea -> Norway.
Germany: Fleet Baltic Sea SUPPORT Army Livonia.
Germany: Army St Petersburg -> Moscow. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Belgium HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia SUPPORT Army Livonia.
Germany: Army Livonia SUPPORT Army St Petersburg -> Moscow.
Germany: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Munich.
Germany's taken a slightly different stance on the stalemate line: he is attacking Warsaw and Moscow to try to prevent Turkey from making progress. It worked, but I think that Turkey could still take Silesia. Not that it matters, since taking Silesia doesn't lead to the fall of an 18th SC.
Turkey: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Moscow. (*cut*)
Turkey: Fleet North Africa SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Army Bohemia SUPPORT Army Tyrolia -> Munich.
Turkey: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Fleet Western Mediterranean SUPPORT Fleet North Africa.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea CONVOY Army Smyrna -> Greece.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia -> Munich. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Moscow SUPPORT Army Warsaw. (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Moscow.
Turkey: Fleet Gulf of Lyon SUPPORT Army Piedmont -> Marseilles.
Turkey: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Turkey: Army Armenia HOLD.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Turkey: Army Smyrna -> Aegean Sea -> Greece.
He won't set draw yet; thinking that there has to be a way to get that 18th SC! I'm afraid not.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Silesia. (*cut*)
Germany: Army Prussia -> Warsaw. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Norway HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Baltic Sea SUPPORT Army Livonia.
Germany: Army St Petersburg -> Moscow. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Belgium HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia SUPPORT Army Livonia.
Germany: Army Livonia SUPPORT Army Prussia -> Warsaw.
Germany: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Prussia -> Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Moscow. (*cut*)
Turkey: Fleet North Africa SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Army Bohemia -> Munich. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Fleet Western Mediterranean SUPPORT Fleet North Africa.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia SUPPORT Army Bohemia -> Munich.
Turkey: Army Moscow SUPPORT Army Warsaw. (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Moscow.
Turkey: Fleet Gulf of Lyon SUPPORT Army Piedmont -> Marseilles.
Turkey: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Budapest -> Vienna.
Turkey: Army Armenia HOLD.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Rumania.
Turkey: Army Greece -> Albania.
No.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Silesia. (*cut*)
Germany: Army Prussia -> Warsaw. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Norway HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Baltic Sea SUPPORT Army Livonia.
Germany: Army St Petersburg -> Moscow. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Belgium HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia SUPPORT Army Livonia.
Germany: Army Livonia SUPPORT Army St Petersburg -> Moscow.
Germany: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Munich.
Turkey: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Moscow. (*cut*)
Turkey: Fleet North Africa SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Army Bohemia SUPPORT Army Tyrolia -> Munich.
Turkey: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Fleet Western Mediterranean SUPPORT Fleet North Africa.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Tunis.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia -> Munich. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Moscow SUPPORT Army Warsaw. (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Moscow.
Turkey: Fleet Gulf of Lyon SUPPORT Army Piedmont -> Marseilles.
Turkey: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Bohemia.
Turkey: Army Armenia HOLD.
Turkey: Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Turkey: Army Albania -> Trieste.
Still no.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Silesia. (*cut*)
Germany: Army Prussia -> Warsaw. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Norway HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Baltic Sea HOLD.
Germany: Army St Petersburg -> Moscow. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Belgium HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia HOLD.
Germany: Army Livonia SUPPORT Army Prussia -> Warsaw.
Germany: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Prussia -> Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Moscow. (*cut*)
Turkey: Fleet North Africa SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Army Bohemia SUPPORT Army Tyrolia -> Munich.
Turkey: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Fleet Western Mediterranean SUPPORT Fleet North Africa.
Turkey: Fleet Tunis SUPPORT Fleet North Africa.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia -> Munich. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Moscow SUPPORT Army Warsaw. (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Moscow.
Turkey: Fleet Gulf of Lyon SUPPORT Army Piedmont -> Marseilles.
Turkey: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Bohemia.
Turkey: Army Armenia HOLD.
Turkey: Army Budapest HOLD.
Turkey: Army Trieste HOLD.
Still no. Turkey 17, Germany 9, France 8. It should sink in soon that this is a stalemate and either everyone will set draw or the Master will enforce it.
 This should be a 17-9-8 FGT draw, right? |
|---|
France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT German Army Munich.
France: Fleet Edinburgh HOLD.
France: Fleet English Channel SUPPORT Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
France: Army Portugal SUPPORT Fleet Spain (south coast).
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean HOLD.
France: Army Gascony SUPPORT Army Marseilles.
France: Fleet Spain (south coast) HOLD.
France: Army Marseilles HOLD.
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Silesia. (*cut*)
Germany: Army Prussia SUPPORT Army Silesia.
Germany: Fleet Norway SUPPORT Army St Petersburg.
Germany: Fleet Baltic Sea SUPPORT Army Prussia.
Germany: Army St Petersburg SUPPORT Army Livonia.
Germany: Fleet Belgium HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia SUPPORT Army Livonia.
Germany: Army Livonia SUPPORT Army Prussia.
Germany: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Munich. (*cut, dislodged*)
RETREAT: Army Silesia -> Berlin.
Turkey: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Bohemia -> Silesia.
Turkey: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Bohemia -> Silesia.
Turkey: Fleet North Africa SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Army Bohemia -> Silesia.
Turkey: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Fleet Western Mediterranean SUPPORT Fleet North Africa.
Turkey: Fleet Tunis SUPPORT Fleet North Africa.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia -> Munich. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Moscow SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Moscow.
Turkey: Fleet Gulf of Lyon SUPPORT Army Piedmont -> Marseilles.
Turkey: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Vienna -> Bohemia.
Turkey: Army Armenia HOLD.
Turkey: Army Budapest HOLD.
Turkey: Army Trieste -> Vienna.
Turkey takes Silesia, as expected, but it can't take a supply center. All Germany needs to do (since it can see that Bur S Mun ad infintum) is order Mun H, Ber S Mun, Bal S Pru H, Bot S Lvn H, Stp H. This game is over, already!
Germany: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Berlin -> Silesia. (*dislodged*)
RETREAT: Army Munich -> Kiel.
Germany: Army Prussia SUPPORT Army Berlin -> Silesia.
Germany: Fleet Norway HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Baltic Sea SUPPORT Army Prussia.
Germany: Army St Petersburg -> Moscow. (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Belgium HOLD.
Germany: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia HOLD.
Germany: Army Livonia -> Warsaw. (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Berlin -> Silesia.
Turkey: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Warsaw HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet North Africa HOLD.
Turkey: Army Silesia -> Munich.
Turkey: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles. (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Tuscany.
Turkey: Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Tyrrhenian Sea.
Turkey: Fleet Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia SUPPORT Army Silesia -> Munich.
Turkey: Army Moscow SUPPORT Army Warsaw. (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Moscow.
Turkey: Fleet Gulf of Lyon SUPPORT Army Piedmont -> Marseilles.
Turkey: Army Ukraine SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Turkey: Army Bohemia SUPPORT Army Silesia -> Munich.
Turkey: Army Armenia HOLD.
Turkey: Army Budapest HOLD.
Turkey: Army Vienna HOLD.
Oh brother. Germany tries to retake Silesia, for reasons known only to himself. Turkey takes Munich, game over.
I don't understand this maneuver, and it's particularly hard to swallow first thing on a Monday morning. I don't know if he didn't see the stalemate line and still thought he was fighting for his life, or what. Oh well, that was a simple three-way draw that he tossed away for both of us. Damn.
Anyway, congratulations to Turkey on the win -- I give him full credit for taking the opportunity when it was given to him. From the start of this game, he played solidly and made sure that he never had a serious threat from any direction. He always seemed to have the superior numbers against his foes. He also played the Russian alliance perfectly; never letting the Russian have any real autonomy, but giving him enough reason to keep helping out Turkey.
My review of my own play is that I did an okay job; I got off to a rotten start, since Italy attacked me in 1902, just as I was starting an English offensive. By the time England was destroyed in 1905, Germany was dominant in the north and Turkey was meeting no resistance in the east. After 1902, I never rated myself higher than third. I played for a three-way draw from 1905 on, and that's what I should have gotten. Oh well; it's just a game and the wounds have already healed.