One of the more fun games I've played recently. Had planned on a WT from the start, but England botched up his moves pretty bad. Worked out well for me, because it allowed me to assault Italy full-on without worrying about a stab. I kept very good communication with Germany and Turkey throughout the game, which I think allowed me into the draw. There were a number of years where I was making no progress against Italy and I was able to keep attention away from me, despite my precarious position. Tried to negotiate with Austria several times, but she never really seemed to give me the time of day. I thought about trying for a solo, but Turkey started moving very erratically and then NMR. It made me nervous enough to just accept the draw, which I think we well-earned by all. Thanks for the game, all.

One more abge? Can we make you do it again?

If I think about it tonight, I will review my moves and communications and give a better EOG. But I can say Austria was my ally until very late in the game when it became clear I had to pick between Austria and Turkey and Turkey was clearly the harder target plus Germany was backing Turkey already so I had to give up Austria and let her die.

I agree with abge when he says itbwas a very enjoyable game. And it had most everyone in it still with just a couple years left. Only poor Russia got crushed early.

1906 was the big decision year for me. I had arranged with Austria to support me to GRE in exchange for her keeping VIE. I would have moved to BUR instead of bouncing. I believe I could have ravaged Turkey while Austria sought revenge against Germany. In the end, I decided to play it safe, for several reasons, including being busy IRL and not having a good enough relation with Austria to be sure I could pull it off.

I may be up for another, Draug, but I'd like my other game to get to 1905 or so before I start another.

Plan one for after Dec 1 then?

I was England and had the biggest screw up of my Diplomacy life. In S01 I entered my moves on my phone while sitting in the car waiting for my wife somewhere. I never verified them. Turns out I ordered both fleets to North Sea and bounced. I never recovered.

What made it harder is both France and Germany are expert press players and both were persuading me to go against the other. Throw in Russia, another expert, trying to influence me and I felt like I was all over the place. Probably my worst ever showing and I got exactly what I deserved -- a defeat.

Thabjs for the compliment, but I am hardly an expert press player. :-)

Thanks. stupid phone...

I typically don't write EoGs in games in which I'm eliminated early. If you guys want me to, I can make an exception, but otherwise I'll just share a few thoughts.

I think that Turkey didn't really want to work with me from the beginning, just as I didn't want to work with him, and that left both of us vying for Austria's attention. Austria sent me a total of 51 words over 7 messages the entire game. I don't know if that was due to Turkey working some diplomatic magic early (if so, kudos krellin), or if she just had no interest in working with me either, or if she just wasn't talkative. Either way I was pretty disappointed that she refused to even consider any of my suggestions, and with the whole East in general (yes, I'm including myself there, I played an awful game).

I did enjoy chatting with the West much more, whether it was Germany's shameless lying coupled with actual talkativeness, France's general friendly demeanor right until the end, or England, who I probably liked the most in this game, and who I screwed over right off the bat in a desperate attempt to save my own hide.

I would like to point out here that I felt that it would have been pretty easy for either of you (F or G) to manipulate your way to a solo, and I'm surprised and a tad disappointed that neither of you went for it.

Good game all.

I considered it. I think I had the north locked in a stalemate but felt that trying to.push into the south was risky. If I could get SC 14in a year or two I might have pulled it out, but decided at the end with both of them casting draw votes to go ahead and draw rather than risk France trying to race me to 18.

Were you afraid of losing your part of the 35 pot?

I considered it twice. In 1906, as I said, and at the very end. Quite frankly, Turkey scared the shit out if me when he got behind my lines and then NMR'd. We had very communication up until the very end when he suddenly stopped talking to me. I really couldn't tell what he was going to do, so I cut my loses and went for the draw.

I was concerned Italy could get the win if I crushed turkey to hard.

When was Italy in danger of soloing?

I think he's just going to call you by a different name every time he posts.

I meant France. Hey, I've got a wife in a hospital bed. Forgive my absentmindedness.

Heh. No problem. Been playing a lot of frames as France. Just making sure I wasn't thinking of the wrong game.

how do you play frames?

Well. How do you play them?

Normally with a bowling ball and pins on a lane in a bowling alley.