Diplomacy zine -- EP #131 Chapter Four

From: Eric_S_Klien@cup.portal.com

Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1990 23:44:51 +0000

Issue #131 of ELECTRONIC PROTOCOL:

Chapter One contains:

NAVARONE, 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, and VERSAILLES

And is published by tedward@cs.cornell.edu/Ted Fischer

Chapter Three contains:

TANNENBURG, ENTENTE, MULHOUSE, and DAWN PATROL

And is published by xcbe12a@ucrmath.ucr.edu/Wayne Wallace
(I am working on publishing the chapters that dragon@agora.hf.intel.com
/Bill Wheeler created.  He has them but can't transmit.)

-------------
Chapter Four
-------------

Spring '05 of the game RATATOSK (BNC number 1989IJ)
(GM is jall@diku.dk/Mogens Jallberg)

Delayed due to Winter vacations.

Spring '05 of the game BUSHIDO (BNC number 1989IN)
(GM is ronin@cory.berkeley.edu/Sam Parazette)

Due Jan 20

Spring '04 of the game HUGO (BNC number 1989IO)
(GM is willis@trwind.ind.trw.com/Willis Marti)

Due Jan 17

Summer '03 of the game JUGGERNAUGHT (BNC number 1989IR)
(GM is rdesper@eagle.wesleyan.edu/Rick Desper)

Due Jan 22.

Fall '03 of the game TOKUGAWA (BNC number 1989IS)
(GM is joseph_harold_thomas@cup.portal.com/Joseph Thomas)

Not Received.

Spring '03 of the game PETAIN (BNC number 1989IT)
(GM is ssmith@ms.uky.edu/Scott Smith)

Due Jan 7, Not Received.

Spring '03 of the game DUNKIRK (BNC number 1989KN)
(GM is sjzwange@phoenix.princeton.edu/Steven Jacob Zwanger)

Due Jan 20

Spring '03 of the game VERDUN (MNC 1989AZrb32)
(GM is eric_s_klien@cup.portal.com/Eric Klien)

I'll publish this in my next issue which should be published today
anyway.

Spring '01 of the game BIG WILLIE (MNC number not known)
(Blind game, GM is okamoto@hp-ses.hp.com/Jeff Okamoto)

Due Jan 19

Spring '01 of the game FIRE WHEN READY (BNC number 1990B)
(GM is rlg@ai.mit.edu/Bob Givan)

Not due yet.

Spring '01 of the game DREADNOUGHT (BNC number not known)
(GM is rbk@aiai.edinburgh.ac.uk/Richard Kirby)

Due Jan 20

Publisher comments:

The latest zine register has just been released and it is great!  It
lists, describes, and reviews all the zines in the U.S and Canada
plus some in England, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand.  It is a
bargain at $1.50.  Order it from Tom Nash, 5512 Pilgrim Rd.,
Baltimore, MD 21214.  If you would like to get some samples of zines,
send him $2.50 and he will cram as many zines as he can into a large
manila envelope.

The following was scribed by loeb@frunip11.bitnet/Danny Loeb

Taken from: Tragedy and Hope #10 (Published in England)

An Introduction to French Openings
Written by Mark Nelson

In this article I want to discuss some of the basic concepts behind
the standard French openings and to go on to mention the aims
strength and weakness's of these openings. I won't look at any opening
in depth; this is left for a future article.

France has several advantages as a power. It has two neutrals (SPA and POR)
which it can take at any time and has strong interest in a third (BEL).
It can build fleets on both sides of a major stalemate line.
<DL: Russia being the only other power with this ability.>
In addition, these two coastal supply home supply centers
enable France to quickly change its attack from one side of the
board to the other. <DL: Whereas Russia lacks this flexibility.>
With the elimination of England, France is the power with the
greatest possibilities for controlling the seas---in addition the
elimination of England leaves France in a very safe position.
In the UK hobby, France has the best draw record---this is probably
due to its situation on a major stalemate line when it can say
"If you attack me I will move away and let X win the game."
France's win record-also very impressive-stems also from the potential
navel strength. In Diplomacy control of the seas and the key to
victory are nearly the same. France's ability to build two fleet
in strong positions means that control of the seas is relatively
easy to achieve. "When in doubt build a fleet" (7) is a useful maxim
for France to remember.

However, before talking about specific openings it might be wise to
first discuss how one chooses what opening to use. Before deciding
on an opening the French player should write to at least the following
England Germany Italy and Russia. <DL: Of course, a serious Diplomacy
player will not let a year go by without writting to all the remaining
players in the game friend or foe, neighbor or otherwise.>

Although it is normal to see France eliminating England soon into
the game <DL: in the UK hobby> it is not impossible for the two to
form a strong alliance. However, such a strategy requires a fair
amount of trust on both sides, and in addition it is not a winning
strategy. Once the chance to attack England is gone, France will be
lucky to find another one. Thus before consolidating any alliance with
England France should consider the end-results very carefully as they
are unlikely to include a French win. <DL: Generally speaking England
should be prepared to grow slower than France, or equivalently
France can warn Germany and Russia of the English moves while
encouraging them to build as many fleets as possible in Winter 1901.>

The relationship between France and Italy is a strange one. It is
virtually impossible for the two powers to help each other
<DL: except that at a last resort it is in Italy's interest to help
France defend Marseilles and Spain> yet a strong alliance can
form between the two. The alliance often last until the end-game
or late middle game when one of the two will try to break through.
Italy gains little from attacking France at the start of the game.
Indeed a survey of openings and game results (4) showed that the Italian
attack on France was one of the worse openings for Italy. By creatings
a demiliterized zone DMZ along NAF-WMS-GOL-PIE line both sides are left
to expand against their natural enemies <DL: Germany or England for
France, and Turkey for Italy.> This period of expansion can go onto
into a 2-way draw or as I have said one side will make a break for it.
On the whole, it is France who has a better chances ...
<DL: when it comes to a final conflict.> It is just as easy to take
WMS by building a fleet in Brest as in Marseilles <DL: a fact which
many Italys will fail to notice.> In games where Italy wins; by
attacking France, France is found (5) to have usually survived with five
centers and often comes a strong second. <DL: Probably in these games,
Italy and France came to an agreement after a year or two in Italy's
favor)

It is possible for France to use PIE as a back-door into Germany by
moving MAR-PIE-TRL-MUN. Along the same lines, if France is pushing
through Germany into Russia he may need to send armies through
MAR-PIE-TRL-BOH-SIL to attack the Russians from two fronts. This is
not likely to please the Italians but with skillful play it should be
possible to achieve this with the Italians in no position to complain.

A good French player can ignore the Italians as a threat/target
until around 1905 <DL: or when the Italians have finished off Turkey
or have finished off Austria while Turkey has built no fleets anywhere
in the meantime.> The only times when Italy proves a threat is when a
very hostile England opens with Italy against you or when all three
of England Germany and Italy attack you.

The alliance with Germany is one of the strongest on the board as both
have natural spheres of influence which do not overlap. Once England
has been eliminated this alliance will find it easy to go all the way
to a 2-way draw with few chances for a stab. It is relatively simple for
France to seal himself in along the Franco-German border.

England Germany and Italy are fairly obvious choices but why Russia?
Well Russia is important in three respects. He may be willing to launch
an attack against Germany from the start of the game by ordering
A WAR-SIL. Alternatively; he may be considering concertrating his forces
in Scandinavia against England. If this is the case then you may be
thinking in terms of an FGR alliance to polish off England. Following
this you may either turn against Italy whilst Germany tackles Russia or
turn on Germany with Russian aid. There is much to be said for both
approaches and the final decision will depend on other factors-such as
the state of the rest of the board-but generally an alliance with
Germany will more likely end in a two-way draw whilst the alliance
with Russia by lead to a win. However either result may occur with the
right play and players.

Thirdly Russia may reveal he is going to Juggernaut <DL: ally with Turkey>
If he does reveal this to you then you must act on this information
immediately. Why? Because if the Juggernaut is successful then Russia
and Turkey will very quickly find themselves in a very strong position
dominating half the board. If this occurs then the chances of you winning
are going to be very slim---the best you can hope for is a draw; most
likely a four way draw <DL: Italy, England, France, and Germany>.
So to prevent this happening you need to be able to set up the Italians
and Austrians to fight the Juggers. The threat of Juggernaut should
with a good player playing Germnay see Germany helping Austria and
turning East. Keeping Austria strong increases France's chances on two
account. On one hand it prevents the Juggernaut and on the other Austria
is a weak naval power. Should Austria take out Italy then France should
be able to sweep into the vaccuum created in the Med and
establish himself. France should encourage Austria to open with the
Hedgehog rather that the various Balkan Gambits.

During initial diplomacy, you need to gain an impression of the other players
and to read very carefully what they have written. If they are players with
a record you may find it an advantage to check that record.

Having found out what you can about the other players and their aims you can
then choose your opening. However during the opening years you must not
become sidetracked into "opening fever". At all times you must consider

a-What are your aims in this game, and
b-Who are your contacts and allies.

By the times the game gets to 1903-04 pattens should begin to emerge.
You'll need to decide what your objectives are over the next five years
and WHAT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE OPPOSITION ARE. You need to keep a careful
watch on their positions to ensure that they can not suddenly expand.
If a power looks like it may have a good position you must try to
orchastrate its downfall from the sidelines. You need to consider draw
lines. Can you set them up quickly if needed? Don't fall into the trap
of thinking a year at a time, good players work towards the future.
By knowing your limitations and the limitations of the other powers (or
players) you will maximize your chances.

"Good players work toward the future" This means you should consider writting
to players regularly up to 1903 even if they don't reply. Why? Well for a
start you'll create a good impression so that if the non-diplomers start
looking for an alliance you'll be the natural choice and secondly they'll
at least read what you say and consider it. Very few players take no notices of
 what other players say. By corresponding regularly with ohter players even
if it isn't necessarily to do with the game you'll again be creating
a good impression. Also the more contacts you have the more you'll know
about the game as other players will pass on information. The key to
victory often lies in information.

Any information about any powers effects you.

So remember openings do not win games, diplomacy does||||

THE PICARDY OPENING - F BRE-MAO
                      A MAR-SPA
                      A PAR-PIC
and the more common
BURGUNDY OPENING -    F BRE-MAO
                      A MAR-SPA
                      A PAR-PIC
are two openings which share much in common.

Of the two main threats to France (ENC and BUR) the main one is BUR.
If one suspects that the English are moving to ENC it is often possible
to let them get in if one uses the right opening and has the right allies.
However a German opening to BUR is a much more serious threat
threatening the key province of GAS (adjacent to all of your centers)
as well as the supply centers of PAR and MAR. The BURGUNDY OPENING is
the simplest way of preventing the Germans from gaining entrance.
If A PAR is stood off, you are in a position to cover BRE shoud the
English have opened to ENC and in a position to gain two supply centers.
Both of these openings go for the two obvious builds and deciding which
way to go. France can put the fleet into POR or SPA(sc or nc). Although
the move of SPA(sc) may bring success if backup up with a fleet built
in MAR. France must be warry of taking his fleets too far from the
English in particular if the Germans are still neutral. Not only
is a future move against England unlikely to succeed but an early
move against Italy may help Turkey more than yourself. However with a
strong English ally who you are sure of putting the fleet into SPA(sc)
is the quickest way of attacking Italy. The alternative is to leave
the fleet in POR or SPA(nc) and build a fleet in BRE. This offers
either an obvious attack against England or a more sneaky attack against
Italy. However, England will push for you to move to SPA(sc) as a "sign
of good faith". Of course it is just as easy to attack England from
either coast but the move to SPA(sc) may affect Italian builds.

Although the ability to decide whether to move the fleet to either coast
of SPA offer something there is something to be said of the opening where
France must move to POR. France will be able to delay his attack against
either foe for a year without prejudicing his chances and so will be in a
stronger position to decide what to do.

The PICARDY is a bid for three centers. It is normally unwise against
good players to get three centers. If you do you will become the
pack leader and you will tend to consolidate alliances against you.
<DL: Conversely, if you let Germany get Belgium as his third build
then he is in a problem. If he builds two  fleets then England will
attack him, and if he builds only armies the Russia will. Perhaps
if he builds only two armies then both will.>  The only positive
feature of the Picardy is that if Germany did not move to cover BEL
then you can prevent the English from convoying into it. However the
Picardy is not an opening which I'd use too often. Why? For the Picardy to
give you a good position you must rely on German help. For a start relying
on German help in 1901 is dodgy, the best time to stab is often 1901
and if you are going to trust the Germans then there are better openings
than the Picardy. The Burgundy on the other hand offers you the
advantages of being stood out when the English have moved to ENC only
and the advantages of getting in. However, when the English have not
opened to ENC then leaving the army in PAR is a waste of a move.
When you are sure of the English, then consider something along the
line of THE VINEYARD which offers superior choices.

THE ENGLISH MAGINOT - F BRE-ENC
                      A MAR S A PAR-BUR
                      A PAR-BUR
To my mind this opening makes a possible offensive weapon into a dour
defensive weapon which - to be honest - is very poor. This enables France
to cover all his centers whatever the other powers open. France is certain
of at least a build. <DL: Unless Italy orders VEN-PIE-MAR.>
However it says you don't trust two of your neighbors. If you distrust
England and you do move into ENC you have problems as you will have annoyed
both Germany and England in one season. If you want a standoff and normally
if England gains the Channel in Spring 1901 it doesn't do him much good,
then you are better off choosing another combination of moves.
If you want to use ENC as a springboard in an attack against England,
then again you are much stronger openings to choose from. Whilst this
opeing is going to give you a safe 1901 you going to need some fast
talking in 1902 to make the most a potentially poor position. There just aren't
 any offensive advantage in taking ENC with this opening---although
you may be in luck and take the NTH in the Fall. You can't win Diplomacy
by covering all your options at every stage of the game.

THE NORTHERN DASH - F BRE-ENC
                    A PAR-PIC
                    A MAR-BUR
This is possibly the best attack on England but only as long as Germany
is 110 percent with you. France aims to convoy the army to WAL and go
for one build <DL: BEL>. With you in ENC and WAL, and a fleet build in
BRE you are well positioned to take out England with your loyal
German ally building fleets or heading East. So why not try this opening
and take England out of the game as soon as possible, after all you're going
to have to do it at some stage? Well this opening is too much of an all or
nothing affair. You either do very well or very badly and I for one am not
going to take such a risk (unless England is very very stupid and I have
a very very good reason to trust Germany).

The current trend in English openings is to head into Scandinavia
<DL: the Churchill opening> This being the case, France is usually
better playing it quiet in 1901 and take England via the back door in
1902. You keep your options open that little bit longer.

However this blood thirsty throat goer is a fun one to play FTF.

THE ENGLISH ATTACK - F BRE-ENC
                     A PAR-PIC
                     A MAR-SPA
In this Opening France trusts Germany not to go back on his word and
attack to him. If the Germans were to move to BUR France would be faced
with a set of problems. But with a strong German ally France can make
for POR in 1901. If France can only get one build POR is the best country
to take. In 1902 you move to Spain and keep a watch over MAR. If you plan
an early attack on ENgland, you want to try and start the Italians either
moving over Austria or with Austria as soon as possible because if the
Italian are at war with Austria then they can't threaten your weakly defended
Southern border. With France playing a strongly anti-English
hand from the start England will try everything to get the Italians
moving against France.

This opening does have an advantage over the Dash. If you're attack England
you can't afford to have any doubts about Germany because if you do you
can't afford to attack England. It is better for you alliance if Germany were
to move away from BUR in 1901 leaving a DMZ. With this happening you can
be secure in the knowlege of a safe border with Germany. If Germany insists
on a dash stand-off how can you be sure that he won't try again in the
Fall.

In general this is an offensive weapon designed to take England out
as quickly as possible. The key to all early attacks on England is Germany.
If Germany is against you then you will need a fair amount of luck to
take out England but if Germany is with you or neutral then you are
placed well in one of the stongest positions on the board.
It is possible to go all the way to a 2-way draw fairly easily.

THE BELGIAN GAMBIT - F BRE - MAO
                     A PAR - PIC
                     A MAR - BUR
looks like a cross between Burguny and Picardy. The opening can be looked
upon in two ways.

1) If stood out of BUR this become PICARDY except the Fleet will usually
move into POR as I have suggested this may be a better line for France
to use.

2) If France moves to BUR then BEL is almost secured. With a unit in BEL
and BUR, France is in a good position to combine with England against
Germany or to attack England. The idea behind this is a common one and stems
from the 1970's FRANCE CAN TAKE IBERIA AT ANY TIME. SInce this is the case, he
will be better off expanding in the North and using Iberia as a backup
source of builds---his certain build as he needs them.

We shall meet this theme again.

The draw-back is that early involvement with armies on the Norht is likely
to make the German's uneasy-especially if you keep an army in BUR. However
it would be possible in the right circumstances to slip into the IRI
and build a fleet in BRE---a quick change in tack and take England by
Suprise. In any opening when you are considering dispatching England
there is one important consideration: do you wish England to become
invloved in Scandinavia and take his units away from you, or are you
planning to get Russia to take action in Scandinavia, and restrict English
builds? In many cases it is often better for England to have moved or be
moving into Scandinavia before you attack him.

THE MAGINOT LINE - F BRE-MAO
                   A MAR S A PAR-BUR
                   A PAR-BUR
The Maginot is a "safe" opening and it is a matter of taste whether you prefer
this to the Burgundy. In its favor is that

1 - BUR is secured
2 - MAR is covered if the Italians have opened ot PIE allowing SPA
and POR to be taken for two builds.
3 - France can go for BEL for 3 builds or can prevent another power from
taking BEL.
4 - France is in a good position to wreak havoc in Germany in combination
with a Russian army in SIL <DL: Or an Italian or Austrian opening in TRL,
or alone by> sneaking into RUH.

However, this opening has defects

1- If ENgland has moved against you then you not only have your units facing
the wrong way but Germany will have been moved pro-England.

2- It will tend to alienate Germany away from you and toward England whatever
England opens.

Perosnally I wouldn't play this opening unless either the RUssians
are moving against Germany or the English player is poor. It is rather
inflexible. Having said that the only times I have played France postally
or FTF I have opened this and won the FTF, and set for at least a
3-way draw in the postal game. In both games, the Russians and I divided
Germany BEFORE I steamed into ENgland.

However the most important factor was that Austria Italy and Turkey were
carefully manipulated into a war against each other in which no power
was able to gain centers. With Russia over-stretched I was able to mount
an attack on Scandinavia and push armies through to take MOS and WAR.
Victory was secured in the FTF. I have only just started this stage in
the postal game.

Whever you attack England it is an advantage to get the Southern triangle
involved in squabbles and fights---not just to keep Italy away from you but
because when you expand into the Med it will be harder for the opposition
to work together to prevent you from winning.

When you decide to attack England from the start of the game, you want
to be sure that Germnay doesn't use any silly opening which gives England
any easy builds such as a convoy into Holland.

In a large number of alliances, France leaves BUR free. This is a sensible
way of cementing an alliance with Germnay. Most Germna players do not want
to see their army in BUR --- they'd rather use it for other purposes. Even
if they move into BUR you can often cover your centers. <DL: Although it
it is usually better to let them take something and then use the resulting
diplomatic situation to force them out.> This then reveals the advantage
of taling to England and opening with a neutral opening. Should Germnay
move into BUR you may be able to inlist England to combat France---whereas
if you had annoyed England in Spring 1901 it is more likely that he will
join Germany.

THE ENGLISH DEFENSE - F BRE-ENC
                      A PAR-GAS
                      A MAR-SPA
Here we have an opening which openly says "I do not wish to war with you
but couldn't trust you not to enter the channel" But so what,
A threat to BRE if England moves in the Channel is small with a French
army in GAS. The main threat that a fleet in ENC poses is a support to an army
moving into BEL and as support for an attack into England. However,
France can cover BRE and take two build if the fleet was in the MAO.
Since France doesn't cover BUR, we can assume that Germany will be interested
in an alliance---all the more so with the English in BEL. In any case what
do you do if you are stood off? Why not move to MAO in Fall and hence let
England into the Channel.

So this opening is defensive, too defensive to my mind.

THE VINEYARD - F BRE-MAO
               A PAR-GAS
               A MAR-BUR
is an interesting opening whihc has quietly been gaining followers in the
1980's. It is an opening which leaves France with many options.
The move to BUR works well as an arranged stand-off. The main option is
to convoy an army to POR gaining two builds and leaving the fleet in the
MAO. This is the perfect position to attack either the English or the
Italians. With luck the two other members of the Northern triangle
will have bounced each other out of BEL.

If Germany offer you an anti-English alliance than this opening is a strong
contender leaving you with a strong position to attack England if you wish
and a strong position even if you don't.

THE GASPIC GAMBIT - F BRE-MAO
                    A MAR-GAS
                    A PAR-PIC
Yes. And that means I am lost for words|||| France moves so as to cover every
possible supply center if anything goes wrong but is in a position to
acquire two centers and to decide the fate of BEL if all goes according to
plan. However I ask so what? Picardy cover Belgium of course but is no
real position to make a bid for it. Gascony can defend everything and
can take Spain while MAO in a position to take POR. All in all the individual
position of the units are fine but the combination of them doesn't
seem to offer France a concrete plan of action. In Diplomacy you can't
win by catering for the worst possibilities.

THE PIEDMONT OPENING - F BRE-MAO
                       A MAR-PIE
                       A PAR-GAS
I haven't mentioned the possibilities of moving to PIE so far. Why?
Well unless the Italian has a reputation fo moving into PIE or you
strongly suspect he will be moving into PIE it is best if you normally
ignore this threat and you are sure that you can move into PIE for a standoff
and take Spain in the fall. If by some mischance you get in then have
to consider either progressing against Italy or moving into TRL and attacking
Germany from behind. The moves which go with the move to PIE don't really
matter, this particular opening is a variant on the many Gascony openings.
In one postal game the following sequence of moves occured.
MAR-PIE-TRL-BOH-SIL-WAR|||| Quite strange|||

ANother interesting sequence occurred in another game where Austria took
MUN in 1901 and Paris in 1902||||||

In conclusion France is one of the strongest countries in Diplomacy.
France has a wide range of reasonable opening and a range of attacking
moves.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 - "The Terror of 1901 - More French Openings" an unpublished manuscript
by the author currently waiting for publication in the English zine
SPRINGBOARD

2 - "The Problems of the First Two Seasons: France" by Danny Collman.
An introductory article on French openings for beginners discussing the
main areas of interest to France and various tactical possibilities.
SPRINGBOARD 1987

3 - "How to play ... FRANCE" by Derwood Brown, OHIO ACRES, 4 March 1987
A short 1 page article looking at the short and long term alliance
possibilities for France.

4 - "Italy-Austria: An Unholy Alliance Part Two" by Mark Nelson.
THE YORKSHIRE GALLANT 20, July 1987

5 - "The Italian Wins" by Mark Berch. DIPLOMACY WORLD 31, Summer 1982.

6 - "A winning strategy-France" by Dan Stafford. A sound article discussing
the possibility of allying either with England or Germany. Goes on to
examine how France can win in an F-G alliance. Strongly recommended.

7 - "I've seen blue skies" by Robert J Slossar Jr. A general account
concentrating on taking Iberia in 1901. Contains some strange ideas for
preventing the E-G alliance. Suggests the MAGINOT LINE as the best
French opening/

7 and 8 - appeared in American zine MASTERS OF DECIET 3rd ed - 1987

9 - "France" by Eric Verheiden. SUPERNOVA. Short piece (half a side)
adding nothing to the articles already mentioned.

I am enjoying moderating this zine, keep that mail coming!

Eric Klien