05-04-2003, 03:58 PM
Well, if Russia wants to send his fleet through Con, then his moves make sense - garrisoning Rum with an army and moving the fleet to BLA. Rum has only two ways to Con: BLA or Bul(ec), and I'm sure you prefer BLA. As for the army, you couldn't really expect him to leave it vacant. After all, that's like turning your back and blindfolding yourself.
Some Russia-Turkey partnerships do move the fleet through Con and do so successfully. Much of the time, however, Russia, seized by unavoidable temptation, holds Con. Risky, but if it works it's the safest position for the fleet.
France did stab England, but it's a pathetically flaccid stab. He can build a fleet in Brest and make it somewhat more interesting, but without the key F GoL-Spa(sc) move, he'll still be fighting two on two at best. He needs that Mediterranean fleet to tip the scales, and the fact that Kie remains untaken means that Russia isn't really going to help him do it.
If Russia does help him, finish Italy fast and go for Russia with Austria's help. A Russia that gets big in the north is a real threat. The south Russia can always get back, but if Russia gets enough forces to defend StP everyone else is in trouble.
If Russia comes to an accomodation with England and turns south, you and Austria together can hold the fort for a while. Better still if you can talk Italy into attacking France while France is occupied up north. Then you and Austria can take the offensive against Russia.
Finally, there is the possibility that the taking of only one centre and the lack of a move by the Med fleet means that the Hol transfer was prearranged, that England would get StP and Ber so France could have Hol. This would get the rest of the board moving in the wrong direction while France/England attacked again.
Some Russia-Turkey partnerships do move the fleet through Con and do so successfully. Much of the time, however, Russia, seized by unavoidable temptation, holds Con. Risky, but if it works it's the safest position for the fleet.
France did stab England, but it's a pathetically flaccid stab. He can build a fleet in Brest and make it somewhat more interesting, but without the key F GoL-Spa(sc) move, he'll still be fighting two on two at best. He needs that Mediterranean fleet to tip the scales, and the fact that Kie remains untaken means that Russia isn't really going to help him do it.
If Russia does help him, finish Italy fast and go for Russia with Austria's help. A Russia that gets big in the north is a real threat. The south Russia can always get back, but if Russia gets enough forces to defend StP everyone else is in trouble.
If Russia comes to an accomodation with England and turns south, you and Austria together can hold the fort for a while. Better still if you can talk Italy into attacking France while France is occupied up north. Then you and Austria can take the offensive against Russia.
Finally, there is the possibility that the taking of only one centre and the lack of a move by the Med fleet means that the Hol transfer was prearranged, that England would get StP and Ber so France could have Hol. This would get the rest of the board moving in the wrong direction while France/England attacked again.