First of all, my congratulations to Tsar Slangers for an excellently played game throughout (both diplomatically and tactically). You thoroughly deserved this win. 
My thanks to Craig for doing a superb job as GM, keeping things moving, offering precise adjudications, supplying maps and information on time, and generally being very helpful and cheerful throughout.




Thanks too to my co-players, and my proxy (Mark - who had to tell me I'd been stabbed by one and all when I got back from holiday!). I have enjoyed the cheerful banter and good sportsmanship that is a feature of these games. Especial thanks to Patrick and Wesley for helpful ideas and good humour throughout.




My first plans were to ally with France and Russia and to move against Germany. All went well in the first year or so. Plans changed a bit because of Garry taking over Germany at the start, and my realisation that he was a strong player who would provide difficulties. Thus my ill-advised attempt at stabbing France - too early and not well-planned. Sometime in 1903 it seemed that everyone decided that I was the baddie (I think the Tsar and Kaiser decided to work together with me as target number 1) and so I suffered a 3-way attack from France, Russia and Germany that seemed to come out of the blue. I was reeling for quite a while!




The Tsar continued to sweet-talk everyone into doing his will and was making ground over in the East while I struggled pointlessly with France. Germany was not saying a word, and in fact I had no communications from him addressed directly to me from around 1902/3. It became a lonely battle for England's survival, with occasional 'hang in there' emails from Italy (thanks Wesley!). I saw no hope for Engand to get back in the game, and just played to survive. France saw the same, and we abandoned our private war to work together for survival. By this time, the Tsar was unstoppable, except if the Kasier (as the central, strongest power) organised a resistance among the remaining fragmented powers. This was not forthcoming and the Kaiser eventually succumbed to overwhelming force and better play leaving Russia the clear winner.




For me, this exciting and interesting game was a little marred by the unexpected bit of of bad temper and bad sportsmanship displayed by one player towards the end.
I think the outcome is a fine example of the importance of maintaining good diplomatic relations. 




Once again, all hail to the Tsar Slangers, 'well done' to my fellow survivors, and thank you Craig.
JohnPrime Minister Cartesian