I too would like to discuss Turkish strategy -- the primary problem for me over the years has been keeping austria trusting and friendly. The Turkish austro situation I think is the most distrustful and least pursued alliance in the game. I understand how it is supposed to work tactically, but what do people do with their press to keep the relationship productive?

I've always believed that the key to having success as Turkey lies within the power struggle in the west. Short term, obviously Austria and Russia working against you is tough. But long term success is found in manipulation of the western powers.

As Turkey, getting ENG/FRA to work together early is huge because France can get fleets in the med quickly and stop any chance of a Lepanto. Of course you want ENG to be the one to prosper in that relationship however, and a large ENG only means good things for Turkey. A large ENG pressures France (potentially opening up the Med) and pressures Russia (opening up the ability for Turkish gains north).

I think Turkish success can be fostered by influencing the decisions of France and ENG.

An English army in Norway is one of the best things that can happen to turkey in the first year.

Turkey needs to foster a friendship with Russia, one that involves Russia going north. He also needs to make sure that Italy and Austria-Hungary are constantly fighting. He needs France to go after Italy, and he needs England to go after Russia. Lastly, he needs Germany to cause problems in the north, like buffering Russia from Sweden, and being a nuisance the whole time.

So what you are saying, supermario, is turkey needs everybody else to fight with countries other than turkey. Interesting. I will apply that strategy to my next match.

I second ishirk regarding the army in Norway. That paired with a French fleet in Spain south coast is an ideal opening year almost regardless of the rest of the board in my eyes.

French fleet in Spain sounds like a Western Triple. It does make sense that if a Western Triple attacks all of Turkey's neighbours, he profits too (at least short term).

Do we have any example games of Western Triples were Turkey profits? With the right diplomacy, you'll have to break up that triple later on, of course.

I wasn't a fan of Turkey before I started playing on this site and getting some F2F games going with a group of friends. From my games as Turkey through 2016 I've found that a friendly relationship with Russia is absolutely required. Without it advances will be slowed or rather difficult if they open towards the north. An attack on Austria it's rather important Italy go west or be on your side. If Austria and Italy can form a solid alliance it's pretty much over for Turkey unless France comes into the med or Russia gets a lucky break, but even if Russia gets lucky it doesn't mean you'll find success. It's a delicate balance of needing Russian and/or Italian support to break out of your corner while also hoping they get attacked or distracted at just the right time for you to continue your push while they're forced to withdraw mostly from the conflict. I find having England as a strong partner is rather important for any hopes of a solo. Russia I see as essentially a necessary evil to have early success although (I may be wrong and correct me if I am) I beleive most Russian players see attacking Turkey as too much of a hassle and are more willing to get a far off foreign power (such as Italy) to do that work for them.

This is not to say I haven't had difficulties with Turkey either. One game I found myself attacked by all three nations (AIR). Thankfully I took advantage of the cockroach like nature of Turkey and managed to break apart their alliance and got Russia and Austria fighting while making an ally out of Italy (most Italian players are hoping for a draw anyways and only truly ambitious ones [the ones I like] have a solo in mind [which every player honestly should] when they draw Italy). But it was a live game and I managed a mediocre first place in a game of 5-6 powers left on the board. Although I was rather proud of having the barbarians all knocking at my gates and ready to die in 1902 to being the dominant power on the board. If I had the time and we didn't choose to end the live game rather than change when turns happened I was confident I'd have won a solo.

Turkey has two land neighbour so this is easy. I think best countries Turkey and England. And this site always situates me Turkey. Why?

I find it very difficult to win as Turkey since you're so far from the stalemate line. Quite easy to draw with though, as it's probably the most defensible nation in my opinion. Hold out against I/A/R long enough for a western power to get strong.

i have won with Turkey more that the other traditional Diplomacy powers. i did have back to back wins as Carthage in med though

^So CAPT Brag, how did you manage those wins? This is a thread dedicated to Turkish strategy after all, not just to tell us you are strong as Turkey. Impart some wisdom for poor old peterwiggin

poor old peter. make friends with italy or austria and kill the one you are not friends with. does that work 'tom the bomb'?

Russo-Turkish juggernaut is the best approach. It works well for Russia too, so should be able to get him on board. The key to taking it further, is timing of a stab along with carefully built up plans with England or Germany such that Russia is besieged. Or you can keep going to a two-way split (or three-way) if you can keep the juggernaut going to the end.