Doug writes It's a totally unnecessary convoy, as MAO could just hold with Spa->Por, Gas->Spa... but it does give (a rather flimsy) excuse for that fleet setting on MAO. Plus I just like convoys. :-) Not necessarily. If you move to MAO, GAS and BUR you won't have a unit in Spain. It is small differ...

Doug writes I don't think this is a bad opening, I've played it the second most. It definitely has its merits. Again, I'll have to see how it compares to the other ones in terms of results. I don't play the Maginot (Mar S Par->Bur) often only because it seems so... boring. It's definitely strong as...

Changing subjects just a little, this is what I think France's optimal strategy is. MAO GAS BUR The army moving to Burgundy will bounce Germany if he moves there. The army in Gascony can cover Brest in the fall if necessary. France should get two builds. I suggest that the best strategy would be to ...

Trig writes: George, I think your idea to open strong to Serbia and Albania is a good one. I'm not sure I have the full data to agree or not that it is the best approach. I am curious what Doug thinks about it. I have also experimented with this alternative opening for Austria: F Tri->Alb, A Vie->G...

For Austria (again) Austria: F Tri->Ven. A Vie->Gal. A Bud->Ser. : 2 F Tri->Albania. A Vie->Gal. A Bud->Ser. : 22 F Tri->Albania. A Vie->Tyo. A Bud->Ser. : 13 F Tri->Albania. A Vie->Tri. A Bud->Ser. : 12 F Tri->Albania. A Vie->Bud. A Bud->Ser. : 2 It seems that if you get an alliance with Italy you ...

Doug writes: France: F Bre->MAO. A Par->Gas. A Marseilles->Spain. : 27 F Bre->MAO. A Par->Gas. A Marseilles H. : 5 F Bre->MAO. A Par->Gas. A Marseilles->Bur. : 15 F Bre->MAO. A Par->Bur. A Marseilles S->Bur from Par. : 4 This is pretty interesting. Can you discuss more about your moves? See above. ...

Maybe it is too early to say "grats" but it looks like you are now winning in this game!!

I'm thinking to not help Germany too much. I won't attack him right now, but I don't think I want him gaining French centers, either. I welcome any advice. Remember I am a relative newbie at this, so consider that. My advice is to go for Marseilles and Portugal this turn. Italy will think of you as...

Hmmmm.... Strange

Thanks Doug!

PS... I get 6 is an extremely small sample and I might just have been "lucky".

Pretty cool. Bot-Italy opened Rome-->Venice 180 times. I think we can safely assume it didn't open Rome-->Venice and Venice hold, or Rome-->Venice and Venice support-hold Trieste. That leaves three openings for Venice that could go with the 180 Rome-->Venice openings: Trieste, Tyrolia, and Piedmont...

Some final remarks about my Austria game. First, I think you can see it was a pretty easy win. At all times I counted on Italy to have my back. Italy in turn was extremely helpful and docile. I was able very quickly to take all of Turkey except Smyrna, which went to Italy. My program of rapid shipbu...

Doug... It looks like you have a good position. You and Germany have 18 centers to 16 for Russia and Turkey. It looks like you can hold him in TYS/TUN also. You guys are on the right side of stalemate lines, having St. Pete, Munich, Berlin, Portugal and Tunis. The question is... If Turkey and Russia...

Trig writes: Minimalist theory would suggest PRU and SIL S BER, and others hold. ;) Not bad to be able to do that on the final turn. Yeah, not a subscriber to minimalist theory. Here is the final map: https://webdiplomacy.net/map.php?gameID=429820&turn=15&mapType=large Note that if the game played ...

Trig writes: Congrats, it looks like you're in position for the win this year! The chances of England moving to Livonia, then Prussia are basically zero. Right you are.... Here is the current map: https://webdiplomacy.net/map.php?gameID=429820&turn=13&mapType=large I have Naples - that makes 18. I ...

Moves, quick

Move to TYS and WES M to block possible French moves. Move to Naples for the build and Aeg and then Ion in the fall from Con.

The armies are basically holding. A half fake on Munich, a move on St. Pete which should fail. Move to Serb and Galicia.

We should be good.

My moves went well.... I moved on to builds. I am at 17 now, should be able to hold everything I have. Italy disbanded in Turkey, so no worries there. The only thing that could possibly stop a solo this turn is if England moves to Livonia and Prussia and cut my support from Prussia. Quick link: http...

Ok guys.... Is the time to stab? Current map: https://webdiplomacy.net/map.php?gameID=429820&turn=12&mapType=large Planned moves: Berlin gets two supports Tyr - Ven with support from Tri Vie - Tyr Tys - Rom Adr - Apu Ion - Tun Con - Smy with one support The Army in Venice will likely need to disband...

Ok guys.... These are my moves

A Tyr - Mun with three supports
A Lvn - Mos
A Pru S A Ber
A Vie - Tyr with support from Trieste

F Tyr - Wes

Other units hold. Here is the map:

https://webdiplomacy.net/map.php?gameID ... Type=large