Smyrna is still captured in A1903, so the loss in tempo by shuffling toward France and then back has no real effect on gains or losses.
I don't know the diplomatic setup for this just yet because, as noted, I found it in a gunboat game. I would assume the standard setup for the Alpine Doubleback would work, because it runs off the same principle of faking the Lepanto to push into France that the Doubleback does.
For those not familiar with the Doubleback, I redirect you to Matt Simpson's article about the subject:
http://devel.diplom.org/Zine/S2000M/Simpson/Alpine.html
The setup, movewise, is virtually the same as the Doubleback.
S1901:
A Ven H/-> Tyr
A Rom -> Apu
F Nap -> ION
A1901:
A Tyr H OR A Ven -> Tyr
A Apu -> ION -> Tun
F Nap C A Apu -> Tun
W1902:
B F Nap
S1902:
A Tun -> NAf
F ION -> Tun/TYS
F Nap -> ION
A Tyr -> Pie
The first variation is the move of F Naples. Instead of going to Tyrrhenian Sea, as what happens in the Doubleback, it moves to Ionian. (I actually did this by mistake...) The explanation could be pretty simple. If the Austrian fleet has moved at all since 1901, Italy says he moved to Ionian to cover it from the Austrian fleet. The source of this rumor would have to be, say, Russia or a western power; the lie is going to Turkey and Austria would presumably be allied (or you wouldn't be Lepantoing!).
While you're at it, you have to talk talk talk to France and Turkey. France is probably tied up north, and the idea of Italy's attack being a feint to trick Turkey will probably be met with much skepticism at first; but your neighbor will doubtless be grateful to see you meant what you said! As for Turkey, he must be convinced you are doing the Doubleback, and varied it slightly to include the move to Ionian for defensive purposes.
A1902 is where this Doubleback becomes a Tripleback:
A NAf -> Tun
F TYS/Tun -> ION
F ION -> EMS
A Pie -> Ven
Turkey, if your diplomacy was solid after S1902, should be out of position and not able to fight the convoy. The most active defense I've ever seen Turkey do against a Lepanto is build a fleet in Smyrna to go to Aegean/EMS. If he went to EMS in S1902, this plan is obviously fraught with peril, but odds are upon seeing your feint he will move it to Aegean to get leverage on Greece. If he moved to Aegean initially, he'll probably try to make a move on Greece. Regardless, the convoy will not be defended against -- how can it be? -- and you then can support yourself to Smyrna.
That's the VERY rough idea of the opening. Any thoughts about it? Like I said, trying it in a gunboat (and against a Turkey that mysteriously went idle the turn I pulled the Tripleback...) isn't much of a field test, but I think the premise is solid so long as Smyrna is still acquired on time. Any later in pulling the switch and you're wasting time.
Ancient Med
).
)
)
)
)