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X-RAY TETRA END-GAME STATEMENTS
GM:
Ally Bain [EGS]
Started: 13th May 2002
Finished: 26th September 2002 (Autumn 1909)
Result: Turkey win
| Country | Player | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | Result | | Austria | Ricardo Moraes | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Eliminated (1904) | | England | Olle Lundberg | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Survived (5 SC) | | France | Martijn van Baal | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Eliminated (1905) | | Germany | Jeff Simard | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | Survived (7 SC) | | Italy | Tage Bengtsson | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Survived (2 SC) | | Russia | Julian Wheeler | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | Survived (1 SC) | | Turkey | Michel Vogelpoel | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 19 | Won (19 SC) |
AUSTRIA (Ricardo Moraes) "X-Ray Tetra" was a very fascinating game to me for several reasons: (a) It was my first Gunboat game; (b) it was my first time playing Austria; and (c) it was my funniest time sending press in a Dip game! As an extra bonus, I had an opportunity to NOT play against our gentle GM Ally, for I was still fumbling over his stabbing on me in "Tom's Diner" two or three days before "X-Ray Tetra" gamestart (right, Ally?). In a Gunboat game, your relationship with GM is more closer than usual, and I got a chance to know him better, slowly erasing that bad, bad image I had... ;-)
Back to the game. Austria is noted by to be a very difficult country to play with in Diplomacy, and in a Gunboat game it showed to be almost impossible to control. Simply there are too many neighbours and little time to build any "alliances" through indirect offers in false moves. In S01, I've tried to move south, looking at easy wins in Balkans, but I was surprised by a double attack from Italy and Russia (to Tyrolia and Galicia, respectively). Soon I was fighting to preserve Vienna from foreign occupation.
In 1902, I did offer alliances to Turkey and Germany. The results were catastrophic: Germany just ignored it and Turkey invaded Serbia. Meanwhile, Russia did take Budapest, menacing Vienna from east. The good news was Italian retreat from Tyrolia... I did pay the price for try attack my enemies instead to use a defensive strategy. In A02, my units were far away from my unprotected supply centers. Almost nothing could be done to stop Russia and Turkey.
In 1903, things rolled up like expected. Turkey easily got my southern territories, only Vienna remained to me. I was very pleased to see Italy keeping its support to me all this time. Unhappily, it had taken Tyrolia again. Poor Austria, divided by your three hungry neighbours...
I lost Vienna to Russia in 1904, and that was all. In S04, Austria was eliminated. Well, in the long run Turkey prevailed over everybody, with a very strong gameplay. It was a very good victory, congratulations Turkey! (Steve, I presume?)
"X-Ray Tetra" was very funny to play, and leaves me two lessons: (1) Don't try to be Conan the Barbarian - be defensive first and concentrate against ONE enemy not all. (2) Don't try any crazy strategy. If things gone bad, keep your internal lines & join your units.
Thank you all by gaming. I'm very curious to know your identities. Be prepared to receive my furious messages! ;-)
RicardoReturn to Top
ENGLAND (Olle Lundberg) Well, my first serious game of gunboat, and I must admit I had hoped for more than five centers. I chose England, since it was the only power I've actually never played with. I thought it would be a good gunboat-country, since it is pretty easy to defend.
1901
I decided to go for a northern opening, standard with fleets in North and Norwegian Sea, and the army to Yorkshire. I thought it was a good thing to start with at least neutral relations to France and Germany. However, France started out to ENG and Pic, not quite on the same line as me. I expected a convoy to Wales, but I still moved to London to cover the supply centre, just in case. I moved my fleets to Norway and Belgium, which was somewhat of a mistake. I really didn't think I would get into Belgium, but I didn't want France to get that build. France bounced with me in London, I took both Belgium and Norway and build two new fleets.
1902
Russia had built a new army in StP, which was a nightmare to me. I realised that the move to Belgium had been foolish, since I had lost my support to the Norwegian fleet. Germany looked hostile, since he had both declared in the press that 'operation sea lion is on', built a new fleet in Kiel and had an excellent opportunity to take my Belgium. I decided to move out of Belgium, while my army covered Wales and the fleet in Liverpool tried to get into the Irish Sea. France bounced me in IRI, while Germany did the exact opposite of what I had expected. His new fleet went to BAL, while he cut Russia's support and thus let me keep Norway. He also had supports ordered for my fleet in Belgium, that I didn't use. Meanwhile, France got into trouble as Italy moved into WMS and Pie. Everything looked brighter, even though I lost Belgium to France. In fall Italy invaded Spain. I got all sorts of support from Germany and Russia, nothing that I used, as it was way too risky. I managed to move out into IRI. I had to disband the army in Wales, but my situation was much better than before 1902.
1903
In spring 1903 France gave up all hopes of getting somewhere in this game, and almost made me do it too. While I pushed on to get into ENG and MAO, the French fleets were suddenly not there any more. They had retreated to Wales, and moved to NAO and Ruh. France was certain of taking Liverpool in fall, while I imagined taking both Brest and Portugal. I also had an adventure in St. Petersburg. It was getting pretty obvious that there was something that reminded of a steam roller alliance from R/T, while Germany was growing very fast in the middle. Since apart from these difficulties France decided to suicide on ME, I decided that my primary goal for this game would be survival.
That's a funny episode. Russia wrote in the press of spring 1903: StP-Lon: Three cheers for the boys.......talking about the football of course. Just make sure the Swedes are beaten next ( by the Argies or anyone else). He was of course referring to England's 1-0 win agains Argentina in the World Cup. The remark of making sure that I'd make sure the Swedes would be beaten next was fun, since I'm a Swede myself and had NO interest in making the Swedes lose. (They got a tie against the Argies, 1-1 after a brilliant free kick from Anders Svensson.)
I got pushed out of StP in fall. I didn't expect anything else. I got Portugal, while I bounced with my 'ally' Germany in Brest, allowing France to keep two annoying fleets, one in Liverpool and one in the Norwegian Sea. I had four centers and didn't need to disband.
1904
I moved up towards home again. I made sure to take back Liverpool in fall, but France moved so that I couldn't stop him from taking Edinburgh. Germany got Brest while Italy moved his fleets up to face the Turkish hoard. Since my prime objective in the game was to survive, I decided that I could help the Steam Roller out, providing that 'third wheel' you want in the R/T alliance, letting me pick up the pieces of Italy and Germany as they fell. I started out with Spain, taking it from Italy to get an extra build and chase away France from the British Isles. France captured Edinburgh, but could only keep one fleet, the one in the North Sea.
1905
In spring, I pushed France out of NTH, securing my taking Edinburgh in fall. Everything had been super, had not Italy moved against me in the south with two fleets. I got a bit angry at first, Italy abandoned his home centers to Turkey just to move against poor old me. I understand his reactions, however, since I shouldn't have taken Spain if I was seeking to stop the steam roller.
In fall Italy took Spain, and I misordered the retreat, which meant the fleet disbanded. I got Edinburgh, which meant I could build a new army. At the same time Turkey stabbed Russia, breaking the alliance, since he wasn't actually meeting any resistance from Italy. At the same time I sought an alliance with Russia, I moved both to Denmark and Sweden, to let him know I wanted his support into Sweden.
1906
I messed up in the south. I don't know what made me do the stupid move MAO - Spa in spring, when I knew that would mean an Italy in Portugal who could take back Spain without much effort. In the north, Russia followed the instructions and supported me into Sweden. I also convoyed the army into Belgium. However, Germany had four units around my army in Belgium, so I convoyed it to Norway in fall. That was my only army on the European mainland in this game, that season in Belgium (Scandinavia not counted). In the south Turkey was growing all too fast.
1907
I don't really remember all the misses in 1907, there was a season that had to be replayed once, but as it turned out, I decided to aid Italy in his resistance against Turkey, so I supported his F Por, to convince him I was on his side. I thought Russia would aid Germany (since I invaded StP in the season that didn't happen), so my Norwegian army moved to Finland to cut support, and remained in Finland for a couple of seasons, since Russia moved back to StP. In spring, I tried my best to attack Germany, and he me. We didn't get anywhere, so in fall I decided to give up the 'survival' objective, and actively try to counterwork Turkey, which isn't easy when you have the 'other corner'. At least I gave it a try. In fall I supported the German units where I could, and the fleet in MAO ended up a long way from home, when I moved to North Africa in order to stop Turkey for the moment by retaking Tunis.
1908
My plans to take Tunis failed, since Turkey defended as he should. Meanwhile, Germany continued to attack me, trying to break into NTH and to regain Sweden. I now totally understand Italy's frustration with me when I took Spain, because these last two years weren't too fun. I could only use ONE fleet in my aiding Italy, since all my other units had to support and stay where they were. In fall, Italy decided to withdraw to Iberia. Turkey managed to climb to 16 centers, and I didnt see what could stop him.
1909
Became a year of continued German attacks against me, while he lost Munich to the Turks. I withdrew from Africa to MAO in spring, and when Germany took Sweden, I stole Brest so I wouldn't have to disband anything.
Summary:
I had a maximum of five centers in this game, but the amount of centers that I controlled some time during the game was nine, so I was sort of flexible. I shouldn't have attacked Italy to gain a simple build, and I should have formed against the R/T threat, not helped them in their struggle. And then to finish it off I just need to say that I think Germany could have made this a draw, had he only helped himself and Russia to keep their centers in 1908-09.
A good game and Ally did a good job GM:ing it. Congratulations to Turkey who did a great job with both tactics and timing.
Thanks a lot for the game and hope to play against you all some other time!
That's all, I guess it's a bit long, but I like it that way :)
Cheers, Marquess Salisbury
Olle Lundberg
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GERMANY (Jeff Simard) Well, not much to say...
It was only my second "gunboat" game in life, and it didn't went bad overall. It was not a bad start for me, and I hoped the little support I gave to Russia in Sweden would show him I want to work with him. I took the opportunity to enter France in 1902 and took Paris and Sweden (sorry Russia) by the Autumn of the same year...
Things were going quite well. I was then on France's case, but I realised then my stab on Russia was too soon. He stopped focusing on England and Turkey, and was starting to go in my territory.
The autumn of 1904 was the biggest my Empire could get. Although I was clear of France, England was still a threath, and Italy could pose a problem too. I realised I was to fight on two fronts for all the game. My attack on Sweden in 1902 was indeed a mistake. If I had a chance to grow even bigger, I must be the master of the West, destroy England before I turn East. But Russia was already in! 1905 was the worst year. I had to take Marseilles to maintain my units, and Russia was already in Munich and Berlin. I just can't abide to my plan to destroy England before switching East. I must attack Russia now.
1906: Not quite what I expected...Russia starts by going South, then NMR. And England is a threath again...From there, I knew Turkey was going to win. I played with the only objective being I survive... and maybe take Sweden back!! Even being in a draw was not an option anymore. If only I could get this English off my back!!! I should have done "operation Sealion" before destroying France!!
Good victory Turkey!!!
Bye!
Jeff SimardReturn to Top
ITALY (Tage Bengtsson) I decided from gamestart to try somthing new. A tyrolian opening against Austria. I had heard it was considered questionable strategy, and questinable at least it turned out to be. Helped killing Austria without gaining anything! When Austria covered all
bases from start and my greedy attack failed I quickly had to regroup. Noticing the F/E conflict i decided to try my luck in France. It went better than expected due to a french misorder, and I was in Spa getting a needed build. Seeing the downfall of the Austrian empire to the turkish/russian hordes, I however was getting seroiusly worried over my eastern border. So instead of trying to incorporate Por into my provinces I decided to settle for Spa/Mar and head home, graciously leving Por for England to take. (Also meant as an oliv branch to bribe him out of seizing my colonies.) Meanwhile Turkey was building fleets at fast pace, and also joining Russia in cutting Austria up. By 1904 I had managed to keep up with Turkish fleet builds, and positoned myself to form an unimpregnable barrier in the Med, and in cooperation with Germany to form a northern defence line. My aim was to lock everything up in the south, wait for E and G to kiss and make up, and, united with me, facing the threat from the juggernaut, eventually coming round from the north. I was deeply annoyed when England failed to realise the threat, and greedily snatched Spa from me. This act depived me of the tools needed to hold the defence line intact, and Turkich breakthrough was from then on just a question of time, due to superior force. (I think England reckoned with me doing the stubborn defence act, while he grew at my expence.) His press telling me "no offence, needed the build" only increased my anger, as I had sacrificed all chances of growing in the mutual interest of holding the defence line.
I decided to go and reclaim what I considered rightfully mine, and in doing so forcing England to join me in forming a second defence line, or to perish with me. I happily noticed a German peace offer to England, just to face another disappointment the turn after when England once again failed to see the common good, and went for Den, upsetting G. Hope sprung again when I saw the Turkish stab on Russia, as now everybody had to face the danger of a solo coming up? Still by 1906-7 England was fighting to retake Iberian soil, and the E/G war continued, no cooperation whatsoever was to be seen, and Turkey grinding
on.......
During all this I settled for Iberia and Mar, trying to be as much as possible an obstacle for Turkey. Then, by fall 1907, a glimmer of light! England moves his fleet to Naf. A very welcome sign of willingness to form a stalemate line. All needed now to definitly stop the Turkish Mediterainian rollercauster was a German support for Mar, should T force GoL and WES. There was however very slim chances for that as E/G still was stabbing each other for centers in the north, and Germany choose to guard his own holdings rather than defending the stalemate. On top of this I messed up badly on two turns in a row, misordering my units in failing to specify coast in Spa orders. A great disappiontment to myself, and understandably also to England after he finally came around. As Germany then instead of trying to help with the stalemate line, decided to forfeit the game, all was lost......
For the failure in this game I blame mainly England and myself, and , to a lesser degree Germany. I am twofold to blame. One, not defending at my best ablilty, and two, my crucial misorders in the end. For "One", I have the excuse that I wanted to make a point to England, and also to signal to future opponents they can't mess with me unpunished. For "Two" I have no excuses at all, and apologises to my fellow losers. I am very disappionted with my preformance in this game. I want to congratulate Turkey to a well deserved victory, showing exellent judgment and timing in his actions, and committing very few mistakes. Well done!
Finally thx to all my co-players, (Nice to see everybody stay around, even in hard times.) and not the least to Ally, who stoically endured all our whining over his censorship. Thx all!!
Tage BengtssonReturn to Top
RUSSIA (Julian Wheeler) This was the first Gunboat game that I had played, so I thought survival would be the target. People have told me that the most important thing is to try to forge an alliance, because it is obviously that much harder to achieve. Well, I reckon that I did that and then thought we would get a Juggernaut win / draw once I had got the upper hand on Germany in '05. That's what I played for, shame that Turkey didn't ! Is there no such thing as an allied win in Gunboat ?
Anyway, once he stabbed me I then had an NMR (apologies to everyone else for that) which ruined any chance of defence, while Italy appeared to be fleeing to the West. Well done Turkey, but I feel we made it too easy.
Julian WheelerReturn to Top
GM (Ally Bain) Evenin' all
Sadly, I didn't get a full set of EGS but hopefully the absences might get round to it.
First things first, I'll explain the screw up I did. As you know I had to re-adjudicate & the reason for it was totally my fault & no one else.
Michel went on holiday & another player took over. As you know, I also went on holiday, to a wet Wales, & on return have to adjudicate a number of games. Knowing I had all orders, I was adjudicating when I got an e-mail from Michel. He noted the problem & as well gave new orders. Needless to say, I took the wrong decision. I used his orders but didn't re-adjudicate the previous moves. The reason was that the proxy is a GM & I thought he might mention it together with the deadline was close or gone by. Needless to say, Michel, after the adjudication, complained. In case you are wondering, I do agree with his complaint. On advise from the GM, I re-adjudicated & then, like a twat, buggered that up & re-adjudicated again. I'm not trying to remove the blame but simply to explain the reasoning. Certainly you all have my apologies. I enjoy GMing & as you may know, I was running a few. With the exemption of allowing 'Press' without seeing the problem, I don't think I've messed up those.
As for the 'Press', I was warned prior to GM, that some are banning all 'Press'. I personally thought they lighten the game & I'll do my best to censor them. Sadly that failed! I wasn't aware of 'Operation Sea-Lion' until after the moves were sent out. Needless to say, that was not the only 'Press' & recently having read the comments made on the 'Message Board' I decided to ban them all. Obviously a GM, & me in this, must take blame & I do however one comment to any player who reads this. This is a game not business therefore no profit is made from it, just fun! If it was a business, then fair enough but it isn't so play, enjoy & if you win, 'well done', if you lose, 'thanks for playing'.
On close my EGS, thanks to all for playing & well done to Michel.
See you on the board
Ally
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