From: Brian Lam <briankingfox(at)hotmail.com ([email]briankingfox(at)hotmail.com[/email])>
Date: October 27, 2007 1:03:10 AM PDT
To: felix kamchung <felixkamchung(at)mac.com ([email]felixkamchung(at)mac.com[/email])>
Subject: DC 106 ABS EOG Poland


Felix, publish this please. Thank you.
 
Poland Last Statement
 
First of all, I would like to thank all players, especially Felix. It was a great game, and I really enjoy it. This is my first solo in online Diplomacy game.
 
In the beginning of the game, I have thought of invading Ukraine. But Ukraine’s friendly signal by supporting me to MUS and the rumors that Poland would invade Ukraine, made me decide not to attackUkraine. It was fortunate because if I attacked Ukraine in 1902, I would have been killed by Hungary early. That began my long war with Hungary.
 
During the war, I also noticed the war between Eire and Burgundy. I realized that no matter who win the war, the winner will attack me sooner or later. And if they went into some reconciliation, I would fell into a deep trouble. So, I encouraged them to fight by announcing neutral in the beginning. When Burgundy was losing because of the attack from Hungary and others, I turned to support Burgundy and attacked Eire, in order to maintain the balance between two, and kept them fight
 
Then the fog came.
 
I was surprised that Eire gave up NWG and NTH. Perhaps he thought he could attack my inland SCs with the cover of fog, and believed he could eliminate Burgundy very soon. But he was wrong. Instead, he gave me a big opportunity against him. In result, my army landed on England on 1907 Spring, which marked the imminent death of Eire.
 
1907 was a critical year.
 
Although Eire failed to invade my northern hinterland, he successfully convinced Ukraine invade me in 1907 since my A MUS moved into KAR against possible Eire’s landing and I didn’t cover MUS. Ukraine thought this was a good opportunity against me. But other players didn’t know it, not only because of fog, but also because both of us didn’t want others to know. I worried that this would give hope to other players; I guess Ukraine would have worried a stab from Israel. So, I said I gave Ukraine MUS to support his attack on Israel; unable to announce war with Poland, Ukraine thanked me. This conversation was successful, not only dissimulated our war status, but also damaged the relationship between Ukraine and Israel. At the same time, I decided to reaped the fruited I sowed on the land of Eireand Burgundy, and finished the war with Hungary. In winter 1907, I got three builds, despite losing MUS to Ukraine; and by Spring 1908, I got 7 armies along Polish-Ukraine border while Ukraine only got 3
 
But I decided not to attack Ukraine. Three reasons: 1. Ukraine had learned the lesson; 2. I worried Israel would attack Ukraine’s empty South; 3. Spain decided to join Israel. Since the fog came, I treated Israela long term enemy. I thought that Spain and Ukraine would attack Israel. This would give me a free hand against the dying Hungary, Burgundy and Eire. But the surrender of Spain forced me to take faster action against Israel and Spain.
 
Thus, I planned a plot against the alliance. I told Spain that he could ally with me against Israel by achieving some terms. Actually, I can do them all by myself. As the terms were achieved, I thought Israelwould eventually lose trust with Spain. What surprised me was that Spain announced to keep his distance from Israel. That meant he would be more isolated and vulnerable to me.
 
In the end of the game, even if Ukraine stoped me by going to RUM, the game will end too in the next year, since my armies are going down. I guessed Ukraine would not attack me, that's why I did nothing about RUM and BUL.
 
Both Eire and Israel failed to stop me, because they attacked their possible allies: Eire attacked Burgundy while asking others to attack me. Israel attacked Ukraine even he realized Poland was his long term enemy. If one of them successfully convinced Burgundy or Ukraine to attack me, I am afraid I would not be able to win solo so early.
 
Finally, thanks for the game again. And I hope we can we can play again in the nearest future.
 
Brian
Listen now! New music from the Rogue Traders.