1. 3-way draw between Austria, England, and Italy Well, I suppose if all the other powers could be thought to somehow freeze to ice while England took centers from Germany, France and Russia, this might be a viable alternative. As I have pointed out in other letters, Brian Lam does indeed hold the key to continued movement on the board, barring an attack by Italy on Austria or vice versa. But he doesn’t hold the key to a three-way victory, he can only help Italy break through the western stalemate line or Austria the eastern. And not both at once. Once one of these stalemate lines is broken not only is Italy or  Austria free to move forward, but also Russia, Germany and France are freed from holding that line. If England helps break the western line then he has to face France while working to replace France. I he helps break the eastern line then he has to face and replace Russia. Russia does not depend on Germany’s survival in the same way that Germany  depends on France’s survival. Even were England to strike in a fall move he has to hold onto his conquests. Brian’s best bet is to take Denmark with the army and Belgium with the ENG fleet in a Fall move. But that just rewards Austria and Italy and England loses Denmark that same fall. To Germany. Who then builds a fleet in Kiel and sets up the next stalemate line on the Baltic while using the armies he is going to lose any way to kick England off the continent. Or sails off to England with the help of the  Russia fleets, which will not be removed. Brian Lam cannot depend on Russia France and Germany to kindly hold the line whilst he sets himself up for a part in a three-way. So what is the result if England actually tried to force a real three-way draw? Brian ends up eliminated along with  any two of Germany, France and Russia. So the real three-way victory is a gamble probably resulting in a wash-out. A negotiated three-way? This results in the following: Austria 12.9 Italy 12.8England 12.3Russia 4.4Germany 4.6France 4.6 Which I think rewards England a bit too much for being kind enough to not assist in his own demise. DIAS results in this: Austria 6.9 Italy 6.8England 6.3Russia 6.4Germany 6.6France 6.6 Which I am sure Austria and Italy regard as too small a reward for remaining faithful to one another. However I (and some others) think that playing Diplomacy with the intent to draw is a perversion and that this is an acceptable end. A four-way draw as set below would be more ‘fair’ to my way of thinking. Austria 4.9Italy 4.8England 10.3Germany 10.6France 10.4Russia 10.4 Four disparate warring powers were able to bury the hatchet and, in the true spirit of Diplomacy, band together to stop a seemingly victorious constellation.  It all depends on how you look at the board. For Mikael and Brian S the actions (or lack thereof) of Brian L are inexplicable and inexcusable. For me, they are the only answer to a pair of players who start the game without the intent to win a solo victory. John       Från: Michael Penner [mailto:mvpenner(at)gmail.com]
Skickat: den 19 mars 2013 01:07
Till: Michael Thompson; Mikael Johansson; Bret Pollack; Lam Brian; Brian Schoner; John Robillard; John Merfeld; Michael Sims; kielmarch(at)hotmail.com; blitz(at)diplomaticcorp.com
Ämne: dc446 - Spring 1910 Another turn without retreats, and a very easy move into the fall. We've added a new twist to the end-game proposal, though, just to keep things interesting.
Austria:A Bohemia - Silesia
A Galicia Supports Bohemia - Silesia
A Moscow Supports WarsawA Sevastopol Supports Moscow
A Trieste HoldsA Tyrolia - Munich (*fails*)A Ukraine Supports Warsaw
A Vienna - BohemiaA Warsaw Supports Bohemia - Silesia England:F English Channel Supports Mid-Atlantic OceanA London HoldsF North Sea Holds France:F Mid-Atlantic Ocean Supports Spain (*cut*)A Spain Supports Marseilles (*cut*)
A Gascony Supports Spain
F Portugal Supports Mid-Atlantic Ocean
Germany:A Burgundy Supports MarseillesA Marseilles Supports Spain (*cut*)A Kiel Supports MunichA Berlin Supports MunichA Munich Supports Berlin (*cut*)A Prussia Supports LivoniaItaly:A Apulia Supports VeniceF Aegean Sea - ConstantinopleA Piedmont - Marseilles (*fails*)F Gulf of Lyon Supports Western Mediterranean - SpainF Western Mediterranean - Spain (*fails*)
F North Africa - Mid-Atlantic Ocean (*fails*)
F Tyrrhenian Sea - Western Mediterranean (*fails*)
A Venice Supports Tyrolia Russia:F Norway Supports St. PetersburgA St. Petersburg Supports LivoniaF Baltic Sea Supports PrussiaA Livonia Supports PrussiaEnd-Game Proposals:1. 3-way draw between Austria, England, and ItalyNext Deadline:Fall 1910 orders and EGP votes are due on Thursday, March 21, at 4pm CDT (9pm GMT)