Diplomacy Zine -- EP #164 Chapter Five From: Eric_S_Klien@cup.portal.com Date: Tue, 15 May 1990 00:13:46 +0000 Issue #164 of ELECTRONIC PROTOCOL: ************************************************************************** "In Russia, the revolution ... brought down the last Council government of the USSR, which had already retreated into its center of power, the Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic. Nations throughout the Eastern bloc regained their political sovereignty..." ************************************************************************** Chapter One contains: BLITZKRIEG, OPERATION OVERLORD, GETTYSBURG, and HMS HOOD And is published by daybell@aludra.usc.edu/Donald Daybell Chapter Two contains: DRAGONSLAYER, BISMARK, COLD WAR, JACAL, MANHATTAN, VERSAILLES, and DRESDEN And is published by tedward@cs.cornell.edu/Ted Fischer Chapter Three contains: MULHOUSE, DAWN PATROL, SNIKKEL-2, BERLIN, SNIKKEL-1, EL ALAMEIN, SQUALANE, UNGAWE, CAPTAIN CAVEMAN And is published by cwekx@htikub5.bitnet/Constantijn Wekx Chapter Four contains: FIRE WHEN READY, DREADNOUGHT, HOHENZOLLERN, HUGO, JUGGERNAUGHT And is published by lord_zar@ucrmath.ucr.edu/Wayne Wallace ------------- Chapter Five ------------- Spring '06 of the game BUSHIDO (BNC number 1989IN) (GM is jall@diku.dk/Mogens Jallberg) Due May 8th Spring '05 of the game TOKUGAWA (BNC number 1989IS) (GM is rc0o@andrew.cmu.edu/Bob Cochran) Due May 11 Fall '08 of the gunboat game VERDUN (MNC number 1989AZrb32) (GM is eric_s_klien@cup.portal.com/Eric Klien) ***************************************************** ITALY WINS! ***************************************************** Movement Report Fall 1908 Game VER ENG: A London - Belgium F North Sea C A London - Belgium FRA: F Barents Sea S A Edinburgh - Norway A Belgium - Ruhr <F English Channel - North Sea> A Edinburgh - Norway <F Gulf of Lyon S F Spain - Marseilles>[ret](PIE) <A Kiel S A Munich H>[att] <A Livonia - Moscow> <F Mid-Atlantic Ocean - Spain(SC)> <A Munich H >[ret](BUR SIL) F Norwegian Sea C A Edinburgh - Norway A Prussia - Berlin <F Spain(SC) - Marseilles>[ret](GAS POR) A Yorkshire - Edinburgh GER: <A Denmark - Kiel> ITA: F Aegean Sea - Smyrna <F Ankara - Armenia> F Black Sea C A Bulgaria - Sevastopol A Bohemia S A Tyrolia - Munich A Bulgaria - Sevastopol A Galicia S A Warsaw H A Marseilles S F Western Med - Spain A Rumania S A Bulgaria - Sevastopol F Tunis - Western Med F Tuscany S F Tyrrhenian Sea - Gulf of Lyon A Tyrolia - Munich F Tyrrhenian Sea - Gulf of Lyon F Western Med - Spain(SC) RUS: <A Moscow S A St. Petersburg H>[att] A St. Petersburg S A Moscow H A Warsaw S A Moscow H TUR: <F Armenia S A Sevastopol H>[att] <A Sevastopol H >[ret](UKR) Position Report Fall 1908 Game VER AUS: = 0 ENG: A BEL F NTS = 2 FRA: F BAR A BER F ECH A EDI F ??? A KIE A LIV F MAO A ??? A NOR F NWS A RUH F ??? = 13 GER: A DEN = 1 ITA: F ANK F BLA A BOH A GAL F GOL A MAR A MUN A RUM A SEV F SMY F SPA F TUS F WME = 13 RUS: A MOS A STP A WAR = 3 TUR: F ARM A ??? = 2 Supply Center Report Fall 1908 Game VER ENG: BEL LON SWE = 3( 2) + FRA: BER BRE EDI HOL KIE LVP NOR PAR POR = 9(13) ---- GER: DEN = 1( 1) ITA: ANK BUD BUL CON GRE MAR MUN NAP ROM = 18(13) ** WINNER ** RUM SER SEV SMY SPA TRI TUN VEN VIE RUS: MOS STP WAR = 3( 3) GM Notes: I knew that Italy was doing pretty good based on the press but I was extremely surprised when my computer declared Italy the winner! Send me your endgame statements! I will reveal the players at the time the statements are published. Also, if anyone has a record of this game, particularly the early turns, I would appreciate it. Press: Russia -> Italy: We look forward to the removal of the Sultan's hoard from our Southern territory. It will be a pleasure to be able to concentrate on the Western front without worrying about an invasion in the East. Petrograd, September 22, 1908 (Reuters) Foreign Minister Mikhail Davidovitch apologized to the press for his reclusiveness over the past few months. "The current European situation has been extremely complex. The new government in France seems determined to pursue the policies of its predicessor. Our own forces face difficult odds because of the mistakes of their generals. We are encouraged by the success of both the British and the Germans in their struggle to resist French hegemony. They remain an inspiration to all who join in that struggle." France -> World: HELP! Rome (UPI): POPE DEMANDS HIS OWN ARMY........Pope Bud I today called together the Italian Joint Chiefs of Staff and demanded to be put in command of his own army. "I've like got some totally awesome moves to show you dudes!" he exclaimed. The ranking army official reportedly fainted dead away during the Pope's statements. Plans are being formulated to establish the Italian Seventh Army in Rome to fullfil the Pope's request. Naval officials are protesting this move as lacking good strategic planning. They were told to "tell that to the Pope." Italy - Turkey: So long! I'm sure the GRUDS will make ideal prisoners of war. Italy - Germany: If I manage to take Munich this fall (with your help), I will support your efforts to retake Kiel in the spring. Good job! Italy - Russia: Hope the support helped. France is really stringing himself out. I will keep up my campaign...let me know what specific help you need. English Press ------- ----- If the French believe in euthanasia, then pull the plug on the English. Winter '03 of the game BIG WILLIE (MNC number 1989KBrd24) (Blind game, GM is okamoto@hp-ses.hp.com/Jeff Okamoto) In process of replacing players. Summer '04 of the classic game RED STORM RISING (MNC number 1990Fcb05) (GM is 74270.2276@compuserve.com/Bob Aube) Due May 3rd Winter 1916 of the game COMRADES IN ARMS (MNC number 1990Ird24) (GM is att!druwa!hardlj or hardlj@druwa.att.com/Larry Hardouin) Here are the Winter results. Spring 1917 moves are due Wednesday 5/16. Let me know if you see any mistakes. CiA Winter 1916 Expenditures Austria old balance 57 Maintain all units: 21 Build F Tri, A Vie 7 sp's to Portugal 2 sp's to Germany 8 --- new balance 19 Bulgaria old balance 9 Build F Bul (sc) 4 --- new balance 5 England old balance 42 Maintain all 5 units 15 Build F Lon 4 Build F Lvp 4 Build A Edi 3 --- new balance 16 Germany old balance 40 gift from Austria + 8 Maintain A Bel,Ruh,Den, F Bal 12 A Sil,Liv,Fin,Mun die of hunger --- new balance 36 Portugal old balance 6 gift from Austria + 2 Maintain A Por - 3 --- new balance 5 Turkey old balance 19 Maintain F Bla - 3 - A Ank dies of hunger --- new balance 16 The English Fleet in Gulf of Lyon dies of hunger since it can not trace a line of supply. Other actions Austria Declare alliance with Turkey OK Declare alliance with Germany OK Bulgaria Declare alliance with Turkey OK Declare alliance with Germany OK England Declare alliance with Germany OK Declare alliance with Turkey OK Germany Declare alliance with Austria OK Declare alliance with Bulgaria OK Declare alliance with England OK Declare alliance with Portugal OK Portugal Declare alliance with Turkey OK Declare alliance with Germany OK Turkey Declare alliance with Austria OK Declare alliance with Bulgaria OK Declare alliance with England OK Declare alliance with Portugal OK Results The following alliances are in effect through Winter 1916, in addition to those alliances formed by direct political control. Austria GER TUR Bulgaria GER TUR England GER TUR Germany AUS BUL ENG POR Portugal GER TUR Turkey AUS BUL ENG POR MINOR COUNTRIES TABLE Activation Starting PF Totals Minor Level AUS ENG FRA GER RUS Belgium 0 conquered by England Bulgaria [A] 1 8 - - 2 - Denmark 0 conquered by Germany Greece 0 conquered by Austria Holland 10 - - - - - Italy 0 conquered by Austria Norway 0 conquered by England Portugal [A] 0 - 9 6 - - Rumania 0 conquered by Serbia, then by Austria Serbia 0 conquered by Austria Sweden 13 - - - - - Spain 0 conquered by Austria Turkey [G] 1 - 2 2 11 -* [] - country which controls the minor, if any * => The indicated Great Power cannot gain control of the specified minor(s), but may prevent others from doing so. Next year activation levels will be lowered again by 1. Current supply point balances Austria 19 Bulgaria 5 England 16 Germany 36 Turkey 16 Portugal 5 Unit locations: Austria A Mar, Pie, Ven, Rom, Vie, Rum F Tyr, Spa(sc), Tri Bulgaria A --- F Bul(sc) England A Edi, Par, Gas F Liv, Lon, NAf, Wes Germany A Bel, Ruh, Den F GoB Portugal A Por F --- Turkey A --- F Bla Holland A Hol Sweden A Swe Spring '03 of the game OZARK (BNC number 1990P) (GM is elf@walt.cc.utexas.edu/Jon Gibson) Not Received. Spring '03 of the game NICKEL (MNC number 1990Ird24) (Blind game, GM is waste@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu/David McCrumb) Received. Fall '02 of the game GROUND ZERO (BNC number not known) (GM is Harry.Protoolis@UK.Sun.COM/Harry Protoolis) ENGLAND CRUSHED, ITALY TOO ! RUSSIA, AUSTRIA AND FRANCE GAIN CONTROL ! TURKEY RETURNS TO START ! England (lorenzen@ocf.Berkeley.EDU) F NWG -> BAR OK F NOR -> Nwy FAIL (Russia 2-1) DISLODGED (Germany/Russia 3-1) ! F Lon -> Wal OK Germany (trulsarn@ifi.uio.no) F Hol -> NOR OK A Kie -> Hol OK F HEG S F Hol -> NOR OK A Den S A Kie -> Hol OK A Mun H OK Russia (ofoz@ihlpb.att.com) A Fin -> StP OK F Nwy S GERMAN F Hol -> NOR OK F Swe S F Nwy OK A Rum S AUSTRIA A Ser -> Bul OK F BLA -> Arm OK F Sev S F BLA -> Arm OK Turkey (jhar@conncoll.Bitnet) F Arm -> Ank OK F Ank -> Con OK A Con -> Smy OK A Bul H FAIL (Austria/Russia 2-1) DISLODGED ! France (DEMON@WSU.BITNET) F ENG -> Lon OK A Bre -> Pic OK A Bel H OK A Spa -> Mar FAIL (Italy 1-1) F GOL -> Tus OK F WES -> Tun OK Austria (aok@mentor.cc.purdue.edu) A Vie -> Tyr OK A Ven S A Vie ->Tyr OK F Gre S A Ser ->Bul CUT (Italy ION) A Ser -> Bul OK A Bud -> Ser OK Italy (sean@sybase.com) A Tun -> NAf OK F ION -> Gre FAIL (Austria 1-1) F TYS -> GOL OK A Pie -> Mar FAIL (France 1-1) Positions --------- Italy (4) A NAf, Pie F ION, GOL Turkey (4) A Bul(retreat), Smy F Ank, Con France (6) A Pic, Bel, Spa F Lon, Tus, Tun Austria (5) A Ser, Ven, Tyr, Bul F Gre Germany (5) A Hol, Den, Mun F NOR, HEG England (3) F NOR(retreat), BAR, Wal Russia (6) A Rum, StP F Arm, Sev, Nwy, Swe Centres ------- Italy (2) Rom, Nap (-2) Turkey (3) Smy, Ank, Con (-1) France (8) Par, Mar, Bre, Por, Bel, Spa, Lon, Tun (+2) Austria (7) Tri, Ser, Ven, Vie, Bul, Bud, Gre (+2) Germany (5) Kie, Ber, Hol, Den, Mun (even) England (2) Edi, Liv (-2) Russia (7) Rum, StP, Sev, Nwy, Swe, Mos, War (+1) Press - A successful attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria was carried out yesterday in London by 21 year old Eric Hutton of Sussex. It is rumored, that while fearing for their own lives, the prospective heirs to the thrown have fled to British Hondurase. (Sorry, that's throne) Unfortunately, many of the quality writers were killed in last weeks riot concerning the war. General Peter Lorenzen of the Free Army is rumored to have incited the afore mention riot as well as the bloodly mutiny in Edinbough. Will this megalomaniac save Great Britian or will he lead our country down a path of humiliating defeat Only time can tell. Citizens of England prepare to mobilize for total war! Some Press: Constantinople (AP) Today the Turkish Ministry of Information proudly announced the success of the nascent Turkish submarine service. The first two craft were lauched in secret last month: THE BRAIN OF ATTATURK and THE FLOATING SULTAN were dropped from a tender off the Armenian coast in late March. Reportedly, the two boats promptly sank from sight with their crews and have not been heard of since. The Information Minister said that the launch was regarded a complete success, that their are no problems, and that the craft are probably maintaining radio silence. Press: Cote d'Azur (Ma) War news from the Mediterranean! French fleets assualted Italian holdings in Tuscany and Tunis. Initial reports have the Italians suffering huge losses, their fleets scattering to the four winds! The victorious Iberian Army of Liberation returns towards Marseilles in preperation for the invasion of Italy in concert with our Austrian allies. In a brilliant surprise attack, the Austrians liberated Venice from the cowardly Italians. Paris (Fabrique) President Demon went 2 for 2 today, declaring war on the English. "They would have us stab our closest ally in order to preserve themselves! They have no honor!" President Demon also congratulated his allies on stunning victories. In response to the feeble efforts of our enemies the President stated "they are but dust in the wind" whereupon he preformed a 2 hour rock concert, to the delight of the crowd. Cherbourg (Rendezvous) The Vendee freedom fighters moved into the Normandy area in preperation for the assualt on England. General Alert viewed his armies triumphantly. "Napoleon couldn't bring himself to cross the channel, but we shall not only cross it, we shall crush the English underfoot!" Crete (UPI) TURKS SIGHTED! Turkish navel forces were sighted in the Agean Sea. Apparently the Turks are going to invade Greece! The Russian ambassador has denied complicity. "We are here to defeat the Turks, not help them!" The Austrian Kaiser is furious at his Russian "allies" and vows revenge! Copenhagen (AP) RUSSIAN, ENGLISH meet in secret! The Russian and English ambassadors met in secret recently, apparently to discuss the division of Germany after they attack from both sides! WARSAW (AP) TROOP MOVEMENTS ON BORDER! Austrian and German troops were seen massing on the Russian frontier. The Czar has urged everyone to man the defenses against the coming invasion! ReichsPress from NordWest Armee Gruppe Kommando, Rotterdam: It a press statement made earlier today Admiral Von Schnublingen stated that the ``...laxness evident in todays sailors must be cured.'' The Admiral publicized plans for a major joint excercise in the Northern Waters. When asked if he wasn't worried about the possible English recation to major fleet movements in an area traditionally dominated by that nations navy the Admiral replied ``The English will just have to realize that the North Sea is no longer their cup of tea'', falling into a hysterical fit of laughter. Having recovered he finished by stating that the zweite Armee, currently based at Kiel, would take over the garrison at Rotterdam, ``...so there!''. ReichsPress from Munich: Rumors are that the soldiers of Sudliche BergjagerRegiment based in this beautiful city may be allowed to remain in town during the traditional Oktoberfest celebrated later this month. A highly placed source confirms that General Graf Bergmann has stated that he has no intererest in touring the Alps in the fall anyway, and that the brief excurson made this spring ``...quite satisfies my craving for mutton and edelweiss, than you!''. Press: TUNIS - Since the Austrians decided to continue to vacation in Greece, the Italian PKF has decided to mingle with the natives. At a recent camel race, Sean Fitts, the head of the PKF, was seen carousing with the local sheiks. Perhaps this is why the Austrians are dancing in Venice. ROME - Word of the French accusation that president Demon's wife is being held in Italy against her will reached the capital today. PKF commander Sean Fitts replied that although Madame Demon was in Italy, she was free to leave at any time. In fact, he said, an Italian honor guard was trying to escort Mrs. Demon to Marseilles, but the French seemed not to want her back. The commander also denied reports that his recent binge in Tunis had anything to do with the presence of Austrian troops in Venice. "As far as I know, they are just sight seeing.", he said. Spring '01 of the game DEADLY DAGGERS (BNC number not known) (GM is demon@eve.wright.edu/Brett Kottman) Eric, I'm having trouble with email again. We got one address in England to work correctly (Mark Lorrimer-Roberts) which is mlr@pyschology.nott.ac.uk however, the address for Phil Honeybone, which used to work, no longer does. His email address is pjrh%ukc.ac.uk@earn-relay.ac.uk (or something close to that). His mail and Mark's mail get enveloped together and both make it to the UK. Mark said that my mail was getting hung up at his machines gateway, and this may now be happening to my mail that goes to Phil. Can you have one of you email wizards take a look at this? I'm mailling from a VAX with the return address of demon@wsu.bitnet. Here are the addresses I'm using: Phil: IN%"pjrh%ukc.ac.uk@earn-relay.ac.uk" Mark: IN%"mlr@Psychology.nott.ac.uk" This is for the game Deadly Daggers, which is on hold until we get this cleared up. Brett Kottmann demon@wsu.bitnet Spring '01 of the game YALTA (BNC number not known) (GM is copeland@mssun2.msi.cornell.edu/Scott Copeland)) Deadline not set yet. Spring '01 of the game ?? (BNC number not known) (GM is gfink@clover.ucdavis.edu/George Fink) Deadline not set yet. I am having e-mail problems with the GM, all players should send anything they get from the GM to me. Spring '01 of the game YORKTOWN (BNC number not known) (GM is gfj@attunix.att.com/Garry Johnson) Results, Yorktown, Spring 1901 Administrivia: No retreats Fall 1901 moves due 5/18 (note if we can do it by 5/17 great, I'm gone 5/20-5/24) Results sent out 5/19 Retreats/Builds due 5/20 (and if so I leave in the afternoon so this will be tight to get everything out and the earlier the better. I'll just cross my fingers) Italy F Naples -> Ionian Sea works A Venice -> Tyrolia works A Rome -> Venice works France: F Brest - Mid Atlantic Ocean works A Marseilles - Spain works A Paris - Picardy works England: F Edinburgh - Norwegian Sea works F London - North Sea works A Liverpool - Edinburgh works Germany: F Kie-Den works A Ber-Kie works A Mun-Ruh works Austria: F Trieste-Albania works A Budapest-Serbia works A Vienna-Galicia works Russia: A Mos to Ukr works F Stp to Gob works F Sev to Bla works A War stay at War works Turkey A Constantinople - Bulgaria works F Ankara - Constantinople works A Smyrna H works Press: The well-meaning and generous ruler of Turkey, Sultan Rob, ordered his troops to march to Bulgaria to improve the human condition there. They brought with them great supplies of food to give to the people of this area, and are rapidly embarking on plans to eliminate illiteracy from this region. In no way should the troop movement be viewed as an imperialist act or having any such greedy, self-serving motives. News from Bulgaria: The peaceful Turkish troops are recieving a warm welcome throughout Bulgaria today, as they stepped into this area to end years of turmoil and unhappiness. The Bulgarians have already grown fond of their Turkish guests and there are parties in the streets lasting well into the night. Cries are often heard: "Long live Sultan Rob!" Spring '01 of the ULTIMATE SHAMBLES GAME ?? (MNC number not known) (GM is malhomme@enst.enst.fr/Michel Malhomme) Publisher comments: Quote from From p. 135 of Eon by Greg Bear. Copyright 1985. The following is from the former great zine Passchendaele that folded about two weeks ago: ((What issue was this article from?)) Pulling the Goalie by Eric Brosius For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his life? (Mark 8:36) It comes as a shock to every new hockey fan. The home team trails by a goal as the third period draws to a close. With a minute left in the game, they pick up a loose puck in their own end. The crowd roars as they rush up the ice toward the visitors' goal, skate blades flashing. Suddenly the goaltender leaves his crease and races pell-mell for the bench to be replaced by a sixth skater. The empty goal mouth gapes sickeningly in his wake. No team *wants* to pull its goalie. It's a step of desperation. In a game in which goals are precious, why would a team remove from the ice the one player who is fully trained and equipped to keep the other team from scoring? It's as though all the norms of society have broken down and been replaced with the etiquette of Wonderland. But when it happens, the final seconds of the game achieve a unique intensity as the six attackers try to stuff the puck home. At one time losing teams may have accepted defeat meekly, but it couldn't have been long before someone decided to shake things up. Let us suppose that under normal circumstances each team has a 5% chance to score in the final minute. This means that a team which is behind by one goal has only a 5% chance to tie or put the game into overtime. If pulling your goalie raises this chance to 10%, what difference does it make if your opponents score the other 90% of the time? *You were going to lose anyway!* This is why revolutions are most common when people are miserable---if you have nothing to lose you may as well rock the boat in an attempt to change things. It's easy to forget that the purpose of hockey is not to score *goals*, but to win *games*. A *goal* by its very name masquerades as an end in itself, but it is only a means by which the true end may be attained. In this day of salary inflation players are all too often paid not for the games they've won, but for the goals they've scored. For the fan, however, and for the player who understands what the game's about, winning is the only thing. If your team falls behind by a goal or two in the first period there's no need to change tactics. You must correct any flaws the other team has exploited, but if your game plan is sound you'll have plenty of chances to score goals of your own. It's different when you're behind at the end. No matter how confident you are in your dispositions, the time comes when it's clear that if things go on as they are, you will almost surely lose. It is then that you must pursue not just goals but victory itself. It's the same in a game of chess. Every chess player knows the values of the pieces---a knight is worth three pawns, a rook five, and so on. Most of the calculations which go on during a game center around ``material'' concerns---how one can take pieces from the opponent which are more valuable than the ones one gives up in exchange. It is a foolish chess player, however, who will not sacrifice material for victory. In Adolph Anderssen's ``Immortal Game'', White sacrifices material relentlessly until the enemy king is checkmated by the last three White pieces while a flock of Black pieces stands by helplessly. This game was played a century ago, but it lives on because of Anderssen's stunning ability to seize victory by forsaking all else. In the game of Diplomacy we can identify a similar phenomenon. Supply centers are essential---after all, you need eighteen of them to win. It stands to reason that you should seek them wherever and however you can---by agreement, by perfidy, or by armed might. No player will amount to anything without a healthy respect for their value. But the player who counts his centers as another reaches for victory is like the chess player who counts his pieces when his opponent has announced checkmate. No hockey coach makes it his aim to lose by ``only one goal''---should a Diplomacy player seek to come in ``a strong second''? Let's face it: supply centers have value only as they make victory more likely for yourself or less likely for another. To seek them for their own sake is a perversion; you may as well play Colonia, a 135-center variant in which seven players can all have eighteen centers at once! This being understood, when is it appropriate to break off the hunt for supply centers and focus your attention on other things? The most obvious case is that mentioned above---when another player has victory almost sewn up. Founding father Allan Calhamer writes This final attempt to contain the leader is sometimes one of the most dramatic and exciting parts of the game. Cooperation must be created among players who have been fighting one another, and who have set their hearts on other objectives; they must admit that goals they have pursued all game long, which are now within their grasp, have just lost their value, and may even be destructive. Frequently, they are out of position for the new encounter, and are better positioned to fight each other. They must form a line together, exposing their territories to each other. This is not the cooperation of merely being assigned to the same team. This cooperation is hard won over difficulties. This is Verdun. [1974 Diplomacy Handbook] Guarding against a third-party stab is fruitless if it allows the leader to win. It matters little whether you lose with ten centers or two. If you have units to spare then by all means defend your other fronts, but do not lose sight of the goal! There's another situation which calls for radical measures. It may not be as dramatic as the one Calhamer describes, but it's common enough: no one is nearing a win, but your country is headed for the grave. The game's end may still be far off, but yours seems all too near. Admit that you have nothing to lose---pull your goalie; sacrifice some material; rock the boat and see who falls out. This may hasten your demise. It may even draw the scorn of your fellow players. But what difference does that make? *You were going to lose anyway!* If, on the other hand, your efforts stave off defeat and earn you a draw, or even a victory, you'll have accomplished something that meek acquiescence could never have achieved. I do not claim that every small position, or every one with limited growth potential, is hopeless. A two-center Germany holding Munich and Berlin between equally matched E/F and R/T alliances may be able to view the future with equanimity---it is situated on an important stalemate line, and neither side may be able to wipe it out without risking a win by the other. Even a single fleet in Portugal may prove essential to an alliance which is trying to bottle up a Mediterranean superpower. If normal play presents a realistic chance of a draw you're probably better off taking a wait-and-see attitude. But not every small position presents such prospects; some of them are hopeless by any standard. In these cases your task is far more difficult. When someone threatens to win the danger is evident to all; the other players should be willing to cooperate with you. But the specter of your own demise, though it haunts you, is not likely to trouble your opponents. You may be able to convince a neighbor that your death is detrimental to his interests, but it's more likely that you'll have to go it alone. It's so hard to shake things up when you have only a few units that you must take radical steps---perhaps even steps that may be called crazy. One possibility is the so-called *suicide attack*, in which you launch all your units against a chosen opponent, leaving the other fronts bare. You risk your supply centers to pursue a slim chance of victory. Perhaps the opponents who are in position to seize the exposed centers will unaccountably prove faithful and leave them untouched (you can try to convince them it's in their own best interest!) They may NMR at the crucial moment, giving you the time you need to build new units for defense. The chance may not be great, but it's better than nothing. The opponent whom you choose to attack will protest that your behavior is throwing the game out of its natural course, but that's exactly the point! A passive defense is hopeless, so you're doing something different. If you injure him as you thrash for life it's *his* look-out; if he doesn't like it he can offer a better alternative. Anyone who expects you to die happily just so the natural course of the game can be preserved is asking too much! A related tactic is the *stonewall defense*. Here you put up an unbreakable defense against one opponent at the cost of weakening the other fronts. This is a milder form of the suicide attack, and as such is less effective. You must hope that the unequal gains realized by your opponents will set them to squabbling and allow you to realign the alliance structure of the game. A third approach is to become a *puppet*. You offer to cooperate with a chosen adversary in return for your survival. The cooperation demanded usually includes abandoning your supply centers to your master's tender mercies, so this plan falls in the same category as those above; you gamble with supply centers in a desperate attempt to change the course of the game to one which is more favorable to you. Once you free your mind from the tyranny of supply-center counting other schemes may occur to you. You aren't looking for a *sound* plan---just one that gives you a chance. If it backfires and you are wiped out in an instant you can console yourself with the thought that you gave it a shot. Picture in your mind those hockey players with an empty net at their backs and smile as you go down. At least you'll give the fans a thrill. Eric Klien Up