Congradulations to Matt, Kevin, and Tim for their 3-way Draw.

 

Thank you, Garry for GMing this one.

 

Russian End of Game Statement:

 

In the beginning, as I mentioned to Garry, I had recently played Russia, and I was hoping to gain another country to avoid double playing a country. Since I recieved Russia, I made it a priority to avoid making the same mistakes; I've made previously. Interestingly, I feel that I made the same error; despite, the error came about differently and a somewhat different location.

 

In western Europe, I attempted to form encouraging arrangements with England and France while I aggressively sought friendly relations with Germany. Inevitably, I wanted to avoid encouraging an Anglo-Franco alliance; especially, I didn't want to dive westward without knowing my southern relations and aid Anglo-Franco relations in attacking Germany.

 

In eastern Europe, I tried to perform a balancing act until I could determine which policy approach held the best outcome, so I had made friendly relations with Austria, Italy, and Turkey.

 

After the opening year, I felt very good with an alliance with AIR; especially since, I had a solid relationship with Germany. I believed that if Austria-Italy decided to cut me out of AIR; I'd be able to maintain my relationship with Germany. What I didn't note soon enough, Germany was increasingly becoming fearful of AIR likely encouraged by England and France.

 

By the third year, AIR had forced a counter-Anglo-Franco-German triple alliance, and I had lost what influence I had with Germany. It's also when my balancing act in my relationships between Germany and Austria-Italy collapsed. I didn't believe that it was in my interests to cut myself out of AIR. In my opinion, even if I campaigned harder, France would have remained concerned with Italy, and Germany wasn't likely to pursue even a mild strategy placing him on a 2-front war. Inevitably, I stand at my opinion that AIR was my best shot.

Inevitably, AIR would only last 1.5 years before it imploded at my hand.

 

By F05, Austria was in position that he could have used the Franco-Italian line and Anglo-Russo line to launch himself into a soloable position, and defended himself at the same time. Based on his position, I launched envoys into establishing a counter, which ultimately failed, and I launched what I thought was going to be a failed counter-stab.

A Tyr-Vie (Would have bounced)

A Tri-Ser (Would have bounced)

A Bul-Rum

A Bud S A Bul-Rum

A Sil-War (Would have been overpowered)

A Boh-Gal (Would have bounced)

 

I would have lost Rum, but I would have at least kept Austria from attaining position to maintain his stab.

 

As it turned out, Austria didn't launch his stab, and my move turned into a catch-22. If I hadn't acted, I would have been crushed in a full 2-front war. In the end, this action cost me Austrian-Russo relations, which would effect me in the long-run.

 

This imploded AIR, and this changed the map's dynamics dramatically. England and France dismantled Germany, Austria-Franco dismantled Italy, and for a time Austria-Russo simply swayed back and forth while Anglo-Russo ceased and desisted conflict.

 

By the 1908, it appeared that England was becoming soloable to me, and I attempted to get France and Austria to counter it before it became virtually unstoppable. I was hoping to accomplish three things here:

1). Prevent an English solo.

2). Rebuild Austrian-Russo relations.

3). Provide a circumstance that Austrian-Russo could find a dualable situation.

 

I suspect several things occurred here:

1). France likely realized that England was soloable but with a strong and early Austrian-Franco-Russo counter; neither France nor England would attain a winning seat. I strongly suspect that the next issue was encouraged by France especially as well as England.

 

2). Austria decided to bang me over the head with my catch-22ed move. As open as I attempted to make myself to Austria, Austria didn't want to leave my move unpunished, and he did a very good job.

 

This was certainly a formidable and fun game.

 

Congradulations again to Tim, Kevin, and Matt on their 3-way draw.

 

Thank you again, Garry, for GMing this one.

 

from Sean