I know that hows it works in theory, but it just never works

It usually works for me. You don't do it only if Germany moves the Kiel fleet to Holland. As a rule, you get a couple of SCs in Scandinavia, quite enough to stop any French attempt.

not when Russia builds in St. Petersburg, I have NEVER had luck with this opening. France always sees the chance, and attacks

I don't go to Ska as England at least until 1902 (and I don't recall seeing someone else doing it). But if your trust in France is not betrayed, that can be a powerful opening, especially if Germany doesn't do too well and can't push your next fleet build out of North Sea. But that's a very particular circumstance. There is a much better event that has actually happened to me: neither F or G went for Belgium in S1901 and I got it for free!

I tend to follow Jesus' philsophy on the issue

Army to norway with a fleet kept back to defend against france is better imho; even if army norway goes to finland - the key to winning any scandanavian war...

Ska is a poor second - though both leave england with one unit not able to defend against france - and the army is harder to get back, a fleet in norway plus army in finland gives two into either sweden or stp, while ska gives two into sweden or denmark (but from north sea OR norway, weaker imho)

Two units away from home is just silly; that said, i'm talking about full press expierence.

England opening chances look very similar to Italy - it's not unusual to spend the first three or four years with 4 or even 3 units lurking in the north, waiting for their chance. But I love the possibilities, they're enormous. No other power has so much strategic space, I believe. England might be my favorite country after France.

orathaic, the same is even more true in gunboat. France will see you have no defense (most I have seen build F Edi to follow it up(?????), and, unless Germany decided to open into Burgundy, he will be attacking you. Hell, he may try to take Liverpool for a quick build even if Germany attacks

And, in autumn 1902, France uses his two fleets to support move to English Channel about 90% of the time. He almost never goes for Liverpool, because he perceives Belgium to be strategically crucial, while it's easy to lose Liverpool.

huh, must be something to do with the Frances I have played, because they almost always go for Liverpool (of course I do bounce them in the Channel)

France has never taken lvp from me when I've moved to Ska in F01, though he's always been able to. I haven't played many games as England, though, and I think I prefer southern openings more anyway, provided you have German cooperation.

"Why Do So Many Englishmen do this?"

I thought this was going to be about Poor Dental Hygiene...

sorry to disappoint krellin, trying to promote diplomacy related topics

I like to open that way but if Russia leaves me without forcing a support into Norway, I generally go to Barents. Even if Russia convoys into Wales by the next fall, you have a build coming from Sweden and maybe a second from St. Pete or Denmark if you're lucky.

@FD: what if italy has opened to piedmont??

I didn't think of that, but that happens very rarely, and is hardly ever (from my games) followed up with the move to Mar)

the move to mar is just not needed, it is an attempt to delay french builds and prevent mars from being available to build. but if french players start leaving mar open italians will eventually start taking mar.

I think it is a good opening for italy if he wants france to be weak, both england and germany can take advantage, and italy gets several years where he doesn't have to worry so much about france.

back-fire is where france immediately invades, but that could just be an unrelated phenomenon. Meanwhile Italy doesn't usually get much use out of that army.

That's a valid point. I did not consider that. I will now phrase my complain differently:

if no one else is moving on France, you should not open to Ska in 1901

@FD - I think British Dental Hygiene is *extremely* important to diplomacy. Negotiating with a chap when the dim green cloud of foulness is emanating from his/her oral cavity is disconcerting, to say the least.

So...On Topic...I like the SKA move as a "I'm feeling a ittle naughty..." type opening in which, as opposed to opening yourself up to a French attack, you are instead saying to France..."Pllleeeeeaase go south and let me be a pest in the north!....and, if your don't mind, I like petunia's at my funeral..."

Fortress. This opening is amazing! I use it almost all the time! It almost always gets me 5-7 centres by 1902.

and it never works for me, I never get any luck with it. I just did that in a gunboat and got my ass kicked :(