First let me point out that I had a great time. It was an enjoyable game and I would very much like to play any of you again.

Being Germany my biggest fear was of course an early F-E alliance. Luckily for me, the very first move of MUN S PAR-BUR worked well and formed what prooved to be a very firm alliance with the French. From there it was pretty straightforward for a while. Partitioning English centers and turning against Russia were logical steps, while the alliance with France was getting deeper and deeper by continuously ignoring the possibilities for stabs from both sides. France did well in the south and things looked quite well even though Austria was getting stronger by getting a significant share of the Turkish and Russian herritage.

Everything worked well, especially when I managed to break the Austrian defence in 1911 and France got total control over Italy. Taking Moscow in 1912 and Warsaw in 1913 seemed to be logical steps forward. However there was still the open flank in Britain, where I was holding just EDI with my nearest fleet to far away to protect it in the case of a french stab. So i ordered NOR-NrwSea in 1912 with the cleanest defensive intentions. For the whole time I firmly believed that the only remaining thing is the elimination of Italy and the following 3way draw and the french moves seemed to confirm that. No matter how hard I tried to signal the French that this was it and I am still committed to the mutually benefitial alliance, it was over.

In 1913 the whole game got reshuffled by the French stab. A pure misunderstanding I guess, as I was not planning anything more than just defending EDI. That was also why I moved to NrwSea instead of to NorthSea. With draw votes on the side of Italy, me and Austria, the question of eliminating Italy got replaced by the question how to force France into a 4way draw. For a while I got the impression that Austria is leaving me his centres in order to press France towards a draw but I guess I went too far and Austria eventually took MUN in 1915.

After that the only option of forcing the French into a 4way draw was a stalemate, the establishing of which was pretty thrilling in the north. I guess I capitalised on the fact that I knew what exact line I want to achieve already in 1915 and targeted my moves that way, while France overlooked the stalemate line and allowed me to get all my fleets back into play. However even with the possible loss of the fleet in Clyde I think there would have been other possibilities to form a stalemate, even though under much more pressure than with the comfortable cusion of the opponent having only 14 centres.

All in all a thrilling game with many sudden changes of direction, decided probably by one simple misunderstanding. We were not that far from a 3 way draw and Italy was particularly lucky that my move on the completely opposite side of the board made him a part of the deal.

This game was stoopid. ;p

I kid. Great game all.

I knew I expanded too quickly as Russia. In1905 I was king and pauper all at once.

I foolishly thought there was a chance for an eastern alliance. First was italys taking of the turkish center from me. (this was particularly frustrating as it turned out to be his hideout to stay for the draw). Then Austria turns on me which is understandable given my limited potential for growth. I would have been fine staying back to get to a 3wd, but I didn't have time to indicate that. (also, lando has a sixth sense of finding an destroying me in gunboats)

Well played all. Would love to have a rematch if y'all were up for it.

Will post EOG later, would be up for a rematch. Enjoyed this game even if there were turns I hated it. Will expand on that later.

While F and G were allied I had a stalemate at G but nothing at F, so I focused on G. eventually, F stabbed G so I retreated away from that line entirely, trying to show G some room and space. He took my centres and I thought he would throw the game. So I decided to return the favour and throw it faster. He quickly changed direction and I was also able to take MUN vs something less critical, so I forced myself into part of his line. From there, it was a matter of setting up the stalemate.

I would have done it differently, and the second to last turn I thought he had blown it. But fortunately, we just had seen different things.

Great game everyone.

I will post and read... ok, read and post, today...

Interesting reading, tnx.

From my side game quickly turned into "fighting for survival". After two Turkish lucky guesses when defending Lepanto I knew that I will have troubles in the west. And when France attacked me it was clear that I will not be able to defend. That was the reason why I took Ank, as jcbryan already guessed. I was hoping for Austrian support or German stab and was pretty desperate. It was clear that France could try solo, but Germany was not moving against him, even worse, was taking Austrian SCs. Second possibility was equally bad for me: a three way draw, without me :P. And when finally France and Germany started to fight, Germany was still keeping his units in Sev and Rum. For me it was clear sign that we will not be able to stop France. And I have overlooked stalemate line and suddenly the game was drawed :D.

Good game, I have enjoyed it very much, tnx. And tnx Lando for keeping me alive.