gameID=83783I've been playing Italy in this one.
Up to some point the game was quite straightforward:
01:
Austria's move to Ven didn't seem to friendly in Spring, so I thought I could answer it in Fall. Didn't expect to take Tri.
02:
Tried to maintain some pressure on Austria while continuing against Turkey. Surprisingly Smy wasn't covered in Fall, but I decided against the possible build for landing my army. Eas-Smy, Ion-Gre would have probably been better as it would have cost him a build.
03:
Driven out of Turkey and no progress in Austria. Built a fleet for the disbanded army with the intention to seal Ion. I'm not a fan of enemy fleets in Ion or TyS. :)
04:
Setting everything up to push against Austria. Ion-Adr to force me to Tri and allow the expected retreat from Aeg. Ion should be safe for a while and with the convoy to Alb, Austria should have a problem.
05:
WTF MISORDER... the coward Commander of the Garrison in Trieste refused to support his brothers from Alb into Ser.
06:
After an Austrian disband - thanks to Russia, I am finally able to take Austrias last two centers.
07:
Turkey and me are having some fun on the Balkan while my fleets lock his ones up where they can't hurt anybody. But, France seems to show intentions to join the party by moving to Wes and Mar, so I have to spare an army to seal Pie.
08:
France doesn't stop moving to Tun and there seems to be a Russian assault on Vie. Thus, I have to ease the pressure on Turkey. It's not likely that I'll ever make progress there anyways, as he isn't engaged in any other conflicts.
09-11:
Rumbling on the Balkan. France eventually takes Tunis while I am taking a shot on one of his centers, but fail to fetch it. Germany grows and applies pressure on France.
12:
I have to turn against Germany and France to avoid being sandwiched and to take my share of the French cake.
13:
Finally took Tun back from France. Turkey makes progress against Russia. The game finally starts looking like a 3way.
14:
I continue assisting Turkey and make slow progress against France.
15:
I need an army for Mar, so I'm shifting my defense against Germany. Bit lucky that he didn't outguess me on Gal. Turkey takes my support for Ukr-Gal in Autumn, so everything seems fine again. It seems a bit odd that Germany holds the last Russian army in StP. Turkey wouldn't be a threat there and Germany could take it back whenever he wants.
16:
That's about when the game became very odd. This should be set up for a 3way, but...
Spring:
Germany is holding Mar... odd. He could have gone for it, or give it to me - neither of us is a threat for the other one there, but him holding Mar wasn't on my game plan.
Also, he gave up Sil and could have lost Mun with that Bel-Ruh-Mun-Kie shift.
Autumn:
Now look at this... wtf? He evacuates Ber - in Autumn. Turkey takes Ber accidentally with one lousy army whily he just intended to tap it to take Prussia. Nor and Fin just hold?! ECh-Irish?!? Bur-Par? And still holding Mar. All this is followed by a disband in Sil.
I absolutely fail to see the point of this set of moves.
By giving away Berlin Germany shifts the game from a clear 3way to a realistic solo-chance for Turkey.
17:
Considering Germany's latest moves I thought I could give Mun a try. With Germany's help I am finally able to make progress against France.
In fall I am able to bounce Turkish attacks on Vie, Tri, Tun, but lose Bud. Turkey should have gone for Nap instead of Tun, this would have denied me the build.
However, I think Turkey's solo-chance was intact - especially considering Germany's latest moves, but luckily for me he agreed to draw, so the result is a 5way with France and Russia on 1 center. Not what I'd have expected.
This was one fine game. Congratulations to all, especially Poozer and Lando.
Now I'm not the diplo-pro and Lando is certainly way more experienced than me. I'd be very interested in his point of view on the moves of the last 1-2 years.
Public press World game still needs 2 players
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