Hmmm...Seems like a gamble. You get 2 - maybe 1 - SC's, and possibly have France crawling up into Bel -- but I guess the second phase of this opening is dependant upon France, isn't it?
So, while you have a fleet in Ska to attack whomever you decide...it's a a lonely fleet out there and will have to rely on reinforcements to maybe take another SC by 1902 -- and both Eng and Russ will probably distrust you; plus, your intended move will be telegraphed by the fleet reinforcement.

In reading the link, there seems to be an assumption that it is either England or Russia you will be dealing with...but doesn't seem to account for them allying. Russia might just decide to support the England North Sea into Ska...

I'm not saying it's a bad opening -- but it sure is a gambit. Have you tried this opening? If so, how'd it work for you?

i haven't tried it, i'm not sure if i'm a fan, just wanted to hear what other people think.

The suggested builds are Fleet kiel and army munich, which is i think sufficiently ambigious/defensive.

The issue of an english Russian alliance isn't one i'd put too much thought into, mostly because i've been watching england fight for scandanavia so often in recent games.

I guess if I see Germany putting itself out into Ska, they obviously have northern intents. This is going to throw alarms for England. Even if they plan a French campaign to start, you gotta see that brown stain spreading north as a threat - same with Russia. I think it may provoke cooperation - at least short term. The "tall poppy" syndrome - yes, it happens if Germany gets 3 SC's....but I think emotionally this move is provocative and aggressive.

I'm not so sure that ambiguous is necessarily a good thing. I *can* be, but it is dependent upon your skills as a diplomat. Ambiguity can also be counterproductive if it riles everyone up. Ever play against someone who is an "ally" with everyone on the board? It doesn't take long for people to realize that he is allies with everyone on the board...and therefore noone. It seems like this is what Germany tries to do here in playing England off Russia - so, as I said, it's truly a diplomatic strategy....so from that perspective, I guess I really do like it.

Again - I'm not saying I don't like the opening...I'm a (Munich - Bur) kind of guy....just get it over with and piss the French off, I say! -- but I'd be willing to give this one a shot.

Wait...I just contradicted myself....I like the diplomatic aspect of it....but I also like the brute message of Mun-Bur, if that makes sense. I guess it depends on my mood!

I've tried it twice - I love it as an opening but my record with Germany is awful.

I have tried it before, not on this site, and although I didn't do very well in the game, I thought the opening was pretty effective. You can really get a stake in the North, and it does set up a good defense. I was able to get the two SC's in the beginning and I find it unlikely that you would be held to one.

The only problem is that to do it, you have to have a logical player in England. When I did it, England immediately thought I was gunning for him and sent all of his units toward me. I tried to convince him that it was just a different opening but he wouldn't buy it. Then France jumped on me as well using England as sort of a puppet (France would later stab England as he was preoccupied with me).

So I guess it certainly has its drawbacks, but you can usually make an ally out of Russia and I think its worth a consideration if you draw Germany.

Good feedback Tom - Your England experience would be my fear. I think a lot of players with England view everything north of Denmark as theirs by fiat.