Well, I opened south and to Galacia, hoping Italy was hoping to work with me. I knew a couple "crusher fiends" were online, so I was a bit nervous, but spring worked out well (in terms of no direct aggression). Italy did open to Pie and Venice though, so I opted to take the safe play of moving Via to Tri even though it let Russia into Gal. This ended up being for naught, as Italy continued to target France. But better safe than sorry!
In the meantime, Turkey opened to Armenia...nice. I figure I would support him into Rum, either giving him it outright, or putting him in the Black to take it next year. He moves to Sev, Black, and........Greece. Well that downright made me mad. He's really opening hostile towards me and Russia? Ok, I guess Russia and I will teach him a little lesson about that. I signal no bad intentions towards Russia and get position on Turkey. I take Bul and Greece in 1902 because Turkey decided to move to the Ionian instead of bouncing Alb into Greece as the unit that was in Greece took Bul. Russia stabbed me and took Budapest at the same time, but I still got a build.
The next couple turns was me making solid progress on Russia (with some minor help from Germany) while holding Turkey in his little box while Italy made no progress against France. He eventually headed east and helped finish Turkey.
He ended up stabbing me at the same time I considered stabbing him., taking Greece from me. We had a bit of a back and forth, and I feel I was coming out ahead in a slog, but France sent a couple fleets down and really put the knife in him.
At that point, Italy fled west, and I'm not sure if he was trying to secure a spot in the draw or if he was trying to throw me the solo. Apparently, it pissed France off, and France decided to actually throw it to me.
I got thrown a solo, so I can't brag much about it, but I do feel like I played well throughout the game nonetheless.
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