According to Dirk's House Rules, "




??Prior to
the start of the game each player is required to send an email to all players
in the game as well as the GM introducing themselves and declaring which other
players in the game they have played Diplomacy with before." I am going to do my best to do that.

My name is Robert Stein. I live in Eugene, Oregon. I currently teach social studies and mathematics at Thurston High School in neighboring Springfield. When school is over (June 18th), I'll be taking a few courses during the University's summer session to get the "Professional Growth" credits I'll need to renew my teaching license.


During my undergraduate years I had a group that regularly played Thursday night face-to-face standard diplomacy. After moving I found myself missing the game and discovered the world of PBEM and judges around 2000. I soon found myself playing a lot of the 1900 variant, and eventually A&E as well. I did take about a a three year hiatus from 2005-2008, and since returning to the hobby have not played as many games, or been as successful as I once was. Hopefully that second part will change with this game.


I have definitely played with Charles (Germany in this game) and David (Italy) before, both in A&E games. Most recently I have played with Charles in A&E 090802 in which he was Denmark and I Britain. He pretty much beat me handily managing to form an alliance with Prussia and France against me. Alas Charles and I are again neighboring powers. I hope, at least for me, things work out differently this time. Charles also was the temporary GM in a 1900 game I was playing just before the start of that A&E game. I think we may also have played once before, but I cannot remember whether it was a 1900 or an A&E game. I just recall that when he started to GM that 1900 game his name was not unfamiliar to me. It was Charles who informed me of this variant, his creation, and invited me to play in this game.


I played with David in A&E 090205/DC240 in which I was Turkey and he Denmark. With both survived to the finish, but lost nonetheless as the game ended in a solo for Britain.

I do not recall having played with any of the other players. If I have, and I don't remember, please accept my apology. This games played prior to my hiatus were from a different computer and a different email address, so it is hard for me to really carefully search all of your names. I do see Karsten was an observer of each of those A&E games, but I don't think we have ever played against one another.


I am looking forward to trying this new variant. Thank you Charles for creating it and inviting me to play. Thank you Dirk for mastering. Unlike the rest of you, I honestly had no idea which power I wanted to play. As most of you did have clear preferences, and received your choice, I hope I am not at too much of a disadvantage.


I eagerly await individual correspondence with each of you.
Robert