Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Pundit update, Spring 1903

turn information to come soon; I was too fast. Current maps here.

Europe has seen some of the most amazing development known to diplomacy this convulse season. Your trusty correspondent writes his last dispatch from London that fears becoming a provincial town of the French Empire. My next chronicle, alas, will be from the continent. On with the analysis.

The Western front: France unleashed

Developments in the Western threatre of operations have one chief master of mayhem: France. In a set of masterful moves, France has managed to lure Britain to an impossible position of lost sovereignty and defeat.

Their moves have been masterful. They read (correctly, and way better than your pundit) than Germany was doomed, and that they were not the ones to benefit for its downfall. Their brilliance, however, was realizing that luring the British to overcommitment would open them to a vicious, swift, brilliant stab. And boy, did they execute well. Baring an Italian surprise (more later), they are poised to to dismantle the British homeland in one year.

Germany, in turn, suffered from anti-French tunnel vision, and spreaded themselves too thin. The convoy attempt was brilliant (despite the failure), but the moves to Munich and Belgium were not. They probably fell in a British trap there, with France actually being the one that pulled the strings.

About England... greed and being too confident in a French backpedalling to cover the Italian excursion doomed them. I don't blame them, although leaving the North Sea open was criminal.

My take is that despite being at each other's throats, England should try to work out something with Germany the coming season. They don't have any other way out. The blue navies should survive at Belgium and Denmark while Germany fends of the attacks on their homeland with their help. Of course, it could well be that Germany is already on a deal with France, but this looks unlikely. I bet that they are the ones who leaked the German convoy to Russia, after all.

Eastern front and Italy: sharpening the knife too early

Pretty smooth sailing for the Eastern powers this season, with some major clouds in the horizon. First, Austria is getting restless, both on the board and according to some leaks from embassies. Their move to Galicia probably hints that either they distrust Russia like mad, or that they knew about the German convoy attempt. In any case, the brilliant Russian bounce and Silesia's army holding position shows that Russia is wary of any kind of foul play, and prefered to play it safe.

My take on the situation is that both countries should try to keep cooperating and stop testing each other. Both have huge open expanses of terrain to grow, without having any clear killing stab to finish each other offer. One turkish center in exchange of help in Munich, coulld be their coordinated moves, with Austria making a supported convoy to Southern Italy and Russia finishing off England now that they can.

In the medium term, my money is not on Austria, in any case. They probably though that I was wrong when I suggested they should support a German invasion and leave Italy alone harrassing France, as Russia was more likely to reap the benefits. Now they are in the situation of provoking a "slow kill" that keeps Italy alive while useful (not too long), get some centers, and after the reluctant Russian advance to Germany (due to French-induced paranoia, maybe?) grow faster than their neighbour. Their problem is that France and Russia are natural allies now in Germany, and probably elsewhere... and they have just stabbed their only natural ally left, Italy.

Russia and France should talk. A lot. They need to kill Germany as fast as possible. After that, they could be in a position to race to kill Austria as fast as possible to see who wins.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Pundit update: on builds and expansion

According to my sources, the German authorities are really looking forward the French decision regarding builds. In their own words, they are tired of "spending far too much time trying to get France to see beyond the tip of his fscking nose", and trying to avoid going to a senseless war that will ruin the future of both countries. If France builds an army in Paris, our Wilhelmstrasse sources report that Germany is going to go Medieval on the Gauls, no matter the consequences.

In my view, I think that Germany has a fair point. Considering how fast the East front is unfolding, it is of the outmost importance for any country in the West to race to finishing off at least one neighbour before the Bear and the Empire decide to steamroll to the West.

What I am not that sure, however, is if France's best ally is Germany in this regard. Let me have a look at the East to see their options.

Turkey, barring any pathetic mistake by Austria and Russia, is pretty much toast. Right now, I don't think that even the fleet is worth much, depending on how events unfold. It is quite clear than Austria and Russia have the resources to tore the country down already in place; the best turk can do is backtrack, and scream for help from Italy, something that the fleet-on-exile is not likely to do moving West.

The question is, consequently, where are Austria and Russia headed? My guess is that they are both going to Germany. I don't see Austria moving against Italy this year; they lack the manpower to open Venice in Spring, and they really can't make much progress on their own (that is, not favouring Turkey) without more fleets. The fact that they didn't position their armies for a Venice push is telling; they are going to maul Germany, trying to inflict on them the same kind of swift, painful defeat that Turkey is going to enjoy.

This means that Italy is on Austria's side, obviously, and being used to tie down as many French units as possible in the Mediterranean. The question for France is, where England sits. If they are in bed with Russia (likely), they need to help Germany and prey. If they are still unattached, they need to reach an agreement with them fast. Call me paranoid, but if Austria and Russia are really cooperating as much as I suspect, and Italy is on board, the Western powers need a triple alliance there as fast as possible.

What is clear is that as it stands now, France doesn't have enough resources to be the most favoured nation in a German partition; specially if Italy keeps on the pressure. Italy can afford losing one SC to a doomed Turkey, so I won't bet my strategy on that fact. Their problem is, they don't have anywhere else to grow. Their lack of focus is going to force them play second fiddle, unless they seek a broad alliance.

If my speculation of an Italian-Austian agreement is right, that is. If Austria carves Italy something fierce, then they should stab Germany as hard as they can. Their South flank being safe, and with only Russia challenging Germany on land, they have the upper hand.

My bet is, however, in the first scenario.

Friday, February 10, 2006

ADWN exclusive: Fear and Loathing in London

This is Egocrata, writing from Fleet Street in London, in the second edition of the Ars Diplomacy War News special report.

Conflict has seemingly spread swiftly and violently all across the continent, just as most observers predicted. The lines of conflict and war, however, have been surprising to many analysts, including, to a certain extend, this correspondent. Now, from London, a city that lives in fear of the dark storm clouds that gather in the English Channel, I send this report.


Western front: ¿England in danger?

Surprising turn of events in the West, breaking away from the apparent non-threatening moves from the Spring. Turning against my expectations, France has ditched away the standard fleet invasion of Portugal for a bold, surprising move to the English Channel. Not only that, but the managed to enrol Germany with a swift move against Belgium. The Kaiser and his advisors deserve praise for the deal; France forfeiting a sure built in the South for a dubious Rhur support surely took a great deal of effort. In any case, nice move, that puts Britain all of a sudden in a world of pain, specially considering the fleet build up.

According to some secret (and anonymous) ADWN sources, the franco-german deal was in fact already in place by Spring, with some very elaborate coordinated denial from both powers. According to the same source, England was totally taken by surprise, despite some (minor) French leaks to other powers.

The forecast, for this side of the board, is quite clear: if Germany and France don't blow it, England is pretty much screwed. Russia won't risk a war against Germany so early on, Austria has nothing to win, and Italy is stuck with Lepanto antics. If they coordinate in a way that stabbing each other remains unpractical, they have a great head start.

Eastern front: ¿A league of three Emperors?

The situation in the Eastern front gives some credence to the fake war between Russia and Austria theory advanced in my first report. No matter if I was right or not, it seems that Turkey totally bought into the Galitzia bounce as an act of war line of argument, because they followed a set of moves that Russia probably loves with passion. Traffic jam, Black Sea empty, and fleet build in the Med. Great. For once, that fleet will probably prove to be useful (poor Italy, no easy fun for them in the Balkans), but they seem to be in a tight spot.

We will see how the situation evolves, but in the medium term, I see a "league of the three Emperors" (German Kaiser, Russian Tsar and Austrian Emperor) working pretty smoothly together for a couple of years. Austria and Russia have such a nice shot against Turkey that it would be foolish to pass it, and they both benefit from German neutrality in the short run. Specially the Germans, really, even more if they are fast in finishing England.

Our sources have suggested the ADWN that in fact most of the moves and the drama that unfolded in the Balkans were in fact more a product of sheer luck from Russia (and a painful Turkish mistake) than anything else. I suspect that it is more likely to be a product of the well known talent for evil of Xherakleitos and Ionitor, with some great "playing dumb" from Secondhand Jack than anything else, though. In any case, the situation know asks for their cooperation, with almost the same caveats than the French-German alliance.

Lone gunman: Italy

Not much to say about them. They live in the traditional Italian problem of not being useful for anybody until 1903, and by them facing the horror of being too weak to do anything worth telling. My suggestion with them is to ignore rationality for a moment, and go wild. Really, really, really wild. Screw alliances, screw being nice, try to go ahead and punch someone in the face. Probably France, that hasn't send that many people to Spain to do the job, and is too focused in the North. A shame that the convoy to Tunis looks so retarded now, though. No army landing in Spain this year.

They could risk punching Austria, but I feel they don't have the focus or the numbers to break the front (and Russia is going to carry the brunt of the offensive, in any case) and they are probably gonig to be too late for the Turkish party. So guys, think out of the box.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

ADWN exclusive: The Egocratic report from London


This is Egocrata, writing from Fleet Street in London, in the first edition of the Ars Diplomacy War News special report.

The opening moves of what seems to have become a full blown conflict engulfing the whole continent have finally started this Spring. The reports from the front are still confusing at best, although thanks to our privileged network of ADWN correspondants we have been able to draw a pretty accurate map of the opening moves. With this information in mind, however, I think it is possible to draft some tentative analysis.

France: the Republic has started this war with a set of fairly non-confrontational, neutral moves, focusing its expansion to the West and the South. Although it makes sense in terms of trying to look non-threatening, the tactical position for Spring of 1902 would be pretty passive. And being passive sometimes is not a good thing. Favouring France, however, we see that England has not moved clearly against the hexagon, so perhaps an agreement can be reached there.

Germany: fairly clear, non-compromising opening for them as well, although the move to the Rhur hints some anti-French possibilities. The fact that they will be the only power with two units close to the low countries will certaintly open some creative fall diplomacy, without worries from the South or East. They must fear an entente cordiale between both sides of the channel, however, and try to convince either France that having a fleet-building country on their backs is a idea, or England than tearing a hole in Gibraltar is their best way to advance. I personally find the first more appealing for both sides, although France's dull opening is not reasuring.

England: pretty standard opening, more biased against Germany than that against France, although by a small margin. They need to work out a deal with one of their neighbours on how to make their fearsome shipyards non-threatening. Selling a long term deal is a good idea.

Italy: the usual in the South, a paranoid non-move in Venice. Either that, or they have the hare-brained idea of attacking Austria right away. Conventional wisdom says that Italians invading Austria is usually a bad idea. Of course, if Italy has enough friends and Austria hasn't, it could be the other way. If attacking was not the idea, the non-move is a waste. If it was, that bounce at Galitzia just made it useless. Maybe I am crazy, but I love to see Italy attacking France. It is usually more fun.

Austria: good opening for the dual monarchy. The Galitzia bounce was spot on (or even better than that, more bellow), denying Russia any chance of a Fall easy attack. The other two moves grant two builds, and force their two neighbours to have a pretty boring end of the year, and just one build in the Balkans. If they want to play crazy, they can offer Turkey a Deal, even. In any case, they look to be the most fancied target out there. Good luck.

Russia: looking Anti-Austrian in the South so early on is not usually a good idea. Specially when a single bounce crashes the plan. Unless that was an agreed bounce, that is. It makes sense. Austria gets a nice, non-troubled starting position, Russia bottles up Turkey a bit and guarantees a build... unless they do a weird thing, and sacrifice it to keep denying Turkey the Black Sea. Why not? I know, I am crazy. Of course, it could be that Russia just managed to open agressive both against Turkey AND Austria, hoping to be in a strong position, and now they just have to pissed neighbours. Their short term moves, in that case, would probably be quite passive, as they lack credibility.

Turkey: neither good nor bad. They do not interfere with Austria in a serious way (yet), and are in a good "let's piss Russia" position. Their problem is, Austria usually prefers Russia as ally than helping create a yellow monster on their belly. They should focus on the short term on a "grab land, ask questions later" framework now, focusing on Russia, and pray that Austria thinks they can manage them.

"The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime."

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Getting ready....

Europe is getting ready for another war. Updates on statesmen, rulers and other evils here soon.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

After the war: The Egocratic After Action Report

At last!

After all this time having insider's knowledge on what was going on during the game, I finally can talk about what I think was going on at each stage, and what I learned of all this furious mailing.

I must say that I've read 90% of everything writen by the players during the whole game, more than 1500 messages. Some of them really, really long. Damn you, verbose players, sometimes. It has been really, really fun. At several occasions, I was almost as confused as anyone else, as I knew what each country was saying, but not which message was the real position that was going to be put in the orders. Some of the requests for thoughts from the players were had the AAR in mind, but most of them were to ensure I knew what I was going on. Of course, as everyone was equally confused, some of the reports were actually even less clarifying. Oh well.

I am going to touch several subjects here, so let's get started. First of all:

Lessons from the control room: what the judge has learned about Diplomacy

You always learn in a game of diplomacy; either from your own mistakes on the havoc you inflict in your opponents. Being behind the scences, I learned even more. Some of the most relevant lessons are:

Talk, talk, talk:

No matter who you are, how pissed you are with some opponents, or how far is someone from you in the map, talk. If you are alive long enough, you'll be grateful that you wrote to the remote (insert country name here) and you have shared plans with them. Russia and Italy didn't talk enough, for instance, when they both had strong hints of what fate awaited the other country. When they needed each other's knowledge, they lines of communication were already too limited.

The other case where the lack of communication caused huge problems to a country was France, before the English ill-fated stab. They had doubts about what to do, and decided to limit the amount of comunication sent. England understood that as lack of cooperation, and decided to go after them after Austria and Turkey lobbied heavily in that direction. Had France been more talkative, England would probably have waited, and avoided three precious turns mending bridges afterwards.

Timing the stab:

There's only one valid way to stab someone: leaving him completely crippled. Anything short of that equals a pissed off opponent and wasted time. Sometimes you can rebuild the trust (England and France) sometimes you can't; but the time loss is already there.

Case in point, again England. The stab was not brutal enough to be crippling, and the damaged France turned out to be necessary shortly afterwards. At least a couple of turns were lost in slow, careful moves to rebuild the trust. The time lost there could have been used to cross the stalemate line in time to avoid the horrid endgame.

About non-crippling stabs, the awful mess in the balkans early in the game is a clear example. If you break promises (Russia, Italy), it has to be for a good reason, and decent gains. Not doing that is bad for your Imperial health,

Being flexible doesn't mean lacking focus:

Italy is the posterchild in this case. They had a wickedly fun position in Summer 1902-Spring 1903, with an assload of possible moves and alliances. However, they alternated misstreating and lying to Austria with not attacking her, getting their ass kicked shortly thereafter. Turkey or Russia would have loved their help, but after pissing the Austrians off, they moved to Munich, only to get ruthelessly backstabbed.

Same for Russia. I always have found that it is the most difficult country to play, as it is really easy to get overextended. You can play in too many fronts, piss off too many people, and then get wiped out by being stabbed by two guys in the opposite sides of the board, Britain and Turkey.

Always have the worst in mind:

The Austria-Turkey alliance was strong, and from pretty early in the game. I really didn't notice how strong it really was until early 1903. France and England didn't have the same amount of information I had, but they really didn't consider them as a "single country" until the winter of 1905. Way too late.They had been cooperating for two full years clearly; they couldn't be certain, but they should have at least had it in mind. Specially if the idea of stabbing each other was in the table.

So they wasted the most precious resource in the game....

You can trade everything but time:

That's the biggest lesson for me in this game. Time is the most precious resource you have in the game, period. Slowing down to consolidate a line can be the difference between victory or stalemate.

Several examples. Dealing with Italy, for instance; Turkey and Austria slowed down there. The ill-fated English stab. Austria moved North one turn too late, only to be trapped at Germany, in part because Russian affairs slowed what should have been an earlier invasion. Turkey giving advice to France to counter the English stab, speeding up the build up of the stalemate line.

The game is highly positional, and has well-known stalemate lines. The only way to beat tactics is crossing those lines before the other side thinks they need them. Time is everything.

Extermination is not always needed:

Why the hell Turkey decided to anhilate the Russians? That fleet was crucial, after reaching the stalemate line too late. The game was there.

The end game: Turkey is a coward

I am going to be blunt, but Turkey deserves it. If you have a look at the early Spring 1907 positions, you can see why I am quite disappointed about how the game ended. The stalemate line is in place; there's no way that France or England are going to open the door. Turkey and Austria have arrived one turn late to the invasion positions, after England and France stabbing.

Look at Turkey's position. They are at 10; without any help, they can stab Austria and get to 13-14 by the end of the year. They don't have any stalemate line to breach against their ally, and they can secure on their own the Med Line and draw a line in St.Petesburg.

Basically, a Turkish stab in Spring 1907 was a hell of a good shot on a solo victory by Fall 1908- Spring 1909, with a bit of luck and tactical mojo; well within the reach of their leaders.

Because boys, remember: Diplomacy is not a fucking team game.

The stalemate line was set. You wanted a two way win, you can't get it, no matter what; the stalemate line is there, and France and England are no longer being stupid. If you have a shot to win solo because your ally trusts you too much, go for it.

And no, the stalemate line was not "unfair" or boring. It is the essence of the game. The lines are there for all players; if the other side manages to build one, it is your fault, not theirs nor the game's. It means that no more gains from there. Tough luck. Whining and commiting suicide is not a brave way out, specially when victory was at hand more than once.

You still want to get a two way with Austria? Fake a stab. It is a well honored practice; feint and attack, make your own line fall back, lure the other side out of the trenches, counter attack from a better position. It can be done, it works, and it is a hell of a cool way to work.

Commiting suicide goes against what the game is about, seven self-interested individuals seeking to maximize their power using their brains. It is irrational, and runs against the spirit of the game. Even moreso when one considers that the country that vaporized could have won with just a simple stab in early 1907.

Still...

The moron of the game award goes to Germany. Good Lord.

The countries than I think had a good shot at winning the game were Turkey (Austria was beging for a stab, totally exposed, since late 1904) and England (stabed France at the wrong time; both too early and too late). France had a long shot the moment Russia crumbled. Italy could have gone far but lacked focus. Russia overextended. Germany... ugh.

And that's it. AAR by the judge.

A new era: Dawn of the Austrian hegemony


Austrian victory: a new Empire

So here it is, the end of the battle. Austria wins with 18 supply centers.

In the last player's mail with the turn results there's the password for the judge mail account, where almost all player's diplomatic messages (with some minor holes) were forwarded. All 7 empires please check their team's accounts if the want the password, or ask the judge by mail. We'll post the password a bit later for all viewer's pleasure, after the statesmen read throught them in order to prepare their after action report.

The judge will post his thoughts soon.

Fall 1908 campaigns


Fall 1908 campaign outcomes. Furious maneouvers by the Turkish fleets, that have gone slightly crazy.

Fall 1908 orders


Fall 1908 orders

Turkey:
F Aegean Sea - London
A Finland Hold
F Ionian Sea - Paris
F North Africa - Paris
A St Petersburg Supports A Finland
A Tuscany - London
F Tyrrhenian Sea - London
F Western Mediterranean - Paris
England:
A Burgundy Supports A Marseilles
F Gulf of Bothnia Supports A Sweden - Finland
F Irish Sea Supports F Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Kiel Supports A Ruhr
F North Sea, no move received
F Norway - St Petersburg(nc)
A Ruhr Supports A Kiel
A Sweden - Finland
France:
A Gascony Supports A Marseilles
A Marseilles Supports A Spain
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean Supports A Spain
F Portugal Supports A Spain
A Spain Supports A Marseilles
Austria:
A Berlin Supports A Munich
A Bohemia Supports A Munich
F Bulgaria(sc) - Constantinople
F Gulf of Lyon Supports A Burgundy - Marseilles
A Livonia Supports A St Petersburg
A Munich, no move received
A Naples, no move received
A Piedmont Supports A Burgundy - Marseilles
A Rumania - Sevastopol
A Serbia - Bulgaria
A Silesia Supports A Berlin
A Smyrna - Ankara
A Tyrolia Supports A Munich

Sunday, June 05, 2005

Summer 1908 positions


Summer 1908 positions

No retreats, so we are up for a fast, easy turn. Fall 1908 deadline is Wednesday, 8 PM EST. If someone wants to play it so late, that's it. If I have all orders sent earlier, I'll post the results by then. I'll give a write up of the game, and open up the gmail account to the seven countries involved after that.

The Spring 1908 campaign


Spring 1908 battle results

Spring 1908 orders


Spring 1908 orders

Austria:
A Berlin Supports A Munich
A Bohemia Supports A Munich
A Budapest - Rumania
F Greece - Bulgaria(sc)
F Gulf of Lyon Supports A Tuscany - Spain
A Moscow - Livonia
A Munich Hold
A Piedmont Supports A Burgundy - Marseilles
A Rome - Naples
A Silesia Supports A Munich
A Trieste - Serbia
A Tunis - Smyrna
A Vienna - Tyrolia
Turkey:
F Aegean Sea Convoys A Tunis - Smyrna
A Finland Hold
F Ionian Sea Convoys A Tunis - Smyrna
F North Africa Supports F Irish Sea - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A St Petersburg Supports A Finland
A Tuscany - Spain
F Tyrrhenian Sea Convoys A Tuscany - Spain
F Western Mediterranean Convoys A Tuscany - Spain
England:
A Burgundy Supports A Marseilles
F Gulf of Bothnia Supports A Sweden - Finland
F Irish Sea Supports F Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Kiel Supports A Ruhr
F North Sea Supports F Skagerrak - Norway
A Ruhr Supports A Kiel
F Skagerrak - Norway
A Sweden - Finland
France:
A Gascony Supports A Marseilles
A Marseilles Supports A Spain
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean Supports A Spain
F Portugal Supports A Spain
A Spain Supports A Marseilles

Friday, June 03, 2005

Europe, early 1908


Europe, early 1908

Next turn deadline is Sunday, 8 PM EST.

Winter 1907: builds, disbands and retreats


Winter 1907 builds and disbands

Austria:
Build A Bud
Build A Tri
Build A Vie
Turkey:
A Sweden Finland
Remove F Eastern Med
Remove A Smyrna
Remove A Sevastapol

Winter 1907, retreats and builds pending.


Early Winter, 1907.

Deadline mayhem now. I am madly busy this weekend, so I really don't know how to do this. Let me see.
Retreats: tomorrow, at noon. .
Builds and disbands: tomorrow, at 8 PM EST.
(Turkey -3, Austria +3, I think)
Spring 1908 move: Sunday, 8 PM EST.
If someone asks for an extension, rules are the same of last turn. I won't tell who asked. It could be me, even. Tell me as soon as possible.

Fall 1907: the battles


Fall 1907 results

Fall 1907 orders


Fall 1907 orders

Austria:
F Albania - Greece
A Berlin - Kiel
A Bohemia - Munich
F Gulf of Lyon Convoys A Piedmont - Tunis
A Munich - Burgundy
A Piedmont - Tunis
A Silesia Supports A Bohemia - Munich
A Tyrolia - Piedmont
A Venice - Rome
A Warsaw - Moscow
Turkey:
F Aegean Sea Convoys A Greece - Smyrna
A Armenia - Sevastopol
A Greece - Smyrna
F Ionian Sea - Eastern Mediterranean
F North Africa Supports F Irish Sea - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Rome - Tuscany
A St Petersburg Supports A Sweden - Norway
A Sweden - Norway
F Tunis - Ionian Sea
F Tyrrhenian Sea Convoys A Piedmont - Tunis
F Western Mediterranean Supports F Irish Sea - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
France:
A Gascony Supports A Marseilles
A Marseilles Supports A Belgium - Burgundy
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean Supports F Portugal
F Portugal Supports A Spain
A Spain Supports A Marseilles
England:
A Belgium - Burgundy
A Denmark - Sweden
F Gulf of Bothnia Supports A Denmark - Sweden
F Irish Sea Supports F Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Kiel Supports A Ruhr
F North Sea Supports F Skagerrak - Norway
A Ruhr Supports A Kiel
F Skagerrak - Norway

Monday, May 30, 2005

Europe, early fall 1907


Europe, early fall 1907

No retreats, so no more deadlines until fall. If nobody objects, next turn deadline is Thursday, 8 PM EST. I'll try to post the results as fast as I can. In case someone objects, send a mail to me before the deadline, and I'll call for an automatic extension to the usual Sunday one. There's a chance that the judge himself unilateraly extends the deadline if he is überbusy again. (the extension request will be, thus, completely annonymus; no one but me will know who called it).

Spring 1907 battlefield outcomes


Spring 1907 results

Spring 1907 orders


Spring 1907 orders

Austria:
A Berlin - Kiel
A Bohemia - Munich
A Galicia - Warsaw
A Munich - Burgundy
A Silesia Supports A Bohemia - Munich
F Trieste - Albania
A Tyrolia - Piedmont
F Tyrrhenian Sea - Gulf of Lyon
A Venice Supports A Tyrolia - Piedmont
A Vienna - Tyrolia
Turkey:
F Aegean Sea - Ionian Sea
A Ankara - Armenia
A Finland - Sweden
A Greece Hold
F Ionian Sea - Tyrrhenian Sea
A Naples - Rome
F North Africa Supports F Western Mediterranean - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Norway - St Petersburg
F Smyrna - Aegean Sea
F Tunis - Western Mediterranean
F Western Mediterranean - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
France:
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean Hold
A Paris - Gascony
A Piedmont - Marseilles
F Portugal Supports F Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Spain - Constantinople
England:
A Belgium - Burgundy
F Denmark - Skagerrak
F English Channel - Irish Sea
A Holland - Denmark
A Kiel Hold
F North Sea Convoys A Holland - Denmark
A Ruhr Supports A Kiel
F Sweden - Gulf of Bothnia

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Europe, early March 1907


Europe, early 1907

Winter 1906: builds and retreats


Winter 1906 Builds and retreats

Turkey:
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean - North Africa
Build F Smyrna
Build A Ank
France:
Remove A Brest
English:
remove Fleet Irish Sea
Austria:
Build F Trieste
Build A Vienna

Monday, May 23, 2005

Winter 1906: waiting for builds and retreats


Winter 1906, retreats and builds pending

One retreat for Turkey, due by Tuesday, 8 PM EST.
Builds to be send by Wednesday, 8 PM EST.
We get:
France: -1 (5)
England: -1 (8)
Italy: -1 (0)
Russia: -1 (0)
Turkey: +2 (11)
Austria: +2 (10)

Fall 1906: battle outcomes


Fall 1906 results. Sadly, it seems that the Italian and Russian fleets won't be able to resupply in any friendly harbour this year.

Fall 1906: orders


Fall 1906 orders

Austria:
A Berlin Supports A Tyrolia - Munich
A Bohemia Supports A Tyrolia - Munich
A Silesia Supports A Tyrolia - Munich
A Trieste - Tyrolia
A Tyrolia - Munich
F Tyrrhenian Sea Convoys A Naples - Portugal
A Venice Hold
A Vienna - Galicia
Turkey:
F Aegean Sea - Ionian Sea
A Bulgaria - Greece
F Constantinople - Aegean Sea
F Ionian Sea - Tunis
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean Convoys A Naples - Portugal
A Naples - Portugal
A Norway Supports F Baltic Sea - Sweden
A St Petersburg - Finland
F Western Mediterranean Convoys A Naples - Portugal
England:
F Belgium - North Sea
A Burgundy - Belgium
F Denmark Supports F Sweden
F English Channel Supports F North Atlantic Ocean - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Holland - Kiel
F Irish Sea Supports F North Atlantic Ocean - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Kiel - Berlin
A Ruhr Supports A Holland - Kiel
F Sweden Supports F Denmark
France:
A Brest - Gascony
A Gascony - Spain
F North Atlantic Ocean - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Paris - Gascony
A Piedmont - Marseilles
F Spain(sc) - Portugal
Italy:
F Gulf of Lyon - Marseilles
Russia:
F Baltic Sea - Berlin

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Before the fall campaign, 1906


September 1906

Next turn deadline is Sunday 8 PM EST. (as usual)

Summer retreats, 1906


Summer 1906 retreats

France:
A Burgundy - Gascony
England:
A Berlin - Kiel
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean - Irish Sea
Russia:
F Sweden - Baltic Sea

Monday, May 16, 2005

Summer 1906, before the retreats


Summer 1906, retreats pending

Retreat orders' deadline is Tuesday 8 PM EST, as usual.

The Spring 1906 battles


Spring 1906: battle outcomes

Spring 1906 orders


Spring 1906 orders

Turkey:
F Ankara - Constantinople
A Constantinople - Bulgaria
A Greece - Naples
F Ionian Sea Convoys A Greece - Naples
A Moscow - St Petersburg
F Smyrna - Aegean Sea
A St Petersburg - Norway
F Tunis - Western Mediterranean
F Western Mediterranean - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Russia:
F Swe-Nwy
Austria:
A Budapest - Trieste
A Galicia - Bohemia
A Prussia - Berlin
F Rome - Tyrrhenian Sea
A Silesia Supports A Prussia - Berlin
A Trieste - Venice
A Tyrolia Supports A Trieste - Venice
A Vienna Supports A Galicia - Bohemia

England:
F Belgium - English Channel
A Berlin Supports A Silesia - Munich
F Denmark Supports F Norway - Sweden
F English Channel - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Holland - Belgium
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean - Spain(sc)
F Norway - Sweden
A Picardy - Burgundy
A Ruhr Supports A Picardy - Burgundy
France:
A Brest Hold
A Burgundy - Marseilles
F North Atlantic Ocean Supports F Western Mediterranean - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Paris Supports A Brest
F Spain(sc) Supports F Western Mediterranean - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Venice - Piedmont
Italy:
F Gulf of Lyon - Marseilles

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Europe, early Spring 1906


Europe, early Spring 1906

Next turn deadline is Sunday, 8 PM EST.

Winter 1905 builds and disbands


Winter 1905 builds

Austria:
Build A Budapest
Turkey:
Build A Constantinople
Build F Smyrna
Build F Ankara
France:
Build A Paris
Russia:
Remove A Lvn
Italy:
Remove A Munich
Remove A Bohemia

Winter 1905 retreats. Waiting for builds


Europe, winter 1905, builds pending.


Winter 1905 retreat orders

Sunday, May 08, 2005

December 1905: retreats and builds pending


Winter 1905: builds and retreats pending

We have two deadlines, then:
Retreats, Tuesday 8 PM EST
Builds and disbands, Wednesday 8 PM EST

Let me see, builds and disbands count....

Italy: -3 (1)
Russia: -1 (1)

Probably I'll better rename the countries to Kingdom of Bavaria and Kingdom of Sweeden, really. It is a hard life.

Turkey: +3 (9)
Austria: +1 (8)
France: +1 (6)

England (9) remains the same.

If Russia and Italy agree and send the orders by tomorrow, and no one objects, I could move the builds deadline forward.

Spring 1906 deadline is Sunday 8 PM EST, as usual.

Fall 1905: the face of battle


Fall 1905: battle outcomes

Fall 1905: the battle plans


Fall 1905: the grand strategy

Austria:
A Bohemia Supports A Silesia
F Rome Hold
A Serbia - Trieste
A Silesia Supports A Warsaw - Prussia
A Trieste - Tyrolia
A Vienna Supports A Trieste - Tyrolia
A Warsaw - Prussia
Russia:
F Gulf of Bothnia - Sweden
A St Petersburg - Moscow
Italy:
A Munich Supports A Tyrolia - Bohemia
F Tuscany - Gulf of Lyon
A Tyrolia - Bohemia
Turkey:
F Aegean Sea - Ionian Sea
A Greece, hold
F Ionian Sea - Tunis
A Moscow - St Petersburg
A Sevastopol - Moscow
F Tyrrhenian Sea - Western Mediterranean
France:
A Burgundy - Paris
A Gascony - Brest
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean - North Atlantic Ocean
A Picardy - Paris
F Spain(sc) - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Venice Supports A Trieste - Tyrolia
England:
F Belgium Supports A Brest - Picardy
A Berlin Supports A Munich
A Brest - Picardy
F English Channel Supports F Irish Sea - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Holland - Ruhr
F Irish Sea - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
F Kiel - Denmark
F Norway Supports A Moscow - St Petersburg
A Ruhr - Burgundy

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Europe, early fall, 1905


Europe, early September 1905

Italy retreats and disbands: Summer 1905


Italy retreats, Summer 1905

The Italian fleet retreats, while his army, with no room of maneouvre, surrenders.

Italy:
F Rome - Tuscany
A Venice, no move received (disbanded)

Sunday, May 01, 2005

Summer 1905: waiting for retreat orders


Summer 1905, retreats pending

After the battles, the situation is confusing. Retreat orders must be send before Tuesday, 8 PM EST.

Spring 1905: the campaigns

Battles are fought with vehemence. Here we have how the battlefields of Europe change.


Spring 1905: battle outcomes

Spring 1905: the battle orders


Spring 1905 orders

Russia:
A Moscow - St Petersburg
F St Petersburg(sc) - Gulf of Bothnia
France:
A Belgium - Picardy
A Burgundy - Gascony
F North Africa - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Piedmont - Venice
A Ruhr - Burgundy
F Western Mediterranean - Spain(sc)
Austria:
A Albania - Serbia
A Budapest - Vienna
A Galicia - Silesia
F Naples - Rome
A Trieste Supports A Piedmont - Venice
A Vienna - Bohemia
A Warsaw Supports A Galicia - Silesia
Italy:
A Bohemia - Tyrolia
A Munich Supports A Kiel - Ruhr
F Rome - Naples
A Venice - Apulia
Turkey:
F Aegean Sea Hold
A Greece - Apulia
F Ionian Sea Convoys A Greece - Apulia
A Sevastopol Supports A Ukraine - Moscow
F Tyrrhenian Sea Supports F Naples - Rome
A Ukraine - Moscow
England:
A Berlin Supports A Munich
F English Channel Convoys A London - Brest
F Helgoland Bight - Kiel
A Holland Supports A Kiel - Ruhr
A Kiel - Ruhr
F Liverpool - Irish Sea
A London - Brest
F North Sea - Belgium
F Sweden - Norway

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Before the next battle: early Spring 1905 map


Europe, Early Spring 1905

The home front: 1904 industrial production


Winter 1904 builds

France:
Remove F Gulf of Lyon
Russia:
Remove A Lvn
Austria:
Build A Budapest
England:
Build F Liverpool
Build A London

Monday, April 25, 2005

Winter 1904: builds pending


Winter 1904, builds pending

So now we only have the builds and disbands pending.
France -1
Russia -1
Germany -1 (vanishes)
England +1
Austria +2
Orders due Tuesday 8 PM EST.
Spring 1905 turn deadline is Sunday 8 PM EST

Winter 1904: battle results and outcomes


Winter 1904 outcomes


Winter 1904 results

Fall 1904 orders


Winter 1904 moves

Turkey:
F Aegean Sea - Bulgaria(sc)
A Greece - Bulgaria
F Ionian Sea Supports F Tyrrhenian Sea - Tunis
A Moscow - Livonia
F Tyrrhenian Sea - Tunis
A Ukraine Supports A Galicia - Warsaw

Austria:
A Budapest - Galicia
A Galicia - Warsaw
F Naples - Rome
A Serbia - Albania
A Trieste - Venice
A Vienna Holds

England:
F Baltic Sea - Sweden
A Berlin Supports A Munich
A Denmark - Kiel
F Helgoland Bight Supports A Kiel - Holland
A Kiel - Holland
F North Sea - English Channel
F Norway - North Sea

France:
A Belgium Hold
A Burgundy - Munich
F Gulf of Lyon - Tyrrhenian Sea
A Marseilles - Piedmont
F North Africa - Tunis
A Ruhr Supports A Burgundy - Munich
F Western Mediterranean Supports F North Africa - Tunis

Italy:
A Bohemia Supports A Munich
A Munich, no move received
F Rome, no move received
A Venice Supports F Rome

Russia:
A Livonia Supports A Warsaw - Moscow
F St Petersburg(sc) Hold
A Warsaw - Moscow
Germany just implodes.

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Europe, early fall, 1904

Russia retreats to Livonia, leaving the strategic map of Europe as it follows:


Europe, Early fall, 1904

Next turn due on Sunday, 8 PM EST.

Sunday, April 17, 2005

Summer 1904: positions before retreats


Summer 1904, retreats pending

Let's see... we have one summer retreat pending, that has to be declared by Tuesday, 8 PM, EST. I know that army hasn't many places to go, but perhaps the Russian prefers to disband it, or something crazy like that. Who knows.
Fall 1904 turn is due next Sunday, 8 PM EST.

Spring 1904: battle results


Spring 1904: the battlefront

Spring 1904: the orders

The fight for Europe continues...

Spring 1904 orders

Turkey:
F Aegean Sea - Ionian Sea
F Constantinople - Aegean Sea
A Greece Hold
F Ionian Sea - Tyrrhenian Sea
A Sevastopol - Moscow
A Ukraine Supports A Sevastopol - Moscow

Russia:
F Gulf of Bothnia - St Petersburg(sc)
A Moscow Supports A Warsaw
A Warsaw Supports A Ukraine - Galicia
Austria:
A Budapest Supports A Rumania - Galicia
F Naples Supports F Ionian Sea - Tyrrhenian Sea
A Rumania - Galicia
A Serbia - Trieste
A Trieste - Tyrolia
A Vienna Supports A Trieste - Tyrolia
Italy:
A Munich - Tyrolia
A Silesia - Bohemia
F Tyrrhenian Sea - Rome
A Venice Supports A Munich - Tyrolia
France:
A Belgium - Burgundy
A Burgundy - Marseilles
A Holland - Belgium
F Marseilles - Gulf of Lyon
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean - North Africa
A Ruhr Supports A Belgium - Burgundy
F Spain(sc) - Western Mediterranean
England:
F Baltic Sea Convoys A Sweden - Berlin
A Edinburgh - Denmark
F Helgoland Bight Supports A Kiel
A Kiel Supports A Sweden - Berlin
F North Sea Convoys A Edinburgh - Denmark
F Norway Hold
A Sweden - Berlin
Germany
A Berlin - Prussia

Saturday, April 16, 2005

Reminder: Spring 1904 orders due in less than 24 hours


I want you to give the turn orders on time!
Deadline Sunday 8 PM EST.

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

After the builds: Europe at the begining of 1904


Europe, early Spring 1904