All DCOC game reports are listed below, in game order.
Please select your year of choice:
Reports 2002   2001   2000   1999   1998  
Reports 1997   1996   1995   1994   1993

1997 - Game Reports

1997-November
[Tippecanoe] (by Andrew Geraghty - standard)
Jon Tonkin [A:7], Andrew Geraghty [E:13], Andrew Goff [F:4], Tom Allen [G:1], Paul Armstead [I:0], Doug Stewart [R:0], Geoffrey Moore [T:9]
ENGLAND, my England - England in spring. Marigolds dotting the country houses, birds twittering in the hedgerows.
 England. Such a wonderful name; I may change my name by deed poll to England*. 
[* Andrew England is a nationally known Dip player and renowned puppet-master who attended club meetings in the first two years. - Ed]
The opening negotiations were simple.
 As I planned this to be my secondary game, and work harder at a top score as Italy in another game,
 I suggested to France that we have an EFG.
 Actually, I said to him I was happy to wipe out Germany and to Germany I said the reverse.
 He liked the EFG throwaway line better, so that's what happened.
 Germany moved Kiel-Holl and I convoyed Ar Edi-Den in Fall. 
A stranglehold in Scandinavia - little did I know I could go places with this.
 France took Iberia and swung into the Med, where Italy had been ignored by an Austrian/Turkish alliance and was sitting on his heels.
 The Red and Yellow hordes refused to give even one navy to help Italy as French fleets swarmed like hungry pirana.
 Italy switched sides and grabbed Trieste, while France lapped around him and through Tunis.
 Austria was growing ulcers as he swung around and back and forth, often out of position.
 But every time the music stopped he sat on at least five centres and drank buttermilk. 
Mother Russia, amply played by Doug Stewart (also a second game for him), split north/south.
 It wouldn't have mattered in the normal scheme, but with a firming Aust/Turk alliance after him
 and a Pom with a very strong Scandi game, he was up against it.
 He fell back, and Spring 1902 saw the most remarkable moves I have seen in a while.
 My German ally was making little headway against Warsaw, which was then Austrian.
 Russia convoyed [E] Ar Swe-Livonia, while I convoyed Ar Lon-Swe via NTS & Skag.
 Turkey, Austria and others played ring-a-rosie in the Balkan/Med area and I'm sure
 Austria had no idea who his mates were but made up for it with Fall retreats into his ally's centres.
Germany struck boldly into Austrian home turf, against my advice, because it looked likely an Austria tap would,
 when unopposed, leave [A] Ar Gal in Silesia - almost unopposed to Berlin.
 The following spring I convoyed Ar Lon-Nwy and shifted Swe-Den so I could get F Skag to Swe, then GOB. 
That was my intention, truly!
 But at the end of the year I figured I could slowly grind around the north through Russia or. . . or. . . hang on!
 Ar Nwy-Holland, NTS convoy Nwy-Holl (or Hell, as a dying Russia said), Den-Kiel and F Barents S Livonia- STP.
 Perfidious England. Still, it had to be; a three-centre grab or no grab at all. Panic swept the board. 
France took everyone aside and muttered away but, for 10 minutes, I wanted him as a continuing ally and told everyone so.
 Then I changed my mind and took him by the Brest.
 Germany went defensive and shrank and I could not coax him out of his shell.
 With a little renewed trust I could have got him back into Warsaw, because it was clear he would lose Moscow (he'd taken it with my help). 
In the Med, France was gobbling Italy and Turkey was marching outward, especially into Russia.
 Austria was claiming to direct proceedings (in a queenly manner) but sensibly refusing to make herself a sitting target.
 Italy fought on solidly but the odds were just too great and, really, they had been all along. 
France began pulling back towards home and, with my stab, Jon Tonkin as Austria audibly gasped, "Oh, thank God!".
 I must admit the EFG has been making life very hard for him and Turkey could easily have come to a deal with Germany.
 I took Brest and managed a double success in holding it that Fall while keeping the French out of the MAO.
 I got an army into Burgundy as well. 
As the game lurched to a close, the French retook Brest but lost it again while I took Paris and Berlin.
 While my final score was an all-time club record, it was enough (swapped for my previous best England in 1997) to help me to the top.
 Doug Stewart, who also managed a club record score as France in Kerensky,
 had hung on to win the Club Championship for 1997, and deservedly so. 
All in all, Tippecanoe was a very satisfying game with a surprising amount of action in its few short years.
 My sincere thanks to all players for a great game.
'The Battle of Tippecanoe' was an engagement that helped the United States win control of the Northwest Territory,
 and established the reputation of William Henry Harrison (later United States President). 
It was fought on November 7,1811, near the site of the present village of Battle Ground, Indiana, on the Tippecanoe River.
 The battle was between an American force of about 800 men led by Harrison,
 and a Native American force of about 6,000 Shawnee, led by Tenskwatawa.
After one of his sentinels was killed in an ambush, Harrison marched against the settlement of Tippecanoe [Tenskwatawa headquarters].
 The Native Americans resisted for more than two hours before they were driven from the field.
 The next day Harrison advanced to the town and almost completely destroyed it.
The battle hastened the general outbreak of hostilities by the indigenous peoples against the Americans in the area.
 The battle also escalated tension with the Shawnee ally Great Britain, which with other pressures led to the War of 1812.
1997-November
[Karensky]
The first board of two games saw some startling results to the last round of the DCOC 1997 season. 
 With 4 people playing two boards, a fact no-one on this board took advantage of,
 Kerensky opened with an EFG alliance [Tom Allen, Roger Swift, Doug Stewart] that flourished,
 while internal fights occurred between Adam Stewart [A], Steve Moynahan [T] and Andrew Geraghty [I] and a scattered Russia [Andrew Goff].
Austria never got above 4 centres and was always going to struggle. 
 The Russians had negligible power both north and south and became a target in both directions, finally collapsing 5, 3, 2, 1, 0. 
 Turkey and Italy were the big winners with both gaining 7 centres by 1903,
 however their lack of pressure on the west allowed big things to happen.
The opening season gave the the EFG 4, 6, 5 and with that the Germans and French decided England could be removed from the equation. 
 England persisted against a hapless Russia, jumping to 6 centres, but was insupportable being spread well across the board.
France and Germany lashed into the English centres who survived in StP. 
 With the north secure, Germany went inland while France went to the WesMed and stole the German lowlands. 
Finally a new alliance formed as Turkey and France (club record) began crushing everything in between.
Kerensky: A_0, E_1, F_13, G_6, I_4, R_0, T_10
Aleksandr Fyodorovich Kerensky (1881-1970) was born on May 4, 1881, in Simbirsk; and in 1912, was elected a deputy to the Duma.
 In March 1917, Kerensky was appointed minister of justice after the overthrow of the Tsar,
 and two months later he became minister of war.
 In June he attempted to rally the troops for an offensive against the Germans,
 but large numbers of soldiers refused to obey their officers. and returned to their homes.
 Kerensky shortly after became Prime Minister of Russia.
 One of Kerensky's first acts as Prime Minister was the suppression of the Bolshevik party led by Lenin (who fled to Finland);
 while other Bolshevik leaders, including Leon Trotsky, were arrested.
 Kerensky failed to counteract the steady deterioration in the economic and military situation of the country.
November - Last chance to improve your score for the 1997 season.
Now that the footy season has finished, and silly season is about to begin,
 why not come and have a light-hearted night at the Diplomacy Club Of Canberra.  
 Remember, new players are always welcome, but we really would like some of the Clubs 'experts'
 to come back to boost the numbers and impart their expertise on our new chums.  
December means Awards, Xmas cheer and a fun night !
DCOC has set a tradition of having a fun night on the first Friday in December.  
· First up is the presentation of the Financial Statement for 1997.
· Secondly we give out our awards.  Awards are given to those who have made achievements during the 1997 season. 
  These will include those who have attained the highest totals for each country; the Club Champion Trophy; 
   recognition of all place getters; best Junior, and more including the coveted Encouragement Trophy.
· The third item on the agenda is the election of office bearers [President, Secretary, and Treasurer]. 
   Nominate on the night.  If nothing  else the club needs someone to assist with the treasurers role.  
   Obviously regular attendance in the forthcoming year is essential - so please  help out in this fairly easy task.
· Of course the night has only just begun, so out come the boards for some 'serious' diploming - if possible - 
   in what is always a fun night, and the first round in the 1998 season.
1997-October
[Gargarin]
For the second time this year, Austria has ruled the roost, this time led with nervous hand of Greg Downes [A]. 
 His steady rise was initially under guidance by the wily Andrew Geraghty [I], however the alliance was merely
 a marriage of convenience as Austria continued to expand while Italy was pushed further from the defence of their homeland.
Elisa Stewart [F] Vacillated for 3 years before finally making the choice of who to attack,
 darting for an indefensible Tunis and finally dabbling with Greece.
First time player Stephen Moynahan [E] charged into a solid position in the north,
 but failed to secure his position falling from 6 centres to 3 in 1903. 
 In a slow push back he got back up to 5, and leant some tough lessons about alliances along the way.
Andrew Goff [G] in his second game of the year, together with his alliance with first time player B.J. [R] proved
 to be shaky and both held on grimly to their meagre possessions.
 Jon Tomkin [T] was well contained as Turkey and with the onslaught of Austria/Italy
 and a long term failure to secure the Black Sea was finally overcome.
This had been a dynamic game, with only one unshaken alliance on the board [A/I]. 
 The lesson for some of the new-comers is that a strong early alliance
 with someone who can influence your neighbours is vital to achieve mid-game success.
 Garnerin: A_12, E_5, F_6, G_4, I_5, R_2, T_0
1997-September
[LADY DI]
Andrew Geraghty [R], Ben Swift [A], Elisa Stewart [E], Doug Stewart [F], Greg Downes [G], Paul Armstead [I], Adam Stewart [T].
A fast and furious matchup between East and West, exposed a sleeper alliance between Russia and Turkey,
 when Germany failed to take precautions against mid-game change of alliances.
One of the most exciting games in the clubs history due to the frequent changing of allegiances
 and the quality of discussion throughout the game.
Lady Di: A_0, E_1, F_9, G_2, I_0, R_11, T_11
1997-August
[GENE JEANIE]
The inspiration for this month's game name was Gene for Jeans day, and a vague reference to pop singer David Bowie for no good reason.
An entertaining round complete with some reversed results for those playing in last month's round. 
 With only six players and Italy in Civil Disorder, Jamie Droney [Austria]
 and Jon Tonkin [Russia] appeared to be attacking Greg Downes [Turkey],
 however the tables turned quickly and Russia suffered badly in the south in 1903. 
 Turkey stabbed Austria in the same round, but failed to claim the full 3 centres as Austria retreated from Gre to Bulg.
In the north, Russia had been unimpeded in Sweden and took Norway from England in the Fall. 
 Elisa Stewart [Germany] slipped in to Sweden from behind while Doug Stewart [England] took Denmark. 
 The switch payed off as Russia was cleaned out of the North in 1904. 
 With the North cleaned up germany laid into central Russia claiming both Moscow and Warsaw,
 but was unable to stop the stab from England which claimed all the German homeland by 1905.
Adam Stewart [France] made a dash for Tunis and was first there, as well as claiming most of Italy. 
 While being greatly committed to the South, England slipped into Brest and forced France to change his focus.
The game was agreed a draw with Turkey and England in strong positions,
 but needing a couple of years to complete the big scores that could have been realised.
While Jon Tonkin was brought back to earth after a sensational opening game as Italy,
 Greg Downes reversed his dismal first up performance by claiming the best Turkey score for 1997, with only 3 months remaining.
Gene Jenie: A_2, E_12, F_7, G_3, I_0, R_0, T_10
1997-July
[STEWART]
This months game name was in honour of the death of Jimmy Stewart who was the highest ranked actor in active service during WW2.
Andrew Goff in a surprise return to DCOC played a consistentlt expanding Austria,
 with new-comer Jon Tomkin riding 'high on the hogs back' to craft out a solid result as Italy finishing in MAO, Brest and the Black Sea.
Doug Stewart [Russia] added another laurel to his best countries as he controlled the north including Edi and Den,
 and even held Rumania in the south until a final thrust during the last season by Austria.
Jamie Droney played a non-aggressive Germany, and paid the price by never getting above 5 centres
 before getting demolished by the Austrian and Russia expansions.  
Adam Stewart played a solid game as Turkey, but was never in the hunt, with Russia in Armenia and Italy in Syria.
Two other new-comers learnt the hard way that the key to success is having a defined goal. 
 Stuart Jenkins' England split it's forces opening NTS & ENG and failed to gain a hold in the north. 
 With build centres moving from Den to Belg and finally Por, England only just held on against many opponents.
Finally Greg Dawnes' France opened well but ran into trouble first with rogue English units then a strong Italy/Austrian push.
A really dynamic game!
Stewart: A_12, E_2, F_1, G_2, I_9, R_8, T_0
1997-June
[SCOTT]
1997-May
[RICHTOFEN]
Jamie Droney, in his first DCOC appearance, quickly established his credentials as France in a swiftly moving game. 
 He combined with Andrew [G] to damage Adam [E] early. 
 Elisa [A] started with a failed attack on Venice and never recovered.  
Paul [T] and Ben [R] opened in steam roller fashion, then attacked each other with slow effect. 
 Doug [I] made early inroads into Austria with help from Turkey and then turned on Turkey when he failed to expand.
By 1904 the French turned their attention to Italy and snatched Tunis,
 however neither [G] or [F] could stem the growing might of Italy before a draw was agreed. 
 Another year would have seen the total demise of both Austria and England.
Richtofen: A_1, E_1, F_9, G_8, I_11, R_4, T_0
1997-April
[The FOOL]
The April meeting marked a special moment for the club with two new players and a total of 5 VERY juniors in the one game. 
 Elisa Stewart [T] in her first club game (age 12) gained a strong ally in Andrew Geraghty [A],
 while on the other side Duncan Farr [E] (Age 13) was taken under the wing of Adam Stewart [G]. 
 Peter Barrett [R] was unable to muster any support and dissappeared quickly (4,2,1,0). 
 Paul Armstead [F] and Ben Swift [2] struggled to make any gains and were soon over-run.
The Fool: A_8, E_7, F_1, G_7, I_2, R_0, T_9
Amazing Start
Elisa Stewart surprised herself in her first club game, by achieving the second best ever start for any junior on their opening night.
1993	Daniel Alison	[R]	6	CoE 17
1994	Chris Goff	[F]	6	CoE 16.8
1995	Damon Pace	[F]	11	CoE 24.2
1996	Paul Armstead	[T]	6	CoE 16.8
1997	Elisa Stewart	[T]	9	CoE 20.8
Dear Diplomacy Player
The Diplomacy Club of Canberra (DCOC) needs your support. 
 Over the last 12 months attendances at our monthly meetings have fallen off, with 2 nights being cancelled due to lack of numbers. 
 If 32 players turned up only 3 times a year we would have a second table every month.  
ClubRanking: The Club recorded 75 persons attendance to the end of 1996. 
 All these people have been ranked according to the DCOC ranking system which attempts to recognise involvement in the club,
  while giving average players who persist a chance to be equally recognised for their efforts over time.
JuniorPlayers: The club now has 6 players aged 14 or less competing on a regular basis.
 As a result we are now starting those games at 6pm, and finshing between 9 and 9:30pm.
Friday Night ? :  Several people have indicated that Friday night conflicts with too many other events. 
 If you would prefer a Saturday or Sunday event, please contact either Doug or Andrew.
 Remember, this club is open to anyone and we are keen to find new members.
 Doug Stewart
 Secretary, DCOC
1997-March
[HARE]
The game of the March HARE as six players took to battle. 
 Peter Barrett [A] and Doug Stewart [G] forged an early central alliance that nullified the expected emergence of either
 the Steamroller of Tim Cole [R] and Andrew Geraghty [T], or the soon-to-be unsteady alliance of Paul Armstead [E] and Ben Swift [F].
Russia opened with an early error of StP to Livonia, inspite of a friendly Germany opening to Belgium - not Denmark. 
 The English bounced Germany in Denmark, and were themselves deflected in Norway - no build. 
 With A,F,G & T on 5 centres for 1902 the alliances were already changing. 
 In the East, Austria and Turkey demolished Russia and Italy,
 while in the West the EFG forged ahead until 1904 when England was savaged by his partners.
This game could have had some interesting manouverings in the next 2 years,
 but the game closed at this point with no eliminations except for the pseudo-Italian.
Hare: A_6, E_2, F_7, G_9, I_0, R_1, T_9
1997-February
[OX]
The February Meeting welcomed Ian McAlpine [T] in his first club game in which he held on for a creditable result. 
 Adam Stewart [R] and Paul Armstead [A] failed to make any solid gains
 and when they couldn't decide who to attack they themselves became the victims. 
 Andrew Geraghty [E] and Doug Stewart [F] eventually solidified an agreement
 to the changrine of a luckless Peter Barrett [G] caught in the sandwich. 
 A solid game ending in 1907.
Ox: A_3, E_12, F_12, G_1, I_0, R_0, T_6
1996-December
[Albright]
Not many in attendance but a good night was held by those there. 
 The Game 'Albright' was a resounding success for Adam Stewart [A] who scored his best club game to date as Austria. 
 Fluctuating fortunes by the other players proved to be a definite highlight,
 with Andrew Geraghty [E], Tom Allen [F], Paul Armstead [R]. and Doug Stewart [T] unable to capitalise by 1905.
 Albright: A_10, E_8, F_5, G_0, I_0, R_3, T_8

1996 - Game Reports
  

1996-October
[SRL]
1996-September
[Sha-Shame]
1996-August
[Der Fuhrer]
1996-July
[Dampier]
1996-June
[Independence]
1996-April
[Love]
1996-March Game-1
[A-Toll]
1996-March Game-2
[Monokini]
1996-March Game-3
[Bikini]
1996-February
[Eureka2]
1996-January
[Stockade]
1996-December
[Eureka]

1995 - Game Reports

1995-November Game-2
[Sputnik2]
Sputnik II : D.Stewart[A-0], A.Gattinger[E-1], A.Geraghty[F-12], A.Stewart[G-10], R.Philp[I-1], J.Kwan[R-0], I.Castle[T-10]
1995-November Game-1
[Laika]
And so it came to pass that Reg Philp declined the opportunity of a lifetime
 - to become the first DCOC player to claim an 18 during club competition.
Ian Castle (G) abandoned the attack when on the doorstep, and scarpered towards a steadfy France. 
 Together they would have held him at bay, instead they bickered, and Reg ran riot.  Well done Reg!
France, Germany and Turkey were easy winners tonight.
 A special mention to Adam Stewart who gained a personal best of 10 with Germany.
Laika : T.Allen[A-0], A.Geraghty[E-0], P.McDermott[F-8], I.Castle[G-7], P.Barrett[I-2], D.Stewart[R-0], R.Philp[T-17]
New Club Ranking System (or, you thought you needed women in order to score)
The DCOC executive cabal has devised a scoring system to rank players within the club.
 It is different to that used on the national circuit, so a new DCOC "senior" might only be technically equal to a national "intermediate".
 Our system is simple, fair and gives everyone something to work for.
 I would offer to buy our first Veteran a crate of champagne when he achieves that exalted rank but I don't like Ian Castles that much.
 Just joking, Ian.
That said, anyone reaching intermediate status is clearly capable of surviving on the national circuit
 and should consider at least attending the Nationals (Jan) and ACT (Oct).
 Even a survival in both events would put you among Australia's top 40 players.
The system has some anomalies, granted. Andrew England and Adrian Fegan (both ex-Aust champs) are rated as novices.
 In the unlikely event they return (Andrew is breeding Englands and Adrian is in England breeding goodness knows what),
 treat them as piranha, not minnows!
 A player will be considered to have the ranking with which they started the year, and that means December.
 So, a player who begins the 1996 playing year as a novice and earns enough points to become an intermediate by,
 say, June, would be eligible for Best Novice (not Best Intermediate).
I will undertake to pledge a special trophy to the first DCOC player to achieve an 18 in club play.
1995-October Game-2
[Spring]
Peter Barret (E) suffered early at the hands of Doug Stewart (F), while James Kwan (A) cleaned up John Hyland (I) and Steve Colbourne (T). 
 Tom Fieldhouse (R) made an early foray against Andrew Goff (G) with both of them losing centres in the midgame
  against the Austrian and French power brokers.
SPRING: A[14]. E[0], F[11], G[6], I[1], R[2], T[0].
1995-October Game-1
[Runstedt]
Another two club records fell in the path of Ian Castle (yet again) as France, and James Kwan as Austria.
Ian is now clearly our strongest club player and will be acknowledged as our first senior ranked player in the upcoming 1995 club awards.
Doug Stewart (A), Andrew Geraghty (I), and Tom Allen (T) all fell early in the path of an EFG (Reg Philp, Ian Castle, John Hyland).  Adam Stewart (T) held on until 1907 where he was forced to concede the last of his centres.
RUNSTEDT: A[0]. E[11], F[12], G[11], I[0], R[0], T[0].
1995-September Game-2
[45th]
1995-September Game-1
[44th]
A first ever alliance between Dave Gould (Aus) and Doug Stewart (Tur) netted the pair an 11 each result,
 with another solid performance from  Phil Watkins (Eng) on the other side of the board.  
 Andrew Goff (Ita) was eliminated early, while Lorin O'Brien (Fra) and Ian Castle (Rus) were unable to last the game.  
 A good effort from John Stagoll (Ger) gained him survival in his first club game.
 Result :A[11], E[9], F[0], G[3], I[0], R[0], T[11].
1995-August
[43rd]
Two club records fell to Andrew Geraghty's Russia in Aug 1995, both eclipsing Doug Stewart's records set only 3 months before (May 95),
 and regaining the records he previously set in Jan 94.  
 The first was the highest scored Russia, and the other was the highest number of centres by any country.
Beware - the GERAGHTY loves Russia.
1995-July Game-3
[42nd]
1995-July Game-2
[41st]
1995-July Game-1
[40th]
1995-June Game-2
[39th]
1995-June Game-1
[38th]
1995-May
[37th]
Two club records fell to Doug Stewart's Russia in May 1995.  The first was the highest scored Russia eclipsing Andrew Geraghty's  January 1994  high point of 28.66.  The other record to fall was the highest number of centres by any country which was previously at 14.
Stewart is King (by Andrew Geraghty)
Andrew Geraghty [A:4], Joseph Hanna [E:0], Tom Allen [F:7], Reg Philp [G:7], John Hyland [I:0], Doug Stewart [R:16], Andrew Goff [T:0]
Stewart has scorched into the DCOC club record books with a superb scored of 16 as Russia at the May meeting,
 eclipsed my own record of top club score, for any country of 15, and the Best-Ever Russia record at the same time.
I had a ringside seat in the show as Austria,
 bargaining for an A/l to begin with and pushing an Italian army from Venice-Tyrolia-Galicia John Hyland, 
 as Italy, made a build in 1901 that I can't see him making again - an army instead of a fleet in Naples. 
 This left him dangerously impotent against the Turk (AndrewGoff) and meant pulling back an Austria army to the Tyrolia so that, 
 with Fr Ar Marseille, an ltalian army in Piedmont could be blown up.
These peregrinations caught Goff by surprise who was busy pushing into the Ionian.
 Suddenly, the Italian built three fleets in a turn and the Med was looking much more Italian. 
 On the mainland, I'd agreed to ally with Goff and kick the snot out of Russia,
  who was under 1901 assault from England and a persuadable distance from Germany. 
 I promised Goff a game-length alliance [and I was really gonna stick to it, Andrew] -- he  claims we often ally and I always stab him.  
 To change the pattern, Goff got in first and seized Serbia.
At this point I was in panic mode -- Italians building armies,
 bulk Turks heading my way and a Russian who'd had Fl Rum blown up and supported himself to Gal early on.  
 It looked like goodnight Austria.
In the west, an EFG had formed more by accident than design. 
 Young Tom Allen scared the bejesus out of Reg Philp (Ger) by building two armies and a fleet after getting 3 builds in 1901.   
 Reg knew that many armies have only one purpose, but Tom honestly wanted peace  in our time and  to sit on his gains.  
 This suited Joseph Hanna (Eng), who was pursuing an Artic Circle campaign with good prospects.
Reg played it cool, sitting still and not committing himself.
 To take out Warsaw at that time meant inviting French invaders (however  dilatory). 
 Eventually he did park outside Warsaw and get English support into Sweden.  
 Things looked very grim for Stewart, surrounded on all sides and with only the Turks showing some grand benevolence
  by sailing Black Sea and leaving Sev unmolested. 
 In a cool Fall move, Stewart slid  Fl GoB into Baltic, which meant German Fl Swe (trying to tap GoB) vacated neutral Sweden
  for the less savoury delights on the Northern Baltic!
This hugely hampered Reg, who suddenly tried to cover all his Baltic port cities.
 The Polish expeditionary forces were recalled, much to the  relief of Moscow Central,
  which awarded medals and elite status to Ar Warsaw, the champions of MayDay.  
 In retrospect Reg, it would have been  better to retake Swe and kick in the door of Warsaw rather than cover your arse. 
 So what if Fl Baltic takes Berlin or Kiel? You'd still have  two builds, one of them a fleet and it would have been all over.  
 I only thought of this later.
Suddenly it was Stewart in the box seat.  Turkey was out of puff, though the steamroller held (with Stewart holding the whip.  
 The struggle in  the Balkans was titanic and l was arranging the deck chairs.  
 Goff was now talking up an "exterminate Geraghty" campaign and I began to feel like Harry Kolotas on a bad day.  
 Staying calm, I sized up the  situation and opted to become a slavish Russian puppet spearhead.  
 This was also timely as Russia and Turkey finally came to blows.
It was, however, a sideshow to the main game. 
 Up north, England had pulled back to defend their homeland after the French finally sallied forth, 
  the net result was Russia gaining Scandinavia and building northern fleets. 
 Stewart was masterful, talking up the French threat and keeping the reticent Germans on his side and the English pushing south,
  He then took Edi, but had England so convinced of his aid that a couple of seasons later he slipped into London and Liverpool while the English had their backs turned.
Italy had meanwhile gone bananas, listening to some wild schemes about some what-the-hell gains.
 Instead, he vapourised in a year or so, with  Turkey collecting almost everything.  
 The Italian and English deaths ended another unusual aspect of the game -- all players were still alive by 1905.
My Austria was struggling on just 2, but I was alive, which counts for everything.
 I kept my humour up, to the chuckles from others, with a quasimodo performance towards my "master", Russia.  
 Stewart was truly dangerous by now, cruising towards an 18 with a hesitant Germany and somewhat tardy France. 
 It was time to be careful, although the only player refusing a draw at this point was Goff, then on 10 as Turkey.   
 Germany was looting his Vatican and he wanted the bastards AUS!
Stewart began chuckling loudly at this point at some grand scheme.
 Suddenly, I saw what it was and was proved correct. Russian Ar Nwy-TUNlS via an entirely Russian convoy!  
 It was a grand scheme, but he got carried away in the moment,
  with all the talk of an agreed draw if Goff got Rome and Stewart got Turkish Tunis.  
  Carried away, Doug divulged his scheme -- and was bounced. 
  Mind you, Goff didn't get Rome either and it made him madder than a cut snake.
Austria was still on two, but then regained Serbia and occupied Trieste, narrowly missing a cut to just 1. 
 Stewart made his play for 18 (who  wouldn't?) by taking Tunis, plunging for Trieste and attempting a convoy to Portugal. 
 The latter failed because he ordered Ar MAO, Ar NTS to convoy (not Fleet). 
 Trieste stayed up with timely support from Ger Ar Venice.
At this point, Goff went bananas too. The Med sunshine was too much for all but the sun-starved Russians, it seems.
 He backed off all his possessions and the Russians waltzed into Turkey and Greece (they already had Bulgaria).  
 Turkey was now just Fl Ion, Fl Nap, Ar Apu and dead a year later. 
 Some would have said this was a tragic waste, but it was 1am by now and it was telling for some.  
 I'm just glad that l have lived yet again, in true Kolotas style, to see another Goff dead despite his threats.
There was an unstoppable 18 for Stewart now, but he didn't place the builds. [Not unstoppable - Reg had me covered-Ed] 
 Nothing if not the Scottish gentleperson he is, he sized the prospects and agreed to a draw. 
 The fact that German marines aboard Fl E Channel were weighing the prospects of dining on cold pork pies
  and warm beer in London had nothing to do with it -- did it Reg?  
 Reg kept an eagle eye on Stewart's orders at this point to determine the actions of the German Ready Reserve.
In the last year, my Austrians retook Vienna and Budapest, courtesy of a generous Russia,
 to finish on a not thoroughly deserved but certainly satisfying 4.   
 Overall, an enjoyable game, tarnished by some lacklustre play at times enlivened by a grand flourish. 
 Some foul beast broke wind and the Hague Convention on gas warfare at the same time, followed by another salvo later. 
 Several latecomers got stuck into two games of Acquire and enjoyed it, though it was a shame we couldn't manage two boards of Dip.  
1995-April
[36th]
With only 6 players this month Italy didn't get a start.  Reg Philp(Aus) repeated his march Austria.
 Andrew Goff(Eng) and Andrew Geraghty(Fra), teamed to keep Tom Allen(Ger) from a large score
 and assisted in the demise of Joseph Hanna(Rus) who copped it from both North and South. 
 John Hyland (Tur) held on against staunch opposition.
Reg Philp [A:10], Andrew Goff [E:7], Andrew Geraghty [F:9], Tom Allen [G:2], n/a [I:0], Joseph Hanna [R:0], John Hyland [T:6]
1995-March
[35th]
Reg Philp again set the scene with a strong Austria, partnered by a motivated Doug Stewart as Italy. 
 Andrew Geraghty (Fra) scored his first  points for 1995, while Ian Castle (Eng) and Joseph Hanna (Tur) were erased before games end. 
  Andrew Goff (Ger) and Brendan (Rus) held on to  their points after early large scores.
Reg Philp [A:10], Ian Castle [E:0], Andrew Geraghty [F:8], Andrew Goff [G:4], Doug Stewart [I:7], Brendon K [R:5], Joseph Hanna [T:0]
1995-February
[34th]
Fresh from stunning results Reg Philp and John Hyland conquered the board in a triumph of trust. 
 Tom Allen in a debut game was superb in opening a strong France,
 and in spite of various incursions by Germany and England, deservedly survived out the game - an excellent effort.
Result : John Hyland [A:8], Andrew Goff[E:2], Tom Allen[F:1], Doug Stewart [G:4], Tom Fiedhouse[I:4], Reg Philp [R:11], James Kwan[T:4]
1995-January
[33rd]
1994-December Game-2
[32nd]
1994-December Game-1
[31st]
The DCOC 1994 year came to a close with the festive celebrations and awards at the December meeting. 
 A dozen people enjoyed the night both  upstairs gaming, and downstairs at the bar where alternative entertainment was provided.
 Following the awards various games were played including a full board of Diplomacy (see below) as well as Civilisation, among others.
 Others in attendance were : Steve Calboune, Dave Bryant, Ian Castle, Andrew Geraghty & Chris Goff
Game of the year (DCOC 1995 that is)! (by Doug Stewart)
Alan Howard [A:1] John Hyland [E:12] Doug Stewart [F:11] Chris Goff [G:0] Tom Fieldhouse [I:1] Sundara DeSilva [R:0] Andrew Goff [T:9]
What a magnificent opener to DCOC's 1995 season. 
 John Hyland blazed the way as the new leader with a strong England, ably supported, stabbed,
  and overcame his ally(?) Doug Stewart of France.   Their alliance made short work of Chris Goff's Germany, which disappeared in 1903.
Meanwhile in the East, a possible steamroller fell apart as Sundara De Silvo's Russia wobbled under the onslaught of Andrew Goff's Turkey.   Alan Howard's Austria strengthened quickly to prevent being rolled,
 and Tom Fieldhouse's Italy gained two fleets in 1901 to prevent any incursions from Turkey or France.
Except for England/France, the alliances were very fickle early in the game,
 and even that was not obvious until it was too late for Germany.    Italy assisted France into Tyrolia against the Austrians. 
 This new threat only succeeded after a change of leadership, as Alan Howard left to pursue some other endeavour,
 and the call was taken up by Andrew Geraghty for one year. 
 The throne changed again as Chris Goff took the reigns of another country about to disappear (or so we all thought).
By 1905 the face of Europe was very different - Germany eliminated, Austria fallen to 2, Russia to 3,
 Italy and Turkey now working together both advanced to 6, while the EF had 17 between them, as France nibbled English centres in Germany.  
Fresh alliances were made, and now Italy and England strode to swallow France in between. 
 The alliance only lasted a year as France blocked Italian progress, and struck a new deal with England.
1907 was the year of Turk as he jumped 4 centres, at the expense of his Italian ally. 
 Austria's demise seemed certain as his remaining piece was crushed in Venice in 1908 Spring. 
 Italy was also headed for annihilation as Turkey and France gobbled his remaining centres. 
 Time was called during 1909 and although the draw was almost signed, a last grab for centres ensued,
 with Turkey trying to defend against a French unit in Galecia, a Russian in Rumania,
 and a sudden last minute pact between France and Italy for a one unit survival in Naples.
The deeds done; the surprise was that Austria had survived in Venice without any pieces,
 Italy survived with Naples, and Russia finally vanished after a valiant struggle.
A magnificent start to the year, with a truly dynamic game and a few best countries being registered.
The (No) Changing of the Guard
The Diplomacy Club of Canberra's leadership has changed in a subtle subversion of the club power structure. 
 In a swing away from participative democracy,
 the club leadership has staged an underhanded coup to retain power by becoming an autocratic democracy.  
 Now some might say this is simply because the "Powers That Be" forgot to even mention the subject of Election of Officers
 at the December meeting. 
 Others might suggest that a series of long,
 boring speeches on other subjects was designed as a smoke screen to cloak the fact they had no intention of relinquishing power. 
 Well, truth be told, there is some merit in both claims (not a lot, but some).  
Doug and I did forget to mention the subject of the Presidency and Secretary, so I guess you're stuck with us for the moment. 
 At least until someone else can read my handwriting. 
 The club leadership remains an autocratic democracy in that while it is run autocratically, members could upturn the applecart at any time.  This is currently unlikely until Andrew (John Howard) Goff and Tom (Peter Costello) Fieldhouse
 stop bickering among themselves about a challenge.  It's a benign dictatorship. 
 To use a Diplomatic analogy, it's the alliance you stomach until you think it's getting out of hand and then you cut it to size.  
Until then, it's the leadership you had to have.  

1994 - Game Reports

1994-November
[30th]
With the DCOC year coming to a close at the November meeting, we had one full board of players
 giving one last lunge at the club championship  (or at least the imminent club champion) plus several stragglers.  
This was followed by 2 fifty minute gunboat games. Other attendees were Doug Stewart & Peter Barrett.
Watkins Wavages West
Phil Watkins [A:11] Steve Calbourne [E:6] Ian Castle [F:8] Andrew Goff [G:0] Dave Bryant [I:5] Andrew Geraghty [R:4] Chris Skene [T:0]
Phil Watkins spectacular rise to 11 centers in just 4 years was pure profit from a steamroller misorder. 
 The steamroller looked good early,  neatly dividing the Balkans.  
 Then in 1902 Turkey misordered Bulgaria, and the army died in spring.  
 From then it was all downhill, with Russia  sacrificing Turkey in a bid to survive.  
 A feature of this game was Andrew Goff's Germany facing the ignominious fate of a 1902 elimination, 
  and the lowest club score for any country (0.75).  
 His death was hastened by an insensitive attack from his brother-in-law, the czar.
 Short but sweet, they said.
1994-October
[29th]
1994-September
[28th]
1994-August Game 2
[27th]
Game2 : Ian Castle [A:10], Andrew Goff [E:8], Andrew Beaumont [F:8], Chris Goff [G:0],
        N/A [I:0], Joseph Hanna [R:1], John Hyland [T:7]
1994-August Game 1
[26th]
August Monthly Meeting
The cold winter months have had an effect on numbers with only a dozen at the August meeting.
 Two boards of 6, with a dead Italy on both provided lots of laughs, and the most vibrant club game yet played. 
 No-one left disappointed with the quality on Friday night.
Game1 : David Gould [A:4], Andrew Geraghty [E:7], Doug Stewart [F:10], Tom Fieldhouse [G:5],
        N/A [I:0], Tom Hosking [R:3], Chris Skene [T:5]
1994-July Game 2
[25th]
Game2 : Doug Stewart [A:9], John Hyland [E:0], Alan Howard [F:11], Andrew Geraghty [G:5],
        Andrew Goff [I:0], Andrew Battison [R:0], Ian Castle [T:9]
1994-July Game 1
[24th]
July Monthly Meeting
Two tables again, plus a few late blow-ins.
 Remember start time is 7 o'clock.
 Turkey and France featured strongly in both games, with Alan Howard setting the pace as best France. 
 Allied countries Russia (board 1) and Austria (board 2) also coasted along to strong scores,
  with Doug Stewart scoring the best Austria so far.  Both games ended in 1905.
Game1 : Adam Stewart [A:0], Chris Goff [E:1], Michael Cook [F:9], Phil Watkins [G:5],
        Sid Dev[I:0], Craig Johnson [R:10], Joseph Hanna [T:9]

[Social Game] A Throttling Good Time (by Andrew Geraghty - Acquire)
One sure result of the "bunny hunt", i.e. the unselfish mass elimination of newcomers to rid them of the burden
 of running their various temporary national abodes, was an early game of Acquire.
 There were 6 takers, the maximum, and competition was fierce. 
 It was a rare opening for Acquire, with four starting tiles forming pairs and the first two firms being 3 and 4 tiles each!
 The large number of players also meant that options could open, be jumped and then close long before it got back to your turn.
 A couple of the newcomers, in their first Acquire session, got the idea quickly and in some snappy open-shut,
  open-shut deals opened and closed a couple of their firms by perfect crossplay.
One highlight was Adam Stewart's persistence in opening and re-opening Americans.
 He was 4th, just after me, and unable to start a corporation and unwilling to buy 3rd in the only extant corporation, I begged off.
 Adam started Americans (the little rascal knows how I feel about Americans)
 - so I jokingly began throttling him and proclaiming my love for Americans and his importunity in waiting until after me to start  it!
 Adam obligingly snapped his head back and forward in a realistic display of being throttled, but failed to turn blue. 
 It was getting worse, and my money was low. I need to make a killing quick.
 I was being pushed on stocks I didn't want to defend as there were other opportunities -- but life's like that. What could I invest in?
 I finished my turn and then Adam re-started Americans in a central position. I  throttled him again.
I'd kept one from before, so when it came to my turn I bought 3 more and went back to defending my Worldwides.
 Americans were good, central and superb merger potential. Everyone else was pretty strapped, or intent on other pastures.
 As my cash ran low, Luxors merged into a massive Festival empire that Adam had traded Americans for a lead very early.
 Suddenly the money was out to beat me in Americans and I couldn't defend my 2nd.
 So I merged Americans into Festival while I still had 2nd,
  though this probably lead to Adam getting an unbeatable front running in Festival.  
John Hyland was doing some canny buying, as were many other Acquire newcomers.
 In the end, I made the simplest mistake of all: not cashing in some $3000 in Continental stocks when in merged (trading no option),
  as I had a hotel starter in my hand.
 Within two plays, that option ceased to exist and the stocks were permanently valueless.
 I came last, or next to last. We'd rather not talk about it.
Adam scorched into first place with some $60,000 (against my $17,300), though even the champs make some late mistakes
 -- there is an argument to merging an enemy empire, even though you get nix, if it pushes your own major empire into a new tax bracket.
I think all would agree it was lots of fun and has sold a few more on Acquire as a fill-in or alternative on Club nights! 
 As I don't tire of saying, its beauty (in addition to its simplicity) is that you just open the box and start.
 Acquire and Civilization are about the only two games I know where that is possible.
 Perhaps we should also introduce Railway Rivals, which uses blank maps, waterbased pens and a die to determine rival rail empire successes.
1994-June Game 2
[23rd]
Back on track the club had two tables tonight. 
 A solid alliance by Greg Calder(R) and Doug Stewart(T) saw the first successful steamroller in the club for a long time. 
 The other board maintained 'the balance of power' theory, with no-one eliminated.
Balance of power :A[-], E[7], F[6], G[1], I[3], R[10], T[7].
1994-June Game 1
[22nd]
A German Tale by Tom Fieldmouse (as translated by Alan Howard))
A German Tale    :A[3], E[4], F[7], G[2], I[5], R[10], T[-]. 
Germany (Tom Fieldhouse) entered the new century with huge plans.
 18 large cities was the goal and they were determined to achieve it.
 After taking Belgium, it discovered that England (Ian Hosking) had interests in Denmark,
 but the Germans fought them in the courts and on the beaches, managing to stop them from invading the Danes.
 The poor Norsemen weren't so lucky.
Russia (Andrew Beaumont) then liberated the Norse from the English, as well as helping Austria into Bulgaria.
 The French (Andrew Goff) seemed to have joined the anti-English crusade, moving some of their units a little closer to England.
 It was now that Austria (David Gould) seemed to be starting their own crusade -- against Germany!
 The citizens of Munich were getting restless at the increase in Austrian tourists from Tyrolia and Bohemia,
 but at least it increased trade.
 A small incursion into Burgundy was rejected by the French, but England missed the court hearing and Germany walked into Denmark.
As England confused the Norse by taking it off Russia, the Austrians took Munich.
 Turkey lost a couple of units and France changed their crusade to anti-Italian (Alan Howard).
 The Germans freed Munich from its tyrannical Tyrolean captivity with the help of French crusaders, and the people were happy. 
 Russia invaded from the east, starting rumours that an eastern front would form,
 but that was quashed by the strategists who pointed out that Germany had no front to front up to the party with.
Italians protected their African interests, but lost the Tyrrhenian Sea to the crusaders.
 The Italians also invaded Austria and those in trieste began calling themselves Italian. 
 The happy Germans in Munich, congratulating the French supporters,
  were quite surprised when those very French were supported into Munich by the Russians and Austrians.
 This was quite a party-pooper!
The Russians also destroyed the Turkish (John Hyland)civilization. Long live Hashish!
 The English took StP from Russia, while the Austrians went into Piedmont with Italian help.
Russia and Austria were closing in on Berlin and the Kaiser was thinking of shifting the capital elsewhere.
 The Kaiser declared the French insane and its president provided documents to show the accusation were true.
Leaders of Germany, France and England arranged a truce to stop the eastern powers,
 but both England and France made assassination attempts on the Kaiser.
 The truce was over. Interestingly enough, it hadn't even started.
 Austria also suffered, losing two centres to an Italian surprise attack, thanks to German support.
 The Kaiser laughed evilly, stating "those Austrian bastards deserve it all!"
The Russians invaded Berlin and the Kaiser declared Munich the new capital.
 He now started moving his 3 armies against the 3 armies of Austria, denying French accusations of his own madness.
 Statement from the Kaiser: "the French president is living proof that madness doesn't lead to death -- worst luck."
The Italian president showed signs of the disease plaguing the French president,
 as the Italian ordered great tactical moves without support (!), losing two centres to Russia and Austria.
Now it was Fall 1905 and all the countries of Europe agreed to a peace treaty, with the Russian Tsar saying:
 "you just vate until next time, you puny invidels!" as he signed the armistice. Thus ended the Great War.
1994-May
[21st]
May Monthly Meeting
The winter months are coming, as is a drop off in attendance. 
 We only had one table this month, as many regulars found other things to do [like sit in front of a warm fire?...Ed]. 
 The first game collapsed as a point of rules was bandied about - eventually all players agreed to a draw. 
 A sad end to an exciting game. 
The remaining players then played Single-centre start Gunboat, with any owned centre being a build centre. 
 Highly entertaining, and very fast!
The best way to keep things heating up is to bring some friends along to the next exciting  encounter.
Social Scene
Jamie Thompson, a friend of Tom Fieldhouse, arrived for a first up appearance at DCOC during the May meeting. 
 Lumbered with Doug Stewart as mentor for his first outing (Russia), he was chosen as the prime target very early in the game.  
 Jamie has lots of tactics to learn, but his conversational skills will stand him in good stead.  Welcome to the club, Jamie.
DCOC Takes The First Ashes Win (Sydney Invasion)
The representatives of the People's Soviet of the Diplomacy Club of Canberra are pleased to be announcink
 that they haf won a glorious viktory over the forces of Capitalism in a May Day foray against the Sydney Diplomacy Club.
Canberra fielded the "A Team", Andrew Goff and Andrew Geraghty, who made a day trip to  trounce the infidels of the Marouba citadel.
 It is pleasink that their superior Diplomatik  skills triumphed over any prospect of a cartel combining against them,
  as they divided and conkered.
We arrived at 10.30am, delayed by a hiccup on the way, and they had just started.
 But Sydney showed good form in offering places to both of us in the game that was going
 - Andrew Goff took over France and did well to finish on 5, as Miguel had been playing it to start and was singled out for attention. 
 I had a game of Acquire with Gareth Collins and Miguel Taliana  and trashed them.
Over lunch, I suggested to Miguel and Gareth that we have an "Ashes Series",
 with a randomly chosen Sydney result compared with my result to determine a winner. 
 Both sets of orders would then be burnt with the "winning club" keeping the Ashes. 
 I did this in the full expectation that I would be totally thrashed, but thought it was worthwhile creating some sort of tradition anyway.
For this second game I drew Austria and there was a chorus of "Goodbye!" and "We're out to get you!"
 though I don't think Mig or Gareth had mentioned the Ashes idea. 
 Ah well, I knew it was coming. Italy stabbed me in Spring 1901 and moved Rome-Ven to back it up. 
 But I had an excellent alliance with Geoff Kerr as Russia which enabled me to pursue Turkey while retaking and defending centres
  and talking the Italian around again.
Not long after, with the Italian deep into Germany and Turkey and with a couple of well-deserved builds,
 I decided to uncharacteristically stab Italy and Russia at the same time. 
 Andrew Goff, as England, indirectly helped by bringing forces into northern Russia.  
 France came to the party to sink the boot into Italy while I promoted the Turks back into the game,
  letting them take Con (then mine) while bouncing the Italians in the last Turk centre, so the Turks by agreement then built a fleet!
By the end of the game, I finished in a time-draw in Spring with 8 but an assured 10 had it gone into Fall,
 while Andrew had an excellent 8 as England 
 (A solid alliance with the French was cemented early on with the French building 2 armies, no fleets in 1901). 
 We rolled a dice to determine which Sydneysider's result would determine the Ashes and only France had a higher score, 9. 
 The perfidious Italians were the "winners", their pitiful score of 4 ensuring that no matter which Canberra score was chosen,
  Canberra had scored a win in the first of the series.
We were back in Canberra by 9.30pm after an excellent day which we both thoroughly enjoyed and recommend to everyone.
 Next time Sydney may not be so accommodating....  
Geoff Kerr (who played Russia) is already talking about coming down for one of our meetings,
 so this could be the start of a good exchange. 
 The scores:
		A	I	F	E	G	R	T
1901		4	5	5	4	5	5	4
1902		6	5	5	7	4	5	2
1903		9	6	6	7	1	4	1
1904		9	5	8	8	0	2	2
1905(Sp)	8	4	9	8	0	3	2
I hear Andrew, after his two good scores, is now running second in the Sydney Diplomacy Club Competition!!
 Gosh, it would be so dreadfully embarassing if a Canberran took the Sydney champion trophy.
Andrew Geraghty 2/5/94
[Congratulations to our trailblazers ... Ed]
1994-April Game 2
[20th]
Bad Bulgarian Blue Buggers Budapest (by Andrew Geraghty, standard gunboat with 7  players.)
I used to dread getting Austria (Andrew Geraghty).
 Its game is unique, because more than any other country it  starts totally surrounded.
 My first tournament game as Austria saw me suffer a 1902 elim --  you can't bite the dust much quicker than that
  (though I saw an inept Russia do it at  Melbourne over Easter).
Game 2 started late but soon developed lots of promise as eastern bickering helped promote a huge German win
 that would have been a sure 18 centre slaughter had the barman, Jason, announced closing time.  
 I promised Russia (Craig Johnson) Bulgaria and the Turks (Ian Hosking) Rumania, then tried to guess who to go with. 
 The orders were read -- Russia duly attacked Bulgaria, I supported the Turks into Rumania - and the Turks did nothing but shuffle around! 
 Aaaagggh! I had guessed wrong and for me it meant the difference between a decent survivaL and a Big Finish. 
 Russia, Turkey and I swung back and forth trying to stitch up something,
  but the Turks determination to play a fairly solo game meant I had to decide what to do about Germany (Tom Fieldhouse)
  - and an alliance proved both workable and profitable.
Italy (Ian Castle) was playing Italy on both boards and his interest visibly, if understandably,
 waned on our board as his score grew on the other. 
France (Alan Howard) was faring little better, getting thumped on two boards
 - Alan, I have to take most of the blame for forcing you to play two games (as Games Co-ord), 
 something you had previously asked me to physically restrain you from  ever doing again. 
 I think we'll have to roster experienced players.
England (Gregory Calder) looked like a sycophantic German stooge, as Russia died followed by Italy
 and I scrambled from centre to centre in several directions to keep a stable centre count and survive a stab. 
 But the Krupps works kept shifting up gears. Its centre growth makes interesting reading: 4, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14. 
 A sure indication that a more modest start but  with a firm ally can spell great gains for Germany. 
 Tom deserved his win, though I reassured Craig's cooling body that, had I guessed right at the start,
  it would have been a hugely different story.
What Game 2 certainly showed was that every Dip game is different and you don't need heaps of time to have a fun game.
1994-April Game 1
[19th]
Castle scores big, but youngsters don't give a F.I.G. !  (by Andrew Geraghty - Standard  Dip.)
No report submitted - the early birds got off to a start as soon as they could.
 Ian Castle (I-13) and Dave Gould (F-10) were the big winners, in what must be a good example of the potential gains for an F/I. 
 How Germany (Andrew Beaumont) managed to finish with 8 in such as situation bemused me, but I was a bit busy on the other board. 
 Ask Austria (Alan Howard), England (Lorin O'Brien), Russia (Joseph Hanna)
  and Turkey (Andrew Goff) who got the sharp end of the gladius thrust in their toga. 
 It was a humbling for Lorin, who had scored an admirable 14 with Russia the previous meeting. 
 Castle's performance deserves some extra credit as he was doing his best to perform in two games,
  until the inevitable became clear in one and the rosy hlow of the other grew even rosier.
Sydney Invasion
DCOC members are all invited to join the May Day celebrations, by raiding the Sydney Diplomacy Club headquarters
 in a glorious revisiting of the Capture of Berlin by the Russians in 1945, at 220 Maroubra Road, Maroubra, Sydney.
 The trip comes complete with a display of military might, demonstrations, and a parade of honour for the victorious DCOC barbarians
 - all the customary trappings of a May Day parade.  (Back stabbings supplied at no extra cost).
 Contact Andrew Geraghty. It would be good to take two cars, but we will take at least one.  Early departure, and return that night.
Victorian Championships
We came, we saw, we cried..... . 
Two DCOC warhorses managed to repeat their 1993 results. 
 Andrew scored a resounding 0-0-3, while Doug achieved? a 1-0-2 result. 
 The bright light on the horizon was newcomer Andrew Goff, previously unknown to DCOC and similarly unaware of us,
 who rated the highest of the Canberran onslaught.
Doug now has the dubious honour of having being eliminated in both 1993 & 4 on day 2 in games resulting in 18 centre wins.
 A word of caution to Victoria - don't eliminate him in 1995 - or else .... . 
Andrew was well on the way to setting a new tournament low for his performance with 2 BLATS and cut to just one piece
 (German fleet Baltic) before clawing back to three.
Andrew Goff has since attended a club meeting, and we hope to see him and his band of Dip brigands at future meetings.
Social Scene
Scant words of information about our foreign legionnaires Adrian Fegan and Jim Venn
 who flew off to the World Diplomacy Championships in Birmingham. 
 Jim returned to also keep alight the flames of love with (or was that stoke the fires of) a lass from the English midlands.
 If fortune favours the brave then they should both do well - whatever their conquests may be.
1994-March
[18th]
Quiet Birthday Bash
With many regulars away, our first birthday saw 14 players celebrate with cake and champagne.
We hope to see twice as many at our next birthday bash - bring a friend between now and then.  
Standard :A[2], E[11], F[2], G[4], I[2], R[13], T[0].
Gunboat  :A[1], E[6], F[5], G[5], I[2], R[3], T[12] . 
GermanFieldhouse Grows Fast - but stops ! (by Doug Stewart - Standard Dip.)
Game 1 :
No report submitted - Ian Castle (E-11) and Lorin O'Brien (R-13) were the big winners,
 in what was the rare alliance covering the northern half of the board.  
Not much to say except that these dudes would have been at each others throats in a couple of seasons with both expecting an 18 centre victory.
Other players were : Tom Fieldhouse(A), Andrew Beaumont(F), Cody Guimelli(G), David Gould(I), Lyndon Sanson(T)
Gunboat & Glory (by Andrew Geraghty, standard gunboat)
Game 2 :
I had no sooner explained that I rarely play Turkey than I (Andrew Geraghty) drew it in a gunboat game late in the March meeting.
 The mood was good and everyone was looking for a bit of fun as the chosen countries sat down to a quick smash-and-grab takeover of Europe.
My luck was in from the word go. Germany (Reg Philp) launched two armies at Russia (Gregory Calder), taking Warsaw and denying them Sweden.
 Italy (Sean O'Brien) and Austria (Adam Stewart) got to bickering and while Russia and I made a customary bounce in the Black Sea in Spring,
  I let him get in during Fall so Ar Arm made it into Sev.  As my janisseries had held out the Russians from Rumania,
  Russia dropped like a stone to 2 and I was set up with two extra fleets (Ank and Smy).  
 The vultures swarmed on Germany as France (Doug Stewart) probed everywhere and England (Alan Howard) took the Channel and Norway.
 Austria failed to get Greece as it fought off Italy and Italy was becoming too busy on the mainland to be a threat.
Taking the now undefended Black Sea (Russia scuttled its fleet as a disband), the Aegean,
  EME and getting armies into Rum and Bul seemed too good to be true.
 By the end of the year I had Greece and Rum and two more builds, Ar Con and Fl Smy plus a fleet in ION and, a good guess, another in Tyr Sea.
 The Italian covered Naples but finessed Tunis -- he could have covered it but left it open. 
 Suddenly, the game had awesome possibilities for Turkey.
 Quite a bit of banter was going on, with much illegal but good-humoured table talk.
 Russia deserves a mention, retaking Warsaw to remain on 2 despite dreadful odds.
 A turn later, the unthinkable: Russia retook StP to grow to 3! Great play.
France was suddenly in serious bother, a product of playing fast and loose and England, Germany and Italy simultaneously.
 The English began to dominate the MAO and Spain and Portugal changed hands several times.
 But the continued movement of Italian fleets west meant a free hand for Turkey.
 I took Nth Africa and Tunis and kept Tyr Sea, trying in vain to support the French into Rome.
Meanwhile Austria short-circuited from an overdose of Coca-Cola or food colouring and lost Serbia and Budapest to me.
 Their appearance in Greece was a temporary inconvenience.
 Have tried twice to support France to Rome, he finally took the hint and did it,
  but as it happened I'd gone to Naples myself with support (and his attack was crucial in cutting Rome's support).
Germany was fighting a heroic battle at home, running up huge rail bills shunting troops back and forth at a great pace.
 His yoyo centre count reflects the savagery of the exchanges,
  compounded by the difficulty of regaining centres and leaving a build centre open.
 France was copping a shellacking, probably justified. England seemed to think so, anyway.
By the end of the game I had had a great time, enjoyed the wham, bam, thank-you-ma'am approach enormously
 and finished with the best centre count: Turkey with 12 by Fall 1905 (from Sev to Tunis).
 While it is important that members get cut-and-thrust practice,
 I can thoroughly recommend a good game of Gunboat just to experience the sheer sense of fun!
<5>Social Scene Q
Some our most dashing and resiliant pioneers have caste their eyes to well known foreign shores in the heartland of the hobby. 
 Adrian Fegan and Jim Venn have flown off to the World Diplomacy Championships in Birmingham. 
 Jim has returned to also keep alight the flames of love with a lass from the English midlands.
 If fortune favours the brave then they should both do well - whatever their conquests may be.

One Crest Fits All
Yes, we now have the club crest on a silk screen so we can reproduce it on our club shirts!
We need to get at least 10 orders to negotiate some discount on the polo-neck shirts themselves
 and although it would be good to think that many members would eventually get one, we understand that may not be an option just yet.
Certainly we would hope all tournament regulars would front up and pay up, so DCOC again sets the pace,
 in style, by fronting Melbourne and Sydney in the new shirts.
 Provisionally, the cost is $15 complete (new shirt in white with club crest in mid green), though the cost is a bit higher for XXL, say $17.   We plan to bulk buy a batch of the same shirts from Lowes, so don't do your own thing.
 Doug and I modelled the new shirts at the Birthday Bash meeting in March and they look rather smart, if I say so myself.
1994-February Game 2
[17th]
1994-February Game 1
[16th]
1994-January Game 2
[15th]
Fleets Flog Foes (by observer - Doug Stewart - Standard Dip.)
A surprising situation was that opening moves on both boards tonight were almost identical.  
 That was where the similarity ended as the board fractured into two wars. 
 Russia (Adrian Fegan), Austria (Andrew Beaumont), and Italy (Phil Watkins) combined to hamper Turkish (Tom Fieldhouse) expansion,
 while on the other side Germany bounced Russia in Sweden, and the all other centres were occupied by the fall. 
 The board was stable until 1903F, when the real action began.
Turkey was the first to suffer with the loss of 2 centres in 1904,
 and a continued reduction of 1 per year as the RAI alliance cleaned up the now defunct Ottoman empire.  
Austria stumbled to 4 centres, but regained the 5th centre he would stay on to the end of the game.   
 Italy was going berserk as it grew to 6, 7, and finally 9 by game's end, much to French (David Gould) and Turkish chagrin. 
 England (Ian Castle) satisfied itself with a northern campaign into Russia, also ending up on 9 centres,
 while Germany (David Bryant) pushed into France.
There was a good deal of experience on this board, and someone was bound to be exterminated.
 The 'honour?' went to Tom Fieldhouse (T) who in a final desperate defiant act, ordered his only fleet from Naples to LIVERPOOL. 
 Naturally it failed, however his uncontrollable impulse to secure Liverpool in every game was partially sated.
The 1994 DCOC Almanac - a premonition? (by Andrew Geraghty - Fortune Teller)
JAN: In a fit of drunken camaraderie, DCOC players unanimously pledge to attend the Nationals. 
     They wake up next day to find that a wily Doug Stewart made them pay in advance.
     DCOC rocks the nationals.  Some bodies aren't found for weeks; DCOC exits stage left with a swag of awards.
FEB: Dave Gould leads the club championship.
     Andrew Coutts plays for the first time and acquits himself well despite being set upon by others who think he's a novice.
MAR: DCOC is shocked.  Venn & Fegan ally in an F/G but their enemies recover when they stab each other. 
     Both are eliminated.  Alan Howard looks for a sixth player for a Final Conflict PBM.
APR: The DCOC contingent to Melbourne locks shields and lowers its pikes to charge scanty Vic opposition. 
     David Gould leads the club championship. 
     Andrew England is narrowly stopped from getting 18 as Russia when he persuades a tame Al Alison to roll over as Turkey.
     Greg Calder, eliminated early at DCOC, gets bored and plays Bocce - riding his motorbike.
MAY: Dave Gould misses DCOC.  Dave Bryant is trampled in the rush by Ian Castle to become progressive leader. 
     Alan Howard is looking for a sixth for FC.
JUN: DCOC arrives at NSW champs to be ambushed by NSW and Vic cartels out to avenge losses.  DCOC is beaten, but not cowed.
JUL: The inaugural ACT Challenge is a great success.  Foreign contingents are suitably impressed by the DCOC commitment. 
     Dave Gould returns, finds Ian Castle on his throne.  There is a struggle.  
     Andrew Beaumont takes pride of place as progressive leader while it goes on.  Howard looks for a 6th for FC.
AUG: DCOC declares Maroubra " The friendly Games" and does well in an event little marred by vendettas and bloodletting. 
     What's wrong with the hobby?  Dave Gould returns to first place at DCOC.
SEP: Jim Venn attends his 3rd DCOC game for '94 and bounds ahead of Gould. 
     Dave cunningly helps pay his return fare to England for another working holiday.  Howard still needs a 6th for FC.
OCT: In a carefully crafted alliance, Geraghty, O'Brien & Ellem activate a mid-game 'sleeper-alliance'
     which sees Germany, Italy and Austria sweep the board except for Tom Fieldhouse with Fl Smy
     who is variously muttering "I don't care as long as I get Liverpool" and "it's a lie, I was on the comeback!".
NOV: Andrew Beaumont tries to improve his Junior Award chances by feeding laxettes to young DCOC players. 
     Dave Gould leads the progressive scores but can't sleep for the sound of sharpening knives in the distance.
     Howard needs a sixth for FC.
DEC: A postman, carrying the 6th FC  acceptance, finds Howard face-down in a pool of blood. 
     A bleary-eyed Gould arrives at DCOC to the club championship results.  And the winner is ... .
Choosing Positions
In deciding who will play what countries at the start of a game,
 we recommend that players ensure newcomers do not get one of the central powers in their initial game/s. 
 A newchum Austria is a sitting duck, as Steve Harris found to his cost at his first game in December.    
 Still he has come back, which either shows a lot of pluck or a weakness of the brain.    
 Welcome to the hobby Steve.
1994-January Game 1
[14th]
Club Records Tumble
The January meeting of DCOC delivered us two new players, lots of thrills and spills, and  the highest Russian centre count, which is also the highest centre count for any country.   With the 2 boards fully attended, the night was a smashing success.
Game1 :A[1], E[1], F[1], G[8], I[1], R[14], T[8].
Game2 :A[5], E[9], F[2], G[6], I[9], R[3],  T[-] . 
The Bear Battles Britain (or it's an Ilyushin wind that blows no-one no good) (by Andrew Geraghty - Standard Dip.)
Tired of the bad snowfalls of 1900, the Big White One was out for lebensraum in the west.    Yes, Russia (Andrew Geraghty) was moving and Turkey (Steve Harris) proved a good ally: the Black Sea and Armenia remained neutral all game.   The steamroller was cranking up; would the west survive?
This was the "newcomers game", with two veterans (myself and Doug) the two big fish in a small pond, though Adam is developing his talents.   Adam swapped the Russia he drew, for Austria to gain experience;
 an action several players have rued in death as they tried new countries at DCOC.
My alliance with Turkey looked the only solid one on the board as the game opened. 
 Italy (Joseph Hanna) played a solo game, leaving Austria (Adam Stewart) in the lurch,
 France (Paul Sutherland) made pretty standard moves, but dithered diplomatically,
 Germany (Doug Stewart) opened anti-England, and England (Steve Sawatski) opened anti-French by taking the channel,
 but lost all tactical advantage by moving EngCh-NTS, and NTS-Nwy, and falling victim to Russia in Norway in 1902.
I was out for more fun than profit and agreed to let Austria and Turkey go for Italy while I made a pact with Germany to head North,
 even though at that moment the two of them seemed poised to knife France. 
 In the end, Germany had a bite of both cherries.
 [With both E & F indecisive, I was forced to take both on, to try and convince them of a positive attitude - Ed.]
It's hard to "play down" to new players, and I gave newcomers the best advice I could,
 but being newcomers they assumed it was a lie and did something else. 
 Unlike experienced players who can see at a glance that what you're saying is likely to be true, but don't believe you anyway! 
 This was an excellent teaching game, as almost every situation you could want to see and explain actually took place,
 including misorders by every player through the game. 
 In retrospect we should have  videotaped it just for that reason.
1901 saw E + Nwy, F + Spa, G + Hol & Bel, R + Rum & Swe, A + Ser & Gre, I + Tun, T + Bul. 
 I supported G to NTS as he picked up Denmark, and I picked up Nwy. 
 1903 NWG Sea supported an attack by my A Nwy-Edi via a G convoy. 
 Sadly, in a rushed move, Russian troops arrived at dockside to find German naval attaches unable to read
  (orders = F NTS c (R) A Nwy ...unfinished). 
 Meanwhile A built a fleet, and taking this as a threat to my Turkish ally, decided to snot Austria.
I took Bul(EC) with permission while T + Gre and convoyed Con-Apu in fine style. 
 Italy had attacked down-on-it's-luck France, but had an Austrian knife plunged in his back at the same time. 
 The only newcomer doing well was a nervous Turkey, watching Tsarist hoards just over his shoulder. 
 With R Swe-Den I exclaimed "Did I write that" which became a catchcry as opportunistic Russian thrusts hit home later on. 
 France was ailing despite G aid, and accepted A support in Mars to attack Burg, prompting a G retreat to Paris - France looked doomed.
Italy defended well, slowing the T to a crawl, and encouraging Austria's demise. 
 E sailed from Por hoping to regain Lpl from G with R help, only to be outmanoeuvred by Russia. 
 By endgame I was short an almost certain 18 by one year. 
 I had intended to write how this may happen, as Russia is the country with the best chance of achieving 18 in a Friday night game
 - but I hadn't expected to live it out in person. 
 Doug had his best club game [or Tourney game for that matter Ed] equal with Steve on 8. 
 Experts will say Doug should have attacked me, but with both hands full with E/F,
 almost no chance of turning Turkey around and an Austria intent on stabbing Italy, it would have been suicidal for him. 
 Other than that, what can I say?  You can't help being a bastard, so I stuck the boot in!
1993-December Game 2
[Thirteenth]
Hanna [H]arrives (by Doug Stewart - Standard Dip.)
With Leading lights Alan Howard (Germany), Ian Castle (Turkey),
 and Club Champion Dave Bryant (France) competing in a game against novices Stephen Harris (Austria) and Joseph Hanna (Russia),
  this game was not expected to last long.  
  Reg Philp (Italy) and Andrew Ellem (England) rounded out the numbers for this, our second board of Diplomacy for the night.
Although the game got off to a slow start as the gameplay, and orders were explained to the newcomers;
 the heat was applied early with 3 neutrals remaining unconquered in 1901.
By 1902 France and Russia were leading the way with 6 centres each,
 while Germany and Turkey on 5 gave strength to the alliances being formed.
Austria was first to feel the thrust of a blade as it dropped from 4 to 2 in 1903, which he held till games end. 
 Meanwhile England dropped to 3 to an expansive Russia.
England no longer had any allies and dropped 3 centres in 1904 to be eliminated.  A most savage beating. 
 Joseph Hanna played well to take Russia out to 9 before falling away to 5.  
There were suggestions that the centre count may have been slanted by a centre grab after last moves were called. 
 Perhaps our game terminations will need to be reviewed.  
The Geraghty Prediction
After a successful introduction Andrew has suggested that Joseph Hanna could be the next 'Andrew Beaumont' of Canberra
 - another giant killer.
 Now let's use all our skills to clean up the Nationals in January.
Club News - 1993 Championship Decided
A great finish to our first calendar year with 20 people at the presentations,
 with 17 remaining to play the games - 2 Diplomacy and an 1830.  
Having announced that Russia had the worst record in our inaugural year,
 the December meeting saw TWO successful Russia's storm the boards.  
Congratulations to all award winners (see attached sheet) and those who have contributed to the success of the club.
1993-December Game 1
[Twelfth]
Russians Raze, Rape & Ruin
In separate surprise attacks, both Diplomacy boards were overrun by Russian units in a huge  turnaround to the 1993 club records
Game1 :A[2], E[0], F[10], G[6], I[2], R[5], T[9].
Game2 :A[3], E[3], F[11], G[3], I[2], R[8], T[4].
French Feeding Frenzy; Russia Rallies & Turkey off Xmas Menu (by Doug Stewart - Standard Dip.)
David Gould (France) and Tom Fieldhouse (Russia) showed how a squeeze play really works.  
 With Russia bounced in Sweden by Cody Guile (Germany), and Alan Howard (Austria) unable to sew up Greece in 1901,
 the scene was set for alliance changes.
Russia now swung against Turkey with Austrian help, while Italy (Doug Stewart) was left to worry about attacks from France and Germany. 
 England's' (Lorin O'Brien) opening foray into Belguim came to little as he quickly went back to 4 pieces.  
By 1903 the wheels of the Juggernauts were truly in motion.  
 Austria got hammered, dropping from 6 to 3. 
 Italy held on for grim death, also on 3 as was Andrew Beaumont's' Turkey, that  never got out of the corner. 
 France moved to 7, while Russia sped to 8 at Austria's expense.  
 Germany and England held with 5, and both played as though Russia and France couldn't hurt a fly.
Gould engineered his way to 8 in 1904 with an army on mainland England, while Turkey nibbled at Austria to keep himself in the game. 
1905 was the beginning of the end for England, which Gould picked up another 3 centres.  
 Russia's position no longer looked tentative, and although kept to 8 for 3 years,
 would surely now be able to break free of the shackles for a big score.  Hereth the game ended.
What doesn't come across in the numbers or a game score is the interplay between countries.  
 This was the most interesting and flavoursome game yet played in the club.  Allegiances changed by season. 
 Friends were won, lost, and remade.  
 No-one was safe from an allies mistrust, and the daggers were honed for expediency.
A highly entertaining game.
 
A Choo-Choosey Phil Gets Railroaded (by Andrew Geraghty-1830.) [Social Game]
[But His Little Red Wagon Comes In]
From rival warlords to railway barons, the scene may change but the diplomacy doesn't stop.   
 One group of diplomats ditched their imperial ambitions to do some serious laying: laying  track across America in a game of 1830.  
 But exchanging screaming hordes for screaming train whistles didn't mean that there wasn't considerable infighting
 and advice-giving to both  veterans and newcomers about what they should purchase and why.
Private companies were, naturally, gobbled quickly and a couple of old favourites got off  the ground: Chesapeake, CanPac and Penn.  
 The presidents share in B&O went early to a  novice, but others wisely laid off to ensure they shares in going concerns.
Chesapeake built west for good returns, while CanPac modestly flung a feeler towards New  York.  
 Penn started in penury with a mere $3/share payout but promised better to come.   
 While Chesapeake began well-paying runs and CanPac returns firmed, Penn linked to the Deep  South and its dividends rose.  
 My heart fluttered (being the major Penn) when Adam (Stewart)  got B&O running, as the competition could jeopardise my runs.  
 Getting 30% of B&O, we  co-operated and multiplied our track development as a result.
By mid-game, Penn was paying about $31 per share, something of a record for Penn with the  trains it had (a 4 & 3 as I recall).  
 Rail Baron extraordinaire GregORY had divined some nefarious scheme earlier 
 but decided not to inflict it on us all considering the novices  playing.  
 In typical fashion he bought up 60% of a company (Eirie) and ran it into the  ground. 
 I was glad I had only one 10% share as its value fell away.  
 I will have to read the rules one day to discover why  this is a good idea - it seems like a singularly bad business practice to me, 
 but who am I  to argue with the Alan Bonds of this world.
Phil eventually, came to possess three companies by game end that were doing well, putting  him in the nominal winner's chair.  
 A late decision by first-timer Adam might have altered  the result but for a massive payout 
 and advance preventing his purchase of a Diesel - a ploy  the experts agreed was a likely game-winner.  Still.. live and learn.
A very entertaining game highly recommended to all club members, just be ready to get  thumped first time round.  
1830 is a good alternative, especially if we can get it going  close to 7pm.
Postscrypt-Phil copped a dumping (bankrupt) in a social game on the 13th Dec.  So the wheel turns - Ed
1993 (Inaugural Year) - Game Reports

1993-November
[Eleventh]
A Swift English Arrival (Report 1 by Roger Swift - Standard Dip.)
This game had an ideal blend of (you guessed it) youth and experience.  
From the start, Western Europe was all peace and harmony.  
Dave, Roger, Sean settled into an F-E-G alliance, and were able to focus on campaigns against Italy, Russia and Austria respectively.  
In contrast to the placid west, action in the Mediterranean and central Europe was furious,
 with well-matched opponents Ian, Greg, Dave, Sean and Alan swapping alliances and provinces.  
Young Czar Adam fought well in the west of Russia, but could not keep the Turk out of the Black Sea.  
The eastern witch progressively took Sevastopol, Warsaw and Moscow, while the western witch took St Petersburg.  
The F-E-G alliance prospered until Russia was eliminated in 1905, when England and Turkey bumped into each other at Moscow,
 with numbers favouring Turkey.  
This showed up the inherent weakness of a 3 neighbours alliance:  eventually the only centres to be won are your allies'.  
England made a deal with Turkey, took advantage of German trust and robbed him of Sweden, Denmark, and later Holland and Kiel.  
Italy grasped the opportunity and made peace with France and Germany,
 allowing France to send his fleets out of the Mediterranean back to confront England.
At 11pm the game was drawn by majority vote, although Turkey and Austria voted to play on.  
At the end of the game, the 3 seas west of Italy were empty,
 and the French-German alliance was battling to push their former ally out of northern Europe. 
Result :A[5], E[10], F[5], G[2], I[3], R[0], T[9].

A Rome with a View (Report 2 by Greg Calder - Standard Dip.)
1901F :  I had stabbed Austria for one centre in order to join the proposed French English Italian alliance,
 Austria was really upset and so was I (the French bounced me at Mar) instead of taking the three centres he had wrapped up. 
 This left Mar free to build a fleet.   
I decided that trying to hold off the French and Austrians was hopeless
 so I prayed that with Germany all over the top of Austria Ian would forgive this small incursion into his home land,
 while I did in the French.  I built two fleets to match the French forces.
The year 1902 was important as the germans russians and turks applied pressure to the Austrians.  
 Surely Austria would leave Tri in my hands so that we could deal with the threat at hand. 
 No luck, Ian just had to take it back even if he could not build because he was sitting on all of his home centres,
 I had managed to push back the Germans in Tyrolia but then had to give up the area because of the lost centre. 
The Med was hotting up as France  took his third build and built another fleet. 
 The fall turn saw me push the forward to try and halt the French build up.  
 I was now out numbered 4 to 3 with Austria and turkey not in the picture.
 1903 the French are attacking into the Med but I have managed to push back their WES fleet to Spain(sc). 
I have spoken to Ian and hopefully we can push back the Germans who should have the English and French
 jumping on his bones all of his centres are open.  I have  supported Austria into Tyrolia but expect that he will dislodge me from Ven.  
 I cannot stand against the Austrian/French assault for long but the French are the greatest threat.  
 I will stop them in the Med by covering Rome from Ven while pushing into GoL from the WES, this  should cut his forces. 
 It worked and yes Ian took Ven what a problem down to three. 
 I have no recourse but to stay and stop the French as I cannot attack the Austrians, Help is on its way in the form of a Turkish fleet.  
 This could be mixed blessings as he has with England's  help taken apart the Russians. 
 He has not really affected the Austrians at all.
1904 I attack Tus to remove the support into Rome in doing so I push the French backwards again while giving up the Tyn sea. 
 The Turks are in the Ion so this may be help or death.  
 The fall turn has me hopefully bouncing the Turks over Nap while supporting my fleet into Tyn sea 
 to remove the French presence. It works so I hold on.  
 It's finally four to four after three years of struggle.
1905 see me back to Rom Tun and Tyn sea. 
 The board is showing some stress as it is possible that the English will attack the Germans. 
 Germany backs off and Turkey Austria look like being a huge threat. 
 The knife falls in on Germany as England grows huge.  
 France is  worried and I just so happened to bounce the turks out of Nap (they did not say about going  there).
1906 France Germany and myself struggle to hold off Austria Turkey and England. 
 I loose nothing as we close down the Eastern med around Naples. France Germany loose bits to the  rampaging English. 
 The game finishes in a draw as players have to leave, Russia being the  only victim in this game.
The fleet actions against the French were a great deal of fun and it was very interesting to see us ally as soon as the balance changed.  
 Who said the Italian navy was no good ... Hey!
 
Stewart Stiffed !! (by Andrew Geraghty - Gunboat, single centre start )
In a quick-and-deadly variant in Nov. 5 of us clashed in an empty board and a piece each.  
 With the option to build anywhere we controlled, having the best position by 1903/4 would be  crucial.
Doug had Germany, Reg had France, Adrian had Italy and Tom had Turkey. 
 I was England, and  the Russian steppes beckoned early.  
 What surprised me was almost everyone chose an army to  start., while I had fleet London.  
 I took Nwy, Doug & Reg edged closer while Tom & Adrian  eyed opportunities in the empty Austrian heartland.
Doug & Reg determined to take their own native centres after initially taking Kiel and  Belgium. 
 Suddenly it was on: Reg had turned his back and Belguim was German.  
 Meanwhile Tom  & Adrian continued dividing the east, while I got a fleet into Swe, and supported my second into  Denmark.
The beauty of my strategy then became apparent. 
 An English army was recruited in Oslo and  marched into Lapland for StP, while the fleet took Edi.  
 My gains were unopposed, while  everyone else had a major enemy on their doorstep.  
 By this time others had 5-6 units,  while I had 8.  
 Reg had taken Brest and was sending fleets against me.  
 As these edged north  I had just enough time to take Lpl and move first 2, then 3 fleets against him.  
 A holding action in Den became an assault as an English Army took Kiel with naval support.  
 As the French regained Belguim, Adrian's Italians - already an ugly green growth affecting most of central Europe
  - boiled into Germany taking Munich.  
Doug refused to take a hint, ignoring successive Italian orders, supporting Doug back to Kiel.  
 Frustrated, the Italians stormed the Reichstag and cooked pasta in the Unterdenlindenstrasse.  
 With a clear assault brewing on Kiel I crushed the German army in holland with timely French support.  
 With a stalemate in the MAO and fairly fixed lines everywhere else we called a draw after only two hours of play
 (plus beer & bust breaks) to start another game.  
Stewart had been stiffed, but we all enjoyed a relaxing entertaining game that shook the preconceptions
 and provided fast free-flowing play.
F..F..Fegan & Ph..Ph..Philp !! (by Doug Stewart - Gunboat, single centre start)
London to Norway, over the sea, I bring all my fleets to visit thee.  
And so it passed that Denmark, Sweden and Moscow fell to the mighty britons (Doug Stewart)
 before the Russian ferries of Reg Philp created armies to stem the tide.
A silent agreement allowed the German blitzkrieg of Adrian Fegan to storm the continent, smashing the Italian empire,
 (Tom Fieldhouse) now pressing into Spain.
Andrew Geraghty (Austria) truly wore the crown of the twin kingdoms,
 which were slowly stripped from either side by the encroaching Germans, Russians and English.
Now was the hour, England stuffed an order, Austria was reduced to one,
 Italy was opened like a can-opener by England and Germany, while Germany took Scandinavia for itself.  
The battle had been fought, with Austria out and certain victory for the new German/Russian alliance, a draw was agreed.  
Fegan(G) and Philp(R) were clear and deserved winners, in this the Gunboat battles of the night.
Club News - 1993 Championship Decided
Christmas is nearly upon us, and frivolity is hoped to be the order of the day at our last  meeting in December.
 The 1993 year presented a great start for the Club, as we grew from a  modest 7 persons in March to a consistent two tables, 
 and selection of 30 people on the Club  books.  
The awards have been broken into two sections;
 those being the Trophies (Club  Champion, Encouragement), for outstanding effort and contribution to the success of the club; 
 and the Certificates of  Merit (or accidental achievement).  
 The actual awards will be announced and presented at DCOC's December meeting - so be there with bells on to enjoy the fun.  
 Regardless of how many games you played, please come and enjoy the festivities.		
December results will count in 1994.
With 11 games completed under the DCOC banner, the following stats are available.
·   Russia was eliminated three times.  
·   Austria & England were eliminated twice.  
·   England had the highest centre count (13).    
·   Turkey was never eliminated and averaged the highest with 6.4,
     followed by England 5.8, France 5.5, Germany 5.2, Italy 4.5, Austria 3.6, and lastly Russia 3.0.
1993-October Game-2
[Tenth]
Castle's Caledonian Campaign (by Andrew Geraghty)
THE "Second 6" game got off to a rather ugly start as two newcomers felt their way in their first club meeting -- Alan and Daniel Alison.
Alan, as Austria, tried a sneaky squeeze play in Fall 1901, falling in league with some untrustable Italians led by Alan Howard,
 who played two positions that night (prone and slumped?). 
 As both had forces toe-to-toe in Trieste and Venice, Austria offered to help Italy into Greece.
My Turks sent janissaries into Greece to stop this, praying to Allah for a miracle. 
Allah delivered: novice Alan wrote two orders for Serbia, so neither succeeded. 
As Italy thus got no builds, it also swung the negotiations.
Inexperience resulted in a charade of to-and-fro attacks, counter-attacks and errors. 
No firm alliance emerged as Tukey and Italy were also keen to come to blows.
The incredible shrinking Austria looked sick. By 1904, on 3, its 1902 heyday of 5 looked very distant. 
But Al-Al's never-say-die efforts paid off at the very end, climbing back to 4. Daniel did very well as DCOC's second `molto-junior',
 reaching 7 in 1903 and 1904 before being cut to 6 at game end.
However, all this was a sideshow. 
On the other side, Adam Stewart fought a dogged but ultimately terminal resistance as England against the master/slave alliance
 of the two chums, Ian Castle and Dave Bryant, which saw Castle rocket to 10 centres in 10 seasons
  while dangling a Germanic threat Europe-wide. 
Bryant's Germans reached a thumping 6 in 1901, but never got bigger! 
In the last year they sank to 5, courtesy of a Castle holiday excursion.
A demanding and exhausting game made harder by GM positions, a comment Alan H echoed. 
But a modest score is still worthwhile!                     
1993-October Game-1
[Nineth]
Calder not COLDER !! (by Doug Stewart)
Well, the heat was turned up on the social calender as that player of renown Greg Calder led Russia out of the frozen wastelands,
 to its best club result, in the meantime securing strong alliances with Turkey (Adrian Fegan) and Italy (Doug Stewart)
 to cause the early demise of the Austrian homeland.  
Like a lamb to the slaughter, Andrew Geraghty surrendered the twin kingdoms as he was attacked on all sides,
 but saved the last laugh as he survived in Warsaw.
Alan Howard (F) was harassed from the start as Italy led an early raid upon Marseilles.  
Phil Watkins (G) battered heads with his ally(?) Tom Fieldhouse (E) as the game broke into two battle fields, East and West. 
With Germany acting indecisively, and France about to realise its attack against Tunis,
 the tide in the East turned as Russia/Italy launched against Turkey.  
Alan Howard declared he was no longer a Feganite, as Adrian tried to fathom the sudden turn of events.  
With Italy about to collapse, the game came to a halt as some players wanted a draw due to tiredness, while others wanted to `play-it-out'.
In spite of the finish, it was probably the most dynamic game in the club's short history, and certainly one of the most interesting.
Club News
Welcome to first-timers Al Alison and son Daniel Alison (age 12 - the juniors are taking over), and to Phil Watkins,
 who explained that it was he who introduced Diplomacy to Canberra many years ago.
Ian Castle has earned the dubious honour of eliminating our youngest player (Adam Stewart) during his club record achieving 10 for France.  
Ian gleefully smiled while explaining he felt pangs of guilt (Tch! Tch!) at this much noted event. He may now be a marked man.
Attendance at the October meeting was down (12), but given it was the long weekend, and the Port Macquarie Tournament was on,
 it can still be considered a successful meeting. 
 We played two games of six plus a GM in each, both "legal scoring games" under club guidelines.
A protest was lodged against the nefarious reporting of Tom Fieldhouse
 (allegedly `taking a ritual beating as Austria') in the last newsletter. 
Tom claims he was on the comeback, and was the victim of the Press. 
 Sorry Tom, the DCOC court does not recognise claims of Libel, Stabbing in the Back, or Breach of Promise. 
[Also, in the same issue, we should have said Tom is a member of the Police Farce,
 whereas he is a defective inspector. Well, not really. Ed]
Controversy plus as Alan Howard protested the abandonment of a game, when several players had agreed to a draw.  
It appears that from here on that games will play to their conclusion, or at the end of the current turn,
 if the management 'announce it is time to leave'.
1993-September Game-2
[Eigth]
Beauregard Eliminated !! (by Andrew Geraghty)
A collective gasp has swept the Diplomacy world with the news that Andrew Beaumont was eliminated at the Sept. meeting.  
This player, who has put more runs on the board in his young career than that other AB,
 was laid low for the first time, as France.  
 The experience was a crushing blow for young Beauregard, who hadn't tasted death until then. 
"Oh my god, I'm mortal!" he was heard to cry in extremis as a vicious
 and gloating Adrian Fegan (making his Second Coming, again as Germany) sank the final blows.  
 Ah, how the mighty are fallen!  
Andrew resigned himself to his fate and got stuck into Acquire,
 where he made a killing in the share and merger market.
1993-September Game-1
[Seventh]
England Plays England(by Andrew Geraghty)
Do miracles never cease?  
Just as diplomacy newcomers thought it was safe to paddle their dangly bits,
 the Huge Fin of the Ancient One crested the horizon.  
 Yes, Andrew England turned up for the first time, 
 also becoming the first Diplomat to wear a tie to a meeting
 (actually, the tie was so loud we suspect it was a ploy to distract attention
  from the endless rows of teeth displayed during negotiating).
He came to fulfil Matthew 19:
 "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."  
With these, and the indecent haste of a Christian Brother welcoming an orphanage arrival,
 Mr England, playing England, wrapped an all-encompassing arm around young Adam Stewart,
 playing France in his first club game.  With this monkey-and-organ  grinder E/F in place,
 the great E proceeded to mop up Germany and Scandinavia.  
 In this way did he employ Matthew 19,12: 
 "For there are eunuchs who have been eunuchs from birth, 
  and eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men and there are those who have made themselves eunuchs ...".  
  It was in this light that he moved surgically through Europe resisting the Brotherly temptation of handling a young Brest. 
Luckily for Adam, the game was drawn before he risked belonging to the kingdom of heaven, surviving on 4. 
 Well done!  Especially for a youngster in bad company.  
 I am sure Burgundian troops were relieved too, for when the truce dispatch arrived they were heard to groan, "Not Munich again!"                     
Club News
Welcome to first-timers Tom Fieldhouse
 (taking a ceremonial beating as Austria in his introductory club game), 
 Adam Stewart (Age 11 - Andrew Beaumont's greatest threat for Junior Supremacy), 
 Mark Norton-Baker scoring a very creditable seven as Turkey in his very first standard FTF game, 
 and Andrew England making a welcome "Debut Return" among his peers.  
 There is no truth in the rumour someone suggested chaining him to some piers, at low tide.
DCOC has, like a sleeping dragon, awoken from its quiet beginnings to rival the great and "long-standing" clubs interstate. 
Queen's Dagger Editor Michael Chau was genuinely surprised to hear how big our past three meetings have been.  
Since our humble start in March to June with consistently one board of 7,
 we have steadily grown to two boards (16 players and more) following our change of location.
Michael's immediate comment was "Oh, you're bigger than Sydney!".
What he doesn't realise is that DCOC's plan 'B' is total domination of the National Championships
 here in January, with a phalanx of highly trained (not mutant, Michael!) DCOCees.
DCOC By-Laws:
As much as we hate rules, a couple of situations at the last meeting have prompted calls for By-Laws.
Proposition 1:	Where 2 players equally share actual Diploming of a country, both will get the final score.
Proposition 2:	A penalty of 3 centres for each such player, where the game goes beyond 1904 Fall.
Proposition 3:	Where a player fully takes over another player's country,
                     the exiting player will be credited with their score at the time of exit;
                     and the proxy will not gain any score from that country.
1993-August Game-2
[Sixth]
C'est manifique, mais ... (by Andrew Geraghty)
Diplomacy is no place for the faint-hearted. 
 When the "Second 7" started last meeting, at least one player had a strategy in mind. Me.  
 I was determined to try a different opening with Austria,
  even with Venn as Turkey and a Venn clone, Andrew Ellem, as Russia in his first club game. 
I opened Tri-Ven, Vie-Tri, Bud-Ser, diploming for a neutral Gal and for Italy (Dave Gould) to open Ven-Pie. 
 There was a collective intake of breath at such infamy.  
 The idea was to take and hold Ven, Ser for 2 builds & maybe standing Turks out of Greece. 
It all failed as Dave gave Ven no order. 
 I clung to life until Fall '05 when a TR hatchet job left me face down in the snow outside Warsaw.  
 Actually, Andrew proved he was NOT a clone when I turned him around in 1902, 
 but pushing him out of Gal forced him back into bed with Jim.  
The EFG situation chopped and changed until Lorin (England) established an acquisitionist policy, 
 taking a centre a turn off Russia, then Germany. 
Players voted it a different and interesting game, drawing once Austria departed. 
I have only one thing to say about my abortive move on Italy, 
 borrowing Marshal Bosquet's words about the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854: 
 "C'est manifique, mais ce n'est  pas la guerre." (It's magnificent, but it is not war.)
1993-August Game-1
[Fifth]
Fright Night (by Alan Howard)
I was surrounded by 6 evil looking men who were fast closing in on me,
 their fists clenched and faces twisted in anger, with looks of absolute loathing in their eyes. 
 They were forcing me into a corner, and in fear my mind went back to when it all started. 
 I'd drawn England in the game of initiation to the Diplomacy Cult of Canberra.
Russia wanted to move A Mos-StP in Spring '01,
 but I threatened to shove his pieces down his throat if he did.  
 He didn't, but I did anyway.  
 France and Germany allied with me, and we took on the world.  
 It went well until Germany decided to suicide against me
  - I don't think it was because I took 3 centres off him, he just didn't like my face.
I had armies spread along the North European Coast (including Scandinavia),
 and fleets everywhere with nothing to do !  
 Then France did the worst stab I've ever seen, and did it three times in a row !  
 I threatened immediate continental destruction, but he never listened.  
 My fleets mobilised - I took 2 centres off him and had about 6 fleets versus his 2.  
 I was on 13 centres, world domination was mine in no more than 3 years !
Suddenly, my mind was jerked back to the present - Turkey had me by the throat. 
 "Agree to the draw, jerk, or we'll pound you into pulp !"
The other 5 raised their fists ... so I agreed and we all went home.
Club News
With our past two meetings, we average more than Sydney. 
Sydney has more players, but they don't patronise SDC, whereas DCOC has brought many new faces to the hobby.  
DCOC had exactly 14 at its sixth meeting on Black Friday,
 including four players attending the Club for the first time*, just right for 2 games, and 'Acquire' for those disposed of early. 
 [Players: Dave Bryant(A), Alan Howard(E)*, Andrew Beaumont(F), Ian Castle(G), Peter Madirazza(I)*,
  Paul Matthews(R), Doug Stewart(T); Andrew Geraghty(A), Lorin O'Brien(E), Sean Hugo(F)*,
  Cody Giumelli(G), David Gould(I), Andrew Ellem(R)*,  Jim Venn(T).]  
I Say, I Say, I Say:
Q: Why didn't the shark eat Adrian Fegan when he 'fell' overboard. during the Diplomacy cruise?
A: Professional courtesy.
DCOC Championship
The progressive championship trophy is building into an exciting finish,
 with November being the last "scored" meeting for 1993, and the trophies will be inscribed and presented at the Dec 5 meeting.  
 Any game of standard diplomacy with at least six players, even including GM positions, will count towards the club championship.  
 Players in a second GM game can choose at endgame, which will count towards their championship tally.  
 This is so each game is played to the player's best ability.
A review of the playable games for 1993 shows that the maximum will be 8 not 9, due to a week of 'Anarchy'.  
As such only the best 5 games for each player will be counted towards the trophy
 (ie. this means players can be eliminated or miss a week without undue prejudice towards their final score).
Rankings will not be revealed for the rest of 1993 (ie. for Sep, Oct, Nov) to prevent undue victimisation.
1993-July
[Fourth]
Fegan appears to followers
AND it did come to pass, that on the 2nd of July in the year of our Lord 1993,
 the great Fegan did appear and move among Diplomats in the Canberra club,
 who had adopted him as their native role model and called themselves Feganites.
And Adrian Fegan did take the guise of a simple German and say, "Peace be unto you".  
Thence he did move among their supply centres, saying,
 "Freely have you received, so freely give".  And they gave.  
 Pleading it was his birthday, the great Fegan did accept their gifts of neutral countries and home centres.  
 And the Germans did feed upon the goats, stoats, oxen, sheep and Budweiser of their enemies.  
Elsewhere, his leading prophet, St Venn (owner of St Vennie's,
 a charity organisation retailing slightly used supply centres),
  had moved among the countries, both East and West, saying,
  "Ride your ass, bring your camel and the great Fegan will lead us to the Promised Land."
And the great Fegan did kick asses, light up a camel and say,
 "Lo, I have arrived and this is the Promised Land."
Club News
The Diplomacy Club of Canberra had its most successful, meeting on July 2. 
 We cracked double figures, with 12 members turning up including two newcomers to the hobby,
  and two experienced players attending for the first time.  
The new venue, the Slovenian-Australian Association in Phillip,
 was a bonus with a much larger room, privacy and no worries about disturbing
 Burns Club bistro patrons with negotiations outside the boardroom. 
 There was still a bar to retire to for fortification and a large indoor court
 with a cell-like mesh grill in which to lock unreliable allies. 
 All we need to do now is get everyone back again, plus at least two more to make two full boards.
Early players will be certain of a place in a scoring game, while latecomers,
 though assured a game, may not be in a game that scores and counts towards the DCOC championship. 
 So, please be early!
DCOC Championship
This is a progressive championship,
 with a trophy for the highest scoring player with the most cumulative points from club games.  
At this stage, November's meeting will be the last "scored" meeting for 1993,
 so trophies can be inscribed and presented at the Dec 5 meeting.
The most games that could be played in 1993 is 9;
 however only the best 6 games for each player will count towards the trophy
 (ie. this means players can be eliminated or miss a week without undue prejudice towards their final score).
The winner will get their name inscribed on a perpetual club trophy and will get a smaller trophy to keep.
Current rankings will not usually be revealed, so players are not victimised in future games.
Scoring games:
Any game of standard diplomacy with at least six players, even including GM positions, will count towards the club championship.  
 Players in a second GM game can choose at endgame, which will count towards their championship tally.  
 This is so each game is played to the player's best ability.
1993-June
[Third]
1993-April
[Second]
1993-March
[First]