an interesting game, in my mind. i am impressed with how well Italy and Germany did.

Here are my thoughts on how the game went, let me know if anything is wrong

I draw France. Awesome, I know what I am doing.

1901: I open neturally, with Brest heading towards the Mid, Marseilles to Spain, and Paris to Gascony. Germany NMR’s, so I naturally hit draw. However, no one else does, so I feel I should try to get a hand on some German centers. And now I need to go anti-England. But, for now, with no fleet in the Channel, I calmly pick up Spain and Portugal while getting ready to get some German centers, as well as the deadly F Brest. Austria is getting demolished in the east, which means Russia, Turkey, and Italy will have an easy time on their hands.

1902: I open anti-England, heading for the Channel and hopefully having Russia jump in. I also positions myself to take Munich this phase. However, with England’s convoy into Holland, it looks like I have some work to do to battle England. I really hope Russia jumps in. Moves come in, and England and Turkey seem to have both attacked Russia. Darn. Looks like I have to battle him myself, with him getting easy builds from Russia. Looking at the map, I can tell my war is hopeless, but I have no other choice. Right now, I plan to keep England from solo’ing by keeping him distracted for as long as possible, and hoping that everyone votes draw before he puts it down. DANG IT! Germany comes back and keeps me from getting Munich. My only hope is that he can at least try to help take down England.

1903: England gets two builds, I get none. Not good. Time to play how long can France survive. Germany trusts me enough to work against England, yes! With Russia cutting support in the North Sea, if Germany goes for Holland like I think he will, we can cause serious damage. I look over worriedly at Italy, but I can’t deal with that right now. My only hope is that Turkey can keep Italy busy for me. However, Germany does NOT do what I thought he would do, and instead gets Denmark from the Russians. Oh well, I have Belgium surrounded and I will get it next phase. STILL no Builds, but England doesn’t get any either. Italy is now one center more powerful than England, with a much better position, but there is no way on earth I can afford to send my two-fleet navy down to annoy him.

1904: My spring moves were now four of my units taking Belgium, with a spare fleet supporting the Channel for me. If Germany helps me, we can be allies and take out England. I can then move towards Italy. I don’t get Belgium, but I keep the Channel. I now plan to sacrifice the Channel to get a build. It is clear Italy will probably solo, but I still can’t be too concerned about it, but I am going to build a new fleet with my build from Belgium. Seeing how it is a five point bet game, I could see possibility for a Russian move back into the unoccupied English St. Petesburg. The phase went very well. Though Russia did not try for St. Petersburg back, I not only got Belgium but I kept the Channel, and England made an enemy of Germany. Looks like I can now convoy onto the Island. I build A Brest, and prepare the convoy. Italy is at 10 centers, but before I head towards another sphere I need to handle things at home. With a growing Germany and an England about equal power with me, I can’t afford to send even one unit away. Though I keep the Mid-Atlantic open at all times for a chance to stab at Tunis and/or to block a move to Spain.

1905:After careful consideration, I decide not to do the convoy and instead move my new Brest army to Gascony, where it can defend any of my centers in case of a German or Italian attack. I now had nothing to do but wait to see what happens. My fleets support each other, and my armies move to take Holland. Italy stabs me, so I am glad for my Gascony move. I decide to move my fleets away, and leave England alone. However, I must take Holland so I can get a new fleet. I hope that England can forgive me, but, from what I saw of him and it being PPSC, he will use this to attack me more. I now leave it up to Germany to battle England, and hope he doesn’t attack me. It kind of works, England pushes me out of the Channel, but I gain Holland while Germany gets Norway. I think I might be able to fend Italy off for a bit, at least until Germany can get enough armies to head down to crush him. I just hope England will now be busy in a war against Germany, and leave me alone. I build F Marseilles, since a bounce left it open. Right now, Italy has three units in my area, but with two builds I don’t think it will last. But, if England leaves me alone, I could probably force a draw. Though Italy looks like he could have it easy in the east. Austria is dead, Russia is hanging on by a thread, and Turkey can’t put up much resistance. Builds come in.. and England is still against me. Italy’s solo is secure.

1906. Final blow came when Germany decided to stab. Italy is going to get at least three centers this fall. This is why I don’t like PPSC, you can never get a stop the solo alliance in it. The game is over in everything but name. Western Europe is in a civil war, Turkey defeated, Russia in no condition to strike back. I am almost tempted to stop the EOG here, but I must go on :P

1907: England and Germany each get a center from me, so I have to disband two. Italy is in a position to solo next year. The game is over.

1908. Italy wins.