GM : Andy Scott
Starting date : 18th January 2008
End date : 20th October 2008
Result : Four way player voted draw between Austria/France/Italy/Russia

AUSTRIA	James Ogle	Drew
ENGLAND	Matt Dunlap	Eliminated
FRANCE	Peter Hawkins	Drew
GERMANY	Simon Berry	Eliminated
ITALY	Dmitriy Rumynin	Drew
RUSSIA	Joe Payne	Drew
TURKEY	Byron Boniface	Anarchy

GM : Andy Scott
Well as usual I am despicably late putting up the EGS, I humbly apologise of course but it really seems to be my achilles heel when GM'ing! Any way as far as the game went I too was surprised that France did not solo, he was helped in the early stages by the English pre-determined strategy to go after Germany and then by the sudden Russian swiping of Mun which didn't really benefit Russia too much but it made Germany easy prey for France. In the south things much more balanced to start with. Both Turkey and Russia decided against attacking Austria because they would not benefit from it enough in their estimation. Russia also theorised that by leaving Austria to concentrate on Italy for a turn or two that it would give him oppertunities to stab Austria later on for greater profit. Italy however was less then happy with Russia and Turkey as you will see from his EGS. The Turkish anarchy was obviously regretable but also made a huge impact on the game as it distracted Russia from persuing other goals which in turn again left Austria free from worry on that score. However come the end all parties were able to put their differences aside to stop the leader and the game ended as a 4 way draw.

Congratulations to all those who had a share and hard luck to England. A Special mention for Simon as Germany though as he stuck to an impossible task right to the very end. I hope to see you all again on my boards or across one.

Andy Scott

AUSTRIA : James Ogle
Well I'm at the top so you get to read my version of events first! Unless Andy sticks himself at the top…

This was my first decent result in Gunboat, having failed miserably in all my games so far. Previously I think I've been to concerned about what everyone else was doing, but I attempted to become a lot more selfish this game. And it worked out well!

Although it was hard work to start with! Russia made a move to Gal, and Italy tried to get into Trieste. Russia then backed off and tried to help me with Turkey, but from then on Italy was after my blood. He moved to Tyrolia, so I forced him out. He then convoyed to Albania, which I hadn't covered. In 1903 he took Greece, but in doing so I took him out of position and took Venice. He tried to support me leaving him alone at that point, but why would I want to do that after 3 years of bloodshed and losing Greece to him? I have no idea why, but as Venice fell, he built two fleets in Rome and Naples… Not to useful in a war against Austria. Whatever happened I was going to take him down...

Meanwhile me and Russia were struggling to coordinate attacks on Turkey, and Russia lost Rumania after repeatedly failing to support me into Bulgaria, and trying it himself. I was helping him hold Munich for a while, and I don't know why he stopped offering support after one season, but by then I was busy with Italy and I couldn't spare the units. By 1904 he was forced out of Rumania, but retreated into Budapest whilst I was trying to cover Vienna in case he got greedy!

1905 wasn't looking too good. I had 4 units, was at war with Italy and Russia, and with a large Turkey looming on the horizon I was thinking I'd blown it. But Turkey went into anarchy, I retook Budapest whilst Russia tried to take advantage, and Italy left Rome wide open!

All the while France was getting bigger. I was hoping that Russia would get the message and leave me alone so I could eliminate Italy and then stalemate France so we could all settle for a 3-way draw. And then Russia attacked me again!!! I'd be interested to know what I'd done to upset Russia except exist by this point, unless Russia was hoping to reduce the draw by eliminating me? I couldn't hold Vienna, so I made sure I got Rumania instead, and the net result was the same. I'd be interested to know who proposed the AF draw at this point, but it wasn't me, and I suspect it was France trying to cause more trouble between us all.

Ah well, by 1908 nothing had changed to much, except Italy was finally moving west. I'd given up hope of being able to build enough fleets before France got involved. Up until that point I figured that 4 fleets would be enough, and I could get there in time. But Russia did a great job of stalling me, which I supposed was in fear of me giving France the solo. I was bearing France in mind for most of the game, but I was also putting my survival first!!! I did have the intention of building fleets as I think I said to Andy almost every autumn season! (It's true - Andy) I got my fleet in position in Tunis ready to hold the line, but realised that Italy might not see it like that.

Then I NMR'd! Apologies to everyone, but I was so unsure about what to do, I decided to think about it whilst I was away on the bank holiday before I sent my orders in and forgot the Bank holiday obviously includes the Monday which was the deadline! I think it worked out for the best in that my fleet in Tunis got eliminated making things easier with Italy and Russia also decided to finally leave me alone. From there the three of us managed to build and hold the line and it all worked out well for all of us. We all deserved a part of the draw. Looking back I feel sorry for Germany, who basically held out just so that me, Italy and Russia could bicker and sort out differences out. It was greatly appreciated!

So it all worked out. Admittedly I retook Vienna and forced Russia out of the way, but I figured that was the safest and quickest way to get Russian units protecting Russian centres. Russia, I hope you didn't mind. Maybe if you had left me alone in the first place I wouldn't have had to. :-)

Italy, well it was fun, but all I can say is that I'd have had you if Russia hadn't decided that I was an easy target! But no, it was a good fight and I thoroughly enjoyed all of the manoeuvring we tried to overcome the other!

Anyway, thanks to everyone for a great game, the right result came about in the end (well the very end Andy! :-)) and many thanks to Andy for Gming. It was a pleasure as always, and I look forward to returning the favour after my exams next spring!

James

ENGLAND : Matt Dunlap
Congratulations to France, Austria and Russia. Though I must admit I thought France would solo as he was clearly on a roll way back in 1903. At about that same time, I suspected that Austria and Russia had teamed up and as events showed, they did quite well in stopping France from soloing. Long term alliances are fraught with danger but those two did very well in starting and keeping it throughout the game.

For me, I had decided to go the North route and go after Germany right away. At the same time, I sent a few peace feelers toward France, but in hindsight it was to no avail as France was definitely set on eliminating me from the first. By 1903, I was in defensive mode and hoping that somebody would attack France before I was eliminated. Unfortunately, in Autumn 1907 I NMR'ed myself out the game. I may have been able to stay alive if I had submitted orders, but as Andy pointed out, the odds I would have been on an SC were almost zero.

Thanks to Andy for GM'ing the game, as usual he did a fine job. One of these days I hope to reciprocate it by GM'ing Andy.

ITALY : Dmitriy Rumynin
The game has been a complete disappointement. In the first season my move to Triest fails!! O'why, o'why, o'why? The good news are Armenia is free and russians are in Galicia. With Italy clearly showing what it thinks of Austria's future, it must be a short fight in Balkans. However, for whatever reason Russia and Turkey refuse to take part in the division of Austria. Boo to both players, especially to Turkey who sent the country into anarchy.

Without these two, Austria secures its future. In autumn of 1903 there is a chance for a peace with Austria. The important naval base of Greece is taken but Venice is lost. There should bo no animosity. I am building 4 fleets to show my future intentions to the archiduke but to no avail. Desire for vendetta is brewing in Vienna and Austria atrtacks Rome despite all common sense!! Isn't it clear that Rome gives 1 extra army but requires 2 armies to hold on to it? Austria keeps attacking me until 1908 when it builds the second fleet despite France being far ahead on 12 builds against Austria's 7. Thanks to the collapse of Turkey Austria never develops necessary naval might to overrun Italy but even if it did, it would just give a well deserved victory to France. Big boo to Austria for being blind to see the lose-lose situation.

Despite all this something happens at the end and France, who played extremely well, is denied a well-deserved victory. I am not sure how it is happened but 3 cheers to Austria and Russia for pulling this out! Well played towards the end.

RUSSIA : Joe Payne
Thanks to Andy, our GM. Thanks to all who played. I hope to meet you again, soon. I'm glad we could stop France from getting the solo. It still amazes me how gunboat games can coordinate a stalemate, while standard games cannot. Below were my thoughts as they happened. S01 Southern strategy. Will Germany let me have Swe? A01 If I don't get Swe, then I'll head west through Germany. 02 Can I hold on to a German supply center? 03 Great, a 2 front war. How long can I hold on? 04-05 Let Germany and England fight France while I try to hold on to the south. 06 I think I'm the only one who can capitalise on Turkish anarchy. 09- It's obvious that France has the chance to solo. I will try help with the stalemate line.

Joe