At last! After playing nearly one hundred and fifty online games of Classic-Map Diplomacy, I've finally arrived at an opening strategy for Italy that I can finally feel happy about. Please understand that this proposed Italian opening is largely untested, but should at the very least, present an interesting alternative to either the Tyrolian attack or the Lepanto.

Some of the better players that I've gamed against tend to insist that the Lepanto is strategically interesting only as a surprise move. It is implemented so frequently on some gaming sites that it largely fails in that regard, and has become something of a trope. Those of you as tired of the Lepanto as I am will feel greatful for any reasonable alternative. Well, let's be honest - you'll feel greatful for any strategy likely to provide *any* boost to either the projected outcome or the gaming enjoyment associated with the Italian question.

For starters, this sort of method will only be viable if some of the remaining players start with an deep understanding of opening strategy. For example, we will ideally want to be playing against a German opponent that would prefer to have an Italian unit in Tyrolia than for Tyrolia to be vacant in the event that France is able to take Ruhr. An intelligent German player will of course realize that Italy stands more to gain by providing defensive support to a German unit in Munich than by providing offensive support to a French unit attempting to take Munich under normal circumstances. It will likewise require an Austrian player who realizes that an Italian unit in Tyrolia is agreeable by the time that Austria captures it's sixth center. While neither power may be precisely happy to have an Italian presence in the alps, only an inexperienced German or Austrian player will want to prevent an Italian player from seeking a mutually an agressively neutral opening on the Italian part.

But Tyrolia should not be the Venetian unit's initial target.

Rather an Italian player, seeking an approximate parity in terms of power with it's neighbors, should first communicate both to Russia, Austria and Turkey that you consider the Greek provice to be firmly Italian territory. They will be somewhat puzzled when you articulate that you won't after all be capturing Greece in Fall 1901. Instead Greece should be Italy's goal for Spring 1902. Both Austria and Turkey should understand that while either are welcome to occupy Greece in 1901 for any purpose, they should be prepared to vacate the territory immediately once you require it. Most importantly they should understand that you will be prepared to cut a deal with the remaining two Balkan powers should any of them begin to make a move on Greece once you move in. I suggest taking Greece with an army rather than a navy. In this way, you will be within striking range of both Greek and Austrian supply centers and can comfortably support the ambitions of either Russia, Turkey or Austria. Unless either player is unreasonable, this should be good enough for them. All three of the Balkan powers will have enough concerns without wishing to provoke Italian wrath. Ideally you should be able to take and hold Greece while remaining essentially neutral.

Now that is all well and good for 1902, but what of 1901? Your first communication should go to France, requesting a bounce in Piedmont. France will usually decline, in which case you can walk into Piedmont uncontested. From here you have gone a long way to nullify the advantage to France of an Italian invasion while still doing comparatively little to raise his ire.

At the same time, you invite Germany into Tyrolia while promising him that you'll take care of his little brother in Austria, in exchange for Greece. This is the essential strength of this opening as I propose it. Since one can pretty much safely assume that Austria and Germany will be coordinating openings, it then becomes a point of folly to instigate a conflict with either. Both powers will have bigger things to worry about than picking a fight with Italy. Germany thinks that you are a nice guy for inviting him into Tyrolia, while he will probably decline. In return, he will likely pressure everyone else into letting you have Greece.

To Austria, you request a bounce between Venice and Trieste. While an inexperienced player will inexplicably perceive this is a threat, a veteran player will be glad for you to have asked for the one thing which he most wants, and was nervous to bring up. Your simultaneous move (or attempted move) to Piedmont (along with your invitation for Germany to take Tyrolia) will likewise assuage many of his concerns about your intentions.

Your actual orders will be slightly different. Venice moves to Piedmont, and Rome to Venice. While you have a choice of which sea to move your fleet to, the Ionian is likely to be the better of your two choices. A move to the Tyrrhenian Sea unnecessarily provokes France while a move to the Ionian serves both the objective of enforcing good behavior on the parts of the Austrians and the Turks, while leaving open to you the option of pursuing the Lepanto.

Keep in mind that ideally one or both of your infantry movements will fail. Ideally you can convoy an army to Tunis unless France attacks you outright. Your first build should be a fleet. If necessary, this fleet can help to enforce your claim on Greece. If not, then you can safeguard the Tyhrrenhian. Remember to keep an army stationed in Venice. Your second build should be an army, which should be deployed to Tyrolia (see above) until you are ready to attack France.

France is your ideal target. Since Austria will never be well positioned for an attack on you, you can usually be happy as long as he is holding is own on the east. France presents both a greater threat as well as a greater attack opportunity.