Okay all - I apologize for slipping the past few weeks. I've had some family issues that have really sapped my energy away from spending time to comment on the state of the game. I'm going to try to keep a more regular schedule moving forward. Hopefully Stackel comes back to add as well, and if not, I'm sure we can find another prof to highlight the board. That all being said, here are some grades and thoughts for the current board.
Moving forward I'm going to try to spend a bit less time on grades, and more time on thoughts about the state of the board and more big picture stuff. That interests me more anyway, so I'll use it as a way to stay continually engaged in the game.
England: A
I really like how England is situated moving forward. Without the French fleets threatening, he holds a superb defensive position and now has an army passed the St. Pet line, and another army in St Pet, which is really important for the late game. Getting support into Sev is quite the interesting manuever, and a benefit to ENG as that unit has utility and can be paired with your other army. It will be interesting to see where it goes from here as its a bit trapped by the AUS units, and AUS is the one who helped him into Sev after all. Your path to 18 is in great shape, and where you go from here will be really important in shaping the board. You have the most control over the direction of the game right now - and that is certainly a good thing.
France: C
So, you got Italy out of MAO, but at what cost? Certainly this turn would have looked much better for you had you been able to slip into Munich and capture a build from an unsuspecting Germany. But instead, you walk away with no builds, I would imagine a somewhat peeved Germany, and not any easy routes to expand. Your relationship with Italy seems somewhat strange with you forcing him out of MAO, but also coordinating a move to Munich. All in all it looks like you are still tight with him, which is a plus - but with ENG now having the upperhand against you, its really important that you point him in a direction other than directly south. My biggest worry for you is that even if you are able to get ENG to not move against you (and move on Germany instead), that you have put yourself in a postion to not reap any of the rewads. The units in Iberia are vastly underutilized, all in an attempt to force Italy out of MAO. I wonder if communication could have acheived a better result? And even if that were not possible, it may have been better to risk keeping an Italian fleet there. Your path to 18 looks strained.
Italy: C
The firm grasp you had on this game is beginning to weaken. Unfortunatley it looks as though your puppet in AUS found a better deal and managed to get right back into this game. There is a fine line between using the countries you have crippled to your benefit and propping them up too much and allowing them to damage you. This is very much a credit to the AUS player, who obviously put together a good turn, but you have ended up on the wrong side of it. The essential piece of using a puppet is to make sure you are the person that has control over their fate in the game. And if not total control, at least a disproportionate influence. You want them desperate to survive and be aiming for a draw. Now you have a 4 cetner AUS that is likely confident and may want his home cetners back if he thinks he can pick them up. The key for you this turn is all big picture stuff. Get AUS or TUR back on your side. You still have a great deal of influence. Right now they are working together against you. But not too long ago, both we one foot out the door - in your shoes I would be petitioning one to help take out the other and offering the majority of the centers in return - its the one thing you have to offer that their current partner cannot. Your path to 18 is still possible, but waning some.
Germany: B
With all the action taking place on the western and eastern sides of the board, Germany had a farily uneventful turn in the center, but all in all I like several of the moves he made. First of all, you got a build which was desperately needed. It looks like it was arranged and not a stab of ENG which is even better. I feel that ENG still has the upper-hand on you, but you have some time to kick that can down the road. The center was the biggest thing for you this turn and you were able to get it and build the army you needed. France and Italy working against you was rather unwelcome, but you defended it well, and neither is in a position to do any real harm to you in the immediate future esepcially with your build. I'm very interested to see where it goes, as it can tip the scales a bit in the east or west - so make sure to leverage that unti up and solicit help to maximize its use.
Austria: A
Its a bit hard to grade this turn for you in a vaccuum because the move against Italy has some risks, and you need ENG to at least give you a bit of time to take back any home cetners. If you aren't able to get that time, you may have put the final nail in the coffin yourself, but I think it is a confident play, and a risk worth taking. You have to know that Italy will be wheeling and dealing with Turkey here, so if you want to continue to move towards Italy and attempt to take back home cetners you need to be able to match any offers that Italy gives Turkey. But the real fate of the plan here revolves around your ability to buy time in the north. If you can manage that, you'll be right back in contention after this year. The move to get ENG a center in Sev instead of Moscow may have saved your game, as building in Budapest is absolutely enormous. Suddenly you have the largest army presence in the Balkans. Get to work with those armies!
Turkey: A
I feel like a shortchange you a bit, but being stuck in the corner limits your options and thus my commentary as well. You had a great turn as you flipped AUS to your side and were able to capture a build. The English army creates an intersting scenario where you have a fresh face in your neighborhood - this is why it is so important to have friends on the other side of the board. If you've been talking with ENG consistently, you are more likely to get help from him. If you can push Italy in another direction, or keep AUS on your side, you'll be back in this. The best part of TUR is how hard it is to be defeated, and looking at the board, there is plenty of room yet for you to expand.
Now I actually promise this time that I'll get a more broad strategy piece written up as well.
Apologies again.