Oh, charlie...

lol ah Charles, how he got my hopes up and then screwed me over...

My post should come soon.

OK. This is my side of the story...

1901: So I got Russia, one of my least favourite countries, and I had just come off the unfortunate experience of being beat out in one of my games as Russia in the GFDT. I was not particularly enthused. That is until I started talking with everyone who all seemed so friendly. I discussed with Austria about a possible alliance with Galicia as a DMZ. I spoke to Italy about attacking Austria. Turkey seemed quite prepared about forming the Juggernaut. I hesitantly agreed for the moment, realizing that such an alliance would put a clear target on my back. My fears were cemented in part by virtually everyone asking me about rumours of a Juggernaut after Spring 1901. As to Germany, we agreed to the traditional DMZs of Prussia, Silesia, and Baltic Sea and discussed a Sealion against England, something that I was favourable to. He also agreed to not bounce me in Sweden. I chatted with both France, who seemed to agree to a Sealion, and England but nothing solid came of it yet. I bounced Turkey in the Black Sea as was pre-determined and didn’t move into Galicia. Austria did. I didn’t really expect he would, but what surprised me was the move to Rumania, and with Italy in Trieste it seemed like a classic key lepanto. I decided to ally with Turkey for the time being. And with France in the Channel, the alliance against England looked like it was coming along nicely, although Germany was quite angry about a French army in Burgundy. I assured him it was probably nothing to worry about.In the autumn, I took Sweden and Rumania. Turkey blocked what looked like a key lepanto. Germany was quite angry France took Belgium, but yet I tried to work out something between the two. My position looked quite good. I built an army in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

1902: I started fishing about to see what the relationship was between France and England. I got repeated information that they were quite friendly and indeed it looked like they were allied. I began to talk to England some more. I negotiated an agreement with him to allow me to enter Norway pending I support him into Denmark, knowing that they would have some difficulty in breaking into Germany. We agreed that I should support the move to Norway in order to not give away our hand. I don’t know if he expected Moscow to move to St. Petersburg, but I couldn’t afford him retreating to Barents Sea and messing with from the north. I supported Turkey to Serbia in order for him to support me to Budapest in the autumn. I successfully blocked Austria from moving to Ukraine. Basically, I could never trust Austria again after the events of the first year. In the autumn, I had some difficulty in deciding whether I should trust England or take Norway. I decided to just take Norway in order for him to not break into Germany and become too much of an influence in the north which could threaten me. I used his NMR as an excuse, saying I changed my orders just in time in order to not give ourselves away. Turkey didn’t support me and even hit Rumania. I was not too pleased, and I became friendlier towards Italy, saying I wanted Turkey dead. Being in a juggernaut is just too stressful. By the autumn Austria seemed to agree that we should also kill Turkey. He could be useful for the moment, me and Italy would kill him off later…

1903: I solidify my position in both the north and the south. Austria agrees to leave Galicia as a DMZ. He told me he was moving to Trieste, so I told Italy this. Italy hoped Turkey would bounce him. Turkey still seemed quite friendly so I convinced him that the Black Sea would remain a DMZ and we could fight against Italy and Austria. I moved into the Black Sea in order to get a better position on him, claiming it was in order to help defend us both. I don’t how much he believed me. Germany agreed to support me into the North Sea, expecting England to support hold it from Norwegian Sea. He ended up moving to Barents Sea and I later heard from someone that there was suppose to be a Western Triple. In any case, I found my self in the North Sea. France seemed to be surrounding England. I send him some congratulatory message, although England did take Belgium due to the retreat.

1904: England and France are both quite afraid of France, especially Germany. I think it was this year that he offered to give me all of his and England’s centres in order for me to help them against France. He assumed I was in league with France (someone who I didn’t have much conversation with) and didn’t believe me when I said I would support him into Belgium, something I had planned on doing. I agreed to his offer. However, we had paused for Christmas and he came back more even headed. I decide to pull my fleet back. In the south, everything seemed like it was going well. Both Italy and Austria seemed friendly and Turkey was about to die. That is until I saw Austria’s moves. He was stabbing me. FUUUUUU…

1905: After a hasty retreat from Turkey in order to defend against Austria, I wrote some more messages to Charles (Turkey). Charles, I said, we can defend against both Italy and Austria if you move your fleets into Constantinople and Smyrna, as well as holding in the Eastern Med. Charles? Chaaaarles? Charles!? CHARLES!!? After sporadic activity and infrequent replies, Charles seemed to be quitting the game. That weakened my hold in the south a lot, especially with Austria breaking into Ukraine and Silesia. It should be noted Germany had warned me that Austria was going to move into Silesia, but I totally forgot to change my orders at the last minute. Damn. As to the north, the situation was deteriorating as Germany seemed to becoming friendlier towards France and England was falling.

1906: Germany seemed to be just as friendly as he was before and agreed to push Austria out of Silesia. It was at this point I brought some units back from Scandinavia, believing wrongly Germany would not be tempted by some empty centres… Instead of support holding Warsaw, he supported Austria in, as well as taking Norway and Sweden. I decided to write to Italy and agreed to help him win, as I wanted vindication, after Austria refused to listen to my warnings that Italy was about to stab him, which he did. Now we were both in the same boat and yet he continued to attack me…

1907: I tried convincing Germany I would help him and France against Italy. Germany seemed to have inferred I would be more useful dead with my centres under his control. I get supported into Rumania by Italy.

1908: I’m pretty much dead and I keep sending messages to Germany and Austria amounting to idle threats about helping Italy win and asking for some sort of position in helping Germany set up the stalemate line. No go. My position is useless. Austria sends me a message telling me it’s WTA and I gained nothing from helping Italy. I remind him he is the one killing me and I remain open to any possibilities in fighting Italy. No offers still, except from Italy who is telling me that I would be included in the draw if I help set up the stalemate line. I agree, although I know I will be probably killed off at the end, it is the only hope I have.

1909: Germany takes Moscow and I support Italy into Ukraine. I hope Italy doesn’t end up killing me…

1910: Game is drawn and I’m surprised at how fast France and Germany agree to it and that I still live. A very interesting game indeed.

Alright, now you can have my story of misery.

1901: I get drawn as Austria, the country I have the worst record of any with. Oh dear.

I am immediately contacted by Italy offering me a key lepanto. As in the past i've always gone with fairly conservative starts as Austria, and almost always ended up dead, I am interested in this variation. I also get a message from Turkey offering up an alliance. However, in my experience Austria/Turkey alliances are very precarious and I am not overly thrilled at that prospect (i try not to show it though). I decide that I will take that alliance only as my last resort.

I am also contacted by Russia, and agree to a DMZ of Galicia. His offers seem ok, but I am also wary of the war with Italy and having to fight a war on two fronts against Italy and Turkey if I ally with Russia. I rank this as second on my list of alliances. I receive friendly contacts from Germany about an NAP and England about information sharing.

Going on the information I have, I decide that war with Italy is something I wish to avoid. I decided if I tried to back out of the key now I would look weak, so I just hoped I could pull it off early enough.

I warn England about Russia moving northwards at the start by saying I am suspicious that Russia asked me for an alliance then said he'd move northwards, which I had of course fabricated, although I did try and convince Russia to move north as there was word of a sealion going on.

I also warned Russia about England opening north. This seemed to fail as generally there was talk of a Germany/France alliance. I opened into Galicia, Rumania and Albania, after telling Turkey I would do this and offering to try and blockade Russia in 1901, then switch Rumania back to Turkey in 1902, just so Russia got no builds. I spread word of a juggernaut to about everyone I could (Bar France, as I had very little contact with them all game).

Russia was understandably pissed, although I was also surprised and disappointed by his move to Warsaw, which left my threatening of Warsaw in tatters and I could see full well that there was no way I would hold Rumania without Turkish support.

Turkey became annoyingly unfriendly. I tried to convince him I had been forced into the key and that I would turn on Italy next year, our alliance was still solid. Germany also contacted me favouring my support of Turkey. I was caught in a rat trap and was struggling to see a way out. Relations with Russia were over for the time being. I attempted to set up anti-Italian feelings while keeping the alliance going, but I could see I was going to be very lucky to survive. When the autumn 1902 moves came through my fears were realised, as Turkey had bounced Italy out of Serbia, and Russia had knocked me out of Rumania. I ended with no builds and in a terrible position.

Looking to the west, I attempted to get myself as good a relation with Germany as possible. Franco-Russian relations seemed to be very high and I tried to set up an Anglo-Germanic alliance against Russia. I was highly paranoid of Italy as he had moved to Tunis instead of Aegean, and had moved to Venice.

1902: With my position in tatters, I offered Italy support against the juggernaut, hoping he would let me live just to be a bulwark against it. Turkey contacted me, worried about the growing power of Russia. However, all he offered was a ceasefire and no way to help against Italy. I saw if i sided with Turkey Italy would crush me immediately. I therefore decided to attempt to plough through my problems.

After Spring, when I saw the anti-German alliance going on, and the Italian-Turkish alliance, I all but gave up. I had no allies who could be of any help. Italy reopened discussions with me after his relationship with Turkey had apparently "gone sour". I wasn't impressed. He offered to leave Vienna, which was about all I could get. I was unwilling to support him though, so I just held Bud/Greece and made an unlikely attack on Warsaw.

When the moves came through it autumn, I began to see the funny side. There was now a 4 way FFA going on in the Balkans and I had somehow not lost any centres at all in 1902. England's NMR had allowed Russia to cement control of the north however, and despite Turkey's attack on Rumania the threat of a juggernaut remained high.

The French build also gave Italy another worry and with war with France and Turkey, I hoped I could count on his support for a while. Turkey had continually sent me lying offers of help and there was no way I could trust him at all now. I attempted to repair relations with Russia, although I could not help much against Italy like he asked. I attempted to cultivate it though, as we shared a common enemy in that Turkey had now pissed everyone off. I supported Italy into Serbia and he agreed that I could take Trieste back. Russia then said he would move against Turkey if he was sure I wouldn't ally with Turkey against him. I lost a lot of trust in him in that one comment simply because it was completely obvious I could not ally with Turkey and we were at war.

When autumn came I began to actually believe I had hope. I DMZ'd Galicia with Russia and took Trieste back. I had a build, and my relations with Italy appeared to be strong again.

1904:I put the trust in Italy due to the fact he had had the opportunity to completely finish me and instead had helped me survive. Italy encouraged me to stab Russia and I agreed. I struggled to get back into the game after the long christmas pause though, which turned out to have a bad effect. Up north, I accused Germany of being a Russian pawn (which at the time he was) and told him to attack Russia, to which he replied he couldn't but I should.

1905:I moved up into Galicia and agreed to give Italy Greece while he supported me into Bulgaria, and then in autumn support Italy into Aegean while taking Rumania.

Germany attacked Sweden and with France and England firmly at war I began to try to get him into move east against Russia. I knew i needed quick success before Italy moved into me. I arranged for Germany to allow me into Silesia, and attempted to seize Warsaw.

Germany and I then misunderstood what I was doing with Silesia and I lost Galicia, which looking back was probably the point where Italy decided to stab me with my weakness. I had however gained control of Ukraine, and was in a solid position to move against Russia. I hoped Italy would delay his stab at least long enough for me to destroy Russia. I attempted to make sure I had Rumania, and continued to trade SC's with Italy in Turkey, when that failed I was in trouble.

1906:I got Germany to support me into Warsaw, but with Italy's stab costing me Con and Trieste, i was in a tough spot.

1907:Russia asked for a ceasefire to stop Italy but Germany was now pressuring me to continue into Russia. I had no choice but to attack Russia.

1908: By this time i was nothing more than a German pawn. My retreats had slowed Italy down and i possibly cost him the chance of soloing by remaining around for much longer than he wanted. I tried to make peace with Russia but he was now solely helping Italy even though Italy was on track to solo.

1909: When Germany stabbed me I was all but finished. I could see a stalemate line appearing which I was unlikely to be part of, and when Germany's offer to help me into Sev through Ukraine failed, I lost my last army and that was it for me. Germany took Moscow, and I was out.

I was quite surprised Russia was allowed to draw as Italy could have finished him and made it a three way, and France and Germany accepted the four way.

My variation of normal play as Austria failed to pay off. Ah well. Maybe next time.

Germany here.
1901 - Relations looked pretty good from the onset. Austria knew that NAP was good for both of us, Russia agreed to the standard DMZ. Turkey seemed very interested in forming a strong relationship and it made sense to me because I knew I'd likely need an ally against Russia later. England seemed to be making a fairly typical opening and I tried to convince France to go for a Sea Lion; when he didn't go for that I suggested a Vineyard. Ultimately he talked me down from a DMZ Burgundy to a bounce in Burgundy and then supported himself in.
I overreacted to that one, especially considering he was also in the Channel. We had a good chat about his playing style but I wasted too much time yelling at him to really make amends and he let slip that England was going to bounce Holland. I almost hit North Sea with that knowledge but didn't want to risk that England might convoy. Not the worst of starts but it looked like E&F were set up to take me on, I had to keep Russia off my back if I had any chance of survivng.
Meanwhile in the east Turkey asked me whether I thought Trieste was a Key or a legitimate attack and I truthfully told him it looked like a Key to me; figured that pointing out the Key was the best way to keep a juggernaut from forming, even if it did mean Russia would have some time to grow.

1902 - Pushed myself into a defensive position in the spring. Russia had been talking about moving into Norway, naturally he hadn't mentioned Denmark to me but now that I know about it I'm glad England NMRed. England and France both rejected my requests for peace, figuring they had more to gain from each other than they did from me. England lands in Holland, things look pretty bleak for Austria but on my end I think I can hold what I've got. I start working on Russia to keep him against England, but in order to keep my defensive position I offer to support his fleets instead of the reverse.

1903 - Finally convinced Russia to go against England, destroyed one of the English fleets in Skagerrak. Russia warned me of the English move to Helgoland which I had already anticipated (and encouraged, by implying that I hadn't even thought about it.) At this point England comes back and congratulates me, saying that he now has no way to attack me. At this point Russia is in good position to keep growing on both fronts so I try to orchestrate a western triple; I won't let myself get screwed again so I insist that I won't move until I get commitment from the others. England and France agree; I was a little surprised to see France agree so readily, and surprise surprise, that's because he wasn't sincere. Russia makes it into North Sea and France stabs England, who is now in Barents and horribly out of position. But he does get a retreat to Belgium. France claimed it was meant as a defense to a suspected E/G attack.
I had also been trying to get a fight between Italy and France in order to keep France off my back, and England's, and they played a little ping pong in Med waters but nothing ever came of it. Might've slowed them both down just enough, but no centers ever changed hands.

1904 - It *was* at this point that I rashly went to Russia and basically offered him the win on a silver platter. I assumed France and Russia had a strong alliance and I figured the best way to break an alliance is to unbalance it, so I was going to make damned sure Russia got the spoils and France got the short end. France had already told me he only makes deals if they're good for both parties, so I figured I could get him to call off the attack if he wasn't going to get anything out of it. England talked me out of this over the break and we tried to figure out how we could get to France without losing everything to Russia, tried to get Austria and Turkey together against the Russian south. England retook the Channel and North Sea and allowed me to nab Holland because I insisted we needed armies to break into France. Really what we needed was for him to head to MAO, and when he didn't I saw no chance of breaking the French line.

1905 - With Turkey NMRing, Austria was my only shot at keeping Russia at bay. I started playing both sides of the Austro-Russian battle. I allowed Austria passage into Silesia; he said he would leave immediately (to Warsaw) so I knew I'd have an excuse after I cut Austrian support for Gal-War. At that point the A/R border was a clusterfuck and I was pretty pleased.
In the west I switched sides because France had secured his border and continuing the French fight would've been fruitless. England was surprised because I had been speaking out so strongly against France before, but we got him off the continent and surrounded in the water. France and I also finally empty Burgundy, which I'd been arguing for all game.

1906 - France and I make a deal to (eventually) trade Belgium in exchange for all of England, while France, Italy, and Austria all urge me to stab Russia. After continuing to play both sides in the east in the spring I *do* stab Russia, knocking him from six to three. At the same time, Italy stabs Austria and offers me and France a three-way draw.
1907 - From this point on I figure I can trust France completely, because if either of us screws the other Italy would solo. He needed to get Mars/Spa/Stp/Mun to win, and as long as France and I stood together, that wouldn't happen. Russia started threatening to throw the game to Italy but I didn't think he could get Italy across the line so I mostly ignored the threats and started positioning myself to try to get to Moscow and Warsaw before Italy. I keep Austria onside well enough for him to survive a while, but I think he senses the end is coming.
Russia starts supporting Italy full out, but since Italy offered the draw I don't think much of it. I figure Italy will take his last few centers eventually.

1908 - Things are pretty well buttoned up at this point, I take Warsaw off of Austria, Italy leaves Rumania alone to my surprise. At this point Italy asks me and France about leaving Russia alive. I don't see the point; he wasn't an integral part of gaining or stopping a solo so I don't see why we should take a four-way when Italy offered three. I try a couple of times to talk Italy out of it, then figure I might as well try to get Russia to break the deal too, but neither of them bites.

1909 - My efforts this year were focused on getting Russia out of the draw. I thought maybe if I got Austria into Sevastopol Italy would take Rumania, but we got blocked out of Ukraine and that was it for Austria. Italy and Russia hit a stalemate line and with neither budging diplomatically I realized we were pretty well doomed to the four-way.

So to those who are saying France and I relented too easily on the four-way, we did try to break up the alliance at the end, probably for a game year or more we tried everything short of claiming Russia insulted Italy's mother (unless France got that one in there too) but diplomatcially, tactically, strategically, it seemed there was no way to break them up. Unless Italy could get a solo out of it, which was obviously out of the question.

Who died?

I'd be interested in hearing France's side of things, as I got barely anything out of them most of the game :P

I forgot to mention that England and I had good discussions throughout the game. But when he and France got stalled against Germany (with Russia's help) it became clear that he and I were both trying to get France to go the other way.

I'll send France and England PMs about this thread so hopefully we can hear from them too.

Got the PM, read the other EOGs, loved the common "I didn't hear much from Fra" theme :)

it's absurdly late here, will write tomorrow.

I will write later tonight when I get a chance. Interesting stuff I've read so far though.

First of all, I'd like to say that I enjoyed this game quite a bit, and just wish that I had more time to devote to it. Things in RL busy enough that keeping up with the 24hr phases became difficult. In any case, I think I learned a great deal from the experience.

1901: Pretty generic opening discussions. I touched base with everyone and was set on a basic northern opening, as France and I agreed to DMZ the Channel. I heard murmurs of a German/Russian blitz against me, but I wasn't sure if it would pan out. I thought it was more of a feeler, and was confident going into the fall. In the fall, things already look bleak. Russia thankfully did not open north, but France took the Channel right after we agreed to a DMZ! I was somewhat baffled. After talking with the other countries, however it didn't look so bad. Germany was bitterly mad that France had moved to Bur, and France said that he had just moved to the Channel to be defensive and to grab Bel. I had to face a decision between France and Germany. I ended up choosing France because he Germany seemed a bit hot-headed and I was still worried about GER/RUSS alliance. I bounced GER in Holland as France took Belgium.

1902: I begin working out a plan with France and Russia. RUSS built an army in St. Pet, so I knew that I had to be careful. First with the help of France, I convoy into Holland, as well as vacate Norway to move to Ska. Russia had promised to support me into Denmark in the fall to return the favor. Unfortunately I NMRd in the fall (due to a serious matter), and Russia kept Norway.

1903: I try to continue my assault on Germany, but it is becoming clear that I have little to gain. If GER falls, Russia and France look to be the ones to gain. Furthermore, France moves to MAO and I become suspicious. In the fall the shit hits the fan. FRA, RUSS, and GER all come at me. I lose North Sea, but due to a misorder, I am able to retreat into French owned BEL. I am able to keep a fairly decent defensive position.

1904: I appeal strongly to France and RUssia, as they are the most important. I really need France out of my hair, and we had pretty straighfoward and cordial discussions throughout the game. He eventually backs off and gives me some breathing room. At the same time, I try to work out a deal with Russia as I have a fleet/bargaining chip in Barents. It ends up working out well, and I am able to get back North. Now that I am no longer attacking him, Germany comes to me wanting support into Bur. He is still pissed at FRA for the opening move. I agree to help him in, but tell FRA about the plans. I felt as though I needed FRA on my side more than GER. I still was scared of RUSS/GER. France is able to keep Bur, and while still hurting, I feel decent about my position.

1905: Things go bad. France moves at me once again. I knew there was the possibilty but I thought I would win the battle. It was either going after me or Italy. Italy was persuasive, and I don't think Turkey's NMR helped me at all. It allowed Italy to grow significantly in power and I don't think France wanted to tangle with him at that point. At the same time, GER helps FRA into BEL and I'm pretty much toast.


Overall, I think 4 things did me in. First of all, as I stated earlier, I wasn't able to devote myself to the game as I should have. My apologies. Secondly, I did not adapt to the style of France. He really stirred the drink more than what I was used to and seemed to play the game turn by turn. He did what was best for him each turn rather than looking ahead. I was not used to this and it took me much to long to really understand his thought process. Thirdly, I underestimated GER. After he got so mad at FRA in the opening year, I was reluctant to trust him. I feared that he would let his emotions control him. This would come back to bite me when he helped FRA in 1905. Finally, Turkey's NMR sealed my fate. Italy and I were battling with diplomacy in trying to gain the allegiance of FRA against the other. Once ITA got builds from a vacated TUR my fate was sealed.

It was a fun game and I enjoyed it. Hopefully I'll play with you all again!

Also, I've never written an EOG, so don't critique it too much. I know that I spend time writing what happened, but there isn't too much detail into my decision making. I wasn't around long enough to make too many tough decisions.

Here's a question to both Tom and groza, were you seriously considering giving me most of your centres to help against France? I didn't know if it was some ploy to catch me off guard or a serious offer. It certainly put me in a position where I didn't know what was happening in the west anymore. It's not every day you get proposed to take one's centres without any warning...

shoulda been a journalist!

There was no way that I was going to give you my centers against France. Maybe once I knew that I was done (when I had 1 or 2 SCs). I know GER was talking about handing the game to you earlier, but I was strongly against it, and we had a good talk about it. I think he underestimated his position and overestimated yours.

Yeah, I didn't really expect that that was going to happen. It took me a while to respond because it was so out of the blue. I didn't know where you stood on it and I couldn't really go to you and be like "so, uh, Germany's offering me all his centres and yours... so how 'bout it?" You may have thought I was a lunatic... Maybe if we didn't pause I could have convinced Germany to give me his :D

"so, uh, Germany's offering me all his centres and yours... so how 'bout it?" LAWLS

Yeah, when Germany said that he was going to give his centers to you, I was shocked. I can only imagine what you were thinking.

Part of a clever plan to make England think I was ruled by my emotions ;)
Truthfully? I was expecting the big pinch any moment and when it came I was going to defend against France first and foremost. So yes I was somewhat serious, but I didn't mean it in a "Hey, let's finish this game up quick, take my centers" way, more in a "I'm more upset with France than you so if I'm a goner anyway I'm going to let you be the beneficiary."

The game started with a surprise. I somehow assumed it was going to be anonymous, it was not. It should not have been a big deal, but I've been playing mostly anon games lately (excluding some CD takeovers) and have grown accustomed to the style there, so this made me really uneasy and conflicted on how I should approach this game. Anon has changed my style – I no longer care about what impression I leave long-term, only results count.

I believe I mentioned this to a couple of people in the game, in the past dozen anon games I've played (some still ongoing), more often than not Eng/Fra moved to the EC fist turn, Italy hit Austria and so on. People fight to gain position and then renegotiate. You need just two players acting like this to mess up the whole board, so in the end everyone adopts a better-safe-than-sorry approach.

France 1901: Everyone seems extremely friendly and eager to work with me. One of those moments which look great at first sight, but then you realize you’ll have to disappoint most of those people and then the big expectations are usually replaced by big problems.

Italy looks like a solid and experienced player, more conservative than aggressive, unless I mess this up by provoking war or totally dropping my guard, my back should be safe there. It’s a long distance and he won’t attack unless he can win. Italy is the key neighbor for France, so while I have not yet seen much from England, with this Italy chances are I’ll be focused north. I’m in a WTA-induced paranoid mood anyway.

England is one of those nice guys, who seem just happy to be here. I hate fighting such people. We quickly agree on all points including a DMZ in the EC.

Germany seems to be an enthusiast. He wants to explore the game, try out complicated openings, organize alliances, etc. Very active player. I’m lazy, don’t really want to talk that much, stick to the point if possible. Most importantly, I don’t do beautiful and risky. Safety first 

GER suggested a SeaLion, which I really liked, expect for the part where I go to PIC and we leave BUR as a DMZ (or bounce MUN and MAR). The way I see it, if I’m going to open to EC and declare war to ENG, I need to have two builds and security that GER cannot stab. Thus, I asked that I move into BUR and then to BEL in the Autumn. Germany declined and kept insisting on a DMZ there. I decided to not argue very hard, plus I didn’t want to tell him that I will be moving to EC for risk of him passing on the information to ENG.

Additionally, GER and RUS both indicated that they have good relations and are considering to attack ENG, so I decided I’ll have options to still negotiate with ENG, he’ll be in a bad situation and looking for allies for sure.

I decided I’ll take BUR from PAR with MAR support and move to EC at the same time. I expected that Ger will be happy to see me in the EC and attacking England and would ignore/understand the reasoning behind my move to BUR. Turned out not to be the case.

My move to EC was successful, everyone else moved as they said they would and seemed shocked at my ungentlemanly behavior. To my surprise, Germany was the one who took it worse. He didn’t care that I’ve attacked ENG and was extremely upset that I took BUR with force and lied. We argued a lot and at a certain point he looked determined to never work with me again and made it clear he’s moving MUN-BUR next turn. This meant I cannot take BEL with BUR unless I use MAR to bounce BUR. I was definitely not going to let GER in BUR at this stage.

The other option was that I take BEL with EC. England was looking at a hostile board and from what I understood his communication with GER and RUS was not looking good. With GER looking so hostile I instantly offered peace to ENG and asked him to not bounce BEL if he wants me out of the EC. He agreed. He was also going to bounce GER for HOL. Couldn’t ask for more from the first year.

1902: I asked Italy to place in MAR. He had a good year and was making two fleets in NAP and ROM, so we still had a good balance. In the north, it was me and ENG vs GER-RUS and I was feeling confident we’ll make good progress. HOL was there for the taking and once ENG positioned his fleets Scandinavia and Germany will fall.

ENG looked like a very reliable long-term ally and with me having a fleet in BEL (which we agreed will move to EC and MAO) I was expecting this to be a long-lasting alliance. Plus, Italy was starting to look big with 3 fleets, so I wanted to make sure I have enough firepower to make sure he doesn’t get any bad ideas. A small-front war with GER would do for a while and I need to stop alarming the others anyway.

The spring turn went ok, but ENG missed the autumn, which cost him NOR/DEN. Next turn his fleet in SKA was disbanded and we were facing an almost complete stalemate line, which would have taken ages to bring down.

1903: After finally DMZ-ing the Western Mediterranean with Italy (took some time for all our fleets to move out) and with ENG looking unable to break through, it was time to change something. Relations with GER have improved substantially with time as we kept talking, but he is still not really willing to really work with me, demands that I leave BUR first. This looks like something that will haunt us all game. I have no plans to leave BUR open. He has armies in Munich and Ruhr attacking me every other turn.

At this point, it was clear that this setup is not working anyone of ENG/GER/FRA and with GER not working with me, I decided it’s only a matter of time for ENG to turn around. He had no other valid option. I decided to make the first move. It turned out to be a disastrous move, as I messed up my orders, so ended up in EC and NAO, but leaving BEL open for ENG to retreat to. Just brilliant. Stabbing someone by giving him a build.

I was going to be very lucky to get anything out of this game at this point. I’ve lied to all my neighbors on numerous occasions (I also lied to Italy at some point, but he was very nice about it :) and my tactics were crap. Oh well.

1904: I was able to setup a solid defensive line and started waiting and working on converting GER. It was time to stop wasting time – if I was to have a chance I had to take out one of ENG/IT. England was the obvious choice and I made it clear to GER.

1905. GER and ENG have been trying unsuccessfully to fight me on the one side and Russia on the other. There were changes in the east, TUR looked like either dying or CD-ing, so very soon there would be a strong power (one nation or alliance) coming out and looking west. There was time for people to die in the west and GER agreed to change sides and support me to BEL, while he took NS himself. ENG looked doomed.

1906 – year-start: My war with ENG is continuing well. I played/guessed it right and am going to take Liverpool, so will make another fleet. Things are finally starting to look better. Still much to play for though, nothing is clear.

My relations with Italy have been fluent, we have a vast DMZ between us and neither looks interested in bothering the other. I know he’ll have to take a decision soon on his next target as TUR is down to a center. Hopefully me getting a build will discourage him from attacking me. Then again, he has been working with AUS for quite some time now.

In the north, GER and RUS are back in an alliance, which is somewhat strange – as RUS is very open and GER does not need this alliance?

1906 – year-end: Italy stabbed Austria and Germany stabbed Russia… looks like game over actually. IT has 10 centers, me and GER 7 each. The rest are in disarray. On top of that I get a message from IT offering a 3-way with me and GER.

1907:
I don’t know whether Italy had a realistic shot at a solo, but if he had this was the last chance – he had to attack me instantly. He waited for a turn before starting to move and by spring 1908 I have gained another unit and was able to easily face him and we started bouncing.

I am not really sure why IT decided to keep RUS. I’d guess he made a promise somewhere along the way, to a very emotional Russia and then, once this promise got in the open, he couldn’t just tell RUS “I’m going to kill you anyway, because you’re irrelevant to the game with those two centers and have been irrelevant for quite some time now. Thank you for your help, but let’s be honest, it didn’t matter. I’d like to maximize the draw and 3 is better than 4, plus the other two are pressuring me.”

I tried convincing him, but from my experience people don’t change their minds about such things – at least not in-game – maybe for the next one .

In summary – as I mentioned at a certain point I was thinking that I’m still lucky to be alive. I didn’t play well diplomatically and my tactics let me down on one occasion. The interesting part for me was that despite my ‘loose cannon’ approach I was never really at danger at any point during the game. It was a good game, though I do feel sorry for my systematic persecution of the English.

Interesting read Ivo.

"England is one of those nice guys, who seem just happy to be here" Damn, I am transparent.

In any case, I had the hardest time figuring you out, and this commentary helped me understand quite a bit. I guess my feeling towards the end of the game was that you had always planned on coming after me. As your EOG states though, you had plans of working with me long term, had I not screwed up and NMR'd.

btw, at times during the game when you and I talked I was quite sure that you were a computer and not a real person. You never showed any emotion. Pair that with GER who seemed to be angry the whole time and a strange western dynamic was going on.

It's weird but in 4/5 games I play Germany & Russia are allied. I never like allying with the Germany as Russia and vice versa as Germany.