First off, thanks to Jerry for GMing - was a really fun and well-run game.

I'll try to get this as accurate as possible - feel free to call out
any misrememberings/blatant falsehoods.

Started out playing nice to everyone and tried to pick off as many
neutral centers as possible before getting down to business. Ottoman
Empire made some demands I thought were unreasonable (I think it was
that he should get RUM) so I figured I'd start there. Austria was busy
pushing west so I was able to devote most of my western units to the
battle against Ottoman.

After the Turk was gone, Holland and I ganged up on China, and then
worked on the British presence in India. I wish I had more to add, but
in each case it really was just a case of taking advantage of a
numerical advantage - no brilliant tactical coups that I can remember.

Spain was busy getting huge, so me, USA, Austria and Holland decided
to form a stop-the-leader alliance. I had visions of leveraging this
into taking first (soloing?) so I took advantage of what I thought was
an opportunity to grow (without allowing Spain to benefit) by stabbing
Austria. Through a combination of me perhaps miscalculating and
Austria putting up a spirited defense, I wasn't able to take many
centers at all in the enterprise. Trout going over to the
Spain/Austria alliance was a surprise, and sealed the deal on my
megalomaniacal aspirations.

I'm not sure what would have happened if I hadn't stabbed Austria. I
figured that Austria would eventually beat back Spain and then build
armies on our mutual front that would cause me trouble. Plus, I really
only had borders with Holland and Austria, and figured I had more to
gain, and less to lose to Spain, by attacking Austria vs. Holland. I
guess I could have sat back and waited while everyone else took on
Spain, but again, was concerned about the long-term threat of
Austria's armies and frankly was not going to just sit around doing
nothing. In any case, sorry Michael. It made for some funny/awkward
moments because Michael is GMing another game I'm in. "Uh, I'm going
to continue attacking you, and here are my orders for the other game."

I voted for the DIAS because I was losing ground and still saw a
Spanish solo as the most likely outcome of an extended game. Nicely
played, Matt. I owe you a cup at Mory's.

Definitely in for round 2 if you'll have me!

Best,
CL (Russia)