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France: Builds 1 unit
Germany: Builds 2 units
Russia: Builds 1 unit
Message from France to Italy
Mario,
> Still your offer beats me suiciding in Turkey's favor...
Apparently you changed your mind about your preferences?
I have to say that Turkey's moves were a complete shock to
me. I feel somewhat ashamed having thought that he has
absolutely no ambitions in the game and criticizing so
brutally his nervous state.
> Movement results for Fall of 1907. (comments.029)
>
> Italy: Army Tuscany -> Piedmont.
What to say? Cannot say anything else than what I have said
many times. I have no interest in your centers, I never
had. I even backed up from my demand of Tunis during last
season's discussions. Hard to see what more I could have
done to please you...
Tamas
Message from France to Russia
Nicky,
> Are you confirming that you have ordered Hel S Nth-Den,
> Ruh S Hol-Kie
Right, you were correct to notice that I never had confirmed
it. I am truly sorry for this deception (I kept my fingers
crossed).
You surely understand that I have been serious about me
supporting you against Germany exactly until this season.
Your plan whereby you take two German centers doing exactly
what Germany wants you to do would have stopped me in the
atlantic region for good. Well, except one thing:
If I had known about the bounce in Mos, I would have
wholeheartedly followed your plan. The Turkish moves have
been a complete shock to me (as well as the Austrian ones).
I think I have to take back all my despising his ambitions
in the game and indeed I never assumed he would deceive most
of us in this major way.
Where to go from now? Of course supporting you to Denmark
given the new situation is more than possible the coming
spring or fall but I understand if you do not jump on it.
If we end in a draw then my preference is still to include
you instead of the crazy AT alliance.
Finally, I am still _very_ interested in continuing the
theory chat with you no matter what.
Tamas
Message from France to Turkey
Andy,
What can I say? I can do nothing but congratulate your
_excellent_ diplomatic manoevre this season. Making Austria
deserting the balkans and going into Apulia under the radar,
deceiving most parties around is quite an accomplishment.
Your two great tactical plots in this game (the initial stab
on Russia and this recent one) are something I wish to have
in my own repertoire.
The only shortcoming of this move was that Bul-Tun would
have gained you an SC but I understand the diplomatic
problems when you want to make the two actions (diverting
Austria and taking Tun) be compatible with each other.
So the only question which remains is the status of our
story. Is the 2WD now cancelled or is it still on the
cards?
Tamas
Message from France to Germany
Kaiser,
I understand that you are still reading my mails if not
answering them so I thought I entertain you with a few
more lines.
It is quite funny to see that while you apparently are
interested only in damaging me, I am actually working on
saving your centers. Russia's demand for me to support
Nth-Den and Hol-Kie was actually quite tempting. I have to
say that his initial plan (Mun S Hol-Kie, Kie-Den, NTH-Den)
was brilliant because he would have taken two of your
centers without you being able to blame him. Of course
moving NTH-Den instead of NTH S Lon is not the same thing
but it is probably still within the bounds of what he can
talk away. In any case, this whole scenario where I am
trying to screw up Russia's attack on hostile Germany is
_pretty_ amusing.
Unfortunately there are some other disturbing developments,
namely Austria's bid for the German position. I did reject
his demand for support into Munich but it seems that he cut
a deal with Turkey which lets him line up his forces there
on his own. Again, I am looking forward to the challenge:
trying to protect you against a foreign invasion :-)
Anyway, I do not bore you any further now. I have enjoyed
chatting with you for many years, it was really great to
meet you. If you want to talk about anything (weather,
football, politics, even diplomacy), I am around but I have
no hard feelings if you do not.
With friendship,
Tamas
Message from France to Austria
Andy,
WOW!
Tamas
Message from Austria to France
> I am sorry, I cannot do it this season. I have done quite a
> bit of thinking but it does not work really. If it helps
> then next year is a distinct possibility.
Tamas,
Its good taht you havent swayed from your *only on my terms* philosiphy
for this game.
Message from France to Austria
Andy,
> Tamas,
>
> Its good taht you havent swayed from your *only on my
> terms* philosiphy for this game.
Unlike who?
Very embarrassing, please stop praising me. :-)
Seriously though it is hard to understand your complaint. I
offered you the support before and I thought about it quite
a bit this season too. The problem was that I needed A Ruh
and I could not come up with a safe plan which would free it
up for the support. You surely do not question this, do
you?
And I have made plenty of compromises in this game, even
towards you, not that I feel the need to defend on this
point. As I remember this argument of yours originates from
my request for you supporting me to Rome some time ago. You
said no and I acknowledged it immediately. How does this
fit into the "only on my terms" philosophy?
But apparently I was lucky with this recent decision. I
have to applaud your skills in convincing Turkey to leave
your homeland. His moves were a complete shock to me,
probably you know that. So let's say I support you to
Munich. Given another conflict in the Moscow region, the
T-I war inside Italy and the fact that the Turkish armies
all but disappeared as a threat on Austria, what would be
the further strategy for your six armies? If you want to
oppose Turkey in _this_ situation, you will need fleets, at
least one as a starter, that is impossible this year but
possible the next one. If you are not to oppose Turkey then
what?
Tamas
Message from Turkey to France
sure the 2WD is still on, but like you said, if it happens it will be
a hard-fought 2WD, no carebear.
I look forward to matching wits with you until the end of the game,
no matter what the outcome.
Turkey
Message from Russia to France
Tamas,
I'm thinking in 1908, Yor-Nth-Den, Hel S Yor-Den, followed by
Den-Swe, Hel S Nth-Den, and then in 1909, Den S Hol-Kiel, and
Den-Bal. In 1910, I can convoy one of your Armies to Lvn, and
support you to Moscow. Yes, I'm that pissed at the Turk.
Nicky.
Message from Russia to France
Tamas,
> you were correct to notice that I never had confirmed
> it. I am truly sorry for this deception (I kept my
> fingers crossed).
I knew it was coming with reasonable certainty, but my plan
was too elegant and Germany is really too useless to make
switching to Nth S Lon rational at this point. I suppose
Nth-Edi was an option, though.
> You surely understand that I have been serious about me
> supporting you against Germany exactly until this season.
> Your plan whereby you take two German centers doing
> exactly what Germany wants you to do would have stopped
> me in the atlantic region for good.
Except that I was giving up Nth and Hol. Yes, it would have
made taking Scandinavia so expensive that you would have been
better off focusing on taking out Italy, but I wouldn't have
been positioned to threaten you in the North, either. Were
it not for the Turkish irrationality, I'd be building A War,
F StP now, and you'd face much stiffer opposition in the
North.
> Where to go from now? Of course supporting you to Denmark
> given the new situation is more than possible the coming
> spring or fall but I understand if you do not jump on it.
> If we end in a draw then my preference is still to include
> you instead of the crazy AT alliance.
It's pretty clear we're looking at an AIT push to stop you,
and while they can't eliminate me, it's just a matter of time
before they leave me completely at your mercy. Therefore,
being useful to you is the only thing that will keep me alive
at this point. The convoy of Yor-Den, followed by Nth-Den,
FA Den-Swe positions us well to get you East of the stalemate
line, and combined with Bur S Bel-Ruhr, you should be able to
take Swe and Mun or Kie as I take Den to make up for the loss
of Warsaw.
> Finally, I am still _very_ interested in continuing the
> theory chat with you no matter what.
I'll address this tonight, after I get home.
Nicky.
Message from Austria to France
Tamas,
> >
> > Its good taht you havent swayed from your *only on my
> > terms* philosiphy for this game.
>
> Unlike who?
>
> Very embarrassing, please stop praising me. :-)
Good point...
Please accept my apology....I had been awake for 48hours when I wrote it,
and spent the last 7 hours on planes.
> Seriously though it is hard to understand your complaint. I
> offered you the support before and I thought about it quite
> a bit this season too. The problem was that I needed A Ruh
> and I could not come up with a safe plan which would free it
> up for the support. You surely do not question this, do
> you?
Of course not.
> And I have made plenty of compromises in this game, even
> towards you, not that I feel the need to defend on this
> point. As I remember this argument of yours originates from
> my request for you supporting me to Rome some time ago. You
> said no and I acknowledged it immediately. How does this
> fit into the "only on my terms" philosophy?
Correct.
>
Let me think about the board, and we can talk after builds
Message from Italy to France
> Apparently you changed your mind about your preferences?
Well, I think what happened was that by this point the die had been cast.
How different would things be had you not interpreted my removal of A Ber
(isntead of A Tus) as a reason to flood the Med with your fleets? You can
talk all you'd like about good intentions but the fact remains that that
was a highly aggressive move. Had you not done so, coupled with Turkey's
attack on the Ionian, I likely would have INVITED you in, and probably
attempted to join Russia in throwing centers your way.
> What to say? Cannot say anything else than what I have said
> many times. I have no interest in your centers, I never
> had. I even backed up from my demand of Tunis during last
> season's discussions. Hard to see what more I could have
> done to please you...
Yep. Who knows. I feel like I am walking a dangerous line here. But
coupled with the fact that I am sandwiched between a 10 SC power and an 8
SC one, I kind of have to live on the edge...
Message from France to Italy
Mario,
> How different would things be had you not interpreted my
> removal of A Ber (isntead of A Tus) as a reason to flood
> the Med with your fleets? You can talk all you'd like
> about good intentions but the fact remains that that was a
> highly aggressive move. Had you not done so, coupled with
> Turkey's attack on the Ionian, I likely would have INVITED
> you in, and probably attempted to join Russia in throwing
> centers your way.
You probably agree that arguments like "if you had done this
I would have supported you into these two centers..." are
quite weak and useless in this game. Especially in view of
our recent history where it brought me absolutely no good
when I complied to your demands. And your way of looking at
it: "Italy might violate any agreement but will be a friend
of France if he behaves himself" while might be honest,
cannot be used in Paris as a basis for planning.
I do understand very well that you think the non-disband of
Tus was not enough to justify what you call my
very-aggressive move. But what were my choices? I was
absolutely clear in my letter to AI and said it explicitly
that I want to use this agreement as a test to see how Italy
keeps his word. And that was very true: we just had to
break from our deadlock of continuous deception. The other
thing was which I told you: I hatched a great plan to stop
RG, (the primary move being MAO-NAO which needed A Tus
disband) and after the adjustments came in I was so
surprised (having been so much fond of my plan) that I was
staring at my monitor for minutes but A Tus just did not go
away... I did admit that my spring moves were more
emotional than logical.
You are saying the die is cast, you are handing over the
Italian centers to Turkey. I have to say I am sorry to hear
this but not because it interferes in any way with my
long-term plans which are only defensive concerning the Med.
I am sorry because I would not have expected such a useless
act from you - throwing the solo to Turkey is hardly a
credible threat, and also because I really meant it when I
wished you and Austria good luck in replacing the Sultan and
I even saw good chances for that. Finally: I understand
that you did not like my fleet in the western med but taking
the risk that they actually might be there to help certainly
score higher (I think) than the certain handing over of your
centers to the dear Sultan.
I am pretty sure that we will do great things together in
another game though.
Good luck,
Tamas
Message from France to Russia
Hi Nicky,
Thanks for the recent correspondance and your understanding.
Unfortunately I am somewhat busy this weekend but will try
to catch up soon.
I have to agree with your stalemate analysys, indeed with
Turkey denying you Mos, you are not likely to hold the
northern line and it is especially troublesome in view of
the apparent AT alliance. I really want to see in the end
why Turkey did not let you back to Mos, that was a very
risky thing to do.
As far as your proposed moves, I thank you the offer which
is a great one indeed. At the same time, I am not sure if
it is the most effective one as far as making Turkey realize
the threat. I am thinking about it, have to think also
about the south so that I can see where my fleets go.
I am not a good endgame-player thus I am pretty scared now.
I am quite pessimistic about Tunis and Mario has started
making noises about throwing Italy to Turkey. Of course if
Tunis is not likely then there is not much point in sending
too much force there either because my centers can be
defended quite easily. Or maybe I should try going towards
Pie...? If you want to chat about this analysys, I would be
more than happy to hear your opinion.
Best,
Tamas
Message from France to Turkey
Sultan,
I absolutely agree with what you say about not playing
carebear. In fact I can hardly imagine how we could do the
2WD in a carebear fashion, rather I should say that given
the present position, a larger draw will be the sign of
carebear play.
I think that we are close to entering the endgame and we are
becoming neighbors too. Therefore we probably need to
maintain a better correlation between what each of us does.
I am most excited by the prospect of the two-way ending but
unlike 3WD's and 4WD's it rarely develops on its own but
rather needs some planning. If we do not have a plan then
we risk missing it.
So the question is, how do you want to proceed from this
very point? To what details should we fix our plans to fix
together and what measures do we build in to make it safe.
We also need to fix the line at some point. Let me start
making a few points and you can then add yours.
As I see the biggest danger which might threaten the
stability of our plan is if there are threats of others
throwing the game to one of us. (This is inevitable and
Russia already are making noises: he is quite pissed with
me, although I am guessing that he is threatening you the
same way.) To avoid this in general, we should attempt
having only minor powers around who - given their size -
cannot throw the game.
I think that it is pretty clear that R or G cannot hand the
win to either of us. If it were not for your excellent
convoy to Apu then Italy might be dangerous but is now under
control. On the other hand if Austria grows then it will be
very hard to cut him out. The balance of the minor powers
is allright now (5-4-4-3) but we should pay close attention
to this.
Actually I am very hesitant now as to what way I should move
which pleases you and I do want to hear your opinion on
this. I realize that if I move hard on Germany then you
might feel frightened to cut down Austria, on the other hand
if I do not do that then Austria might pick up the German
centers which then puts him into the kingmaker's seat and we
are screwed. Also, the Balkan is where your power base lies
and I cannot safely grow without the fear of us getting out
of balance.
Therefore I strongly suggest that you start dealing with the
Balkans as I am sure that it is crucial for the success of
the 2WD. At the same time I do realize that you might be
hesitant to risk the would-be-alliance which is needed to
stop a hypothetical French solo bid. Therefore I am more
than happy to give any reasonable guarantee for you so that
you can do it safely. I want to see you in Serbia,
Budapest, Trieste before I finish Scandinavia. Name your
terms so that there is no misunderstanding.
Of course, I am playing for the solo in every game I am in.
I did however do the mathematics and I know (just like you)
that the chances of me crossing the line which you guys can
set up is negligible and therefore it is not worth the risk
it puts on the 2WD. I certainly will not do anything which
jeopartizes what I consider the most noble result of
Diplomacy.
Sorry for the longish message. I want you to take me
seriously and I want to leave as few white spots as
possible. I also want to hear your concerns and suggestions
so that we can harmonize our moves. You must agree that
given the size of each powers on the board, only we can
screw up the 2WD: if we do it right, they cannot stop me in
any way.
Tamas
Message from France to Austria
Hi Andy,
> Please accept my apology....I had been awake for 48hours
> when I wrote it, and spent the last 7 hours on planes.
I have read it again and again and fail to see what there
might be which has the slightest reason to apologize for.
Surely you are confusing games, too much flying.
> Let me think about the board, and we can talk after builds
Easily said by someone who has no pending adjustment
orders. Looking at last season's moves I got the worrysome
feeling that a stop-the-leader is set in stone before there
is a solo threat. Of course I am not interested in a 4-5
way draw but still will defend on most of my fronts.
As far as Austria is concerned, I am facing a major
dilemma. If as you had said you were interested in tricking
Turkey and replacing him in the end result then I would
consider staying many steps away from centers which are of
your interest so that you can safely operate. If on the
other hand this plan has already been discarded then I am
afraid I cannot really be interested in assisting your
growth which would jeopardize the chance of FT 2WD.
(Un)fortunately, Turkey's demand that given the difference
in our size I now have to support him into centers without
me picking up any is kind of hard to comply with.
This is probably theoretical mumbling first and foremost,
but the message is that if you _do_ have a plan, do tell me
so that I do not accidentally screw it up. In any case I
can just admire your manoevre where half of the Turkish
armies go to Russia and the other half to Italy thus letting
your five armies do whatever they want. I am really curious
what that will be.
Best,
Tamas
Message from France to Germany
Erik,
Sorry that I cannot shut up but my recent thoughts are just
too funny. I have recently been shown some details of the
discussion which has been going on east of France. Just
amazing, under the cover of the stop-France alliance they
hardly talk about anything else than how to distribute the
German centers among the powers in the alliance. Reading
these excerpts I have come to the funny conclusions that
1. You are the only one who is not on the list of possible
owners of German home SC's.
2. If I look at the moves so far in this game and read the
above press, it appears that funnily the _only_ power in
'comments' who has not had any design on German home centers
is ... France!
Unfortunately it looks more and more unlikely that we will
get out of our deadlock. What started like a promising
cooperation, rich press exchange etc has faded to nothing by
now. I have now won the given tactical battle between F and
RG but it is not much comfort and your demise brings me
absolutely no good.
I am looking forward to the end of the game, and am curious
what I will find in the press archive. There must have been
a point where I screwed it up and my mistake had to be major
to make you quit our alliance at the point which was the
worst for you and predictably fatal. The board is now split
and some think the game is about France against IATR,
clearly noone on the board thinks that you can survive. I
do not know if this picture is correct or not but it is
clear that for 4 seasons you have now been supporting the
one side which you picked. I am guessing that you will
support that side as long as you are alive. Of course, I
have absolutely no hard feelings about it, especially
because we have the press log which I can read in the end.
In an ordinary game I would have been quite desperate to
find out what I made wrong.
With continued best regards,
Tamas
Message from France to Turkey
Sultan,
I was quite tired when I wrote my last message to you and
you surely noticed the sentences with incorrect grammar,
etc. Rereading it I just want to correct two small errors.
> it puts on the 2WD. I certainly will not do anything which
> jeopartizes what I consider the most noble result of
> Diplomacy.
[[ The most noble result is of course the 2WD, hopefully it
was clear. In my dictionary the 2WD is the testament of
very good plan - a solo is most probably the result of an
error. ]]
> so that we can harmonize our moves. You must agree that
> given the size of each powers on the board, only we can
> screw up the 2WD: if we do it right, they cannot stop me in
> any way.
Of course, I meant "they cannot stop _us_ in any way". I
hope the meaning is clear: we can screw it up but if we do
not then we will get it no matter what they do.
Best,
Tamas
Message from Turkey to France
I will cut to the chase here. I see two things of import.
First, your solo bid needs to be stopped (as you point out). Everything I do
has to take this into account first.
Second, once I am sure that this can be accomplished, then I will be free to
pursue the planning for a 2WD.
Obviously both of these things can happen simultaneously.
The way I see it.....if you keep growing, then I can't possibly attack Italy
and Austria..because they could then throw the game to you if they were mad at
me. The best way to look at this is to ask yourself the question if you
controlled all the pieces on the board,except for mine, could you solo? The
answer of course is yes.
So, what I would suggest is that you waive your build this turn. You do not
need it to defend yourself. If you build then I will be more at the mercy of
Austria and I won't be able to take the Balkans. Sure I could kill Austria, but
at this point, you could then solo.
How does that sound?
turkey
Message from Russia to France
Tamas,
> I have to agree with your stalemate analysis, indeed with
> Turkey denying you Mos, you are not likely to hold the
> northern line and it is especially troublesome in view of
> the apparent AT alliance. I really want to see in the end
> why Turkey did not let you back to Mos, that was a very
> risky thing to do.
He seems to think that you and Andy and Dan will vote for
a 4-way one RG have been eliminated. I trust you won't
do that.
> I am not a good endgame-player thus I am pretty scared now.
> I am quite pessimistic about Tunis and Mario has started
> making noises about throwing Italy to Turkey.
Well, I don't especially want to see the Turk get a two-way,
but there's no reason for you to not go for it. It's difficult to
see how they'll make Tunis Turkish, if they don't order
TyS-Tus, Tun & Nap S Ion-TyS, EMed-Ion this Spring.
> If Tunis is not likely then there is not much point in sending
> too much force there either because my centers can be
> defended quite easily. Or maybe I should try going towards
> Pie...? If you want to chat about this analysis, I would be
> more than happy to hear your opinion.
While Tunis is the most common 18th Center for France, any
18 will do. ;^} AT needs 10 Armies to hold the Mos-War-Sil-Tyl
line, and they have only 8 at the moment. If they take Warsaw,
that would be 9, but they'd have to add Munich or Berlin to get to
10. It should, therefore, be possible for you to take War and Mos,
even if you can't get Tunis.
Nicky.
Message from France to Russia
Nicky,
> He seems to think that you and Andy and Dan will vote for
> a 4-way one RG have been eliminated. I trust you won't do
> that.
This is almost an insult :-). You will never see me vote
for a 4WD. And it will take a _long_ time in this game
until I vote for a 3-way.
> > I am not a good endgame-player thus I am pretty scared
> > now. I am quite pessimistic about Tunis and Mario has
> > started making noises about throwing Italy to Turkey.
>
> Well, I don't especially want to see the Turk get a
> two-way, but there's no reason for you to not go for it.
I never said I particularly want a 2WD. But it is one of
the playable scenarios towards any end result I am satisfied
with. It does however conflict somewhat with what you
probably would be most happy with: the Turk seeing his error
and demise ASAP, so that he realizes the causal relationship
between him cutting you out and losing the game.
> It's difficult to see how they'll make Tunis Turkish, if
> they don't order TyS-Tus, Tun & Nap S Ion-TyS, EMed-Ion
> this Spring.
>
> While Tunis is the most common 18th Center for France, any
> 18 will do. ;^}
I am not sure I can force Tunis against 7 fleets even if
they do not order the above moves. Of course as long as the
price of keeping me out of Tunis is that it remains Italian,
it will stay that way.
I am actually thinking about the other path. Indeed, if I
picked up Tunis then the solo would be almost in the bag as
of that point. But I find it quite likely that if I can get
an army accross Switzerland then my chances are not much
smaller either.
> AT needs 10 Armies to hold the Mos-War-Sil-Tyl line, and
> they have only 8 at the moment. If they take Warsaw, that
> would be 9, but they'd have to add Munich or Berlin to get
> to 10. It should, therefore, be possible for you to take
> War and Mos, even if you can't get Tunis.
Right.
Ok, as I understand now you have left the dark side and you
are willing to cooperate with me. I would not talk you into
this but I must tell you that I would do the same in the
given position. You are right that your chances for
survival are slim although I keep it in mind that if I have
to fall back to a draw plan, you will be the last who I want
to cut out. The fun part of this is that if I solo then you
will be on the winning side unlike the others. You clearly
see well that a win is very nontrivial even with your help
thus if we can get it done then it will be very satisfying
and of course we should share the credit as well as the
champagne.
The Turk now wants me to waive my build. If I cannot talk
him out of this idea, I might comply. This should not have
any impact on what I am doing the coming year. I am hoping
for A StP. Is that a correct assumption?
Any further thoughts would be highly appreciated.
Tamas
Message from France to Turkey
Hi Sultan,
Most happy to hammer out the tricky points...
> First, your solo bid needs to be stopped (as you point
> out). Everything I do has to take this into account first.
>
> Second, once I am sure that this can be accomplished, then
> I will be free to pursue the planning for a 2WD.
I agree with the first point but not with the second. I
very well recognize your worry and of course I maintain
similar feelings when I count the centers which you might
pick up in the near future.
But the second point is shaky "once I am sure ... then
... planning" does not give us too great chances for the
2WD. When do we think that my solo bid (which is not there
yet!) is surely stopped? When the eastern stalemate line is
there? But then we cannot reduce the size of the draw
without risk (either of us). What we should realize is that
the 2WD is _very_ different in nature from larger draws.
Cutting out a power from a 4WD line to make it 3WD is quite
easy but the next step is almost impossible.
I have studied succesful 2WD's in the past. In all cases
what was of critical importance is that all the other powers
were kept minor in size (instead of having a single
not-so-minor 3rd power) so that they _cannot_ throw the game
by the very nature of their size and position. Consider for
example Austria. If he has two centers holding the line
then the task is pretty straightforward: the one who is to
get his centers eliminates him _after_ the other pulls back
to a safe distance. But if he has 6 then this is impossible
because elimination takes 4-6 seasons and he might even gain
at the expense of the one pulling back.
> The way I see it.....if you keep growing, then I can't
> possibly attack Italy and Austria..because they could then
> throw the game to you if they were mad at me.
This will not solve the problem. It is much more important
that you start to grow than my cutting down in size. Notice
that all my growth has gone into the very clearly defined
area which is undebatably French in the end. Near definite
Turkish interests or near centers which we have not decided
about yet, my presence is less than minimal.
> The best way to look at this is to ask yourself the
> question if you controlled all the pieces on the
> board,except for mine, could you solo? The answer of
> course is yes.
I am afraid I have to jump on this :-). Surely if _today_
they wanted to throw the game to me they could do, not
without Germany or Russia though. But if Italy loses Ber
and you happen to land on the Balkans in force then it is
impossible. Both the Austrian and the Italian centers are
easily defended by you and I would not get there in time.
But even this is not the weak point of your argument.
Following your suggestion, imagine that you controlled all
the pieces on the board except mine. Could you solo? The
answer of course is yes. I can even go farther: you could
solo _much_ easier then I could in the reverse situation!
> So, what I would suggest is that you waive your build this
> turn. You do not need it to defend yourself. If you build
> then I will be more at the mercy of Austria and I won't be
> able to take the Balkans. Sure I could kill Austria, but
> at this point, you could then solo.
If the price of the 2WD was my not building this year I will
happily waive. I actually have thought about it and
rejected it after careful consideration, still the issue is
not closed. I ask you to think about it a little carefully.
What do you think Austria will think if I waive my build?
Right now he is all out against me which must please you (in
fact everybody except you has been all out against me for
some time...). As I said, the key to the 2WD is to keep the
other powers' size under control, so that they stay minor.
You need one more stab (Austria) in this game, the rest is
crystal clear joint planning. I can help you with Italy but
I cannot help you against Austria because for that I have to
go accross the stalemate line which you will not want.
If I waive my build (I was thinking about A Mar), then
Austria either (i) picks up the German dots while I send Bur
to Mar for defense, or what is more likely (ii) will
understand before the spring what's going on and will
maintain his size by defending the south.
Please, give it a thought, there is absolutely no deception
here, I based my arguments on what we want to accomplish.
Do let me know where you disagree so that we can work it
out. At the same time, since the build is close now, please
try to give me some hints as to what I will see on my part
next spring which shows me that my restraint (either the
waive or - what I think is better - in my moves) will be
justified.
I think that we are doing very well and will have the
necessary agreement in place by the time we need it. As you
say, 2WD is hard fought, this is what we are doing now and
the prize will be well deserved.
Tamas
Message from Austria to France
Hello Tamas,
> Easily said by someone who has no pending adjustment
> orders. Looking at last season's moves I got the worrysome
> feeling that a stop-the-leader is set in stone before there
> is a solo threat. Of course I am not interested in a 4-5
> way draw but still will defend on most of my fronts.
I have been in Portland, OR playing in a FtF tournement since we last
spoke.
I havent heard a word from the Italian, he just assured me that he would
rather I have his dots than you...and hasnt said a word to me otherwise.
> As far as Austria is concerned, I am facing a major
> dilemma. If as you had said you were interested in tricking
> Turkey and replacing him in the end result then I would
> consider staying many steps away from centers which are of
> your interest so that you can safely operate.
I thank you for remembering that. I am in a positioning mode to do that.
I just got off an overnight flight, so forgive me if I am not as lucid as
usual.
I am going to take Munich, and position on Warsaw, using my builds to
position on Turkey and preparing to support you into PIE.
I suspect you will build in MAR, build an Army if you could.
If on the
> other hand this plan has already been discarded then I am
> afraid I cannot really be interested in assisting your
> growth which would jeopardize the chance of FT 2WD.
There is nothing to worry about with the plan.
> (Un)fortunately, Turkey's demand that given the difference
> in our size I now have to support him into centers without
> me picking up any is kind of hard to comply with.
Put him off. We will get this together.
> This is probably theoretical mumbling first and foremost,
> but the message is that if you _do_ have a plan, do tell me
> so that I do not accidentally screw it up. In any case I
> can just admire your manoevre where half of the Turkish
> armies go to Russia and the other half to Italy thus letting
> your five armies do whatever they want. I am really curious
> what that will be.
I need about a year, and the Turk says he will give it to me....we shall
see.....I would VERY much appreciate you letting me have Munich, even in
the short term, so that I can set this up, it doesnt mean you cant have it
next year.
Be well
Andy
Message from France to Austria
Hi Andy,
> I am going to take Munich, and position on Warsaw, and
> preparing to support you into PIE.
>
> I suspect you will build in MAR, build an Army if you
> could.
I still have not decided about my build, there are too many
options. Why do you want me to build an army instead of a
fleet? Would not a fleet be needed to stop the Turk surging
while you are positioning?
As far as Mun and Pie is concerned, we can do it now if you
want: I can support Boh to Mun and you can support Mar to
Pie both the coming spring. Unless of course you have other
plans.
> > (Un)fortunately, Turkey's demand that given the
> > difference in our size I now have to support him into
> > centers without me picking up any is kind of hard to
> > comply with.
>
> Put him off. We will get this together.
I hope so and I am quite excited about it.
Tamas
Message from France to Turkey
Sultan,
I just received correspondence from Vienna. I really wish I
could show it to you... In essence he says that he needs to
pick up two centers this year and if I let him do it then he
will show me wonders. I am _really_ curious.
But the main reason I am writing to you is that in line with
my pledged policy I want to make sure that I am not doing
something you do not like. In this case Austria has two
requests: that I let him take Mun and that I build A Mar.
The second one does not matter, my build will not depend the
slightest on what he wants (but will depend a lot on your
reply to my previous message). But the other one really
calls for your agreement and is somewhat coupled to the
first: I can only stop Austria from taking Munich if I
build. Or if you rather would see me letting Austria take
Mun then let me know but in this case you should have a plan
to offset the balance otherwise a 7-center Austria is kind
of hopeless to exclude from our end party.
Tamas
Message from Turkey to France
>If I waive my build (I was thinking about A Mar),
OK, that works. build Army MAR, then you can stop Austria from advancing.
However, more important than this one single build is how much you
pick up and how fast you try. In the north, can you secure your
current gains and be poised to make more, but not make them until I
have some of the Balkans?
Everything else I fortunately/unfortunately agree with 100%.
So build A MAR and then let's see what happens. I should get a build
off of Russia and we'll see what Austria is able to do and then go
from there..how does that sound?
Message from France to Turkey
Sultan,
> However, more important than this one single build is how
> much you pick up and how fast you try. In the north, can
> you secure your current gains and be poised to make more,
> but not make them until I have some of the Balkans?
I am trying, unfortunately I have been quite (un)succesful
recently. The last two years both times I was prepared to
disband and instead ended up building. So I can promise to
try :-)
The tricky part here is the German homeland. I could for
example support Munich in place but given that the Kaiser
does not talk, this is a wild guessing game which I am not a
big fond of. I can move strongly on Munich with some chance
of denying it to Austria but if I end up picking up both Kie
and Mun in the process, you will not like it again.
This is why I find it way more important that you start
growing both in SC's and in terms of position on the
Balkans.
> So build A MAR and then let's see what happens. I should
> get a build off of Russia and we'll see what Austria is
> able to do and then go from there..how does that sound?
It sounds good as a starter. But let me tell you that
secretly, in the back of my mind I am very, very much hoping
that you stab Austria as early as the coming spring. I
surely know that you do not tell me if you do which is
allright. But your excellent sensing of the proper timing
has never let us down and I am sure you agree that _if_ you
can pull it off with a success like you usually do then it
will make life quite easy for our plan.
Finally, one thing which is of minor importance now but you
should pay attention to is that Mario has told recently (not
to me) that he wants to see his centers go to Austria if he
is in a position to choose.
Tamas
Message from France to Russia
Nicky,
I am building a mar
Tamas
Message from Italy to France
I remember you wrote me last, but I don't really remember what you said.
Which is okay I suppose since I guess we don't have a whole lot to talk
about...
The only thing I wanted to mention is that I wish I had known how
important the removal of A Tus was for you. You say that you wrote that
it was going to be viewed as a gauge for my trustworthiness, and I'm sure
you did and I don't feel like digging through old press to find it. But I
completely did not remember that. My whole dilemma that adjustment phase
was if Austria would allow A Tus to stay - your thoughts never entered
into the thinking. Had I known how important it was for you I probably
would have removed it.
Alas, it appears it was not meant to be...
Message from France to Italy
Mario,
> I suppose since I guess we don't have a whole lot to talk
> about...
I am afraid this is true. I am bound to build A Mar and
will do the necessary steps to maintain my defense. You
will also do what you think is the best for you and I do not
see much interference: if you fight then I will defend, if
you do not then I will hold. I just want to make sure that
the final line, the one _you_ suggested is not compromised
too much. I do not expect you asking any help against
Turkey/Austria although my offer remains there.
> Had I known how important it was for you I probably would
> have removed it.
And similarly true the other way around. Had you told me
that you wanted to keep it I probably would have adjusted my
plans to accomodate that.
> Alas, it appears it was not meant to be...
Unfortunately.
Tamas
Message from Russia to France
Tamas,
> I am building a mar
That's what I was thinking. A Convoy to Tuscany in the Spring might
be interesting.
I am building A StP.
Nicky.
France: BUILD Army Marseilles
Germany: WAIVE
Germany: WAIVE
Russia: BUILD Army St Petersburg
Centers
Austria: 5
France: 10
Germany: 4
Italy: 4
Russia: 3
Turkey: 8
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