1v1 Practice FvA 1
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Opponent: Ancient Memories
Title: Austrian Blunders in 06
Spring 1901: I decide to go with the standard opening, and France does as well.
Fall 1901: A continuation of the standard; a bounce in Munich, so we each get 2 builds.
Winter 1901: I build 2 armies, intending to hit Munich/Berlin hard while starting to gather SCs to the southeast. The French fleet in Marseilles worries me a little, since my weakness as Austria is the southern skirmishes.
Spring 1902:Budapest goes to Rum on route to Sev so that it can shoot up to St Pete. I was expecting a bounce in Munich, so this is a pleasant surprise. My armies can now secure Munich and Berlin this year. Unfortunately my south is looking worrisome.
Fall 1902: I move Munich to Kiel, which in hindsight was a bit greedy. I really do not have enough troops to hold that positioning, so I should have stayed in Munich. Regardless, I got my full build count with Sev, Naples, Berlin, and Kiel.
Winter 1902: I am struggling down south, so a fleet in Trieste is a must. 2 armies as well to chase down the SCs I need.
Spring 1903: I am worried that France is going to go into Ionian so I move Naples there in a bounce attempt. A bad guess, but really just a bad play. A bounce in Tyrolia works okay for me, and I actually make it into Munich.
Fall 1903: I have lost Rome, but I pick up Tunis. I also force myself into Venice which will come in handy later. I lose Kiel, which I have to disband. In hindsight, I really really should have pulled Berlin back to allow for a retreat. This was a bad play for me, as now I am outnumbered in Munich/Berlin. I make it into St Pete, so at least I am winning in the North.
Winter 1903: Again, a fleet and 2 armies.
Spring 1904: St Pete to Norway gives me an advantage there, but Denmark to Baltic worries me. I am able to hold onto Munich/Berlin this phase, but it is not looking good for me there. France now has Rome/Naples, so I am in need of some serious help there. Budapest to Serbia is the first step towards a rush finish that I am hoping for.
Fall 1904: As expected, I lose Berlin. I am able to take Sweden and Bulgaria, but I have lost out on Rome/Naples. A bounce in Tyrr and Tunis makes me hopeful though as I have managed to get Apu as well.
Winter 1904: With only one build this year, I put an army in Budapest to continue my only chance at victory - a rush.
Spring 1905: I make it into Naples and Norway, 2 SCs that I very badly need. Another bounce in the Tyrr is good as well, but France now has two armies on the Italian Peninsula. I trade Munich for Berlin, but France outdid me with a convoy! That lone army is going to make a rush very very difficult for me to attempt.
Fall 1905: The board is almost at a standstill. Bouncing in Tyrr, holding in Berlin, and bouncing in St Pete are big moments for me. While I lose Sweden, I pick up Norway, Ankara, Greece, and Naples. A rush might just be possible for me.
Winter 1905: At this point a fleet won't help me, so three armies are built to make one last push for victory.
Spring 1906: I make a mistake. A costly one. I move my fleet to Tyrrhenian and leave the Ionian open. This means that holding Tunis in the fall will be impossible. GoL can tap my fleet in Tyrr while NA and West Med force me out of Tunis. Allowing him into Tyrr would have been better, since it turns the automatic Tunis expulsion into a guessing game with Tunis and Naples. I am able to hang on to my other SCs though (with the exception of Warsaw which I can take back next year, and Berlin which I trade for Kiel, which sets me up for an 18 SC finish).
Fall 1906: I make another costly mistake. I could have forced a win. With my current moves, I guaranteed 17 SCs. However, I could have forced Rome with the following moves: Ven -> Tus, Tyrr -> Rome, Nap S Tyrr -> Rome, Tyrolia -> Ven, Trieste S Tyrolia -> Ven. Instead of using Venice to support the attack on Rome (which was cut by Pied) I should have used Venice to cut the support given by Tuscany. Then, Tyrolia and Trieste could have made sure that France did not sneak into Venice. A tactics blunder that cost me the game.
1907 and onward:
At this point I have lost. I temporarily take Rome the next turn, but France takes it back. I bounce at Sweden, but France holds me off. Munich and Berlin are rock solid against my attacks, and France is able to take his remaining SCs plus Tunis and Naples for the win.
Tl;dr:
I almost succeeded at getting a (slow) Austrian rush, but due to some tactical errors in the south, I lost the game. Early on I overextended in Munich/Berlin, which also cost me my positioning there.
What I learned about Austria:
You have to be precise. Tactics are really important for Austria. If Austria makes one or two blunders, France can punish Austria, and there is no coming back from it. Austria must win early, or else he has lost, and an early mistake means a loss.
What I learned about France:
Don't ever give up, and keep the pressure on. France's pressure on Munich/Berlin meant he got both of them after I controlled both and Kiel early in the game. France's pressure down south really hurt me as I made some misplays.