This was an interesting game for me, my first seismic game, and only
my 4th ever dip game in total.

I began somewhat frightful as Austria struggles to survive at the best
of times, and being able to be torn into from even more possible
angles didn't seem promising - nevertheless I made an alliance with
Russia to take down Turkey, on the basis that he would be easy to
breach given 2 seismics each turn. Italy repeatedly told me he was not
enough of a fool to attack me straight away, such that I was
suspicious of him doing so, the number of times he mentioned it.

Things started off well, if slowly, and a failure of communication
cost me a vital centre for 1901, which at the time I thought could
kill me, and it seems did. Italy's strike meant I had to cancel plans
on Turkey, but at least I was safe in the knowledge that Russia would
continue the struggle, when much to my despair and surprise he stabbed
me also. Things took a turn for the worst at this point as I was
assailed from all sides. I took the strategy of just not losing for as
long as possible, as it was the only option left open to me. Turkey
and I co-operated for a while but it was only a question of who would
stab first, and seeing as I was totally unable to stab, it was Turkey.

Being attacked by my 3 neighbours seemed to make them all think that
they better fight each other over who would get my few remaining
centres, and a Cold War between Russia and Turkey was developing as
their alliance grew in power. It was only a matter of time before one
grew too strong for the other to bear, and France would join with one
of them. France was also making inroads down South and having, in one
of my previous games been stabbed by a Turkey helping me against
France, I was suspicious of France's intentions as he offered to help
me take Italy, in a very similar situation. I was forced to accept
however, and the entire nation of Austria migrated to Naples where
they help out besieged. I was forced to help France, since he could at
any moment eliminate me, but I tried to be as unhelpful as possible
while appearing not to be trying to be unhelpful (if that makes
sense). So sorry Rolf for all those times I was so careless in
interpreting your messages - I knew there was little more
misunderstanding I could do, when you were sending me direct orders in
Bold and extra large type so I couldn't misread them! France seemed
destined to mop up what remained from the inevitable Russo-Turkish
conflict, but I must say he did so very well indeed - so
congratulations Rolf on a game well played - you thoroughly deserve
it.

James