I haven't played this vt before, but I am convinced that the correct opening strategy is to capture your hsc as quickly as possible. Furthermore you should capture the center that is nearest to your starting center so that you continue to expand outwards. Playing Austria I would go for Vie, England Lpl, France Paris, Germany Berlin, Italy Rome, Russia Moscow and Turkey Con.
The Austrian move to Ser is worrying, but it could be a brilliant double-bluff. In this position I would order A(Ser)-Bud, hoping to entice Turkey into moving into Bul. We shall see!
I agree with the opening moves used for F/I/R and, naturally, T. Although I believe that F should go for Paris I think it's best to order to Gas, because then your opponents can't be certain about what you are aiming for. Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Tue Apr 23 07:23:18 1996 Date: Tue, 23 Apr 1996 07:21:09 -0400 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
Since my last comment on this game everything has gone as well as possible. Italy moved west, and I followed his lead. Although my position looks good with fleets in ION and AEG, in the short term I may not make much progress. Italy will take two centers this turn, lose Naples, and, assuming that Austria doesn't take Venice, will be building one. If Italy were to order A(Pie)-Ven and build A(Rom) then he would have good chances of retaking Naples next year. However he can only recapture Naples by withdrawing from his engagement in France, so France should be able to recapture the centers that he will lose this year. So in the long term Italy should steadily lose centers. and my control over ION should be sufficient to ensure expansion. Of course if Italy doesn't order to Venice and Austria does, then Italy won't be building anything and he'll be in serious problems. If I were Austria I wouldn't order to Venice, sure I gain a center but it helps Turkey too much.
If I were Austria I'd want to concentrate everything on Russia and leave F/I/T to fight it out; Austria is unlikely to gain more than one center in Italy and she can gain that center at any time. Interesting situation in Ukr this time. Does Russia standoff or support one of his units in or hold? If Austria suspects either of the first two options then he should order either A(Gal)-War or A(Rum)-Sev in conjunction with a support order of the approriate Russian unit into Ukr. If Austria gains Sev, then I will be worried about a Russian retreat to Arm. As long as Austria stays away from Alb then I am happy with my position. Gre/Bul are secure and I have hopes of expanding westwards. I'll have an interesting build in Winter: the relative merits of Army/Fleet are balanced, it all depends on the adjudication... Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Tue May 7 07:02:32 1996 Date: Tue, 7 May 1996 07:00:46 -0400 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
My main decision this season was what to order with the fleets. The options were (a) F(ION)-TYS, F(AEG)-ION, (b) F(ION)-Nap, F(AEG)-ION, (c) F(ION)-Tun, F(AEG)-ION. If Italy holds or orders to ION, the latter being the most likely move, then option (a) is best. If Italy orders to TYS (unlikely) then option (c) takes the center. However the order to Tun is a long shot and doesn't do anything for me if it fails. My option is probably not the best, but it's safe. I'm guaranteed to make steady progress over the next year-or-so.
What will Austria order with A(Tri)? It is very tempting to order support for IA(Pie)-Ven, there are no hard alliances in no-press gunboat and slowing my progress is good for Austria. If this were regular I could bring diplomatic pressure to bear on this point, but it isn't so I can't. Austria may be worried that I will order a supported attack on Serbia, in which case I would take Serbia if he supported the Italians. At this stage in the game I don't want to do anything that would alienate Austria, I want to concentrate on westwards expansion; no two-front war!
The Russian move to Lvn is difficult to understand, the only rational explanation being that Russia expected England to be in a position to make a supported attack on StP and wanted an uncutable support. Ordering to Mos would have been better, I guess Russia was relying on being able to outguess Austria. Although I would rather build a westwards unit this season I am going to have to build a unit to move into Armenia --- assuming that RA(Sev) doesn't retreat to Armenia --- I need to block Armenia to ensure that Austria doesn't get any ideas about a back-door entry.
With France collapsing so quickly I am slightly worried so I won't be able to secure Gibralter before England sails through. With Italy keeping F(Tun) it mak take me three seasons to capture Tun. At the moment it is fortunate that England is only building one and doesn't have any southern units except F(ENC). Hopefully he will not capture Breast this season and in any case he has to decide if he is going to stab Germany. An E/G war would be music to my ears. If E/G were to ally then they would have a good chance of being able to break across the main west-east stalemate line --- England could push fleets through Gibralter before I could reach it and Germany could push armies into Austria. In a no-press game this is unlikely. I don't have a palantir so I can not see too far into the future. If England doesn't stab Germany then I can see the possibility that this game will end in a dull four-way draw. Austria may be able to stab for Bul/Gre but his lack of fleet power would mean that anything would be suicide (unless Germany were to stab England at the same time, then it might be a race to 18). If I were to stab Austria I may find Germany rushing through into Russia and Austria. My best chance appears to be if England is slow in moving southwards and I am able to take control of the Med. If I were able to take 3 Iberian centers I might be in a positionn for a war against Austria. But that's a long way in the future and the picture is fuzzy.
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Thu May 16 18:39:04 1996 Date: Thu, 16 May 1996 18:37:40 -0400 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
The main decision was to order in Ank. I need to push a unit into Armenia this Spring. This prevents Russia retreating there should Austria outguess him, and should Austria outguess him it denies Austria the backstab to Syria. In the long term I am obviously thinking about the possibility of attacking Austria via the orders F(XXX)-BLA and A(xxx)-Syr, the question is what is the best way of doing this.
I think option 2 is more sneaky. In option 1 Austria may wonder why I have built F(Con) as opposed to F(Smy). In option 2 Austria will assume I am going for a westwards convoy and miss the possibility of pushing the army into Arm. So two fleets this season. I had originally intended to move westwards towards the straits of Gibralter, but having looked at the position I am seriously considering the stab on Austria this season. I'll explain my reasons in my next commentary (I hope you are keeping my comments to run as an EGS at the end of game?). Austria had a 100% of taking an Austrian center this season, but decided togo for the 50% option and got it wrong. I don't understand that. Russia has moved to Mos --- he should have ordered there last season.
Mark.
Dear Rick,
Apologies for the lateness of my orders. As usual I left sending the orders until the last moment, only to find myself being wined and dinned by captains of industry (well one, to be exact) on wednesday evening. I don't get invited out for meals at somebody else's expense very often...
When I looked at the position before the Winter adjudication I assumed that Italy would keep F(Tun) and disband A(Pie). I then decided that I would attack Austria with A(Rom)-Ven and A(Ven)-Tyr. After the Italian builds I decided not to attack him.
With correct play every game should finish in a draw, but I can see how most powers can win with poor play. Even with poor play I have never understood how Turkey can win, it's such a long way to the 18th center. With a strong England and a strong Germany I can't see any way of winning --- they sit on the stalemate line and even in a gunboat game they have plenty of time to sort out their orders.
I'm going to move westwards and see what happens. I can envisage this game petering out into a 4-way draw, depending upon what E/G do. There's a small chance that I might be able to break through Gibralter and onto the other side of the stalemate line, but it's very unlikely.
Mark.
Dear Rick,
Moved house today. Went to my new local this evening. Didn't drink too much but I didn't have any tea, so I am not feeling in a mood to comment excessively on the game...
Austria's paranoria and rampant anti-Turkish orders are understandable, he must have thought that I was intending F(Ank)-BLA to pressurise Rum in conjunction with A(Ven)-Tyr and A(Rom)-Ven. His defensive orders have given Russia breathing space, which is good --- although I have no intention at the moment of stabbing Austria I don't want hime gaining units with increased defensive possibilities. Hopefully he will note that I didn't make any anti-Austrian moves last season and return to a more reasonable position.
As I see it Austria only has two options. He either engages in anti-Turkish maneouvers or he takes a risk and orders northwards, if I don't stab him he will gain builds; however his lack of fleets means that he will never become the major partner in a AT alliance. At the moment my strategy remains to move west. However, if Austria continues with anti-T moves next season I will consider F(ION)-ADR and the stab. I'm not particularly keen on this, because the prospect of a E-G war opens up the possibility of breaking through into MAO.
The F-I position is interesting. They are both playing to occupy Spa and Por and in the absence of external factors this should reduce to a 50-50 guess for each player.
Mark
Dear Rick,
Austrian paranora reaches rampant levels and forces me to turn my attention in that direction. I can see the A/R/T tangle being a stalemate for sometime to come, but this season the Austrian A(Vie) is out of position and Russia can take Rumania if he so desires --- I'll be throwing in a support for A(Ukr)-Rum. If Russia then decides to return the favour we could run a nice juggernaut against Austria. If Russia doesn't join in then it appears that we have a stand-off, my holdings in Italy are vulnerable in the longrun. I may have chances of capturing Marseilles for a build this year. We will have to wait and see!
Mark.
Dear Rick,
Nothing to report. If Russia moves against Austria then he will take Rumania this season, and we will be able to start a Juggernaut; pushing Austria back province by province. Since I already have units positioned behind Austria in Italy this slow retreat will quickly collapse into a rout. If Russia doesn't move against Austria then the ART positions will be a standoff for a very long time. I have some attacking chances, but I'm going to play a waiting game this year and offer Russia a helping hand.
With the Italian disbandment of A(Pie) F(GoL) is out-of-place. I doubt that anyone would offer me support into Mar, so I am moving to take control of Gibralter. There is a faint chance that the presence of the rogue Italian fleet may distract England sufficiently to allow me to secure MAO. With only two fleets I can't go anywhere from there, but it's a good base.
Apologies for the lateness, especially as I'd worked my orders out a few days ago.
Mark.
Dear Rick,
The Turkish position could go critical if Russia sides with Austria. If Austria takes Munich (which is open this season), then he should be able to force his way into Pie/Tyr and then capture Venice. In order to move aggressively against Austria I either need Russia on my side or another unit, but a build from my western fleets is unlikely. We shall have to wait and see.
Mark.
Dear Rick,
I am away from 10th July to the 17th.
The Italian player has been most annoying! If he had been sensible and stayed in Marseilles then I would have been happy to support him into Spain... hoping to split Spain and Portugal 50-50 between us. As it is I have decided to admitt that my westerly fleets strategy was mistaken. England is too strong, I can't make any progress against him. The only chance I have to pick up a center is if England were to support me into Bre. So I am sending F(Wes) back east.
In a regular game of diplomacy I could co-operate with Germany. If I were to push into IRI then England would have a 50-50 guess, should he stay in Liverpool or cover Edi? In no-press Gunboat if he orders A(Lpl)-Edi the likely result would be a standoff, since there is no way for G/T to decide which center to attack. The move to Pie is risky because in the future an order A(Mar)-Pie could cut vital support. However if I don't order to Pie Austria can force Venice eventually, support into Tyr and then slip into Pie, resulting in A's(Pie,Tyr,Tri).
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Tue Jul 23 17:34:25 1996 Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 17:33:18 -0400 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
I could try something fancy this season and move F(ION)-ADR, F(TYS)-ION. However I would look pretty stupid if this was the season when Austria actually attacked me and I ended up losing Greece... In some respects I hope that Austria orders a supported attack into Tyrolia, standing me out --- leaving Piedmont is slightly risky as Italy has the worrying option of occupying it, but this probably wouldn't go anywere as France would capture Mar before Italy could threaten one of my Italian centers.
Let me go on record for one last time --- I never wanted to attack Austria. I am only attacking Austria now as a direct result of their foreign policy. It will be interesting to see if Russia comes off the fence once I start to pound Austria. I'm saddened that my westerly fleets policy has come to an end. Still, F(MAO) could prove to be a very useful piece latter on in the game!
Mark.
Dear Rick,
I originally intended building F(Smy). However I decided that in the long term F(BLA) and A(Arm) is a better setup than F(BLA) and F(Arm), two northern fleets aren't constructive and it would take too long to move one westwards. Next season will finally see F(Con) moving out of port. Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Tue Aug 6 11:27:36 1996 Date: Tue, 6 Aug 1996 11:26:14 -0400 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
The best feature of my position is my fleet in the west. It's behind the main stalemate line and has the potential to offer me all kinds of exciting possibilities latter on in the game. I've got to keep that fleet on the board as long as possible. Conversely England has to destroy that fleet as quickly as possible. Hence the move to MAO, with the idea of preventing F(NTH)SF(Lon)-ENC and F(ENC)-MAO when not only does Bre fall, but F(Bre) is beginning to run out of retreat locations. I'm not too bothered about hanging onto Bre, hanging onto that fleet is more important.
In the east we have the set of orders which I have been working towards for several season. I don't expect to hold onto Trieste, but I free my position up and I should be able to force Trieste in the long run. There are various things which could happen, depending upon how Austria orders; I hope I have everything covered!
The most `interesting' option (least desirable!) would be AA(Rum)SA(Ser)-Bul, A(Alb)-Gre, which could see me in Ser and Austria in Bul and Greece! That shouldn't be too bad, I think I can recapture everything.
Having said that F(Bre) is my best unit, if I have to disband this year (a distinct possibility, there is no sure gain from Austria) that may be the one. Having said that there is sure gain from Austria, I think that A(Tyr)-Vie, A(Ven)-Tri is a stronger set of moves this season, if Austria holds/supports in the south. However there are potential problems if Italy has to retreat A(Mar) this season, and the orders don't appear any stronger if Austria orders something like A(Gal)-Vie, A(Ser)-Bud, A(Alb)-Ser which may be his best set of defensive orders. I don't know what's going to happen...
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Sun Aug 25 15:23:58 1996 Date: Sun, 25 Aug 1996 15:22:02 -0400 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
Once again my orders are late (this is becoming standard, sorry!), unfortunately this time they are late by almost a week. All I can say is that I have been exceptionally busy this week, preparing for a visit to the Newton Institute in Cambridge next week. I wish I could say that it won't happen again...
Onto my orders. In the south it looks like a guessing game. I couldn't find any way to guarantee taking an Austrian centre, for any set of orders that takes a centre there is an appropriate set of defensive orders. However, I believe that I can force Sev --- AA(Rum) is almost certainly NOT going to support RA(Sev). If I capture Sev I believe that Russia will disband A(Fin). England will then capture StP the following year. I'd rather forgo Sev (giving Russia time to booster his defense with A(War)-Ukr) then allow England to capture StP so quickly.
The obvious orders for Austria are either A(Vie,Bud,Ser) SA(Alb)-Tri, or A(Vie,Bud)SA(Ser)-Tri with A(Alb,Bud) defending Ser in some manner. Since I'm not guaranteed taking a center, I'll order F(MAO)-Bre, hoping that England/France don't co-ordinate and take Bre. The best resolution for me would be a standoff, leaving me in MAO.
Dear Rick,
Austria chose an obvious choice of orders, I could have taken two of his centres if I'd outguessed him. I manage to keep Bre for another year, and more importantly keep F(MAO). England didn't build, even better. My chances of winning are better now then for several years, but it might depend upon getting a second fleet behind the stalemate line. I need to move F(ION) westwards as quickly as possible.
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Mon Sep 9 10:49:01 1996 Date: Mon, 9 Sep 1996 10:47:47 -0400 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
The convoy to Albania sets me up very nicely, with four units adjacent to Trieste Austria will soon fall over. If Austria outguess me this season and combines an order to Albania with a supported attack into Trieste he will have ordered exceptionally well! I could use A(Ser) to support into Tri, but I'd rather not get in this season --- F(Tri) is not a constructive unit. (The problem with ordering A(Ven)-Tyr is that a retreat to Tyrolia is annoying.)
Russia has to guess is he should Sev or Rum, maybe I'll guess right here. I originally intended ordering F(MAO)-Bre for the next two seasons, but worried that France/England might combine and get it right. Instead I'll try to sneak into Liverpool. Hopefully this may even stop England from building. (A couple of English armies might make all the difference, it could all end up depending upon Munich.)
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Wed Sep 18 08:54:48 1996 Date: Wed, 18 Sep 1996 08:53:06 -0400 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
France should try to recapture Bre (I would laugh if England and France stood each other out!), to move to Marseille would be very short sighted! A rogue Italian army has the potential to tie down several Turkish units, halting the movement westwards and giving France time to set up a stalemate line with England.
England is facing a tricky few years, with the losses of both Liverpool and Edinburgh he will only be able to build in London, hampering him in the construction of a stalemate line. In the south the fact that this is a no-press gunboat game greatly hinders co-operation between Austria/Italy/Russia and therefore increases my chances. The presence of FA(Sil) helps me, there is virtually no chance that England will leave Berlin undefended, so Germany has nothing to lose by moving to Warsaw.
I could spend a considerable amount of time discussing this position, but I want these orders to arrive on time!
Mark.
Dear Rick,
Last season went well. The order F(ENC)-Lon was a surprise, I don't think it was the best for that unit. England is beginning to set up a commanding position in the German hinterlands, but the south is open and it's a race to the Straits of Gibraltar! This may be the last fleet that I build; with F(Smy)-AEG and F(ADR)-ION (but perhaps not next season) I will be to move Turkish armies more rapidly to the front.
One reason why it is difficult to convert winning positions to won for Turkey is the distance from the Turkish home lands to the stalemate line, no power has it so bad! Another piece of luck --- Italy should have taken a chance and ordered A(Pie)-Tus; Italy has to trust that France realises that it's not in his interest to capture Mar. If all goes well next season should see the elimination of Austria.
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Mon Sep 30 15:21:00 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 15:20:07 -0400 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
I originally ordered F(Lvp)-Wal, aiming to tie England down to defence of London. However if England orders F(Lon)-ENC this season I want to be able to guarantee F(WES)-MAO, so that I can follow up with F(Tun)-WMS. That would give me two fleets behind the stalemate line and one about to cross it --- that should be enough to win. If England orders to Wales, then I can cover it from IRI and I will be able to force MAO without support.
If England wants to make an attempt at stopping my onwards march to victory he needs to start flooding the stalemate line area with fleets, there's a slight possibility that he may be able to push my fleets out of their positions before I can take the Iberian centres. Something like: F(Hol)-Bel, F(Kie)-NTH, F(Den)-NTH and F(Swe)-Nor. If his fleets sit where they are, he can't stop the win. If this were a two-player game (Turkey vs The Rest of the World) I would not be so confident of winning. Turkey may win more games than Austria but I am always surprised --- because of its distance from the main stalemate line I consider it the hardest power to win!
I've left Serbia open so that I can retreat A(Rum) there if it is dislodged. I'm not sure that this is optimal, viz-a-viz elimination of Austria, but I want to have the option of convoying A(Alb)-Ven in the Autumn. Italy should order A(Mar)-Pie again, this time following up with A(Pie)-Tus, relaying on France not to take Mar.
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Tue Oct 15 12:38:36 1996 Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 12:38:16 -0400 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
I will be away from Thursday 17th to Thursday 24th. England has started to send the signals out, so it should be me vs The Rest of the World from here in --- I hope I don't blow it!
My biggest decision this season was what to do with F(IRI). If I hold or order to either Clydside or Liverpool then I retain good chances of keeping Liverpool. On the other hand if I order to ENG I might entice Germany to retreat the dislodged F(Edi) to Cly, followed by disbanding A(Mun). More importantly I intend to blitzkrieg France and F(ENC) is more important from that perspective. I guess England will convoy A(Nor)-Edi and build F(ENC). If he dislodges me from ENC in Spring 1910 then I may be able to retreat to Bre.
Strategicaly A(Tyr) SA(Tri)-Vie is better, but I want to ensure that Vienna falls this season --- I don't want Austria to retain Vienna because Germany decided that A(Mun)-Ruhr was called for. Russia should take the hint and order A(StP)-Lvn this season --- it makes things much harder for me.
Winning will come down to either taking Munich or one of the French centers. It's going to take me two seasons to push F(ION)-TYS-LYO. Hopefully I will then have three fleets adjacent to Spa, an army adjacent to Mar and two armies adjacent to Munich. The pressure will then mount up on FA(Bur) --- EA(Bel)-Ruh looks obvious so I may need three armies adjacent to Munich. Since the critical season is Autumn I have, in effect, three movement seasons to achieve all this. It should be possible.
I won't win in four seasons, I won't have mopped War/Mos/Sev up by then, but if I can take the `18th' centre by then F/E will be under intense pressure. I will laugh and laugh if I dislodge AA(Gal) this season and it retreats to War... but that is very unlikely. I suppose Russia would disband A(StP), not necessarily to my advantage... but in a no-press game it is harder to co-ordinate two nationalities.
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Fri Oct 25 07:13:33 1996 Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 07:13:17 -0400 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
Thanks for extending the deadline (I must have forgot to tell you that I was going to be away!). Apologies for not submitting by the end of the extension --- I had a really bad headache and spent most of yesterday afternoon/evening in bed.
A(Con) was an easy build. The second build wasn't so easy --- I couldn't see if a fleet or army was required. It's a long way from Turkey to the western battle grounds and F's(AEG,ION) would speed up movement. In the end I decided that I can effectively move units to the front by shuffling my eastern armies around --- Bul to Rum, Rum to Gal, Gal to Sil etc. Additionally I'm thinking of moving in force against Munich this year, if I build only one army I might be stretched "like too little butter over too much bread" (to quote Bilbo) in the east.
My strategic thinking is to force Munich and then use A(Mun)-Bur to cut French support for Mar. I can pick up War/Mos/Sev at my lesuire, breaking France open looks the best way to win. It was interesting that Germany didn't retreat to Cly, I would have been happy for him to take Lpl. Also the move A(mun)-Bur was interesting. Perhaps Germany has decided to do what it can to help me out?
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Fri Nov 1 06:53:54 1996 Date: Fri, 1 Nov 1996 06:52:38 -0500 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
If I order F(ENC)-Wal and F(MAO)-IRI I can hang onto Lpl for another year. With a little bit of luck I should capture Munich and Sev this year, which would take me to 17. Then War and Mos would take me to 18, assuming I lose Liverpool the following year. This begs the question why I am not moving towards Liverpool... I'll have to think about that some more!
Elsewhere. I could force Sev this year with A(Gal)-Ukr and F(Bla)&A(Arm) SA(Rum)-Sev. In order to prevent A(Ukr)-Rum, which would result in a very messy position in the Balkans, I would have to order A(Bud)-Rum. Even if I take Sev I'm not going anywhere in the Autumn, so why use so many units to achieve this objective when I can take it in the Autumn? England should order A(Nor)-StP-Lvn this year. This improves the defense of the Russian centres, and offers him the opportunity to order to Pru, to improve the defense of his German centres --- Berlin is weak at the moment with only one defender.
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Wed Nov 6 07:30:32 1996 Date: Wed, 6 Nov 1996 07:30:21 -0500 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
Not much to say. By disloding my F(ENC) England has given me an opporunity to hold onto Liverpool for another year. I've not yet decided if I am going to take up that opportunity, it might be better to order F(IRI)SF(MAO), ensuring that I hang on in MAO until next year, when I should be ready to blitz France. If I'd know that Russia was going for such a weeny set of orders I could have taken Sev with A(Rum)&F(Bla) SA(Arm)-Sev.
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Thu Nov 14 15:12:01 1996 Date: Thu, 14 Nov 1996 15:09:08 -0500 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick, I'm running the risk that F(IRI) will become trapped in IRI and forced to disband next year --- I'll never get another fleet so far foward. However its destruction requires England to tire up three units, a price worth paying? Perhaps.
I wondered if it were better to support F(MAO) or F(Spa/sc) into Por: there's a faint possibility that England and France will support each into MAO, in which case I can force Por. However, if I were France I would order into MAO this season to ensure that the support is cut. Ordering this way means that I either win the game this season or A(Ven)-Pie is successful. (If France orders A(Mar)-Pie then I either keep Spa or I capture Por.) In order to capture Sev this season I have to support A(Rum)-Sev, which produces an `unsightly' combination of units in Sev/Arm/BLA.
Incidentally this position shows the advantages (for the attacker) of keeping 1-center powers in the game. A(Gal)-Ukr is fairly obvious. If Russia realises that Sev is doomed to fall then he should consider ensuring A(Ukr)-Gal is succesful, so that in turn A(War)-Gal is successful. A hostil army in Gal would tie down several of my units. However the army in War is Austrian, not Russian. Consequently two players have to think of this idea.
Positionally I wondered if it were better to take Mun with either Boh or Tyr. However, ensuring that I take Mun this season gives me a good opportunity to force Mar next season. For example, suppose France recaptures Spain from Gascony, I retreat Spa/sc to WES. Then next season I can cut the support from Bur via an attack from Munich, cut the support from Spain by an attack from WES and make a supported attack on Mar. France should try enter Marseilles from Bur this season, either ordering to Mun or supporting England to Munich from Burgundy. Then next season he can order A(Gas)SA(Bur)-Mar.
I've commented several times during the course of this game that England does not have an optimal mix of units. Assume the worst case scenario for a moment (from my perspective). Suppose that E/F combine to ensure that I can't force any Iberian centres and that England recaptures Lvp, while destroying my rogue fleet in the process. Due to E's lack of armies E/F will find it difficult to recapture Munich before I capture War and Mos --- two centres which would take me to 18.
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Thu Nov 14 17:06:08 1996 Date: Thu, 14 Nov 1996 17:05:59 -0500 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
England has moved to destroy F(lvp) It may have been better to risk losing Lvp last season and holding it at IRI, to keep the unit alive. Even worse, it looks like I am going to lose MAO pretty soon. But hopefully I can keep control sufficiently long in order to guarantee the win!
I'm surprised that Austria didn't order to Silesia. That would have been better. Looks like I can force Mar in the Spring. I can keep it in Autumn, at the risk of losing Munich.
Mark.
Dear Rick,
Throughout this game I have been analysing the position using maps produced by mapit. However, there is no replacement for a board and pieces --- I should have spotted that the F(Lpl) as going to be destroyed and consequently that I was going to be evicted from MAO. Would have been better to stay in IRI. I don't think that the builds are going to be important.
Mark.
From judge@math.utoledo.edu Tue Nov 26 17:43:48 1996 Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 17:42:33 -0500 Message from [fuemin@sun.leeds.ac.uk as] Turkey to Master in 'gauntlet':
Dear Rick,
E/F's failure to evict me from MAO last seasons means that I can force Marseilles this year, compensating for the inevitable loss of Liverpool. Following up with A(Tyr)-Pie means that France will not be able to recapture Marseilles for the forseeable future. (He could do it if he were able to push a fleet into Spas/sc.)
It's possible (probable) that E/F will combine to evict me from Munich this season. However, with the set of orders I am going with, they can't prevent me from retaking it in the Autumn. Additionally, in the best situation, I might be able to retreat and have chances of both retaking Munich and keeping Kiel!
I think it is unlikely that Russia will outguess me in the south and order to Gal. If he does and England finds the best move of A(Nwy)-StP, intending A(StP)-Lvn then the position in the North could become tense. If Russia goes for the worse set of orders and supports A(Ukr)-War, then the game will be over.
I did consider an alternative set of orders, using A's(Gal,Rum) to support A(Sev)-Ukr and F(BLA)SA(Arm)-Sev. However I can't retake Munich if I use these orders. Furthermore, if England convoys A(Nor)-Den I might not be able to retake Munich at all. I would look rather silly if F(MAO)-Gas succeeds! However this does not look very likely. So I'll move F(Tun) to ION so that I can convoy an army into either Apu/Alb. Not that that is going to matter.
Mark.
I WIN next season --- YES! YES! YES! I want to play it out.
Mark.