Fall 1909

Things are looking really good!

As my readers know, I am playing Germany.. I can only assume that everyone is tired of this game and they are letting me win... No complaints here.. :-)

I was able to take 3 SC's this year.. Tri, Rum and Sev.

Counts:
Germany:16
France:11
Italy:6
Turkey:1


I expected, as usual, for France to attack me.... I didn't want to move in a defensive position, as I didn't want France to worry about me, but I was tempted to support myself to Bel. But I didn't, and for some reason France is being honorable.

Turkey also was trying to help me out. He gave me some good advice on how to get Rumania. I moved Sev to Rum and moved Moscow down to Sev. I kinda thought that Turkey might try to take Sev, or help Italy take it.. but.. nope.. Turkey also held true to his word..

Itlay told me he really wanted to take out Turkey and really kinda surprised me by trying to take Sev. That's really the only move I really understood. :-)

Well, hopefully it ends next year, but I believe we are taking a break until after the new year (um, the real life new year that is).

later...

Some Back Story

I haven't had time to post the years from 1901 until I started. So I'll provide some background to how we got to this position...

I sent email to both England and France to figure out the how the alliances were going to work out. England actually was pushing for a 3 way alliance for all of us to take out the rest. I really was pushing for either an alliance with England OR an alliance with France. I could tell that England wouldn't really ally with me against France. But I really didn't like the thought of us taking on everyone. For one, that would mean that I go south to take on Austria (which I kinda wish I did as Austria did not answer ANY of my emails.. argh).. but England was going to move on Russia. And I didn't really like the idea of me going south and leaving my northern border exposed to England. And I couldn't see England doing much damage to Russia quickly.. It would've taken a couple turns, meanwhile, he'd get territories in Norway/Sweden possibly, which I was potentially in a battle with Austria. So I worked hard to get France to see my point of view, and finally he did. So we turned on England.

That worked really well. Russia was begging to help attack England as well, so I had to decide what to do about StP, Norway and Sweden. I didn't want either one to really get Norway or Sweden, but I allowed Russia to take Sweden with the promise that we wouldn't attack each other for 2 years (i think). He was pretty busy fending off Turkey, so I felt pretty confident he wouldn't attack me, although I still left protection just in case.

Once we eliminated England (i took one territory, France took 2). Russia wanted me turn on France.... shit.. i already forget... i'd look it up by it is almost 2am... eventually...


Italy was starting to feel the squeeze between France and Turkey. Italy persuaded France to postpone his attack on Turkey so that he could first eliminate Turkey before he is eliminated. He also wanted me to hold off on my attack of Russia so that Russia could help eliminate Turkey. He promised that they would give us territories to compensate for our patience. I didn't think it was the best idea.. I already had a strong alliance with France and figured that if we crushed Italy and Russia while they were both battling Turkey, then they'd get eliminated quickly and then together we could crush Turkey, and then race for the 18 SC's. But Itlay proposed this on the day that the moves were to be turned in, and I told everyone (through email) that if France would agree to it, and Russia would agree to it, that I also would. But I didn't hear from anyone before the moves were due. SO I continued my attack on Russia, which he had expected. So ...

I was battling Russia (apparently Russia and Turkey had a truce as all of Russia's forces were aimed at me). But I had all of my troops aimed at Russia as well (Austria was eliminated by now and Italy/Turkey had most of Austria). SO I eliminated Russia in a couple of years. France basically did no moves for 3 turns while Italy and Turkey battled. Italy tried to convince France to turn on me, and as an attempt to lure Italy's troops away from its headquarters, he told Italy that he would turn on me, and I allowed him to take my England territory that I had captured, and then we bounced in another territory. Italy cleared out just a little bit so we had to move in..


France then moved in to take over Italy and I'm continuing to attack Turkey and now have started to take on Italy as well, in Austria lands. Turkey wants to help me eliminate Italy, so he supported me into Budapest. So that's where we stand today...

I'm still not sure how this will end.. I think I should do well.. don't want to jinx myself.. Italy looks strong, but clearly my alliance with France should eliminate Italy fairly quickly, if we both attack him full force. I want to get the 18 SC's clearly, but need to ensure I don't do it too soon for fear that Italy will switch to helping Italy. So...

we'll see....

Germany Fall 1908 Moves

Well, the German advancement is continuing.. which is good since I'm Germany. :-)

Turkey is almost out of the game, but his main goal now is to last longer than Italy lasts. So he helped me get Budapest. And I also had Moscow, which was pretty obvious that I was going to get as I had it surrounded. So I have 2 builds... I did help France hold one of his territories, so hopefully he doesn't have the urge to turn on me. Italy has 1 disband since I took one away and France took one away.

So counts:
Germany (me): 13
France : 10
Italy : 9
Turkey : 2


I think these are correct...

Notes of concern... France's fleet left Cly after being there for a couple of turns.. hopefully he plans to head South... Next turn could be interesting as I might battle Italy for Sev and will probably lose Buda... I wasn't planning on taking it this turn but Turkey offered to help me get it, so I figured.. hey, why not... but clearly he is lonely... but then again.. maybe I'll just go commando and sprint to Greece.. :-)

Spring 1908 Results

Well, I'm a little mad at myself for not taking Moscow. Turkey didn't turn in any moves this turn, so apparently he has given up.. So I could've taken Moscow. But it doesn't really matter as only the Fall SC's matter of course, and I will definitely take Moscow in the fall. Italy will gain Rumania and Ankara, but will lose one or two SC's in its home center.. So I'm feeling fairly confident.... don't want to jinx myself.

Win 07 and Spr 08 Thoughts

I don't know who to trust... I think we are at a key spot in the game...

I'm still not sure if I can trust Turkey when he says he will help me and is only concerned with getting Italy out of the game before him. I mean, he is a really experienced player.. the only experienced player in the group that is left actually.

France, who I do trust pretty well, has promised me again that he'll be on my side till the end, and also says he doesn't mind finishing 2nd to me.

I haven't talked much with Italy, because he's a good friend and I want him out of the game. :-) But he is really strong and knows I have an alliance with France. He has mentioned he only really wants Turkey out of the game before him, and is estatic to still be in this game, as he's playing Italy.

So... I don't know what to think.. I would think everyone would still ideally want a solo victory, and clearly Italy is still looking strong.. the only thing touch for Italy is that he is fighting France and Turkey at the same time...

That's why I still think it is possible that he might have a truce soon with Turkey... But if Turkey was going to switch to Italy's side, I think he would not have disbanded the army in Silesia. Unless he thinks that'll be too obvious to me... argh.. i keep overthinking this!!

The problem is... If they are not working together, than I support Lvn into Mos now.. assuming Ukr bounces with Sev.. Shit.. I don't know... would Sev really move off of Sev to protect Mos? I suppose he will die soon anyways... only 4 centers left.. maybe he'll be happy to left me have Moscow to end Turkey sooner.. but that doesn't make sense.. once I have Moscow, I'm obviously moving south to Sev... Damn, I'm starting to sound like Vizzini from Princess Bride...


Anyway... I think I'm going to move to surround Mos with StP, Lvn, and War this turn. That way I'll DEFINITELY get it in the fall, when it matters most. It might be the long way around, but I guess I'm in no rush.. I should get 1 more SC by next fall (Mos) and I'll help France get into the Italian Peninsula. But Italy will probably get some SC's in Ank and/or Rum.. So it'll be interesting by next Fall..

;-)

Fall '07

Well, things are looking good for Germany(me) so far. I've taken Warsaw and get a build! Turkey's army in Warsaw will either retreat to Sil or Mos, but then Turkey will have to disband one of his troops. I'm going to assume he'll disband this.

I've decided to trust France for now and am moving Ruhr and Kiel south to help him with Italy. I convinced France last Spring to move against Italy or Italy would get builds and his base SC's would have troops that most likely wouldn't leave. And really, Italy would've had 2 builds had he not "forgotten" to turn his moves in.

I'm still not sure if I'm loving this game or not I must say... It seems that in both of the games I've been involved in, that the "diplomacy" aspect of the game has stopped toward the end of the game. Everyone pretty much knows the "sides"... Seems pointless to continue discussions with Turkey and Italy if I know I'm not going to really help them out. I would just be promising things that I would not have any intentions on following through with.

SC Count:

Germany (me): 11

Italy : 10

France : 9

Turkey : 4

My fear remains that Turkey and Italy will join sides and attack me and France. That would still leave us with 20 SC's versus 14 SC's so I like our odds. So we'll see. We've all said we are going for a solo victory, so I still need to make sure that France doesn't stab me at some point... Things on my mind still...

My fleets in Baltic, Nth and Nwy seem like they'll be useless for awhile now (possibly for the rest of the game). I'm not sure what I should do with them. If I move Nwy to Nrg, France would be rightfully nervous. Just hate Holding all of my fleets.

Not sure what to do in the Spring. I'm of course planning on taking Moscow, and have told Turkey that. I'm in a great position to do that, unless Turkey and Italy team up. I'm not worried that they read this and think of that. Turkey is REALLY experienced, and Italy is in his 2nd game, but clearly understands the game. So I will be prepared... If it continues as it is, I don't see how I can't win this, but I have to be prepared for a stab.

I will admit that I have commited a major error in all this. It is 1907 and I STILL haven't really looked at what my 18 SC's will be. Really. No lie.. I figure I'll just keep taking SC's until I've reached 18. I know I need to look up the stalemate lines as well. I am a little fuzzy on the lines and hope that doesn't harm me this game. I'll add that to my to-do list. :-)

Ok... I quickly counted SC's.... I can see easily getting 14 or 15.. but the 18 SC's will be really hard to get unless .... (well... I can't write this in case others _might_ read it).. but 18 SC's seem pretty hard... I'll have to get a lot of Austria/Turkey... Hmmm... guess we'll see. Maybe I'll just propose a draw to France once we are the last 2... we'll see....

Fall 06

I'll comment on this later, but here is last Fall (1906)... I took back Berlin (while bouncing in Kiel with Denmark and Bal), and Turkey took Warsaw, eliminating Russia.

Summer 07

I'm playing Germany for my second game. I'm looking pretty good. I have a tight alliance with France (although I was a little nervous about it this past season, which is why I am in Bel and Hol).

Now that I've started this, I'm not sure how much to say.. Suppose another person I'm playing with comes across this? It's unlikely I know, but it is possible... Hmmm... what to say then?

Well, it is Summer '07. Russia was just eliminated in Fall 1906 to join Austria (eliminated pretty early on). This game is interesting in that the first game was all first time players, but in this game there were 2 really "experienced" players playing, Austria and Turkey. But I was disappointed in Austria's play. Like I said, I am playing Germany. I would've thought that Austria, being an "experience" player, would email a lot of people and use "diplomacy". But every time I emailed him, he never responded back. Not once. I think this is pretty poor Diplomacy skills, although I'm guessing it would not have changed a thing. We both left the Germany - Austria border pretty much unprotected as we branched out into our own sides of the map. But it would've been good to hear from him... oh well, I degress... The point is, the only experienced person left is Turkey, and we won't let him win. I'm not sure if that is a "fair" reason, but that's the way it is...

So I need to see what I am planning to do for Fall '07. In the spring, France showed his hand to Italy by taking Tuscany. Italy was initially planning to attack Turkey and my fear now is that Turkey will convince Itlay to turn on France. And it would make sense or else Italy will be between at war with France and Turkey. So I need to decide if I should eliminate Turkey or Italy. I could either take Warsaw away from Turkey or take Bud away from Itlay (with a little luck). I haven't attacked Italy in a couple of years (or so it seems, I might have to look back and see) and he hasn't attacked me. But it is possible that Italy will take Vienna from me (but I'd put money that Tri goes to Ven to stop France from taking it)... SOO... perhaps I should take Tri, assuming he moves off of it.. But I clearly can take Warsaw without too much effort. SO... we'll see..

In the middle of my second diplomacy game

Well, I'm going to give this a shot.. I'm in the middle of my second game of Diplomacy. If you haven't played this game, take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomacy_(game).

I was going to start this blog when I started playing this Diplomacy game, but I've been way too busy...I really attempted to start this blog, so at the end of the game, when I give my post-game analysis I can remember what the heck I was thinking as I was playing it..


So it is currently Summer 1907. I will try to put some posts of previous years so you (and I) and see how I got here... For the record, I am playing in my second game of Diplomacy, and I'm still not sure if I really like it or not. I won the first game of Diplomacy in a three way tie. It was everyone's first time playing and it went pretty well, once I backstabbed a really close friend (i'm still trying to mend the relationship; he's sworn off playing Diplomacy ever again)

So.. I'll see how this goes..