03-22-2003, 12:14 PM
Quote:Actually, I conned Russia into running interference against that German fleet that was built in Berlin.
Either way, you got Russia jumping the way you wanted. I had Russia pegged as a weak player from seeing the summer '01 map.
Is Russia going into all-out civil? As in, all units issuing holds every turn? If so, the other players aren't complaining? Because yes, now you *can* take St. Pete's. Usually a double-edged sword, but without an active Russia trying to take it back, one edge really isn't there.
Hmmm. I can't tell how good Austria is. A textbook Balkan Gambit followed by a failure to submit doesn't say anything more than that Austria reads the books. Although, if I were you, I'd err on the side of caution and assume that Austria's at least decent, in which case any hints he may have been giving you regarding warring on Germany are just smokescreen. Austria almost never wins when Germany goes down.
I saw how Belgium was left open. Coupled with France's nonagressive opening, there was only one reason for Germany not to order into Holland and Belgium simultaneously. However, France's Winter 01 builds tell me that either France isn't a strong player or that he's got second thoughts about the whole Franco-Prussian thing. A Par, A Mar isn't exactly a strong anti-British build. Either way you can talk France down, especially now that he's in Pie. Nonagressively building A Lvp, F Edi will set it up. Then, concentrating on Den and Kie should seal it, along with a list of suggested moves to prosecute an Italian war. You just have to keep France off your back until you can put the knife all the way through Germany. Talking to Italy about how the French are eyeing him greedily is a pretty good way to do that, of course.
Italy looks like a weak player. After the ambiguous opening, he then chooses to take Tun with the fleet, and then inexplicably holds it there when TYS is an absolutely no-thought required better choice. Furthermore, if I'm reading the maps correctly, he holds F Nap with no reason to do so either. He has no vision beyond taking and holding Tun, and making sure he doesn't lose Ven. This is an easily manipulable player; I think you can play France and Italy off against each other without much trouble. Though, I agree with the decision not to play to WMED and TYS in the Fall. It's an incredibly telegraphed move on a Fall turn; F Mar and the whole thing goes to pieces. Not that I think Italy actually had all those thoughts and actively chose not to do it. Anyway, French army in Piedmont should be enough provocation for this player. Just set his vision on "kill France".
Germany's panic marks him as someone you can outtactic; he's not thinking. The Austrian is not well served at all in taking Munich - Austria can't hold it. Germany's play to Silesia to grab the vacant Warsaw is also a sign of someone who either isn't thinking very much or is thinking too much. If Austria's against him, he's lost this game, so his only option is to play as if Austria isn't going for Munich. He should have conceded Warsaw to Austria, pointed out to the Frenchman how he let him have Belgium, and concentrated against the real threat, that being you. As it is, he's sadly out of position, and his schizophrenic defence of sending one unit north and all the rest south is going to cost him. As an experienced GM I'm on the side of denying him the order, which is clearly invalid - but wouldn't it be nice if you got it?
Hmmm. Upon further thought, it looks like Germany WAS conceding Warsaw, but Austria failed to move. Without seeing the orders I can't be sure, but...did A Sil support A Kie to Mun? If so, Germany is even weaker tactically than I had thought before.
If you get three builds, I think you could do a fair job of taking France and Germany at the same time. It depends on France's build. The smart one would be F Bre. The one I'm thinking he'll make is F Mar. The problem is, it's a bit too much of a gamble. Do you have build negotiation phases? If there was some way you could shift the probability of F Mar a little higher, a sudden F Lvp, F Lon, A Edi (or even F Edi) build followed by moves to IRI and NAO and a bounce in the Channel could win you MAO, which would pretty much doom France as long as you keep Italy going.
As for Turkey, well, you just need to remind him (once you vacate StP) that no matter how tempting StP looks, board geography means that he can *never* hold it against you, and that him trying to take it and you easily defending it will tie up two of your units and two of his units, all of which are more gainfully employed elsewhere. I'd tell the Turk that Warsaw and Moscow are his, and wish him luck with Austria. Which, in turn, draws away Austrian support so your finishing touches regarding Germany and France aren't interfered with.
Anyway, well...I just typed it down as it came into my head, so...it's a lot :) Just observations and stuff. And letting you know that I, a disinterested observer, can definitely tell that they're playing poorly, so you don't have to get too nervous. If a four nation coalition suddenly emerged you could be in for a spot of trouble, but keep the sparks flying between France and Italy and you'll do fine.