Fall 1901, PhxDiplomacy

Since I don't have a horse in this race, I have decided to be an announcer for it. So, here goes...

PhxDiplomacy looks to be another rousing game of Diplomacy with seasoned veterans and newbies alike seated at the table. Since there are no robot countries, all players will need to be on their toes. The chances of double-crossings are higher; and alliances will be necessary to avoid multi-front battles.

England:

With potentially the most aggressive opening of the game, England grabs the traditionally neutral English Channel. England has the problem of where does it expand next after splitting Scandinavia with Russia. It looks like "The Beard" has answered that question with France. But, does England try slipping into the strategic MAO or land an army in Brest. Both have risks. Watch for alliances or non-aggression pacts (NAP) with Russia and Germany.

France:

With a natural hegemony over the Iberian peninsula, France appears to be keeping it in reserve while handling English and German aggressors to the North. France has some important questions to answer for next season that could determine its outcome in this game. To prosper, France needs to not only keep its shipyards in Brest, but also to make a foothold in Flanders. Also, watch for a French-Italian NAP, as they seem to have partitioned-off the southwest corner of the board.

Germany:

Geographically and historically, Germany is the worst positioned country in Europe. Smack in the middle of the continent, it is surrounded by the other great powers. Already, Germany appears to have a NAP with its kinsman, Austria-Hungary, and an alliance with England. Blitzkrieg in the Low Countries is a smart move; it worked well for Hitler. But, it still needs to fend off an active Italy and Russia. Will Germany hold the territory it has, or make sacrifices in the name of capturing new lands?

Italy:

Italy has made a very smart, yet unique, opening. At first, holding Rome in reserve seems unusual. But, after noticing the position in Tyrolia, this announcer sees that Rome will bounce Trieste's fleet out of Venice while the army in Tyrolia has its choice of Munich and Vienna. Additionally, the fleet out of Naples has its pick of Greece or Tunis. We will have to wait and see just how much Italy will gain with this strategy. Watch for an NAP with France and a strong cross-board ally in Russia.

Austria-Hungary:

With an apparent NAP with Germany, Austria-Hungary has made a dash to the resource-rich south. It has effectively blocked Russia, but has a weak spot in an open Vienna. This maybe the game's first double-cross if Austria and Italy also have an NAP and AH has granted Italy safe-passage through Tyrolia. Also, once AH and Turkey split the Balkans, watch for an anti-Russia / anti-Italy alliance, a la WWI.

Russia:

Because it has such a large initial territory, Russia has a variety of openings. Because Russia opened along the Baltic instead of the Barents Sea, I suspect there is an agreement between England and Russia to split Scandinavia. Watch for Russia making its early land gains in the North and blocking to the South.

Turkey:

Turkey has often won in our Diplomacy group when it can neutralize Russia's predations and take the Black Sea. Since, as a spectator, I only see the results of the moves, I wonder if Russia and Turkey have an NAP or bounced each other from the Black Sea. Either way, Turkey is still in a dangerous situation. In real life, the Crimean War (Florence Nightengale) was fought over this piece of the world since it's control is vital to both Turkey and Russia.

Prediction for early game gainers: England, Russia, Italy.

On a closing, metaphorical note, I have started wondering why training ourselves to invade and conquer Europe is soo much fun.