Thank you to Joe for seeing our alliance through until the end, even with the both of us being so close to a solo. I must admit this wasn't my best victory, recognizing that a lot of my success came down to luck. The lack of England was extremely good for me and Russia's decision to move South against Turkey really left me without an enemy for a good portion of the game.
 
In terms of my mindset throughout the game, there were a few particular highlights that I think are relevant for the end result. When the game started I really didn't have a set direction and I attempted to keep my options open. However, when it became clear that England was not going to be a player this game I knew I needed to make a long term plan. Initially I had been happy to share England with France and Russia, however I knew that would be over quickly and one of us would have to fight it out. So, with Russia busy in the South and being no threat to me I decided it would have to be France (nothing personal). From there I got the upper hand and without any other enemies I managed to slowly leverage myself over him. This also allowed/required me to consider the more strategic elements of the map and the relations of other players. I knew from the start that Joe was someone I could work with, and in my long term planning I was happy to have a shared win with him. However, I also recognized that it was not in my interest to see Russia overrun in the South, so I went out of my way to ensure he was not threatened in the North and I supported him into centres that I really could have taken myself. Although, once France was weakened enough that it was clear he was not going to make a comeback, I had to decide whether to accept a 3 way draw and wait out the remainder of the game, or go after Russia and cement a 2 way victory with Italy. Obviously you know what that decision ultimately was.
 
Overall this was a very interesting game for me. I had the opportunity to do a lot of long term planning and big picture coordination in areas where I had no direct stakes. Italy and I did a pretty good job I think of timing and coordinating our independent directions which ultimately resulted in our success. Thank you to all the players for a good game, with particular mention of France who continued to submit orders throughout our painful conflict.
 
Eric


On Mon, May 24, 2010 at 5:32 PM, joe babinsack <chaosonejoe(at)yahoo.com> wrote:



 
Thanks to Eric for sharing the victory.
 
It was an interesting early dynamic, with no England around. The power vacuum served me quite well, because I didn't have to be too concerned about France or Germany, because they had easier centers to grab, and I felt like it allowed Russia to get involved, but not too involved in the Southeast.
 
I figured France/Germany would grow but would have to fight each other. I figured Russia could be a major force... but obviously my initial concern was Austria. And when there was a strong suggestion to move to Piedmont, I really felt it inappropriate and a signal that we were going to war very soon. So I hit the streets and seemed to have a sense of interest from Russia and Turkey to either war or at least consider moving on Austria.
 
(Strange how a missing England doomed Austria.)
 
I figured with the west of the board disinterested, and the east mildly interested, I could take the big risk in going all out against Austria. I didn't alert Germany to Tyrolia, but quickly followed up with my explanation. The situation cemented a trust between us early on, because I had several opportunities to stab Munich, but just wasn't about to do so unless I felt comfortable in the Balkans. Which really never happened.
 
Once we hit Austria hard, it was reasonable to divide up the centers. There was a setback or two, but the surrounding of Austria mean a 2-1 advantage on each remaining center, and I suggested everyone be responsible for their attack, and remove the reliance.
 
There were a few Russian NMRs or lack of orders, and I also began the difficult position of negotiating with Turkey -- which I feared growing stronger and immediately impacting me, and Russia, which I feared he would grow enough in the South and in the North and run the board.
 
Because there was ongoing trust issues (some of which I gladly assisted) there was a decent stalemate.
 
Meanwhile, France was getting the worst of it from Germany, and I played nice on both sides until it was obvious what the outcome was going to be. Unfortunately, France hyped up the need for a concerted effort against Germany at a time when I was more trusting of Eric, and less in need of a concerted effort with Turkey.
 
I wasn't about to sail West and allow Turkish supremacy in the Balkans.
 
As Russia started to grow North, I hedged my bets. There was talk of G/R/I alliance and a three way. I had reservations about this, since I was concerned more with Russia rolling south than anything else. But Turkey was strong enough to withstand Russia, and yet not willing enough to work out a plan to move North.
 
I never saw any opportunity to side with Turkey, and at last figured I'd have to break the three-way stalemate, and began working to Greece. I had a few arrangements, and we had a few double-dealing moves in Albania, but I was beginning to see the end of Turkey.
 
Strangely enough, Russia was doomed to collapse first.
 
There was a week or so where the three-way alliance (in theory, because in practice it was mostly non-agression) crumbled. I was relatively safe from Germany, and relatively safe from Russia as long as Turkey persisted. But I did try to point out that Russia was overextended and very vulnerable up the middle.
 
I stirred the pot a bit with Russia, but was wary -- very wary -- of an R/T alliance in the middle of the stalemates, but apparently that never grew anywhere.
 
Once I was able to snatch Spain, I had the muscle to slowly grind out Turkey. Once Germany stabbed Russia, that allowed me to start maneuvering. For a week or so, I thought I could out-race Eric for the solo, but realized he'd have me at his mercy in Iberia.
 
We both figured out that we'd have to stab each other to win, and there was still Russia and Turkey to be concerned about. I think two weeks out of the draw, we both decided that we'd stick to a draw course.
 
Russia's NMR's and then Turkey's merely prolonged the game, and I'm guessing Turkey's intransigence was a way to get back at Andrew ... not sure, but obviously non-votes only prolonged the game until Russia was eliminated.
 
It was unfortunate about the Draw proposal confusion, and that alone almost destroyed the G/I alliance -- because I at first wasn't sure what Eric was getting on about, and was paranoid that he may decide to go for the 18....
 
But we quickly resolved the issue.
 
Great gaming with everyone....
 
Joe Babinsack