The only thin holding me back was the agreement to draw between England and Germany when the three of us remained. If I had refused to draw, they would have likely re-allied to beat me into submission and split the draw themselves, or Germany would have picked up enough centers for the win.

In the short term, though, I was ready for an all out war with Germany and obviously the cooperation of England. I had Venice covered with a support move, and would be able to take Trieste uncontested. In short, my position was TACTICALLY sound, but it was STRATEGICALLY undesireable to continue.

Would the experts agree with this acssesment?

@Rumley, what specifically was wrong with my techniques? Granted, I missed an opportunity to take Smyrna in 1903, but I attempted to assist my Austrian neighbor that turn.

Germany was thinly spread, and England doesn't have enough armies. I definitely think that had you kept up the attack England would have taken advantage of it. Hard to tell who would have won, though, you or England. Especially since, if you got a good start, England might work with Germany to take you down. I think you could have gotten the win, but only if England played poorly. Only 3 of Germany's armies are really against him, while the rest are against you. Had he built some armies and conveyed them over the next turn, I think it would be England's win, with you and Germany surviving, you with more SCs, Germany with less than you finished the game with.

convoyed*

re: rlumley, i can't speak for him, but he may have been referring to you leaving the Ionian wide open to Turkey - though Turkey didn't take advantage of it, which was his mistake.

i agree with Stukus' analysis, but i think you might have been able to win, based on the psychology of the German. if Germany flipped out re: England's stab and/or you even aided Germany against England, then you might have been able to get the solo.

That and the lepanto with the opening to Tyrr were mainly what I was referring to. You kind of floundered around for awhile.

Haha, the psychology? That is the level djbent is playing at ladies and gents...

But I disagree, you probably wouldn't have been able to win. A really good way to make sure that no one wins is to eliminate a bunch of countries from contention early. That being said, even if you had tried it then you probably wouldn't risk losing for the same reason.

I've never seen the Convoy to Tunis via TyrSea. Ingoring the Ven->Apu->Ven for the moment. what's the strategic vision of that opening?

Its defensive against a possible French attack. Retains the possible support for Venice, convoy potential and increases pressure on Piedmont without committing anything. The obvious downside is it exposes Italy to Turkish attack, which is why it is rare.

@Centurian - well, if Germany seemed like the type to go crazy over a stab by England, then i might risk it. if he seemed the type who stays level-headed even with a stab, then don't bother. but how the players play is a big factor in any game.

but with only one German fleet, England about to get three builds, and Italy not in a good position to move on England, the draw was probably the best bet.

turkey was well on his way to kicking your ass, but by the end you had ample space to grow in what was austria, and had you blockaded westmed you would not have had to face the full force of the english... so i'd say it would have been worth smashing into germany hoping for a win (england would have had a tough choice... though you didn't hvae the stalemate line just south of STP to blockade him threr, he might have been willing to surround germany and attack you.)

@Centurian, Thanks for explaining that the way you did. I really meant to keep my units moving without commitment, but I wasn't necessarily thinking of putting undue pressure on France.

In general Germany seemed less coordinated, and he would have likely spazzed at the English stab if he had not been convinced to draw, so djbent's assesment is likely correct.

You can never underestimate psychology: Sometimes reminding someone how strong their alliance is is the best way to break it!