Diplomacy zine -- Chapter Three From: Eric_S_Klien@cup.portal.com Date: Tue, 17 Oct 1989 03:16:23 +0000 Issue #106 of ELECTRONIC PROTOCOL: Chapter One contains: D-DAY, NAVARONE, BLITZKRIEG, OPERATION OVERLORD, GETTYSBURG, and HMS HOOD And is published by Daybell@aludra.usc.edu/Donald Daybell Chapter Two contains: DRAGONSLAYER, DOUGHBOY, BISMARK, COLD WAR, JACAL, and TRENCHFOOT And is published by Tedward@cs.cornell.edu/Ted Fischer ------------- Chapter Three ------------- Spring '03 of the game TANNENBURG (BNC number 1989HZ) (GM is ebrosius@lucy.wellesley.edu/Eric Brosius) Throw Away Those Swim Suits -- No Summer This Year Either! AUS (Ledoux)..((A SER-rum)), ((A BUD S A ser-rum)), A VIE S A bud, A VEN H, ((A TYO S French A bur-mun/NSO)), F ion-APU [6 units]. ENG (Hosek)...((A NWY S F bar-stp(nc) )), ((F BAR-stp(nc) )), F SKA H, ((F LON-nth)) [4 units]. FRA (Snyder)..F PIC S A bel, A BEL S F pic, A BUR S A mar, A MAR S A bur, F SPA(sc) S A mar, F WES S F spa(sc) [6 units]. GER (Krywolt).F nth-NRG, F HOL H, A MUN H, ((F DEN-nth)), A KIE S A mun [5 units]. ITA (Wilson)..A tus-ROM, F lyo-TYS, F tys-TUN [3 units]. RUS (Jordan)..F STP(sc) H, ((A SWE-nwy)), F BLA C Turkish A ank-bul, ((A GAL-bud)), A war-MOS, ((A RUM-ser)) [6 units]. TUR (Shook)...A ank-BUL, F CON S A ank-bul, A bul-GRE, F AEG S A bul-gre [4 units]. GAME NOTES No deadline is needed for Summer, 1903. The deadline for Fall, 1903 is ***Sunday, October 15 at 10PM EDT*** All orders arrived on time this turn. I assure you that it is a pleasure to GM your game when this happens. Thanks! By the way, if you ever have a question about an adjudication, you're more than welcome to write and ask me why I ruled as I did. I will respond privately to any such request. PRESS Germany: The Kaiser wishes to make it known to the leaders of Europe that the German Postal Commisioner, responsible for the reprehensible performance of the mail system, has been shot. The mail will now resume continuous operation with the utmost of efficiency. Russell Krywolt (Minister of Foreign Affairs, Germany) NY TIMES - Food Section : The Greater European 1903 Struddle Cook Off will go down in history as one of the worst examples of sirty dealing at the international level. That the German Potato Struddle should take 1st, and a Russian Beet Struddle 2nd, (yes, BEET!!!) could only be the result of pressure brought on the judges by their autocratic and militaristic governments. Rudolph Naiven-Innocuis, the Austrian Minister of Food, is considering boycotting the 1904 Cook Off and encouraging his cooks to enlist in the armies. The French judge was appalled that the very subtle Austrian Edelweiss Struddle only took 3rd, and lamented the influence of politics on a competition that has traditionally been characterized by fair play. GM-Board: I'd like to express my appreciation of the press which is being submitted. I enjoy reading it, and I hope you do too. VIENNA NEW DEAL TRIBUNE : Asked to comment on the scandal surronding the Greater European Struddle Cook Off, the Foreign Minister said, "Burp". As we Austrians already know the Foreign Minister is a strong believer in actions speaking louder than words. Could this be the catalyst that moves us to liberate the German and Russian masses from their oppressive diets? END OF PRESS Summer '03 of the game TANNENBURG (BNC number 1989HZ) (GM is ebrosius@lucy.wellesley.edu/Eric Brosius) Nothing happened. Autumn and Winter '01 of the gunboat game VERDUN (MNC number 1989AZrb32) (GM is sccs6069@iruccibm.bitnet/Michael O'Regan) Not Received, having problems with a player. Spring '15 of the 1914 variant ENTENTE (MNC number 1989IJrv17) (GM is matt@oddjob.uchicago.edu/Matt Crawford) Fall 1915 orders are due Sunday, 22 October. Remember to include retreat orders. ENTENTE Spring 1915 Results SP cost in [] ---Austria-----------------------------|---France------------------------------ A Bud - Rum [2] |F Mar 1 - GoL A Tri - Ven | 2 - Tyn [2] A Apu S ITA A Ven-Rom [1] |F Wes 1 S F Mar-GoL A Gre - Ser | 2 S F GoL-Tyn [1] F Ion S ITA A Tun H |A Pic R Par-Bur-Mar-Pie ---Belgium-----------------------------|A Gas H A Bel - Pic |A NAf H ---Bulgaria----------------------------|---Germany----------------------------- A Bul S AUS A Bud-Rum [1] |F Hel - Den [2] ---England-----------------------------|A Kie S F Hel-Den [1] F Lvp 1 - Iri |A Ber S A Mun-Sil [1] 2 S F Lon-Eng |A Mun - Sil [2] F Lon 1 H |A Boh S A Mun-Sil [1] 2 Eng ILL |A Gal - Ukr A Nwy - Swe [2] |---Portugal---------------------------- F Ska S A Nwy-Swe [1] |A Por S SPA A Spa H F Nth 1 - Nwg |---Russia------------------------------ 2 - NAt |F StP(sc) 1 - GoB F Tyn - Rom [4*] FAIL,RET->Tus| 2 - Bal ---Turkey------------------------------|A War - Sil [2] FAIL F Con 1 - Bla |A Sev S RUM A Rum H [1] CUT 2 H |A Mos - Lvn A Arm - Sev [2] FAIL |A Pru H A Smy - Con |--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------|* 2+1+1 for ITA,FRA conflicts, retreat Results: The English fleet in London held in the first phase, so it is not allowed a second phase order. Denmark, Sweden and Rumania are eliminated, their units disbanded. Austrian support disrupted the would-be standoff in Rome. Rule 13 applies to ENG F Tus next turn. Positions (* => retreated) Austria A Ven, Apu, Ser, Rum F Ion Belgium A Pic F --- Bulgaria A Bul F --- England A Swe F NAt, Iri, Lon, Ska, Tus* France A Gas, Pie, NAf F Wes, Tyn Germany A Kie, Ber, Sil, Boh, Ukr F Den Portugal A Por F --- Russia A Lvn, Pru, War, Sev F Bal Turkey A Con, Arm F Bla Italy A Rom, Tun; F Nap Spain A Spa Current Supply Point Balances Austria 8 Belgium 2 Bulgaria 1 England 3 France 5 Germany 6 Portugal 2 Russia 9 Turkey 4 Activation Current PF Totals Minor Level AUS ENG FRA GER RUS Belgium(FRA) 9 - - 6 -* 3 Bulgaria(AUS) 8 8 - - 2 - Italy 13 -* 5 - 2 - Portugal(ENG) 6 - 6 - - - Spain 13 - - - - - Turkey(GER) 9 - 2 2 14 -* * => The inicated Great Power cannot gain control of the specified minor, but may prevent others from doing so. Supply Centers (Capital first, new in CAPS) Austria 7 Vie, Tri, Bud, Ser, Gre, VEN, RUM Belgium 1 Bel Bulgaria 1 Bul England 5 Lon, Lvp, Edi, Nwy, SWE France 3 Par, Bre, Mar Germany 5 Ber, Kie, Mun, Hol, DEN Portugal 1 Por Russia 4 Mos, StP, War, Sev Turkey 3 Con, Ank, Smy Fall '02 of the Blind variant MULHOUSE (MNC number not known) (GM is barry@freezer.it.udel.edu/Barry T. Fausnaugh) Not received yet. Fall '01 of the game DAWN PATROL (BNC number not known) (GM is sinhaa@mcmaster.ca/Anand Sinha) A player had to be replaced due to e-mail problems. Spring '01 of the game BUSHIDO (BNC number not known) (GM is ronin@cory.berkeley.edu/Sam Parazette) Due Oct. 18th. Spring '01 of the game HUGO (BNC number not known) (GM is willis@trwind.ind.trw.com/Willis Marti) Results ---------------------------------- England: Army Liverpool --> Yorkshire OK Fleet London --> North Sea OK Fleet Edinburgh --> Norwegian Sea OK Germany: F KIE - DEN OK A BER - KIE OK A MUN - RUH OK Russia: F SEV - BLA Fails (see Turkey) A WAR - UKR OK F STP(sc) - BOT OK A MOS - STP OK Turkey: F Ankara -> Black Sea Fails (see Russia) A Constantinople -> Bulgaria OK A Smyrna -> Constantinople OK Austria: A Bud-Ser OK F Tri-Alb OK A Vie-Bud OK Italy: F Nap-Ion OK A Rom-Apu OK A Ven H OK France: F Bre->Eng OK A Par->Gas OK A Mar->Spa OK ---------------- Final Positions: England: F NWS F NTS A YOR Germany: F DEN A KIE A RUH Russia: F GOB F SEV A STP A UKR Turkey: F ANK A BUL A CON Austria: F ALB A BUD A SER Italy: F ION A APU A VEN France: F ECH A GAS A SPA ================================== The Weekly Crier "All the news that fits, we print" ---------------------------------- (Budapest) The state of Austria-Hungary is much grieved to announce the sudden death of one of its much beloved co-monarchs, FRED THE GNOME, The remaining monarch, FRED THE ELF, was reported very upset by the sudden demise of his friend and co-ruler, and promptly blamed the Serbians, and vowed to take immediate action to teach "those impudent dogs who is boss in this part of the world." He also commented that he hadn't thought the Serbians compotent enough to pull it off by themselves, and postulated that someone else might be behind the rash action by the Serbians, who have "forgotten on which side their bread was buttered." More news later. Back to you Dan. ------------ (Paris) Proclaiming "Make love, not war" the entire French Army has gone on vacation in the Iberian Penisula. ------------ (Bucharest) Vacationers on the Rumanian coast were treated to the colorful sight of the Russia and Turkish navies trying to avoid collision in the Black Sea. Jimmy the Greek regretfully reports no damage. ================================= Time for diplomacy -- next move due 22 Oct. Spring '01 of the gunboat game VERSAILLES (MNC number not known) (GM is sccs6016@iruccibm.bitnet/Gearoid Casey) Working on establishing e-mail connections with one player at this point. GM comments: I have started so many games that I have run out of GMs. Now would be a good time to volunteer! I have enough people for two games yet only have one or two GMs on my list. (I'm double checking with one of the GMs to see if he should be on my list.) I wouldn't mind 5 more GMs, that would be enough to hold me for two weeks or so. **************************************************** Transmitted via scribe mikeb@ee.ubc.ca/Mike Bolotski **************************************************** Taken from Hoosier Archives #52: We have a real treat for you this time. Doug Boyerlein, one of the best players of all time, has written an article, presented below, on how to Blitz a neighbor at the beginning of the game and therefore become a major power right off. Go to it, Sports Fans!! The Blitz By Douglas Beyerlein In issue #6 of "Impassable", I wrote an article entitled "Options." It demonstrated the strategic gains made possible by first forcing the neighboring powers into conflicts and then choosing the side which will result in the maximum possible benefits. This wait-and-see attitude is just one possible way to play a country opening. In this article I will discuss the other side of the coin: The Blitz. As most people know, the term "blitz" is an abbreviation for the German word "blitzkrieg." Made popular by Germany's early victories in WWII, Blitzkrieg means lightning war or a sudden, swift, overwhelming attack. Applying that concept to the game of Diplomacy, w have a strategic plan that can often decide a game's outcome. The blitz is most formidable in the opening stage of a game, that is 1901. This is a period when all the major powers are at minimal strength, their frontiers ar largely unguarded, and diplomacy and the acceptance of new ideas is at a maximum. Setting up a blitz of a neighboring power can be done in the following manner. Step 1: Select the victim of the blitz. This has to be a neighboring power to whom you have good access. Step 2: Conclude an alliance with another player adjacent to the victim. This is the most sensitive and trickiest part of the whole plan. You and your ally must have complete trust in each other -- or as much as two Diplomacy players can have. There is no room for hesitation blunders, or a breakdown in communications if the blitz is to work. Step 3: Set up the victim with a fake alliance or pledge. This should make him/her make the necessary moves to cause the blitz to work. This takes a good job of diplomacy while not being obvious about our real plans. And, of course, if you mention the blitz to some non-involved third power, don't expect it to remain a secret. Step 4: Is the actual movement of units in the Spring of 1901, which starts the blitz on its forward march. Complete coordination with your ally is the key, assuming the first three steps have gone on schedule. Step 5: Is when the blitz hits in the Fall of 1901. The victim's defensive position is smashed and all that is left for 1902 is the job of the debris and gaining the victim's supply centers. While the blitz may sound quite easy to perform, there are obvious risks involved. As you are setting up the victim for the blitz, your ally may just be going along to force ou into a poor strategic position where an attack form unexpected quarters can catch you off guard. Also the blitz forces you into an early commitment while the other powers may be taking a wait-and-see stance. This can result in other previously neutral countries now working for your downfall in terms of their best self-interest. Therefore the blitz is an all-or-nothing offense. The player that lives by the blitz also can die by it. Some examples of the blitz follows: 1. The blitz of England. Assuming that all the diplomacy has gone as planned, Germany and France decide to blitz England. they invite Russia to take Norway. The moves: Spring 1901: England: F Lon-Nth; F Edi-NAG; A Lvp-Edi France: F Bre-Eng; A Par-Pic; A Mar-Spa Germany: F Kiel-Den; A Ber-Kiel; A Mun-Ruhr Russia: F St.P(sc)-Both; A Mos-St.P England now sees the stab, what should he do? Defend London? Attack Norway? It is now a guessing game. A good set of moves: Fall 1901: France: F Eng/S/Ger F Den-Nth; A Pic-Bel; A Spa/H to Port Germany: F Den-Nth; A Ruhr-Holl; A Kiel-Den Russia: F Both-Swe; A St.P-Nwy No matter how well England guesses, he is doomed and will be lucky to live past 1903. The blitzers now only have to convoy into England for their gains. 2. The blitz of Turkey. This involved Austria and Russia with Turkey not realizing the blitz is on its way until after the Fall 1901 moves are published. The moves: Spring 1901: Austria: A Bud-Ser, F Tri-Alb, A Vie-Bud/Tri Russia: F Sev-Rum, A Mos-Sev, A War-Liv, F StP(sc)-Both Turkey: A Con-Bul, A Smy/H/, F Ank-Con It looks like a Russian-Turkish alliance, but.. Fall 1901: Austria: A Ser-Bul, F Alb-Gre, A Tri-Ser or A Bud-Ser Russia: F Rum/S/ Aust A Ser-Bul, A Sev-Arm, Turkey: A Bul-Gre, F Con-Age, A Smy-Con And before Turkey knows what's happened, Russia builds another fleet in Sevastopol and it is all over for Turkey. There are many other possible blitz situations. And some that can be used as late as 1903 can have devastating results. Only ingenuity and the diplomatic skill of the blitzers place a limit on the range and effectiveness of the blitz. The possibilities are as endless as one's imagination. Remember that the more that you guys type in, the more articles that I can print! I am enjoying moderating this zine, keep that mail coming! Eric Klien Up