Apologies all for the delay in getting this EOG statement out.
I joined the game after two consecutive NMRs from the previous Turkish player during 1902, which left me in a poor, but not disastorous position. Italy was pushing Austria hard and was inviting Russia and I to join him in seeing off Austria. I figured there wasn't much to be gained from that for Turkey - Italy's position was such that he'd end up with the early gains, with Russia and I ending up with the scraps at best. Such was Italy's position against Austria that any short or medium term growth for me to the west would be very limited, so I chose to try and set Russia up with a Black Sea stab. This was successful and I managed to get SEV and keep Russia in check.
In the meantime, Italy's focus moved slightly away from steamrollering Austria due to a French move to PIE, which gave me breathing room, which I needed, as finishing off Russia took longer than I thought, with my intention to get MOS and RUM not possible due to resilient play by Russia and England moving quickly from the North, leaving me with RUM.
At this point in the game, England looked a strong candidate for a solo. I tried to muster a FTI alliance to stop him, but after some initial interest, France and Italy couldn't settle their differences, with France coming across as a little inflexible in his approach, which almost threw the game to England I felt. I tried to patch up differences, but Italy was having none of it.
However, the sceptre of NMRs affected the game at this point...if Italy had thrown his lot in with England then England would definitely have soloed, and even if he'd just worked to attack France, it would have been touch and go. However, he NMRed consistently, which made it easy for France and I to gobble up his centres, which, in terms of game result, was good for France and I, but left me feeling a little dissatisfied.
I was nervous throughout the closing stages of the game that France would end up giving the solo to England by stabbing me in the hope of getting a two way draw, but it proved not to be the case, and all our moves ended up being coordinated. I think France felt the same way about me, as he came across as nervous about the situation in the Med, and wanted to swap centres at the expense of setting up a stalemate against England.
Overall, I'm more than happy with a three way draw out of this, given
Turkey's position when I joined the game, and what occurred when the anti English alliance failed. Interestingly, following the final full seasons of the game, I felt England had a chance to break the FT defensive line in the middle of the board by taking BUR - however, the draw vote passed, so what do I know?
As always, thanks to the (various!) GMs of this game and to all the other players. Hope to diplome with you all again soon!
Michael
Turkey
--- On Fri, 21/8/09, Fredrik Blom <fredrik(at)familjenblom.se> wrote:
From: Fredrik Blom <fredrik(at)familjenblom.se>
Subject: Re: Dc241 Spring 1910
To: "Stephen Lytton" <stevelytton(at)hotmail.com>
Cc: "Mike Sims" <mike(at)fuzzylogicllc.net>, psychosis(at)sky.com, rbristol(at)cogeco.ca, ahmet_okyay(at)hotmail.com, poem342000(at)yahoo.com, mistro914(at)gmail.com, dc241(at)diplomaticcorp.com, erik(at)aderstedt.se
Date: Friday, 21 August, 2009, 10:28 AM
Good game all. Too bad though that ol'
England didn't pull it off this time. I guess I should
have struck France harder in the back (or just perhaps more
times...).
I enjoyed playing with you and look forward to
stab^H^H^H^Hplaying with you some more in the future.
/Fredrik
2009/8/21 Stephen Lytton <stevelytton(at)hotmail.com>
Dc241 Spring 1910
It Seems peace has come to Europe as the English, French
adn Turkish forces have agreed to a draw.
Thankyou all for playing. End of game statements can be
sent to the Dc241 forum.
Final Map is attached.
Stephen Lytton
Are you coming to the World
Diplomacy Championship in Sydney 2011? Ask me
how....
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