All DCOC game reports are listed below, in game order.
Please select your year of choice:
Reports 2006   2005   2004   2003
Reports 2002   2001   2000   1999   1998  
Reports 1997   1996   1995   1994   1993

2006 - Game Summaries

2006-October
"ABT (About Bl**dy Time)" by Paul Armstead & Paul Newman
DCOC Game #147
Game report due from Paul Armstead & Paul Newman.

The last time a game finished after 3 years was July 2001.

Paul Newman (England) and Paul Armstead (Turkey) have supplied a report on this fascinating round.



Newman - Witch of the West:

No Austria and France, interesting opportunity for yours truly!

1900 - Talks with the Czar and Kaiser produces an agreed no go zone, he gets Sweden,
 Kaiser gets Denmark and I get Norway and then we move back. Sounds good to me as it
 leaves me concentrate on France and Portugal. Help the Kaiser get to six centres
 and to keep Italy and the Turk honest. I got Belgium and Norway as agreed. 
 The Turk is making some ominous moves against the Czar but nothing happens. 

1901 - Now on five centres and ready to move into France.
 Annoyed with the Czar as he moves into the North to cover St Petersburg.
 Use it as an excuse for him to reveal orders to me to prove he is moving away.
 In reality use it to prepare to get Sweden with the Kaisers help should the need arise.
 Take Portugal and Brest, leaving Spain for the Italian and assist the Kaiser into Paris.

1902 - On seven centres. What to do?
 The Italian wants my help against the Kaiser and the Turk.
 The Czar wants my help against the Kaiser and the Italian.
 I have built a fleet in the North, the Czar is worried.
 Play the annoyed card again, don't think its being bought but don't care as Sweden is mine.
 Decide that the Turk and I have Italy at our mercy and begin the reduction process by taking Spain. 
 Take Sweden with the Czar's help.

1903 - Its agreed to end with a draw.
 Pity as I wanted to get stuck in to the Czar and Italy.
 The Turk was surprised with developments but ready to work with yours truly and
 the Kaiser to clean up. 
 If the Kaiser hadn't disbanded the army that could have ensured the taking of Warsaw
 in the Spring from the Czar, well I don't think the game would have ended. 
 I was happy with my performance on the night but found it difficult to assist
 the Kaiser as much as I would have liked. Helping a new player is time consuming, 
 but I think well worth it.  
 Hopefully Greg enjoyed his first game and if we had played a few more years he should have had scored a 20+.



Armstead - Witch of the East:

Finally a game! Yahoo!
 Made up of 4 Club champions and a debutant with both Austria and France neutral powers.

My Initial discussions involve Me (Turkey) and Geraghty (Russia) in a steamroller.
 My main concern is what my fellow witch  will do. Will he help or hinder my aims. 
 I think that the global goal of everyone is to knock off Doug after that 18 he got.

I open A bulg, F con, A arm much to the amusement of the English and the worry of the Russian. 
 I moved the fleet to Con as agreed with the Russian, however we did not talk about my Army in Smy. 
 This sows the seeds of doubt everywhere.

Come build time it seems to me as though Russia does not want to continue to work together
 as he builds Sev & Mos; we only talk the once during the coming season. 
It looks like a North V South battle to Doug & myself, as England & Germany (Greg)
 are comfortable allies and have organised a Demilitarisation of Scandinavia with the Russian. 
 Fearing a North V South, Doug and I work together from here on in.

After a Year of Battling with both Germany & Russia, Germany & England make moves against
 Andrew & the I/T Alliance makes peace with Russia, with Rumania given to me in exchange
 for Helping Russia into Bud.

End of 1903 & I'm on 7. Not quite a 20+ score but I'll be happy with that so I offer a draw.
 After managing to work with both Doug and Andrew together successfully for the first time
 ever I didn't want to ruin this almost impossible event. 
 Newman & Greg had wanted to continue but agreed to a draw anyway.

About Bloody time indeed in more ways that one.
 We got a game and I worked with Doug and Andrew at the same time.
 Solid debut from Greg who said afterwards that he learnt a great deal.
 Hopefully we'll get another game soon.




2006-April
"HAAS" by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #146
This was the shortest game in the club's history - a massive 2 years.


The game started without an Italy.  There was the usual land grab by players in 1901.  But there were a few quirks thrown into the fray.
France [Paul Newman] claimed Iberia.,br>
England opened with a churchill gaining Belgium.
Germany claimed Holland, wasn't bounced in Sweden, and was supported into Venice.
Austria took Greece, and after supporting Vienna to Galecia, bounced Russia in Rumania.
Turkey opened to Constantinople-Bulgaria/Serbia, Smyrna-Armenia/Sevastapol, and Ankara-Constantinople/Bulgaria(East Coast).
Russia accepted that Sweden couldn't be won in 1901 and moved to the Baltic Sea. 
 The Black Sea combined with Ukraine to bounce Austria out of Rumania, and Warsaw attempted to go to Galecia.

Russia disbanded the Army Ukraine.
Then followed an amount of discussion over the clarity of Russia's orders, that led to Russia walking out.
Everybody was left somewhat shellshocked, as the plans they had all made went up in smoke, and the board play was clearly different.

1902 resulted in the expected demise of Russia - England in StPetersburg, Turkey in Moscow who in turn supported Germany into Warsaw.
The Turks completed the stab on Germany (who was expecting Moscow) by moving Serbia to Rumania/Budapest, Bul/ec-Rum, and Con-AEG-Gre.
Austria did gain Tunis to hold on to his 3 units.
France claimed Rome, while England stole Holland.

Turkey has jumped from from the starting 3 units to 6 then 9 by season's end.
England and Germany were on 7, and France was looking as to who would be finished off next.
A murmur of a draw suddenly swept the board .....
With everyone still somewhat shell-shocked by russia's departure, and the twists in the game, the draw was heartily agreed.

A bizarre ending to a strange game.

2006-February
"Greenfields" by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #145
Doug Stewart playing Russia tonight claimed the DCOCs seventh 18 centre victory.

The game opened with no witches (England/Turkey).  Austria (Geraghty) immediately suggested an A/I/R alliance to take out Turkey and sweep the board.
Of course I agreed.  Italy and I then discussed how we would proceed. I quickly moved to pacify Germany by simply offering him England. 
This left only DCOC first timer Chait Nimmagadda as France to ally suspicions of what may happen.  Germany did my hard work for me.

1901 went smoothly as I split North/South, and claimed Norway, Sweden, Rumania and positioned in Galecia.
To appease F/G I didn't build in the north, so three in the south were the order of the day.

The start of 1902 and it was apparent to Austria that he was probably for the chop.  
So, considering my strength, he offered to spearhead himself against the others in return for survival.
I accepted and we manouvred to keep the Italians from gaining any real territory.

1903 saw the removal of Turkey, and a misorder by Germany who tried to convoy through Denmark to England. 
I decided to assist Austria towards his home centres, at the cost of Italian gains. 
It was now apparent that I could push for a really big score, so I built the fleet on StP/nc.

1904 and the chatter really started.  "The new fleet is simply a protective move .....", I said. 
France were now committed against Italy, and Germany had moved his main forces against Austria.
I also convoyed my army from Smyrna to Apulia.  Great position!
Germany watched my orders like a hawk for both seasons, meanwhile I assisted Austria towards his home centres, and picked up the crumbs behind him.

When 1905 started, and with me sitting on 12 centres, I made the killer moves in the north. 
F(Swe)-BAL, A(Nwy)-Swe, F(StP)-Nwy, A(Lvn)-Pru, A(War)-Sil, and the other units harrassing Italian and German units.
I claimed Naples in the south, Berlin and Serbia taking me to 15.
Most importantly I moved Nwy-NTS in the fall.

With 1906 looming, the other players wanted a draw, Geraghty was pushing me to go for an 18, and I expressed my thoughts that I would consider a draw.
The draw was turned down quickly afterwards, and we progressed to play one more year.
I used my fleet in the north sea to attack Germany's Helgoland Bight.  
Little did I realise he had given up Denmark as lost, and tried to kick me out of the NTS.  Of course he succeeded.
So Berlin held against attack and Apulia got crushed, while I claimed Denmark, Vienna, and retreated NTS-Holland.

18 Centres achieved.
To be honest, the only real disappointment in this game was the number of misorders - real or deliberate, that occured.


2005 - Game Summaries

2005-October
"Templars" by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #144
Tonight's game started with a normal EFG positioning, that was absolutely trashed in 1902 as England[Stewart] and France[Geraghty] ran over Germany[Newman]. Don Burgess played his strongest club game yet by holding out allcomers as Austria.  Italy[Armstead], Russia[Reppion] and Turkey[Clarkson] fought over the remaining crumbs, with only Turkey continually growing throughout the game. 

In 1905 England stabbed France, and sued for peace.  France undeterred demanded vengeance.  Germany lost two more centres in the altercation while England lost one.  The other countries were all keen end then.  Whew ! 


2005-September
"Missouri" by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #143
We started a little late, but were all greatfull to David Clarkson who turned up to play his first club game, and give us the minimum 5 players we needed to start.
A quick draw of coutries left us scrtching our heads how lop-sided the draw turned, but we were determined to press on regardless.
England and Germany were in civil disorder, Armstead's France was in a great position, as was David's Russia.
Newman's Austria was expected to be under the pump early, as was Geraghty's Italy, while my Turkey was stuck in the corner (as usual).

Negotiations led to the usual neutrals being cleaned up quickly, with France & Russia in great positions by getting 3 builds each.
The remaining centres were split as per usual, leaving Den & Hol vacant.

The real game now started as Austria took on Italy, my Turkey was pushing on the ION.
By 1903 I had burst into the ION and Italy was looking wobbly.  But hang on Russia has built a fleet in Sev, thereby opening a second front.
Austria and I tried to convince Russia to stay put, but he advanced to the Black Sea (and in the fall took Ankara.
I was in a horrible position to keep Russia out, but the way he attacked he could only take one centre.
I took a gamble and stole a couple of centres from Austria, which would give me purchase in gaining back my territory.
Austria had picked up a build in Munich and the Russians had been stopped at Germany.  France was making progress in England as well, albeit slowly.

An interesting position transpired in Germany during 1904, as italy gained Munich and Austria gained Kiel, while Russia got dislodged - much to his surprise.

1905 saw the game get serious as France took Kiel, Italy took Vie & Tri, while Turkey took Bud.
Austria was now out, and no-one had discussed the coordinated moves to get their - most unusual.
In the south Russia again featured in a interesting situation in failing to state a Bulgarian coast when attacking with the fleet, but being allowed to retreat there in the same move.
A draw was turned down by France.

We continued into 1906 with further gains being made against Russia, and pressure was brought upon France to agree to the draw.
Game Over - Peace was declared on the deck of the Missouri.


2005-August
"Anne Frank" by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #142
The countries were drawn and so the 5 of us prepared to play.
All players, Andrew [G], I [F] Don [I], Paul Aad [R] and Paul N [T] decided to move quickly by taking the neutrals.
Russia moved into Scandanavia, and almost immediately came into conflict with Germany.

It was apparent that Turkey was going to take on Italy fairly early so I positioned a fleet in the GOL just to play safe, while in the north France & Germany combined to moved against England.
Italy and Turkey each did supports of the idle Austrian units while trying to gain a superior position, while Germany and Russia came to loggerheads.
I finished 1902 by convoying Spa to Tuscany - nobody saw it coming.
Now I could support Italy or Turkey; whoever offers the better deal.

1903 finally saw the demise of Austria, Italy lost Tunis, France gained Liverpool, London and Rome.
Germany had moved the front line units against Russia and they were locked up.
So in 1904 I convinced Russia to take Edi, assisted Turkey into Venice and took Bel, Hol and Mun in a severe stab on Germany.
"Hey Andrew, I owed you a good stab !"

Two agreements now virtually sealed the future of the game. Turkey and I decided to leave Italy alive, and Russia and I decided to finish Germany.
Germany worked his magic opositionin00 I got stiffed in the North Sea and now i have a German army in York to worry about.
Once Russia and I discussed the spring turn, it was obvious that Germany was now well out of place to defend himself.
In the fall we pounced and germany was no more.

Russia was still unsatisfied that he had enough centre, and Turkey conceded one to satisfy the end of the game.
On the whole a fairly fast and furious game, and while the results for some were good, the quality of the game was not real flash.

2005-July
"Mr Squiggle" by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #141
I've drawn England, not the best country for me to get at this stage as I've already got a good score for it. I'm the only person to have played every country.

The Squiggles begins
There in no witch in the east (Turkey), and as sole witch I decided that a good old Churchill opening will once again be best. 
My Talks with France and Germany go well and there is talk of just an EF with some help from Doug (Italy), to take down Germany. 
While we try to persuade the Hungry Austrian, Marcus Reppion, to eat at Russia. 
First year ends with the game looking flexible as anything is on the cards. 
Especially when Belgium is still neutral, the Austrians have bounced the Russian in Rumania (unintentional I might add) and the Italian is keeping France on it's toes because on an army in Piedmont.

What do I Squiggle?
France and I still haven't decided what to do, kill the German or work with him. Russia (Andrew Geraghty) and I have a chat about what is gonna happen in the north.
I tell him what he wants to hear, "I'm going after Germany."
Which was still on the cards. However I had moved to the Barents and moved my Army to Norway, so I asked Andrew "what should I do then?" 
He told me to move into Sweden, which would mean that I was a build and a convoy away from an Anti-German campaign. 
Was I to argue against a free build? 
Newman and I have diplomed to keep our options open but the time is coming for a firm decision on which way to go. 
He asks me who shall we work with?
I think it over and as this is Germany's first game with the club I decided that we'll work with him.

The Final Squiggles
Germany and I are going to kill Russia, while Newman has fun with the Italian. 
However despite moves against the Russian the German fleet stays in Denmark despite my constant examples of how much quicker it would be to kill the Russian if it moved. 
This frustrates me no end, as Andrew is a very good player and holds effectively. 
Marcus is ever Hungry for centers and without me prompting, has decided to take Russian centers in the Balkans. 
Leaving me and Germany to take and take Russian centers. 
Andrew played a great game, constantly diploming, giving options and adjusting them where necessary, but I didn't want to kill off the first gamer.

A fun game, sorry about yet another EFG Doug, Marcus gets his best score to date and a new player joined in the fun.

2005-June
Antioch by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #139
Well the draw of countries almost sorted itself out as we settled down to play, without an Austria.
I drew Russia - and drew a breath.  First discussions went with Turkey, immediately followed by Italy.  All agreed that Austria was easy meat. Conversation went something like ... "Take Rumania and move the fleet to Black Sea in Fall.  Then it can come out through Constantinople in the Spring to help against Italy ...." "Get into position and let's do Turkey quickly."  
In the north I expected that England and France would be buddies against Germany. I need England and Germany moving against France, so I made some suggestions that England could move to the Channel and steal Brest.  Mayhem in the West.  Oh Glory....!
New discussions were in order.  "How about we three [ATR] join forces and clean up the others."  I held the biggest risk, but also the biggest possible gain.  So off we went. Italy got stuck into France; Turkey charged up into Germany, while I stole Scandanavia. EFG continued to squabble as we charged in.
1905 and Turkey decided that enough was enough, and he settled with units surrounding my border suggesting a draw was a good idea.  Italy was also keen and the others were hanging on my reply.  How could I refuse.  Game over.

2005-April Game #1
Bismark by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #137
This game started with an EFG and a disguised Russia/Turkey with assistance by Italy as the game progressed.
No-one was eliminated, although Austria's future was hugely bleak.
There were two highlights to this game.  The first was Don Burgess 7 as Russia which could have gone on to a much bigger score given time.
The other was the wandering Turkish unit that went from (Smy)-Ank-(Arm)-Sev-(Ukr)-Gal-(Bud)-Gal-(Vie), never taking a centre from the Russian ally and improved the ability of the armies to invade Austria.

2005-March
No IT by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #136
The March meeting started slowly as we played Acquire wating for a few more attendees.  We had 5 so we started anyway.
No Italy or Turkey, and being England, I organised an EFG then went riding straight into Russia.
Paul Newman's Russia put up a brave fight, but was no match for the onslaught of both Geraghty's Germany AND my England.
In the south Don's France faced Paul Armstead's Austria over a defenseless Italy.
By 1903 Turkey was eliminated and Russia was on the backfoot.
A quick scan of the board - a little goading by Russia, and knowing that the game wouldn't last much longer this night, I decided that a stab on France was possible.

I decided to make a grab for Germany's lowland's.
Now I was in a position to go to 10-11 centres before most could do anything about it.
But the pressure was on to call it a night, and passing up the opportunity to get more centres, I agreed with the mob.


2004 - Game Summaries

2004-September
Athenia by Andrew Geraghty
DCOC Game #132

ATHENIA. The game took its name from that day in 1939 when the Nazis torpedoed the passenger liner Athenia,
 killing 112 American women and children without provoking the US to join a “European war”.

After months of hibernation and insufficient players for a quorum, DCOC emerged into Spring with the grinding of knives and hatchets.
 As Italy, I looked hopefully around the board, especially the impassive units of Germany, in civil disorder.

The world fell almost naturally into 3 armed camps: France/England in the west, Italy/Austria in the south and a steamroller (Russo/Turk) in the east.
 I persuaded Austria (Don) that he and I should open against Munich, leaving him to ensure that the Russians ended up in Silesia.
 I didn’t care whether red or green occupied Munich and later helped or hindered Russia into Berlin.

The Steamroller went straight for the jugular. Russia (Doug) occupied Galicia, a “normal” move (but usually a bounce!) without breaking any agreements,
 because he and Austria never discussed it. The Turks were in Bulgaria and, as always, seemed to constitute an entire second front on their own,
  able to move in several directions. They also moved their fleet into Con and looked very, very anti-Italian,
   although swore black and yellow that they really, really were eventually anti-Russian.

England ignored Scandinavia, which fell promptly and conveniently into large Russian arms.
 The Poms convoyed into Denmark and took Belgium, having opened to the Channel in a darkly anti-French opening that masked a triple alliance.

It was here that the duplicity of the puppet-playing French (Adam) won out. You don’t think I want to take the blame for what happened next, do you?
 The steamroller was pestering me to stab Austria.
 I could, but Italy often not only gets little from such an early stab, it becomes the next chicken in the Turkish pot.
 But the French masterfully suggested that he, the Poms and I form a secret triple alliance, effectively and EFG with units already deep in the Med.
 Best of all, this was to start with a Fall 1901 pay-off  he would support me into Munich.

I suggested to Austria that he cover Vienna with Bohemia rather than go for Munich, and I always expected he would pick up Serbia and Greece because that was guaranteed.
 Alas, Don ordered Serbia to hold. It neither supported his fleet into Greece nor tried to stop Russians invading Budapest.
 It was probably intended as a finesse (avoiding a situation where [R] Galicia [unwanted] [spt] Serbia  Budapest) but as I said,
  I expected the Russians to go for Vienna anyway. Never, never, never give a Hold order when you have another valid option,
  especially one that ensures a build, and especially in 1901-1902, when mistakes are much more serious.

So, my uncharacteristic Italian orders were all attacks  -- Munich, Trieste and Tunis. Thump, whack, oops (was that my hatchet?).
 Italy from 3 to 6 in 1901. Turkey gained 1 and built no fleet (wheew). France gained Iberia. So far, things are looking very bright for Italy,
 despite the guilt of garrotting Austria. Then the awful reality dawned  Russia gained Norway, Sweden, Rumania and Budapest to jump to 8 centres.
 Alarm bells were sounding across Europe. Eight centres is a towering start, made worse because Russia can build 4 reinforcements immediately.

Luckily for me, this helped cement the EFI while also encouraging the almost fleetless Turk (Paul Newman) that being anti-Russian was
 the logical next step. Austria, now down to 2 units, was (unsurprisingly) reluctant to talk to me and was soon clinically and dispassionately killed off.
 I hadn’t expected that, because I had always expected Don to gain Greece.
 But there is only one solution for rogue units that won’t realistically spearhead against an enemy
 and would prefer to repay treachery and that is to get rid of them ASAP. I hated it but it was necessary.

I exited Munich for Bohemia, agreeing to let the French walk through Munich in Spring. I retook it in Fall,
 sensibly (as it turned out) supporting Tyrol in. The Russians in Budapest were easily ousted, but I later repaid them by giving them Berlin.
 I decided that it was in the Italian spirit to do some double dealing at each end of the scale,
  not least because I had not firmly decided whether to kill off Russia or Turkey.

I only had two fleets, which is unheard of when I play Italy. Indeed, we later swapped my Italian green pieces for Australian red,
 because it was easier to see in the mix of pieces and also because, in effect,
  I was playing an Austrian position (A Bud, A Gal, A Mun, A Tri, A Alb, F Ion, F Tun).

Out west, a ponderous French Grand Armee punched its way deeper into Germany, with English help.
 England (Paul Armstead) took out what remained of Germany, then repositioned against Russia.
  Russia got the worst of this eventually, but it took a long time.

The Turk had taken Rumania and my phalanxes of now red units stood poised to head Ukraine-Warsaw and beyond.
 The prospects were rosy, but then the Frenchman again came along with a puppet-plan. Bugger the EFI, he now told me, what about a central alliance RIF?
 He and Russia would crash tackle/stab England and Russia/me would have a free hand against the Turk.
 Now this had possibilities, so I adopted this plan (see, it wasn’t my fault!).

It was now a Fall turn (was it only 1903? It felt like the tournament effort of a 1906) and I slipped Fleet ION to EME and Tunis to ION.
 I supported the Russians into Bulgaria and held off stripping them of Rumania.
 This proved a mistake, because while we had excellent strategic position,
  I had gained no builds and needed at least one more to build a protective (anti-french) fleet.

It was about now that it was suggested that the game was really a different and more worrying alliance which threatened the whole board,
 fortunately I was one of the threats! This was a burgeoning I/F “alliance” as we were the biggest powers and back to back and had been solid allies from day one.
 I had never viewed it that way myself, having been, as I saw it, a continuing member of one or more 3-way alliances.
  But I could see that he and I could at least go 15/15 if not 17/17. What I/F we had??

Had I ever considered this as possible, I would probably have wiped out Russia with Turkish help, built fleets to hold off France
 and then butchered Turkey in an effort to go for 18 (or force a draw), had time allowed.

France however was only playing the margins. He had, he said, only wanted to peg the Poms back to minor power status and now wanted a draw.
 The Poms had reclaimed the frozen north but were tired of TV dinners and ice hockey.
 The Russians had been severely kicked in several penalty areas while trying to field teams in all the major leagues.
 They were tired and wanted to call it. Turkey looked at me from behind well-loopholed redoubts and taunted:
 “yeah, buddy, what do you think you are going to take off me?”

So there I was, Caesar in charge of the strongest, best-placed Italian force in mainland Europe in 17 centuries, and nobody wants to play ball.
 Even the Italian navy, now grown to three mighty battlegroups, was strongly posted against the soft squidgy bits of Turkey,
  occupying the EME, Agean and, soon, Greece.

How could I accept a draw in such a situation? How could I call on my armies to halt, knowing they had done so well? The answer was simple.
 The masterful French hadn’t said it in so many words but they had armies to spare in central Europe
 and were clearly willing to start thrusting uncomfortably large blue steel navies into my Mediterranean keister if I didn’t take the deal on offer.
 If there is one thing we Italian do understand it’s that a Balkans in the hand is worth avoiding a navy in the keister.

So a draw was agreed and, reluctantly, we signed. Sic transit gloria.


2004-April
Mollwitz by Scott Johnston
DCOC Game #131
Awaiting report from Scott.


2004 - Game Summaries

2004-February
Yipee by Andrew Geraghty
DCOC Game #130

So, there I was as Turkey in a room of lean and hungary looking European butchers claiming to be monarchs of their respective nations. Sure, sure.

The game opened, the music started. I had teamed with Russia (Mike) and kept my options open (I thought...)
 with Italy (Paul newman and Austria (Doug), the hungariest one of all. 
 Newman and Doug were working closely, 
 I was unconvinced newman's "stab" into Trieste was genuine. But one hopes.

By Fall 01, I had armies in Rumania and Bulgaria with a staunch Russian ally who, sadly, had been stiffed for a build in Sweden by the Germans. 
The Austro-Italian opening was unique. For the first time in club history, we have had a successful Key Lepanto! 
The classic Lepanto convoys an army into Syria, the Key Lepanto puts Army Venice into Serbia (as UN peacekeepers, of course) by the end of 1901. 
It has risks, but the pair played a strong alliance game: Budapest supports Vie-Gal (Sp 01) then Bud spt Tri-Serb in Fall,
 while the Italians guarantee [A] Fl Alb-Gre with spt from Ionian. 
Tunis is untaken! What a start (grumble, spit).

In the west, the music had stopped but Germany (Paul Armstead), England (Paul Gill) and France (Don)
 were still running madly around the chairs because it seemed like fun. 
 Actually, Munich was into Burgundy threatening everything (never never never NOT go to Burgundy, Frenchmen. 
 The revolutionary council in Paris has long memories for anyone who fails to garrison the Maginot Line). 
 England opened with a Churchill, aimed Lapland-wards, then neatly curved around to fall on Norway and points south instead.

I popped down to my shop to see what the orders were. Let me see. Italy has put in some modest requests,
 Russia is still helpful and is offering me credit. What do the Austrians want? Gee, it IS a long list!!

Biff, baff in the Balkans. I got kicked in the ballpark, then out of the ballpark. Russia was not growing,
 but was still friendly and supportive... until he ran out of time to complete one set of orders
  and crunch, crunch, crunch thanks for coming, Pop, bang -- Turkish units vanishing into thin air. 
  No, thick air, thick with Austrian bullets and Italian sauce.

Meanwhile, out west, our three intrepid powers were still running around the chairs because they could still hear the music. 
France was tiring, that probably had something to do with the Germans in Marseille and Gascony and the Brits fondling Brest rather over-zealously. 
It was still a hodge podge but German had the better of the measles patch over that way. 
England got over-excited and marched into neutral Belgium in Spring, then exited into exotic [?] Picardy in Fall. 
I really had thought the English would have learnt by now that Belgium has its faults but one overriding virtue. 
The faults include lousy coffee, abysmal tea and stodgy cakes BUT they have a good port at Ostend which connects promptly to the free German autobahns. 
Enough said.

Meanwhile, back in the shop, orders were still coming in. 
It seemed EVERYONE wanted Turkey. 
What was this, Thanksgiving already?? 
I tried sticking my neck out and suggesting a three-way alliance with Austria and Italy and they said yeah, yeah, yeah
 and then went next door to buy expensive cutlery and carving knives. Boys, boys, it will all end in tears, or is that Tunis.

Out west, France had contracted pneumonia and gave some excellent spasms of survival effort before collapsing into Paris which,
 remarkably, remained safe for several seasons because the Germans had lost their train timetables. 
 The English had left their army in Wales to attend an Eisteddfod, a Welsh word for "massed cat strangling".

Russia went ice-skating in St Petersburg and even made a foray into Norway for a holiday before returning. 
A survival, that counts. France was unceremoniously guillotined by Germans re-winning the Franco-Prussian War,
 a nickname for their favourite sport, ie kicking Frenchmen.

England was getting up a head of steam, sailing off to Nth Africa and finally becoming the West Wing
 (with no Martin Sheen) of a true Western alliance, Germany finally woke up to the fact that
  there was NO Volsturmm at home so it was time to finish the penalty kicks in Paris and get back home,
   just in time to forestall the Austrians visiting.

Back in the shop, the phone was ringing. Hello? Italy? Yes? You want what? 
With what and what? So, just put it all in a bag and you'll have it to go?? 
Sheesh, what some customers want.

Meanwhile, Turkish kreigsmarine had gallantly sailed away from the wreck of the Ottoman Empire,
 advancing rearwards in a brilliant stratagem which saw them occupy Tunis just in time to agree to a draw.

For God's sake will someone sign off the sheet and turn out the lights!!


2003-December
Falconer by David Kaylock
DCOC Game #129

Awaiting report from "DK".



2003 - Game Summaries

2003-November
Pirates by Paul Newman
DCOC Game #128
The Clog is on the other foot
My first game of Colonial Diplomacy.

I pick Holland, is that good or bad?

1870-1872 

Expand out taking three centres including Ceylon. 
Do a deal with the Pom that he will build armies and we will leave each other alone. 
Seem to have a three way deal with the Czar and Nippon and have serious discussion about
 how Japan and Holland will divide up the Philippines and Formosa. 
I think a two for you and two for me works, the Nip doesn't seem so positive, he will need to be watched. 

1874-76

Move aggressively North to secure southern Philippines The Pom is on 11 centres, can't believe how quickly he expands! 
He has built armies and he and France seem to be moving into China, as does the Russian. 
Tell the Frog I am going after the Pom and tell the Pom I'm after the Frog (normal diplomacy stuff :o) 
Actually I don't know where to strike as my inexperience with this map is a problem. 
China is attacked by everyone and he is desperate for a friend. I am reluctant to help as I want the Pom going North. 
The Nip and I seem to working with the Czar against the Frog and China.

1878-80

Don't stab the Pom by moving into Madras. The Pom stabs me by moving his fleet in Singapore into the Java sea. 
Am I annoyed or what! Very serious discussion takes place and he agrees to move the fleet away,
 I encourage that thought by taking Madras. He moves away and I keep Madras as punishment. 
 Hey, he started it. 
 The Pom is in trouble along with the Czar as they have are now on 6 (from 11) and 6 (from 7) respectively. 
 What happened to the Pom, one minute on 11 and now.............. 

Unusual game this colonial.

1882-84

The Czar is in trouble with the Turk, the Czar also attacks Nippon with the Chinese (who is playing an impressive recovery). 
I work with the Pom to bottle up the Turk in the Indian Ocean, we are pretty successful! 
The Nip and yours truly do a firm deal and ally with the friendless Frog to change the balance of power in the East. 
Can't have the Chinese with two fleets can we!

1886-88

The Clog is on the other foot now! We humble three slam China, the Czar and the Pom. 
The Czar is able to recover some ground on the Turk and gets back to 7 centres despite our efforts.

End of game. 

With time running to fast through the hourglass we call it quits. 
Some arguments fly, (I mean healthy discussion) with the usual if the game goes another 4 years China is finished etc. 
Not sure about that but the Pom doesn't look to healthy and I was in a position to take the fight to the Turk
 but that's just more after game posturing, so we wait until we can give Colonial another go! 
 I for one am hoping it will be sooner rather than later,

Paul

2003-October
German Town by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #127
Civil disorder in Turkey
An interestingly relaxed mood came over the game tonight as a slightly difference mix of players encountered the board.
Welcome to David Kaylock who performed 'Admirably' in his first game.

England (Don) opened to the English Channel, while Russia (Doug) opened to Galecia to put paid to any thoughts of an East versus West scenario.
France (David) proceeded to protect his rear, while Germany (Paul) secured it's lowland possessions.
Austria (Adam) and Italy (Mike) proceeded with the intended demolition of Turkey, while Turkey was bounced in Bulgaria.
Exactly who was working with whom was at this early stage a mystery.

By the end of 1902 however, the alliances were becoming obvious.  Austria stormed into Venice, intent upon Rome, 
while Turkey gained Ankara, thus limiting Italy's progress in Turkey.  The Russians also gained both Sweden and Norway to trim the English expansion.
France picked up Belguim and held England, while germany manouvred to gain the North Sea.

1903 was a strengthening year for the Austro-Russian alliance as they held 18 centres between them.  
This was ably assisted by France who was now holding his own against both England and Germany.

An explosion in the east as both powers grew to 11 centres, holding a vertical line from Norway through Swe, Den, Ber, Mun and all Italy except Tunis.
France was comfortably holding his line, but must have been worried that he couldn't stop Austria if his fleets started to move.
With signs that germany and Italy would disappear very quickly, the alliance stunned the ooposition and offered a draw.

With great glee the other powers accepted.

2003-September
[(Battle of) Lloyd's Neck] by Mike Dowling
DCOC Game #126
Civil disorder in Germany and Italy
Everything seemed to just go my way this month. 
It all started with the name, of course...

With two players short yet again, it was looking like another big-alliance slugfest in the making. 
This time it was the Axis of Disorder (Italy & Germany). Big Paul (Newman) had Russia;
 Doug took France, Andrew took Austria, Paul the Younger (Armstead) got England, and I had Turkey.  
The stage was set. With memories of a certain firestorm (match 120), it seemed like a good opportunity for a little payback.

The first year went the obvious way. FE vs RAT looked like the shape of the game. 
The two Pauls moved heavily into Scandinavia; Russia convoyed the Moscow 1st Foot into Sweden,
 and the Yorkshire Irregulars commenced a seaborne invasion of Denmark while the Edinburgh fleet sailed into Norway. 
 France took all three possible builds, and I was unable to convince Doug not to put his fleet into the south coast of Spain. 
Austria marched dragoons into Venice and Serbia, and the Turks got Greece and Bulgaria,
 with the fleet from Ankara moving to the south coast of Bulgaria while the Smyrna Lancers stationed themselves
 in Ankara for two mediterranean fleet builds. 
Austria built two new armies, Russia took a fleet on the Barents coast and a new army in Warsaw for the drive into Germany. 
France built two more fleets and England formed the second Edinburgh fleet and The London 1st Grenadiers.

In 1902, it looked like England was going to have the upper hand in Scandinavia eventually. 
That Russian fleet sitting in Rumania was the extra piece that Paul really needed. 
I mentioned to Paul the possibility of disbanding it on retreat to get another piece in the north. 
Andrew and I made some vague attempts to show dissension in the ranks which fooled no-one but Andrew.  
He trusted me, after all; I'd shown in many games before that I was a good alliance player,
 willing to see the big picture and not waste time in single-dot stabs.

We stopped France from taking Tunis in 02, but Andrew decided his position was looking too weak to retreat his fleet into Tys,
 so it went back to Adriatic while the second Turkish army slid into Bulgaria. 
Andrew thought it was there for a future stab on Russia; I told Doug that Austria didn't know it was going there. 
I'm such a duplicitous person. No builds for Turkey, but everyone else took at least one.  
Don't worry about poor little me, I'm the underdog, see?

In 1903 RAT was still working together against the hordes of the West.
Albania slid over to Apulia, much to Andrew's relief, while Ion bounced in Tys with the French to slow their advance;
 followed by the Ionian sliding into Naples. 
Andrew and I talked about possibly getting my fleet up into Rome, with Andrew taking Greece to make up for the lost unit. 
I said, "How about you get Rumania instead?"  The response was instant: "Ok."

Things were looking bad for Russia in the north, he was likely to lose a piece,
 and said that he'd take off the Rumanian fleet in that case.
The orders came out, and yes, Russia was down one. Andrew and I both had builds. 
A glance. An almost imperceptible nod. Fleet Rumania went away; new armies appeared in Budapest and Ankara. 
Paul sighed.

1904, and we said to Doug, "look we're stabbing Russia, you might want to swing some forces north. 
England's likely to do better out of this than we are. To Paul: "it's a ruse. We want to get Doug to ease off the pressure." 
I doubt Paul really believed it, but there was enough doubt that he kept up the good fight against England for one more turn, anyway.

We got the second fleet into Italy and then used it to take the Tyrrhenian Sea.
None of the French fleets were drawn off, so the Russian stab went ahead. Rumania for Andrew, Sevastopol for me. 
Rome stayed in Austrian hands.

Andrew and I made our plans for the next step, involving the Tyrrhenian Sea moving to Tuscany, and I spoke words of treason with Doug. 
He wanted me to stab in the spring, and I considered it, but ran out of time to change orders. 
Andrew stuffed up one of his orders that turn, but it turned out okay. 
Andrew's fleet moved from the Ionian to the Tyrrhenian, and I was in Tuscany. 
Andrew vacated Rumania to go to the Ukraine, and I followed up with armies moving into Rumania and Bulgaria. 

The groundwork was laid. Andrew and I drew up our plans for battle quickly and I started furiously writing out my moves. 
The last thing I needed was to misorder or NMR now. A quick word to Doug asking for support to Venice was all I needed.  
I tipped off Big Paul with the right move to make sure he kept Warsaw. 
Paul the Younger drew me aside to ask if I realised how easy it was for me to stab Andrew. My reply?

"Just watch these moves!"

It was my turn to read.  I was almost shaking with nervous anticipation. Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! 
Andrew's back was a shredded mess, unless he had made just the right moves to stop me.
Hmm, he had spent quite some time talking to Doug.  
I reached for Andrew's orders with a tentative hand, glanced them over, and relaxed; he'd gone with the plan. 
Well, not quite the plan, but he certainly wasn't stopping me. 
I read through the rest of the orders in a daze; Doug hadn't given me the support I'd asked for from Piedmont. 
"Bummer, I don't get Venice," I thought. Then I looked at the board. 
Wait, that Austrian army sitting in Piedmont is there by itself. No bounce!
Venice was empty for Apulia to walk in.  My stab had worked, completely. 
In one turn, my seven pieces had taken five of Andrew's supply centres. 
And all without any active support from another player. Four of the moves into Austrian centres were unsupported. 
I was stunned.  So was everyone else. We called a draw. 
Twenties for myself and Doug, with everyone getting at least a decent score thanks to not being eliminated.

Paul the Younger was cheated out of a twenty by Doug taking Holland in the last move,
 combined with one of those strange mishaps that lead to Kiel being empty, thus remaining Russian. 
Certainly an interesting game!

2003-August
[(Battle of) The Nile] by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #125
Civil disorder in Russia and Italy
For the second month in a row, civil disorder played a large hand in focussing the shape of the game.
Without a Russia, England (Stewart) claimed Scandanavia as it's own, and persuaded France (Newman) and Germany (Dowling)
 that a move into Austria(Geraghty)/Italy at the earliest convenience would prevent a powerhouse in the East from emerging.
France readily agreed (hoping to secure a safe back door), while Germany saw easy pickings early, and good scores to be
 had in the mid-game.

Meanwhile Turkey (Armstead) claimed his easy territories and finally marched into Moscow before reaching his first conflict
 - England's occupation of StPetersburg.
In spite of his opportunities to clean out Austria from behind,
 Turkey allowed Austria to be the buffer against the fast move EFG alliance.
With the push forging in several places, the Austrian/Turkish lines were breached,
 as the IONIAN, Venice and Moscow all changed hands.
Austria dissapeared as new Turkish Defenses appeared. 

In the end a time draw was called, with elation by the EFG (in that no-one stabbed),
 and dissappointment by Turkey that he failed to improve his score.
Never dismiss such good play as was had by Turkey - a solid defence,
 let down by some unlucky decisions and less than usual defence by Austria.

2003-July
[Brice's Crossroad] by Paul Newman
DCOC Game #124
The view from the Turk
No Austria and Italy, civil disorder, can you believe it!
Talk about a target rich environment!
1901 - Talk with the Czar produces a partnership with the idea of cleaning out Austria ASAP before crushing the Kaiser.
The Pom, Frog and Kaiser seem to be reaching an agreement to take the Czar and the Turk down, time to do a bit of "Diplomacy" I think.
The Czar goes after the Pom, not sure what to make of that?
Discussions with the Frog go very well and he moves against the Pom as well.
This warms the Turkish heart! Ever cautious, an informal deal is reached with the rather worried other witch, (the Pom) to await developments before a possible stab.
1902 - Now on five centres and ready to move into Austria, but with the Czar wide open, the Pom begging for an ally, and the Frog moving his fleets north, well, as they say, "never let a chance go by".
1903 - Eight centres, unbelievable! Austria still ripe for plucking, the Frog wanting my help to take down the Kaiser and offering Tunis to boot! 
Can it get any better than this!
Assist the Frog into Naples as agreed, keeping him happy and firmly concentrated to the North. 
Manage to keep the Kaiser firmly out of Austria, (its all mine I tell you)!
Try to convince the Czar that I hold no more interest in Russian territory, (I don't of course, well not right at this moment) and I move my armies away from Sevastapol.
It works, the Czar gets stuck into the Kaiser.
1904 - 10 centres. Finish off Austria and move into Tunis as agreed.
Keeping a low profile at this point, what to do next year?
1905 - 13 centres, the Kaiser is nearly finished, can I keep the remaining antagonists of balance long enough for an even better score?
The Pom suggests a move into Frog controlled mafia territory (Apulia).
With only four centres and being attacked on two fronts (Russia and France) who wouldn’t want some help!
Talk of a draw is defeated when the Pom suggests an 18 could be a possibility.
The game continues with a move into Italy as suggested.
1906 – 15 centres. Gloves are off, the Czar has finished the Kaiser and both he and the Frog are trying to fold up the Pom before seriously moving against yours truly, the trustworthy Turk ?
Perhaps they are somewhat annoyed at the game not ending?
1907 – Now on 16 centres. The Czar and Frog seem to have realised their mistake in beating up the Pom and are trying to cover possible approaches to few more centres for the humble Turk.
England is still holding out with two centres and its fleet has been usefully (for me in the fight over Munich) tapping the Czar in Berlin.
I ignore Munich and move against Marseilles (the Frog) and Warsaw (the Czar).
18 centres are realised in the spring of 1907 and a very enjoyable game for me is over.
With only one miss order and one incorrect attack decision for the game, I am very happy with my performance on this night but with Austria and Italy leaderless, one had a very rare opportunity for a very good score

2003-June
[100 Years War] by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #123
A short report this month as we watch Paul Newman[E] and Doug Stewart[T] roll over the opposition in strong game by the witches.
Don Burgess suffered as Austria was pummelled by Turkey and Paul Armstead's Italy.
Italy was unable to hold on against a dabble from France [Terry Webb], and positioning from Germany [Andrew Geraghty] from above, in spite of support from Turkey from behind.
Russia, without guidance, dissapeared early, while England gained the upper hand in the north.

Tonight was a great night, and well worthy of our 100th evening of diplaomacy by the DCOC.  You reckon you could compete, well come along.
It's been a while since we had a female, or an under21, so bring a friend or two , and come and enjoy the first friday of the month with DCOC.

Report by doug Stewart (Secretary DCOC)
2003-April
[Friendly Fire] by Peter Garas
DCOC Game #122
By the time that 19:00 arrived six intrepid players had somehow managed to navigate through the Canberra dusk to find the game location. 
A new player, Mr Garas was given the honour of choosing a country first and (no doubt due to his complete lack of experience) he chose England. 
The remaining players – all veterans in comparison with this `newbie' hid their laughter behind their hands in a polite display of disdain.

The remaining five players were allocated their countries by chance (ie a pick from the lid of the game box). 
When all was done France was left in a state of civil disorder.

Italy became the home of Mr Stewart who completely failed to adapt to his role. 

No Italian accent, no coffee, no wine, no cursing, during the entire evening. 
He did however display brilliant diplomatic skills and exceptional strategic military thinking. 
This is of course something that is completely out of character for Italians who are known the whole world over as lovers, not as fighters. 
Beware the ambitious Italian would be my advice. Julius Caesar would have been proud. 
Starting from a peninsula, hemmed in my far greater powers, Mr Stewart carried the Italian flag to the Norwegian Sea at one extreme
 – capturing Liverpool in the process, and to Turkey at the other end of his ambitious play with forays into middle and eastern Europe along the way.

Mr Geraghty having been assigned Russia adapted to his role immediately and stalked the halls in a fair imitation of the Russian bear. 
His negotiation skills were evident through the use of polite invitations to private discussion. 
"May I have a word?" was his most used phrase following which back room discussions, negotiations and skullduggery followed. 
His ponderous advances and retreats left him at the end covering the board from Edinburgh and Norway in the north to Turkey in the south,
 but held in check brilliantly by a "sleeper" alliance between Austria and Italy with Turkey being kept quiescent (but alive) for the duration of the game.

Paul drew Germany and he tried desperately to engage England, Italy, Russia in one or more alliances to not only stay alive,
 but to advance the cause of the German Reich. 
As the game proceeded he found the perfidious English alternately supporting then stabbing him in the back. 
Finally in a rage he invaded England gaining both the North Sea and London, but losing Holland, Denmark and Sweden in the process. 
Sorely pressed by the Italians and the Austrians on all sides I am certain that Paul breathed a sigh of relief when the game came to the end
 and he was not only still alive, but slightly better off than when he had started.

Austria was played magnificently. Cunning negotiations had secured the back door and left the play open to head to the balkans and into Germany.

Don however deserves the most praise in the game for his brilliant manipulation of everyone to keep Turkey alive from the beginning to the end of the game. 
A magnificent effort.

The English fared badly on this occasion with an inexperienced commander at their head but miraculously stayed alive albeit as expatriates in Holland,
 Denmark and Sweden with all of their homeland split between the German, Russian and Italian invaders.

France - although in a state of civil disorder managed to survive to the very last round of the game when finally at the very last,
 the port of Brest gave in to overwhelming forces and was taken.

All in all the players thought the evening one of the more enjoyable that they had played and great fun was had by all.

Same time same station in May I guess with an option to play Colonial Diplomacy on Anzac day - any takers?

2003-April
[Friendly Fire] Observations by Don Burgess (The Turk)
DCOC Game #122
According to the old veterans one of the club’s best games and just to add to historic occasion the first time all players scored in double figures.  
Anyway I enjoyed it.

The English and the German went for an unsuccessful alliance and suffered the consequences likewise for the Russian and the Turk.  
The night belonged to the Italian and the Austrian.   
These two traditional allies played a brilliant game, mostly.   
Austria used Bulgaria to split the Russian and Turk alliance.  
These manoeuvres distracted the Russian from the attack on the Austrian long enough
 for the Austrian to establish a strong defence attack line without worry about a threat from Italy.   

With France in civil disorder and an alliance with the Austrians the Italians made free with the Mediterranean.  
France, Spain and Portugal fell and despite valiant efforts by Germany to prop up France, Italy finally captured Brest.  
Was this a case of leaving the best to last? 

Turkey lost Smyrna to the Italian with Austrian support and what follow was a interminable round of Turkey
 attempting to retake Smyrna and Austria attempting to take Constantinople from Turkey. 
The former failed thanks to Austrian and the latter thanks to Russia.  

In the meantime the Italian took Liverpool and the Russian took Edinburgh.

The finally round of the night the Austrian and the Italian conceived a brilliant tactical move for the Italian to take Constantinople
 and the Austrian to take Smyrna.   
The result being Turkey recovered Smyrna and held Constantinople thanks to the Russian.    
The Austrian always looking to the main chance, captured a city from Italy.

2003-March
[Alexander BELL] by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #121
Ok guys a quick report for this month 

Only six players this month so we drew countries and Italy failed to turn up.
A fast and loose E/F/G [Adam/Andrew/Doug] as we sped into this game.

Italy and Russia became early victims in 1904, while Austria and Turkey fought amongst themselves.
The alliance pushed into the south-east corner, and with France placing some pressure on Germany the game came to an agreed draw.


2003-February
[FIRESTORM] by Andrew Geraghty & Paul Newman
DCOC Game #120
TURKEY AND PASTA SALAD

Starting a game as Turkey is always instant paranoia for me [Andrew]. 
Am I a player, do I have a chance, or is Austria out to gobble, gobble, gobble?
Mafia comment [Paul] = Playing Italy is not my idea of fun, usually the Frog considers you nothing but a threat and Austria as a nuisance. 

I decide that a positive plan was my best defence.
I went to Russia for a Steamroller and opening with "Austria's gone". 
A nice, simple, flat statement of inevitability.
I went to Italy with the same plan. 
He was less convinced, as well he might be (in my experience, Austria and Italy bicker to the usual detriment of Italy).

Russia went to Italy with the same "Austria's gone" approach.
Thus impressed by the resolve of the East, Italy heard Austria's plan for a Key Lepanto.
This involves Ven-Tri then Tri-Serb.
Italy agreed and moved, but in Fall decided that a bird in the hand...
Mafia comment = I received the Key Lepanto offer from the Austrian,
 an offer to kill the Austrian and then the Turk from the Tsar, and another offer from the Turk to finish the Austrian and then the Tsar.
Maybe one should rethink the opportunities presented.
I figure to keep my options open so I made a deal with them all and in addition agreed with the Frog on a non aggression pact.
Hey I am the pasta muncher remember.
So there I was, the Frog was staying out of the way and I'm sitting in Trieste thinking, hmm, weather looks good here,
 who wants to go South into a three way fight.
Italy on a five centre count, yes! 
Finish off Austria and then what? Some serious talking with the dangerous Turk and unpredictable Tsar.
I think we have an agreement for the Turk to move into the Kaiser and the Tsar to kick the Royal Navy out of Scandinavia
 whilst I move to rebuild the Roman empire by kicking the Celts out of France and Spain. 

So Austria was on 3 and on the way out, the Steamroller looked great.
Italy got stuck into Austria for another centre and, pop, Austria went in Fall 02.
Sorry Mike (philosophically taken too, Mike travels a looong way for Dip to be thumped up like that!).

Mafia comment = Sorry Mike, couldn't see a way forward with that alliance, not with both the Turk and Tsar after you.
If I thought the French or Kaiser were any sort of threat I would have probably taken you up on your offer.
But when they all moved away............ 

Suddenly a new paranoia swept the Bazaar, or was it bizarre rumours in the Bazaar? 
Anyway, I was again haunted by the prospect that I was going to die, with Italian and Russian forces ranged around me.
I must give up that strong coffee, or the hash.
No, the coffee.
Mafia comment =  Alliance seems to be working, am a little concerned about the Turk, the Tsar is fully engaged with the Poms.
The Frog seems a little put out with the number of fleets I am building :)  
Lucky for me, England and Germany were both nibbling at Scandinavia and threatening Russia, so his focus was north.
Italy had a Frenchman to deal with.
Neither could effectively deal with me, so I could (nervously) slip through the centre between them towards Germany.
Squabbling in the West was a pandemic.
Nobody seemed to trust anybody.
France was on some lone noble crusade towards the Med, but this would fail without German aid from Tyrol.
The Germans were anywhere near Tyrol or Bohemia, milling at home.
Tyrol? I thought you were going to Tyrol? No, I'm in Kiel, I thought I should go to Berlin or Holland.
Berlin? No, I'm there and there's some awfully ugly Russian commissars not far off who I'm not going to offend by going to Prussia
 and those Silesia coalmine better have volunteer Landwehr!!
 
Mafia comment = The Frog seems to be a little concerned about my intentions, perhaps taking Marseille's may have had something to do with it.
The Frog is trying to convince the Pom and Kaiser to unite, but it doesn't appear to be a goer.
Very sad for pasta makers the world over. 

England went one way then another and I expect that Russia fed any popular paranoia which promoted exactly this.
By now I'm in Prussia, Silesia, Galicia and the Balkans and trying to decide whether to stab
 (by which I mean eviscerate, I had that many free armies) Italy or Russia.
Yes, I could have taken Berlin, but I didn't need a second enemy now the time had come for The Stab.
Here is a lesson for newcomers.
Italy was locked up against France, Russia (no choice) against England and, to a degree, Germany.
Both were vulnerable at that moment to a 3 centre stab from which neither was likely to recover (although the Pasta boys would try hardest).

IF we'd been in a tournament game, with hours to play, I would have gone boots and all for Italy.
Russia would have no choice because its hands were full and while it would make some profit after the stab it would not be at my expense.
Italy, gasping and bleeding from multiple artichoke points, would also have France trampling its mortifying body.
It was a recipe for 16 or 17 centre and after that, who knows? I might get convoyed to Brest.

HOWEVER, it being a shorter Friday night, the option of gutting Russia offered strong gains while preserving the game-length alliance trust
 with the Pasta Boys and the Sicilian Mafia, a trust which might blossom into a similar alliance in a future game.
No reason to get greedy and plunder both unless an 18 was a serious short-term prospect.

Mafia comment = Noted and year 1904 was a worry I didn't have much of chance of stopping a stab,
 at least two centre's were a dead loss with a third at high risk.
Gave up Greece to keep the Turk happy. 

And end score of 11 as Turkey in a short game was a great result which surprised me but should be an example to DCOC players about Turkish momentum.
I must say that the Frenchman probably deserve the blame for the weak prospects of the West.
He dithered while Austria was burning, and should have targetted England or Germany and supported the remnants
 (oops guys, sorry, time to stop and defend the west, sorry that Munich must now be mine).
His decision to let England and Germany sort out their differences alone left him without support in the Med and committed to stagnation.
He *should* have, for example, allied with Italy against Germany PROVIDED the Italian used the gains to attack Turkey.
This would have been intended to settle any Scandinavian squabbling, so Russia could spare *something* to got south.

Mafia comment = Good point but I don't think anyone could have pulled that off as the Kaiser didn't want to play ball with anyone
 and the Pom only played along at the last to keep me out of Portugal.
In retrospect the Turk and I blew it in 1905 when he had the opportunity to tap a fleet and that would have let me in.
Still I took Paris and Spain so can't get to upset.
1905 left the Pasta boys on 10 and funnily enough in a position to stab the Turk for at least 3 centre's at the end of 1906. 
Of course, if we are still sailing to fantasyland, with Italy clawing across the Balkans,
 France *should* have pushed England across into Russia far enough to be well out of position to defend against Fl Belg-Nth Sea, Mao-Nao, etc.
This would at least have been a plan with vision.
A big neighbour is not always a big (and "inevitable") enemy, they can be a big opportunity.
Mafia comment = 1906 Fall, Russia? gives up a centre to the Turk and we all go home.

I wonder what another year would have brought but I believe we were out of time........... Maybe Italy can be fun :)   


2002 - Game Summaries
2002-November
[Goodtime] by Paul Armstead
DCOC Game #118
Well from a French point of view Napoleon (myself) did have a good time. 
With a good crowd of 10 turning up it was great to have two boards again. 
In championship terms an 18 was what I needed to win the championship,
 however at the start I was never thinking I'd go for 18. 
On the other board when Newman drew Germany a nation he had previously got 1pt with. The race was all but over.

1901 Spring I moved a standard opening for France (Mao, Burg & Spa) despite Englands "dummy" status. 
Both my German (Gary) and Italian (Ian) neighbours wanted alliances and it looked to me that I would in the
 long term be the deciding factor in the game purely because of my position.
Unless a GIT took place Russia (Andrew) opened north south while Turkey (Doug) moved a standard with Bla, Con & Bul. 
While the German went from Kiel to Den and Mun to Tyrl. Venice didn't move.

1901 Fall I took my naturals (Bel, Spa and Por) with the fleet nc to show good faith to the Italian as I was building a fleet Mars.
Germany also got three (Hol, Den, Vie) and the Russian picked up Scandinavia. 
Doug got 5 while the Italian was left with only 4. 

1902 This year was one of repositioning of my fleets to attack the Poms. 
I cut a deal with the German to support me in Lon in Fall, however he move NTS to NWS and left Den open to the Russian.
The Italian in the mean time picked up Tri with turkish help.

1903 Having not got a build I was annoyed to say the least. 
I had moved Gas-Bur in fall last year to keep the German honest. 
I could now take my portion of England without German help and my Italian neighbour
 (who was still pissed off about being shafted by the German over Tri) pushed for me to stab. 
Russia had said to me if your going to stab Germany let me know. 
Well I thought that might tip him off. So I acted to let the Ruski know. 
I took two centres (Liv & Hol) while the German picked up Edi while losing Den, Hol, Vie. 
Germany went from 6 to four. A draw was proposed and turned down.

1904 The German left an Army in Piedmont to trouble me and the Italian. 
Russia and I had decided to in-effect carve up Germany between us, while he held up the IT. 
I repositioned my fleets south and picked up Kie, Lon & Edi. 
At the end of the year Germany was on 1 and another Draw was proposed, this time for a 3 or 4 way draw. Again turned down.

1905 In spring I supported the Russian in to Berlin from Munich and then took Mun for myself. 
The German was now in Prussia and a Turkish piece had moved to Sil. 
It looked as though they were either going to take Ber or Mun. 
So I talked to the Russian and German and came up with Ber-Sil supt from Pru, thereby keeping the German alive, 
 retaining Munich & crushing the Turkish army. 
I was the only one getting builds and the Italian had too many fleets to push through.

1906-07 Mun and Norway were my only two builds from that year, but I built 3 because I had a surplus build. 
With the Med blocked up, the rush for continental land was my main goal. 
The Russian was still giving his all against the Turk while the German was willing to do anything to live. 
I moved my armies through Germany. 
I still had many pieces to move up and I was held off taking Sweden and St. Petersburg in Soccer matches
 which both ended in nil all draws. 
I didn't wish to import Russians into the French league when their national squad was being so successful. 
The following year saw me take St. Pet and Swe while the Grand Duchy of Warsaw was conceded to France. 
My 1st 18 centres in my 18th year.

Conclusion
The Germans not supporting me and moving into bad positions were the things that he did to drew the stab;
 that combined with the Italian wanting me to stab. 
Andrew had said to me that he and Doug were going for a steam roller and when that kept on not happening,
 he was prepared to bleed to me as long as I kept him alive. 
My diplomacy remained flexible the whole game while others were locking themselves into ongoing conflict. 
Keeping the Germans alive gave me a centre and crushed a Turkish army. 
In the past I have been accused of being an Andrew (Obi-Wan) or Adam (Dr. Evil) puppet. 
I think this game shows that to quote Darth Vader "Now I am the Master". 
A good time and an enjoyable game.
[Ed - In future the young Emperor shall be known as Paul "Mahdi" Armstead (refer "Atreides from Dune" prophecies).

2002-November
[Hornet] by Mike Dowling
DCOC Game #117
Two games going again this month, with five players on each board. 
In Hornet, we had France and Russia going unplayed, and the first couple of years went through very quickly as a result,
 with plenty of neutral spaces for all.

England (Young Alex Fellman) started out with some strident demands from Germany (Paul Newman),
 which probably hurt his cause more than helping. 
England picked up Norway and convoyed his army to Picardy to make an early start on French centres. 
Meanwhile, Austria (Don Burgess) picked up Serbia and Greece, while Turkey (Matthew Reid) made an early start on the
 Russian homeland, picking up Sevastapol and Rumania. 
Turkey and Italy (Your humble correspondent) had a strong agreement to let Austria get an early start towards Russia
 before being crushed in the Turko-Italian mill. 
Italy, in the meantime, was heading west, young man! thanks to assistance from Germany into Marseilles to get past
 the Piedmont bottleneck, and sliding the fleet into Tunis, ready for rapid advance to Iberia. 
Germany bypassed Holland to get into Belgium and grabbed Denmark. 
England and Italy came to an amicable agreement to divide France and the Iberian centres.

Turkey and Austria both built two armies. 
Germany and Italy both chose two fleets and suddenly, England's single fleet build didn't look sufficient any more. 
Perhaps he should have seen it coming.

In 1902, England took Brest and both England and Italy helped Germany into Paris. 
Some misorders from England meant MAO was still empty as Italy sailed into Spain with the two new fleets taking up
 position in Western Med and MAO. Germany took Sweden and took up residence in Holland. 
Turkey helped Austria into Warsaw and the IAT discussions turned to plans for a northern push into German holdings. 
Then the IT discussions continued with plans to draw Austria one way with a strong attack from Turkey,
 followed by a sneaky weaker attack from a supposedly friendly Italian who was clearly focused on the west.

Germany offered to support Italy into (English) Brest. England offered to support Italy into (German) Paris. 
Given Paris' possible harmful retreats, and Brest's lack of the same, the choice was clear. 
More misorders from England saw Italian fleets take up position in Portugal and Irish Sea, with an army in Brest. 
Germany took the North Sea, then left it to liberate Norway from her English overlords. 
England picked up Sweden, but the loss of Brest meant he had a disband. 
In the meantime, Turkey moved into Moscow from Ukraine as requested, but while hearing the rest of Turkey's orders,
 a rueful exclamation was heard from the Archduke incarnate. 
Turkey was pretty clearly going for Austria, and Austria's attempt to move on Germany had been effectively blocked
 by the same move that allowed England to take Sweden. 

England was convinced to fight it out, and certainly gave some nuisance value to Germany, even if the end result was clear.
Turkey quickly snaffled Greece and Warsaw, helping Germany into St Petersburg and the last neutral piece was gone. 
Italy had built two armies and a fleet with the last three builds, and while the fleet went to the Ionian,
 the usual Tyrolia/Venice combo lined up against Austria.
Germany recovered Sweden and Holland with little difficulty, and Italy swept into Liverpool (in Spring 1904!). 
The end was in sight for England. Austria vacated Trieste, making an easy capture for Italy,
 and snuck into a suddenly empty Rumania, then Sevastopol, thanks to sub-optimal Turkish planning.

With Austria on three centres (Vienna, Budapest and Sevastopol) and England on two, a clean three way seemed a certainty,
 but it was not to be. 
Everything was smooth in the north, with Germany sliding into an empty Edinburgh, and Italy doing the same for London. 
Germany was supposed to support the move to London, but it turned out it didn't need it. 
Things didn't go quite so smoothly in the south. 
An Italian misorder and inopportune Turkish army placement meant that Vienna was not taken until the Fall,
 leaving Budapest still in Austrian hands.
Sevastapol meanwhile retreated to Armenia leaving Turkey with a single army to guess which of Ank and Smyrna
 it would go for in the Fall, and still owning Budapest. 
Turkey guessed wrong, and to save everyone time, a gentleman's agreement was made to leave Austria alive with one
 piece rather than play out what would have had to be the final year.
The GIT alliance all high-scored, with Italy finishing on 12, Germany 11, and Turkey 10. 
The major three way division, while not a stalemate, was certainly a situation that would have been difficult
 for any one player to turn into a solo. 
Kudos to Alex for sticking it out to the bitter end, even when the storm clouds where overwhelming.

An evening that certainly made a difference to the final placements, and your humble correspondent achieved his goal
 for the year of bypassing a Novice rating. 
(Edging Doug out of fourth place on the ladder in the process was just a bonus - If only I'd played a seventh game!)

2002-October
[Joplin] by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #116
A frenetic game with 3 first time players and 3 old hands.

Gary Fellman [E] charged into a civil disordered France, while Andrew Geraghty [G] cleaned up the lowlands.
Alex Fellman [R] misordered StP to Swe, and was bounced in Gal, leaving him weak both north and south.
Gus Burgess [T] played safely and secured Rumania in 1901F.
Doug Stewart [A] took the usual Ser & Gre, while Paul Armstead slipped Ven to Tri in 1901F.

The lines were not drawn, double dealing by Austria saw Russia take Rumania.  Then in the fall Turkey regained Rumania, and stabbed Austria.
Italy assisted Turkey and gained Greece, While Turkey gained Serbia. Austria was reduced to 2 centres.
Elsewhere England and Germany grew unabated.

Finally in 1903 England and Germany spread their wings, while the bickering in the west continued.
Italy jumped by 3 centres - (mostly Austrian of course) and finished off France.
Austria ran around Rumania/Galacia for two years fighting for survival.
It was given, and russia lost 2 centres as the game was declared a draw.
One of the most entertaining beginners games in the club's history.
Well played.

2002-October
[Saltville] by Paul Newman
DCOC Game #115
Probably the most interesting game in terms of alliances and backstabs, I mean Diplomacy I have ever played.
Before the first turn the Turk [Newman] had offers from three players (England [Stewart], Austria [Dowling] & Russia [Geraghty])
 for permanent alliances. Two of which involved stabbing Russia at the first opportunity. 
Obviously the Czar's new re-armament policy had made everyone nervous.
The Turk was no fool and formed a RAT with an offer to England to see how things developed.

1901 - France [Banana] went after his easy builds, England wanted to go into Germany [Armstead] but it didn't look inviting as
 France & Germany seemed to have an understanding.
 So he went east to bother Russia who was busy doing the right thing and blowing up his Baltic fleet.
 Oh happy days for the Turk.
 Italy [Reid] moved strongly North in a position to bother either Germany or Austria, while Turkey & Austria divided up the Balkan's.

1902 -  A year of consolidation and positioning with only England improving at Germany's expense.
 The Kaiser was feeling the pressure from England, Russia & Italy.
 The RAT was holding firm but A & E were waiting on T to make a decision regarding the fate of R.
 Clearly word of the Turk's development of homing shells had leaked out, could that have been a Russian spy, hmmmm.

1903 - The year of the first great stab, France takes two centres off Germany leaving the Kaiser in a world of trouble.
 The Turk slips into Tunisia after some fast talking to France and Austria does a great sucker job on Italy that almost kills
 an army but in the end the Austrian takes an extra centre regardless.
 The stalemate in the East is over and things look good foe Austria & Turkey at last!

1904 - France turns his attention North and builds fleets while in the south France and Turkey with a little brilliant last ditch
 effort by the Italian muck up taking Italy's last centre.
 The rumour is confirmed, the Russian has stolen the plans for the homing shells!
 Vengeance is swift and another great stab falls, this time on the Czar.
 England is starting to feel the pressure from French attention and Austria positions himself to clean up the remains
 of the other cental powers.

1905 - Austria and Turkey turn their collective attention to France whilst England is allowed a couple of builds to stop
 the home counties being over-run by frogs.
 The wicked witches have united with the Austrian and future looks good.
 Well it does if you're England, Austria or Turkey.
 Disaster! The homing shells turn out to be a failure, apparently they can't distinguish between friend or foe!
 Henceforth they are referred to as Dum-Dums...........
 With the failure of the new weapon a truce is declared even though France was set for a major carve up!

2002-September
[Marne] by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #114
In one of the very few successful RAT alliances in DCOC history, first time DCOC player - Mathew[R]
 combined with Paul Newman [A] and Doug [T] to sweep the board.
The opening year saw Denmark and Portugal vacant as western power struggles prevailed.  
Portugal would not be taken until 1904.
No alliances were obvious in the first two years, until Russia disbanded Rumania.  
Then Dermott [I] was overrun by Austria and Turkey, being eliminated in 1904.
England was the only power in the West, and was busy holding off Russia in the North.  
Germany was being overrun by A/R, while in the south A/T had broken through to Iberia.

The big dissapointment for tonight was not being able to finish the game,
 as a draw was called at end 1905 with the Rat Alliance unstoppable.
Would the alliance have held?  Certainly until Austria and Turkey were in the mid-teens it was not going to break.
Who else would have been left?  Probably England with some survival in Scandanvia.
A great game...

2002-June
[Cross Keys] by Doug Stewart
DCOC Game #113
I drew Germany, not a country I usually do well with, so i thought I would try something different in an attempt to divide up the board.
I immediately sought Paul Newman [France] to ally with, and he too was eager.  Shortly Paul Armstead [England] sought us out wanting an EFG.

Having set up a safe backside, I now looked elsewhere to cause some mischief, or 'inspire' other events.
I declared to Russia (Geoffrey Moore) that I would not open to Denmark, so he would be guaranteed of Sweden.  
I also wouldn't frown upon his acquisition of Norway.
That probably meant England would have hard work in the north - but that wasn't 'my' concern .... now was it? !

Austria (Dermott Banana) was immediately after Italy (Peter Milnes) so I didn't need to do anything there.  
Austria had also 'warned' me off Tyrolia because it was Austrian Territory.  That was useful ammo for later.
Turkey (Mike Dowling) was interested in the likelihood that Russia would open northwards.

I opened Kie-Hol and Turkey misordered, while Russia surprised all by opening totally northwards [StP-GOB, Mos-StP, War-Liv].
Italy moved Ven-Tyl while Austria moved his fleet towards Venice, bouncing with Rome's entry.  No other surprises.


Come 1902 I used Munich to help Austria into Tyrolia, while France sent his fleets to 'Help' Italy against Turkey.
Turkey quickly took control of the shores to the Black Sea, and stabbed for Sev from Russia.

By 1903 Italy was reduced to 1 centre due to France and Austria.  
Russia was devoured by Germany and Turkey, with Moscow decided by a flip of a coin !

The game was really opening up now.  England and Russia were at loggerheads in the north.
I made my move into the North Sea to keep England impotent and Russia from moving to a nuisance position.
France slipped into the English Channel - The writing was on the wall for England. He left in disgust.
A quick stab into Vienna for Germany hurt Austria who was surrounded and just los another centre Venice to France.

The Franco/German Alliance was now dominant, and only Turkey could offer resistance from here.
Austria recommended a draw, and given our position we argued for the extra centres to make us 11 apiece.
[Germany couldn't have been stopped from getting the 3 centres, France would have been unlucky not to.]

Highlights of the game : A solid alliance from start to end, some of the most dynamic discussions ever, and a very satisfying result.

2002-May
[Major Major Major] by Mike Dowling
DCOC Game #112
It all started so well...

The plan seemed pretty good.  
France and England were going to take down Germany while Italy, Turkey and Russia took out Austria.  
Or was Italy supposed to help against Germany?  
Apparently the weather was nicer in Austria, and Austria couldn't throw centres
 to Russia and Turkey fast enough in an attempt to bring Italy down.  
At the end of '02 Italy ended up in Trieste, Serbia and ... Greece?  
Wait a minute, wasn't Greece supposed to be Turkish?

Meanwhile, France and England were not going so well.  
After plonking fleets in Belgium and Norway in Fall '01, they managed to just hold position,
 with England pulling his fleet back to the English channel, but not landing an army to take its place.  
A German fleet in Heligoland Bight, more vacillating from England between Norway and Skaggerak
 and an English army that hadn't moved out of Yorkshire left me with a pretty clear choice to help Germany.

As the time approached for Spring 1903 orders, the realisation dawned -
Germany hadn't even talked to me, and I'd just set myself up to take Norway.  
In fact, France, England and Germany had been off together getting very chummy with each other.

Suddenly an EFG is on the roll, and my Springtime capture of Norway maybe wasn't such a good idea,
 since I'm about to lose it and Sweden too.

A quick chat to Germany brings little hope, he doesn't even pretend to be seriously considering turning back to hit England,
 even when I point out that one or two centres is the most he's likely to get from me.

In the south, Austria has been hanging on with a single centre, working as a Janissary for R/T,
 but a last minute desperate bid for a build, I grab Trieste for Russia rather than helping the resident Turk get into Venice,
 and leaving the centre supporting the Austrian fleet.  
Would have been lovely if it had worked.
Turns out I didn't need to do it, since I only had room for one piece to replace the two fleets I retreated off the board. Whoops!

Austria knocked out by 1903, and the lines were clearly drawn, EFG vs IRT.
Thus it remained, despite all attempts by IRT to break the opposing alliance,
 with the EFG slowly making ground both in the north and the Med, capturing St. Petersburg, Warsaw, Venice and Tunis.  
There it looked like they would be stopped, until the Turk viciously stabbed Russia and then Italy to finish on eleven.  
The two last Russian units managed to hang on to the bitter end, thanks to a choice of open centres to retreat to,
 and a little assistance from an English army who was happy to stop in Moscow.  


Italy did not fare so well, being eliminated in the last turn.
Germany's total gains as part of the EFG: Sweden and Warsaw.  I did tell him!

England stabbed France in the last turn to pick up Spain, leaving France back on five centres, Germany on seven, and England on nine.
High-scores for Mark Withnell as Turkey and Paul Newman as England.

A contribution from Mike Dowling:
Doomed are all ye players
In this game of international
Politics, which causes all men to
Lie, lie, lie, honouring no
Oaths and respecting no
Man's rights; holding to no
Agreements. You claim there is no
Chance, but in the end
You must see the draw is all important.

2002-April
[Shiloh]
DCOC Game #111
France couldn't have been more specific. 
He was categorically against an EFG, even though I, as Germany, was offering to take the big risks. 
It didn't get easier from there.
By the end of 1901 I had Holland and Denmark and had allowed the Russians into Sweden,
 they repaid the favour by building nothing up north.
Game "SHILOH", the anniversary of one of the bloody American Civil War battles at the start of the war,
 looked set to be a bloodbath.
By the end of 1902 it still wasn't certain that France was my ally,
 although England [Peter Milnes] had decided its escorts had protected enough oil rigs in the north sea
 and it was time to open a branch drilling operation in the Heligoland.
France plunged the knife and twisted, lucky for me it was England taking the blows. 
England put up a valiant effort, but with Russia [Mark Withnell] helping me into Norway it was over quite quickly.
On the other side, Austria [Doug Stewart] lost Trieste but was alive with 4. 
 They stayed that way for a while, with lots of jockeying, some lucky guesses and some support from Turkey. 
Turkey [Paul Armstead] had 3 fleets and couldn't generate enough force inland,
 while Italy [Paul Newman] and Russia had a cosy alliance and were making gains.
 The opening move which proved interesting was Sev-Arm, Mosc-Sev, War-Ukr. 
 The Turk was wrong footed but recovered quickly and was soon on a very safe 5 by the end of the year and 6 soon after. 
 The turks lunged Bla-Sev in Fall 1901 and lucked in, taking Sev.
France and I sorted out our alliance and the EFG became a comfortable FG. 
 A misorder cost France Norway, and Russia held on a little longer. 
Russia was being squeezed from all sides as its home centres fell. 
 Desperate to survive it took Vienna off its Italian ally who, like Queen Victoria, was "not amused".
 Germany clumped phlegmatically to finish on 9 (10?), probably due mainly to the poor condition of Russian railroads. 
 France scorched along to 11, with the likelihood of taking several more in Italy and the Med. 
There was no stalemate line and there was a chance of an FG 17/17 split,
 although it is more likely that France would have done some splitting of Germany instead!
Why go on distant expeditions when you can have fun closer to home??
A great debut game for Mick Dowling [France] and a good game by all, as everyone tried to make the best of their opportunities.
[A]0 [E]0 [F]11 [G]9 [I]3 [R]1 [T]10 
[Report by Andrew Geraghty]
2002-March
[Ladysmith]
DCOC Game #110
With Austria and Germany thrown into civil disorder, a traditional East versus West scenario began.
Andrew Beaumont (England) returned to the club in magnificent style, and forged and early alliance with France.
On the other side Andrew Geraghty (Turkey) led the charge with Paul Armstead (Italy) and Adam Stewart (Russia).
As the game progressed, France pressed Italy, while Turkey threatened the same. Russia had already been stabbed.
With the midgame settled, England stabbed France, and the minor powers all sued for a draw.
[A]0 [E]13 [F]3 [G]0 [I]4 [R]1 [T]13 
[Report by Doug Stewart]
2002-February
[DAS BOAT]
DCOC Game #109
A magnificent alliance between Doug Stewart (Turkey) and Paul Newman (Russia) stomped over the board hounding and clearing all opposition.
Andrew Geraghty (France) and Marc Withnell (England) held on until the agreed draw,
 but both knew they were in trouble should the game have continued.
Paul Armstead (Austria), Peter Milnes (Germany) and Geoffrey Moore (Italy) were all emilinated in an entertaining but ruthless game.
[A]0 [E]1 [F]7 [G]0 [I]0 [R]14 [T]12 
[Report by Doug Stewart]
2002-January
[BLAZE] (Report by Doug Stewart)
DCOC Game #108
The gameof the witches. England (Doug Stewart) and Turkey (Paul Gill) dominated the board.
Italy (Geoffrey Moore) and Austria (Damian Browne) Allied and held their ground.
Russia (Paul Armstead) held on against huge odds to survive, as did France (Peter Milnes).
Paul Newman's Germany was a mid-game victim, which did not reflect upon his play, he just happended to be in the wrong place.
[A]6 [E]8 [F]3 [G]0 [I]6 [R]2 [T]9 
2001-December
[Tora! Tora!]
DCOC Game #107
Ah the breath of a new season!  And the treachery of the old!
Andrew Geraghty, hot on the heels of having claimed his second club championship,
 immediately launched an Italian Juggernaut as if it were expected he would win.
His initial victim was the affable Mark Abraham, who lost his Austrian home centres (Vie & Tri) in an early stab. 
 With Turkish assistance (Adam Stewart), Austria dissapeared from the game in 1902.  
 The Turks also slipped into the Russians (Doug Stewart) who vasilated most of the game just managing to survive.
In the north, England (Paul Gill) and Russia combined against Germany (James McGowan),
 and with French (Paul Armstead) help Germany too disappeared from the game in 1904.
Now the true alliances were exposed as Italy stabbed Turkey, while the French ran rampant in the west. 
 With a probable best Italy for 2002 already in the bag, a draw was proposed with the lesser powers forced to accept the draw.
[A]0 [E]2 [F]10 [G]0 [I]13 [R]6 [T] 3
[Report by Doug Stewart]
2001 - Game Summaries
2001 Championship Decided.
Andrew Geraghty achieved his second DCOC championship with magnificent games as both Italy and Turkey (seperate boards)
 on the last round of the season, eclipsing Doug Stewart at the top of the list.
This has left Doug with the unenviable result of 6 runners up awards in the 9 years of the club.
2001-November
[Osama(s in Pjamas] (Report by Andrew Geraghty)
DCOC Game #106
I [Andrew Geraghty...Ed] must confess I never seriously followed what was happening in this game,
 as it was not the Decider from my point of view. I drew Italy, notably one of my poorer performers. 
 Austria (Adam) and Turkey (Paul Gill) made an early pact to kill Russia (Doug). 
 However, they came to me with no plan, and clearly expected me to sit quietly on 4 centres
  and not make a nuisance of myself until the Turkish fleets came for me.
Likewise the Frenchman (Paul Armstead) did virtually no diploming and never once made any constructive suggestions or plans.
 In such a sitation it was time to play my own game and make my own plans, so I opened north with both armies,
  then took Vienna, Trieste and Tunis in one bold stroke.
Never, ever leave me in a country without a Plan to follow.
Turkey came to me in Spring 02 with an obvious question (You intend to eliminate Austria?)
 and so we set about completing Austria's downfall. 
 After that I muscled up against France, who bickered with Germany but then fell into a strong E/F and a weak E/F/G. 
 He didn't have the fleets to confront me until late in the game and failed to make mileage against Germany,
  as even the Russian counterattacked into Germany.
This all had me very nervous, because the Turk was *supposed* to be attacking Russia but seemed to haunt my back door.
 In the end, my fears were needless and I managed to wrest Marseille from the French.
I went to France in 1902 and said we should go shoulder to shoulder
 and if he'd stuck to this I would have supported him into Munich while GOL/WMe would have been a DMZ. 
 By wasting resources even nominally facing me from Iberia, France squandered a big result in Germany. 
 (It also saw me push a Turkish fleet into WMe, a loose cannon the French could have avoided through diplomacy).
Germany (Andrew Galin) was newish to his country. Andrew, be warned.
 Germany needs many friends (who have been given sound German strategic plans that steer them away from Germany)
  so Germany can deal with one set of opportunities before tackling another. 
  A schizophrenic Germany, which gropes in several directions, dies.
Welcome to Mark Abraham, who played England and finished well.
 I suspect Mark was "played" too much by the Russian,
 leaving himself a late run to generate the energy before establishing a major Pax Britannica.
Great games and a fun night, not least given the Club result!
Bad luck to Doug, who was beaten at the last showing by superior lies!!
2001-November
[Spruce Goose]
DCOC Game #105
It is worth recording the opening moves and lies in this game.
 I went into a Steamroller with Russia (Paul Armstead) and we agreed I'd open to Armenia, then blow up his fleet in Rumania. 
 He said he'd split north/south, and I reflexively counselled against this until I realised it would fit in with the New Grand Plan.
Austria (Paul Newman) was keen for an instant alliance and we agreed that he'd support A Bulg-Rum in Fall 1901.
 So, F Bla - Bulg(ec), A Arm - Sev, A Bulg - Rum and BOOM, no Russian fleet and 3 (count em) builds for Turkey... yahoo!
Russia held on until the Fall of 1904, but Austria and I kicked him to death with England's help (Peter Milnes)
 and were already getting stuck into Germany (Doug Stewart) and France (Adam Stewart) by the time this ended.
England's first game with DCOC was a gradual but remorseless expansion which saw him finish on 9;
 an excellent debut! Austria and I powered into Germany and overran a Civil Disorder Italy. 
 France was too weak to stop us, but was saved by a time draw.
At the end, keen to get the best possible Turkish score, I stabbed Austria in three places (the portico, the rotunda and the colliseum)
 but only managed to take Rome, to finish on 11 centres. 
 Not perhaps the final score this Turk could have had, but the bloodthirsty necessity of carving Austria was too risky
  while playing an 8-9 centre Italy and a 10-11 centre Turk simultaneously!
Germany (Doug) did well to hold off a plethora of threats and picked his moment to carve a lifeboat out of French centres.
 Spruce Goose belonged to a very rapacious Austro-Turkish team on the night. 
 Given 3 more seasons I expect only the Master Alliance of Turkey, England, Australia (TEA) would have survived.
I confess there was also some Beer Diplomacy underway from before gamestart,
 as I promised free beer to my Austro-English allies on the way over. 
 This must have worked, although the Englishman had obviously had enough midgame when he tried to drown Scandinavia in beer...
[Board saved by a quick mop-up...Ed]
2001-September
Additional BY-Lawsdecided as...
1. All diplomacy rules shall be dispensed as soon as noticed by any person.
2. The GM (if available) shall dispense the club rules at all times.
2001-September
[VARUS] (Report by first time attendee Jason Verrier, who observed the game)
DCOC Game #104
Guten tag mein Freunde!
Well I thought since most of Europe is now German speaking I thought I had best say hello my friends in badly strung together German.
The game mechanics themselves are wonderfully simple to master,
 which is a relief since you have to work so hard during the diplomacy phases,
  so I didn’t have too much trouble following what was going on the board.
I will be more or less following the game from the Austrian [Andrew Goff] perspective as it was Goffy
 I was following around all night and, well, he won.  
 Always in the story teller’s best interests to tell it from the winner’s side, lest he be out of a job.
It all started very nicely.  A few armies placed on the map and the diplomacy began. 
 The Austrians and the Russians [Paul Newman] made some arrangements with each other as to their side of the world
  and of course the conversations involved what to do about Turkey [Geoffrey Moore].  
  I think it was fairly obvious to everyone, including Turkey, that there was going to be one of two outcomes
   for the Turkish and unfortunately it was the one that involved him coming to a sticky end.  
 But in his defence he certainly made a nuisance of himself for a long time
  and diverted the Russian away from other concerns for some time.
Once the tentative alliance had been forged with Russia the Austrian turned attentions to the Italians [Paul Armstead].  
 It seemed that everywhere the Italian left a gap in his defences the Austrian was there to take his place and supply centres.  
 The Italian was forced to flee into the Mediterranean with only a single fleet remaining to recover some pride
  by taking his favoured location of Brest.
It was fairly plain to me what the Austrian was doing as he made his way into Italy. 
 His forces were advancing in a definite front, supporting each other along the way,
  without tipping his hand into an all out conflict at any stage.  
  I believe this reactive style of play and his willingness to take advantage of another country’s lack of defences
   and take vacant territory was key to success.
The hapless German [Paul Gill] was also in a nasty position. 
 He was in the centre of a power battle between the French [Andrew Geraghty] and English [Doug Stewart].  
 Not a fun place to be in, let me tell you.  
 By the time the gallant Austrian had started to make his push into that part of the world, the German was all but finished.  
 A shock move by him into Holland was unfortunately his last hurrah.
On the top of the world the Englishman was certainly making himself known by moving through the top of Russia and Scandinavia. 
 By this stage the lines were well and truly drawn.  The English versus the Austrians.  Interesting.  
 Backroom deals were being struck.  
 The English and the Austrians were discussing the possibility of a division of Europe giving them control of half of the board each.  
 The Austrian certainly had other ideas.  
 With the backing of the Russians, the French and the Italians, with his single fleet holed up in Portugal, an unlikely alliance was made.  Everyone against the English.  Again!

After looking carefully at his options the Austrian saw his opportunity to grab glory. 
 In the first real move against his allies he took 6 supply centres in one fell swoop and like those chequers games
  where holes had been left so the opponent can take the remaining pieces on the board, it was all over.  
 A win by the magical number 18 and a total of 53 points for the game.
In summary I have to agree with Mr. Geraghty’s response to the matter.  
 He should not have been allowed to accumulate so much land in such a small space of time.  
 The Italians should have pushed back and the Russian and Turkish could have worked together to better effect,
  thus boxing the Austrian in and not allowing him to take land for free.  
  An alliance between the very strong English and French forces would certainly have put an end the Austrian usurper.  
  Oh well better luck next time.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Final Centre Count : [A] 18 [E] 11 [F] 1 [G] 0 [I] 1 [R] 3 [T] 0 
2001-August
[HANNIBAL] (Report by Paul Armstead)
An attendance of 8 gave us the advantage of a full game with a GM, creating the setting of a great game of Diplomacy.
The main alliances in the game were set up early with Russia (Geoffrey Moore), Austria (Andrew Geraghty),
 and Turkey (Paul Newman in his second DCOC game) set up a RAT. 
 While an EFG was out of the question on the other side with both England (myself) and France (Paul Gill)
  interested in taking Germany (Tom Fieldhouse) down. 
  Italy (Theo Fieldhouse) antagonised the French with an early move to the Tyrrhenian.
Several early missorders, created the French a headache early on and probably cost him later.
 It certainly allowed the RAT to start overrunning Italy and take bits out of Germany;
  while my French ally had his neutrality tactic which was take Spain, Portugal and Belgium and then not attack anyone.
   This, combined with his missorder's made him lose momentum and become vulnerable because of his lack of fleets. 
Russia and I had a tussle in the north with Geoff taking early honours, capturing Norway but I re-took that and St Petersburg,
 to take the honours in the north. 
 When the RATs had reached Tobruk (Tunis, which later was Italian in a one centre survival),
  it was also the down fall of the Italian peninsula. 
 It became clear that as a good English Captain I should play for the draw. 
 I had a chance to draw the game a year earlier with a late offer from the RATs but I needed more time to change orders,
  so the offer lapsed.

After a second army stayed on the board without disbanding, my French Ally abdicated unhappily,
 that meant French orders were everywhere. 
With my lessons from Obi-Wan (Andrew) in my early dip career I submitted a set of french orders
 which were ajudged the legal French orders according to GM Doug. 
With my English cricket skills I got a draw and a noble peace prize. 
Note: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE - Named after Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite.
Final Centre Count : [A] 8 [E] 7 [F] 2 [G] 1 [I] 1 [R] 5 [T] 10 
2001-July
[AQABA] (Report by Paul Gill)
A game named for the Red Sea port.
With Turkey and France neutral, Italy (Paul) was primed for the re-establishment of the Roman Empire.
 So an alliance was immediately made with Vienna (Doug) and St Petersburg (Damien).
  Caesar even offered the English (Geoffrey) that we would stop at Hadrians Wall, and so guaranteed English control of Edinburgh.
   Making peace with the Germans (Andrew) proved harder.
Italy took her natural base in Carthage and then targeted the wine-and-fruit-bowls of Iberia.
 By this time though, our allies in the east had fallen out. Tsar Damien insisted on eliminating the Austrians.
  Austrian cities were chopping and changing constantly.
   Despite being allied to him, our legions occupied Vienna and even Budapest at various times.
    The result was almost falling out with the Tsar, all the time trying to point our legions toward the neutral grounds northwest.
By the time our legionnaires took Baetica and Lusitania, Masillia was in German hands.
 And even though we'd seen the Britons finally turn on the Germans, Masillia proved too difficult to crack.
  Soldiers though were placed in Cisalpine Gaul to protect Italia though.
   At the same time, our Austrian ally was crumbling, and so a fleet of triremes was dispatched to the old city states of Greece
    to make sure they did not fall to the Russian hordes.
The evening ended with the Parisi holding out against Germanic tribesmen, and the Germans even bathing in the Mediterranean at Masillia.
 (Do Germanic tribesmen bathe?) and the Roman empire restored from Carthage to Athens, to Lisbon. 
 Obviously, if the Illyrians had not kicked us out at that point, we may have pushed the German tribes back from Gaul. 
 But hsitory is full of what-ifs. 
 More important is the 'what-did' and the 'what-did' said clearly that Roman integrity was restored!
Hail Caesar!
2001-June
... No match was held - Attendees played Samurai Swords.
2001-May
[Dingo]
A late arrival by first timer Janet Hayes, landed her with an England that was on the back foot early.
Paul Armstead [France] in conjuction with Paul Newman [Germany] had already targetted her with Brest moving to the English Channel.
To the south,Italy (Andrew Geraghty) launched into Austria (Geoffrey Moore) early claiming Trieste. 
Austria vacillated in his attack against Turkey (Adam Stewart) and Russia (Doug Stewart),
 finally allying with Turkey to dislodge Italy from the Ionian Sea.
The sleeper alliance between France, Germany and Russia was now also obvious as England was crushed.
Out of time.... all remaining players agreed to a draw with the allies on 7 centres each.
Would the alliance have lasted?
Who knows.....
2001-April
[PE3]
This game was dominated by Damian Browne in his most enterprising effort in the club.
His France went rampant in the 5 years, and his Italian (Doug Stewart) and Russian (Andrew Goff) allies
 were able to complete the route of both Germany (Geoffrey Moore) and England (Paul Gill).
Austria (Paul Armstead) did well to hold thewolves at bay, while Turkey (Andrew Galin) managed survival in what was a cut-throat game.
A collision between an American aircaft (PE3) and a Chinese jet made international news this month.
2001-March
[The DON]
This game was dominated by 3 countries; Austria (Paul Gill),France (Doug Stewart) and Russia (Andrew Geraghty).
Their co-operation resulted in an equal split of 27 centres.
In a rare turn of events,Andrew turned on his 'usual' ally Paul Armstead (Turkey) resulting in his elimination.
Meanwhile the other witch, England (Andrew Galin) was crushed as well. 
Germany (Adam Stewart) and Italy (Geoffrey Moore) held on for survival, but the damage had been done.
A draw was agreed.
An obvious game name this month, with the death of Don Bradman (Australian Cricketer) this month..
2001-February
[Ground Hog]
A change of plans today as it was decided to play the COLONIAL diplomacy variant.
 This turned into a 4 year game, that was starting to settleinto a solid rhythm.
 Experienced campaigners Andrew Geraghty [Russia] and Doug Stewart [Holland] led the way,
  with solid efforts from Damian Browne [Britain] and Paul Gill [Japan].  
  There were no eliminations, and much experience was gained by the othere players;
   Geaffrey Moore [France], Andrew Galin [Turkey] and Paul Armsteade [China].
2001-January
No Meeting
2000-December
[Waxworks]
The start of our eigth year, and there were no holds barred in this masterful battle.
 An unusual alliance between England (12 centres) and Turkey (11 centres) gave dividends for Andrew Geraghty and Doug Stewart.
 A neutral Italy was elimated early, followed shortly after by Germany (Paul Armstead) and finally Russia (Paul Gill).
 Geoffrey Moore's France (7 centres) survived, as did Adma Stewart's Austria.
 The draw was agreed with allplayers knowing that further elimnations may result in an all out victory.
2000 - Game Summaries
Championship Decided.
In a thrilling finish to the 2000 season, an unexpected comeback from disaster,
 allowed Doug Stewart to 'steal' the Championship by less than a centre from a frustrated Andrew Geraghty and Adam Stewart,
 and an unlucky Geoffrey Moore who got stabbed at the last hurdle.
 Our eighth Club Champion is also the first to take a second Title.
2000-November
[Relocated]

Desperation ! Persistance ! Back Stabbing ! Alliances ! This game had it all.
 With the four top players in attendance and the Club Championship up for grabs, it was on for young and old.
 With England neutral, the grab for the remaining centres was on early. 
 Doug [I] made a false start as non-existant Apu-ION put back his early campaign.  
 Geoffrey[A] and Charles[T] formed an early alliance taking Rumania and Sevastapol from Paul[R]. 
 The Warsaw, Ukraine, Moscow line held for the remainder of the game.
 With Andrew and Adam fighting in the east, Doug recovered to rab Tunis, then proceeding to nibble away Spain and Portugal.
 Charles now stabbed the Austrian to march on to 12 centres.  
 Everyone's miscalculation about Italy allowed it to suddenly grow from 5 to 8 and retake venice. 
 With Austria's demise, a very tenous draw was declared.
"Relocated" - With the Slovenian Club going through the last of it's renovations,
 we were forced to relocate the game to another premises to play out the last game of the 2000 season.
2000-September
[Kursk]
A large turnout in September saw the 3 most experienced players sidelined to assist with the 4 new comers on the night.
 Doug, taking charge of Turkey was allowed to escape, and blasted his way to 10 centres and a BoE score of 21.75 on his first night.
 Andrew Whitchurch's Russia, was swamped and he met his demise in 1904.
 The other new players Tim (E) and Russell (F) took advantage of the lack of other alliances to conrol the west.
 Adam Stewart (A) clung to life, while Paul Armstead played a steady game as Italy.
 A great night !
"Kursk" was a Russian nuclear-powered submarine disaster in which 116 crew members were stranded on the sea floor and confirmed dead.
 International efforts to reach the sub finally succeeded. 
 The sea was stormy, and the rescue ships were unable to drop their anchors" to get to the vessel trapped
  at the bottom of the Barents Sea since Sunday, Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov added.
 Rescue teams are examining the hull of the Kursk, the admiral said. 
 "The exact cause of the accident has not been established for the moment, although it appears a missile may have exploded." he said.
 The nuclear-powered Kursk submarine sank some 100 metres down in the neutral waters
  some 150 kilometres from its home port of Severomorsk, after it took part in naval manoeuvre early Sunday.
 The submarine, which was carrying 24 missiles, none nuclear, shut down its nuclear engines on Sunday morning,
  and has not yet released any radioactive pollution, Norwegian ecologists said.
2000-July-1
[Somme Do]
Somme Do, Somme Don't - This month remembered the 1916 'Battle of the Somme' which began this day at 7:30 a.m.,
 with a British offensive against German forces in the Somme River region of France.
 After a bombardment of 250,000 shells along the Western Front, followed by the explosion of mines planted under the German trenches,
 100,000 British soldiers poured out of their trenches and across no-man's-land into machine gun fire.
 By nightfall, 20,000 British were dead, including 1,000 officers, and 40,000 were injured.
 Trench warfare commenced, but even the new British tanks failed to break the deadlock along the Western Front.
 The battle lasted 5 months for a total gain of just 125 square miles,
 at a cost of over 600,000 British and French soldiers killed, wounded, or MIA, and German casualties over 650,000.
2000-June
[Rust]
The June 2000 round, "RUST", saw a Turkey (Doug Stewart) that was let on the loose,
 combine with an English (Andrew Geraghty) and French (Geoffrey Moore) alliance to squash all resistance.
 With impotent Germany and Italy, the grab for centres was easily arranged with all countries
  agreeing to not provoke others in the first two years. 
 Then when the Austrians (Paul Armstead) and Russians (Adam Stewart) moved all their troops to the front line,
  the Turks hordes stole Serbia And Rumania.
 Meanwhile pressure from the English in Scandanavia was rising and the French inflicted damage in Italy. 
 The Turks stole into the Adriatic.
 Finally a decision to draw was reached with the major powers each in double figures, and no-one trusting anyone to stop if it went on.
This meeting remembered the daring escapade of the 19 year old Russian pilot Mathias Rust who flew 700 miles undetected through Helsinki, Finland and landed his small plane in Moscow’s Red Square.
See if you can land undetected in your diplomatic friend's backyard...ha ha ha.
2000-May
[Revolution]
1999-Dec
[Austerlitz R Go]
1999 - Game Reports
1999-November
[QP] 
QP (by Andrew Geraghty)
"War loves to seek its victims in the young." [Sophocles]
Someone didn't tell DCOC's new Immortal 'Adam Stewart' that only veterans should claim 18 centre victories. 
The event tonight opened without the witches [Eng&Tur] and the knives were out early.  
 The first real surprise was Geoffrey Moore's Austria only had four centres after 1901,
 but he recovered in 1902 by stabbing Italy (Doug) who quickly became a non-event in the game, disappearing in 1906.
Paul Armstead [F] and Andrew Geraghty [G] wandered the board collecting tidbits,
 while Adam Stewart [R] established what was to be a winning position. 
 The F/G alliance looked solid and Germany lined up to hammer Warsaw. 
 But temptation, or a simple misunderstanding based on one wrong build, 
 saw France and Germany go toe to toe, with Adam's Russia swarming into Germany and Scandinavia as "backup". 
 His unassailable growth of 7-8-9-10-14 and finally 18 followed squabbling between the unaligned countries.
Geoff's Austria lacked midgame lustre, as he squandered the chance to revive and settled for being a Russian minor ally.
 Apparently the Austrian Chancellor insisted everyone vote Communist. 
 Fortune favours the brave, Geoff!
While a blood feud between F/G sealed the game's fate, this takes nothing from Adam's solid,
 no-risk focus on acheiving a very well deserved 18 centre win.
QP : A_5, E_0, F_9, G_2, I_0, R_18, T_0
The 1999 Season
The 1999 season (Dec 98 - Nov 99) had the smallest turnover of players in the 6 years history of the club,
 however we do continue to have solid core of regulars. 
 The clubs milestone are adding up and tonight will make our 72 night of play and the playing of standard Diplomacy game #92.

The executive wish all DCOC members and their families a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.

DCOC again thanks the Slovenian/Australian Club of Canberra for their continued support and friendly staff.
Doug Stewart & Andrew Geraghty
1999-September
[Soyuz]
1999-July
[Little Round Top]  (By Andrew Geraghty)
The first word that describes the July game is DYNAMIC.
 The second (really the first) is unprintable. Put it this way. 
 Admiral Geraghty (England), aboard the HMS London, was heard to order an ensign to "fetch my brown trousers"
  in order the dispel the potential morale impact.
England was totally fooled into believing an EFG was the go, to discover Russia, Germany and France bearing down.
 Fortunately, Italy and Austria had clashed in Trieste, leaving Russia in Galacia and Rum, 
 so it was short work to convince the Turk to take Sev, Rum with Austrian help (Bulg neutral).  
 The Turk had moved to Armenia anyway, it can be such  a handy move whether friendly or not.
Russia, not wanting more enemies, pulled out of Galicia and dropped to 3 centres because Germany stood him out of Sweden.
 This was a balance of power play in Germany's eyes, who now saw his own position as very secure.  
 England was still on 3, but Russia was no longer an enemy and Germany was amenable.
France (Doug Stewart) had made one fatal error in his 1901 builds: all armies, no extra fleet/s.
 He had counted on German support, and Germany build a second fleet, but used it against Russia, supporting England into Norway. 
 France tried for a speculative convoy into Wales and failed. 
 This lost France a whole season in which armies could have moved against Germany.
Turkey was making inroads in all and sundry, swapping sides as circumstance demanded.
 This was something of a revelation for Al Pasha Geoff, previously better known for steady alliance play. 
 Austria and Italy bickered, although for a short while an I/A/T looked  possible (from a western standpoint).  
 Turkey continued to build momentum, but lacked the strategic gains to capitalise on his great start.
France overcame his shyness to attack Germany, so England had a firm ally agaisnt his French nemesis.
 Russia snuffed it, followed by Austria. The game was called to a draw, fortunately for most of the world,
 before Germany realised the opportunities laid before him.
Turkey missed the chance to gain 2 centres at the end and was forced to agree to the draw,
 despite having been warned to stab for the gains. 
 The near miss meant he narrowly failed to get a 20+ score for career purposes.  Ah, well!
A very interesting game, among the most enjoyable in my career, because it always had variety and never looked like boggin down.
 Options, options, options were always there.
1999-June
[Roger]
Stewart Overload
An onslaught by Doug Stewart (Turkey) and Adam Stewart (Italy) through a trusting Geoffrey Moore (Russia)
 and a non-existant Austria, destroyed all opposition and split an already divided opposition.  
Andrew Geraghty (France), Paul Armstead (England) and Paul Gill (Germany) started comfortably with an EFG,
 but mistrust grew early between England and Germany, leaving France stranded a long way from home.
France then was attacked from Germany and Italy, before a defensive line was set up; while England searched for safety at home.  
With Germany and Italy leading the way, Turkey grabbed anything that was available
 - and scared the pants off everyone with a charge from 10 to 14 centres.  
 With the pressure on  al countries united against Doug to force the draw, but not before he claimed 15 centres. 
June'99-Roger: A_0, E_3, F_2, G_8, I_6, R_0, T_15
1999-May
[Coral]
EFG rolls again
The dreaded EFG alliance has again dominated, as Doug(E), Adam (F) and Andrew (G) sped towards the centre of the board.
 On the other side of the board a RAT alliance, consisting of Tom (R), Paul (A) and Theo (T), began well,
 but fell apart in 1902 when Austria and Turkey stabbed Russia for one centre each.  
 Geoff (I) was looking for survival amidst the two hostile alliances around him - little assistance was forthcoming.
England launched into a passive north Russia, which was busy annoying the heck out of Germany.
 By 1903 Russia was no more as the EFG got into full swing - but the cagey English were keeping Germany guessing as to their allegiance.
With a stalemate line forming across the Turkish/Russian border and Italy blocking the French;
 Austria decided to steal a couple of quick centres in the Balkans, but failed to  secure the northern border with Germany first.
 The breakthrough came as Galecia, Tyrolia and Bohemia fell to the EG, followed by Sevastapol.  
Turkey twice regained Sevastapol only to eventually force an English piece to Armenia. The end had come.
 With Italy vanquished and Austria/Turkey contracting the EFG finished a glorious run with 10 centres apiece.
Coral: A_2, E_10, F_10, G_10, I_0, R_0, T_2
1999-April
[Ludendorff]
Juniors rolled - Newbies score
The Juniors Adam Stewart [G] and Paul Armstead [I] suffered badly tonight at the hands of some double dealing
 and cut-throat manoeuvring as they got squeezed between two major alliances as 4 new high scores for 1999 were set.
A rarely seen successful RAT alliance was shown to be possible as Doug Stewart [R], Damien Browne [A] in his first club game,
 and Andrew Geraghty [T] quickly moved to set up a secure North/South line.
Damien had a slow start, but finally grabbed the centre of board and powered down the middle.
Paul Gill [E] was progressing well until stabbed by his ally Stuart Murnaim [F] in London.
 In a strange quirk, Paul convoyed the [F] army to Norway to cause a distraction for the Russians.
While a useful ploy for the English, the French were now vulnerable to attacks at home.
 With his centres disappearing, Adam went roaming through the French homeland and finally lodged a false set of English orders,
 denying Russia of Denmark.  
 In a final rage of  fury, Turkey and Russia determined a short end, and both pushed to 10 centres, at which all accepted a draw.
 Great Game !
Ludendorff: A_6, E_2, F_5, G_1, I_0, R_10, T_10
1999-March
[ISIS]
Juniors dominate 1999 Season
The Juniors are taking control of DCOC with Paul Armstead and Adam Stewart absolutely dominating proceedings
 in the first two rounds of 1999, and Adam went on with a strong Turkey in March to progress to the rank of Senior.  
Are these guys unstoppable?  Paul's stumble in March suggests there is no certainty to take this years title.
Paul still needs 3 more 20+ scores to become a senior, but the way he has performed so far this season, his is on target.
The surprise packet has been the amiable Geoffrey Moore, who is creeping steadily up the rankings (now third),
 and with his two good scores in both outings this year has moved to the rank of Intermediate.  
Paul Gill has also given some strong showings in spite of some heavyweight efforts against him.
ISIS: A_1, E_9, F_0, G_9,   I_4, R_2, T_9
1999-January
[Yalta]
Yalta: A_4, E_5, F_0, G_5, I_3, R_0, T_5
1998-December
[Austerlitz]
Austerlitz: A_1, E_1, F_6, G_10, I_5, R_4, T_7
1998 - Game Reports
1998-November
[Poppy]
P o p p y (by Doug Stewart)
"How can you be bored, Prince? There's so much that's interesting now in Germany," said  Marya Eugenyevna.
 [Excerpt from Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. - Ed]
Immortal words re-born unto the new German conqueror and titleholder, Doug Stewart. 
With a benign Russia, Germany quickly manouvered France (Geoff Moore) and England (Ben Swift) into an EFG alliance
 that left both with soft underbellies, ripe for nibbling in the mid-game.  
 Germany and Turkey (Paul Armstead) conspired early to devour the impotent Russian zones.  
 The task made much easier by Austria's failure to take Greece in the opening
 and creating friction with his normally neccessary ally - Italy (Adam Stewart).
The disharmony in the south allowed the speedy demise of Austria (Andrew Geraghty) which was reduced to 1 in 1904,
 but escaped elimination with eventual survival far from home in moscow.
 England having reached his zenith of 6 centres attempted to steal extra territories from France
  (with great prompting from an insightful German).  
 With Italy on a precarious 2 centres and both Austria and france about to finish him off,
  the big plays came as Turkey and Germany fought over Austrian spoils,
  and England's attack forcing a speedy retreat from France to face the new enemy.
Germany took advantage of the confusion in the north by claiming Scandanavia as his own and establishing a final tally of 15 centres,
 stretching from Edinburgh to Budapest.
 Long live Kaiser Doug.
Poppy : A_1, E_2, F_6, G_15, I_3, R_0, T_7
1998-September
[Political Suicide]
Political Suicide
Winter in canberra has provided us with low atttendances and no competition for the months of June, July and August.
 This month we came back with a really excting game in which Austria was left in Civil Disorder,
  while France (Doug Stewart) and Italy (Andrew Goff) controlled the waves and the board. 
Paul Armstead (England) played one of his strongest club games ever, while Paul Gill (Germany) showed he was no push-over.
 Andrew Geraghty (Russia) started well, but failed to expand sufficiently in either the north or the south,
  and suffered badly from Turkish (Adam Stewart) misorders and failure to secure the south.
The opening centres sorted out, France meandered north, nibbling at Germany and Russia and encouraging the english
 to push further and further from home, before a sudden crush  of english homeland ended the war in the north.
Germany repeatedly withstood attacks into the Ruhr, before finallly rallying his troops to secure his homeland,
 back from French and English invaders.
Unlike the current political scenario - no political aspirants committed hari-kari on the battlefield - a great game.
Scores: Nil [A:0], Paul Armstead [E:1], Doug Stewart [F:9], Paul Gill [G:7], Andrew Goff [I:12], Andrew Geraghty [R:2], Adam Stewart [T:3]
1998-May
[Red Flag]
Red Flag (by Doug Stewart)
Austria (Doug Stewart) truly waved the Red Flag in this vibrant encouter between east and west.
 With a silent russia, Turkey (Geraghty) decided on a northwards campaign, 
 while Italy (Adam Stewart) nibbled at Germany (Paul Armstead) in what was his best diplomatic survival (4 every year).
France (Ian Tupper) and England (Geoff Moore) established the EFG,
 but did nothing to assist Germany. Russia dissappeared in 1903 and the Juggernauts were pushing hard from both sides.
 Austria geedily snatched two Italian centres plus Berlin to claim three builds.
1904 saw an evening of the A/T alliance (8/7) and both went on to complete their expansion moving to 11/8 in 1905.
 A redistribution of wealth in 1906 saw France and Turkey steal centres from Austria and collectively they sued for peace
 - Austria agreed.
This was an exciting and vibrant game. - well done to all.
Red Flag: Doug Stewart [A:9], Geoffrey Moore [E:6], Ian Tupper [F:6], Paul Armstead [G:4],
          Adam Stewart [I:0], NIL [R:0], Andrew Geraghty [T:9]
1998-April
[Tiros1]
Tiros-1 (By Doug Stewart - Witch of the West)
In another powerful display of word-power, Andrew Geraghty in the guise of a mild mannered frenchman,
 seduced the board using FUD (Fear, Uncertainty * Doubt), 
 therby allowing the demise of the witches and making impotent his major oppositions on the board.
England (Adam) launched a north campaign but Russia was waiting,
 while France and Germany (A. Goff) were quick to assist in the demise of the north-west corner.
 Meanwhile Russia (Jon Tonkin), Austria (Geoffrey Moore) and Italy (newcomer Paul Gill) stymied the progress of Turkey (Doug).
The Witch of the East suffered the same fate as the Witch of the West andit was amid many Pork Pies (Lies)
 that both disappeared during 1904.  
 France grew stronger all the while (5,5,6,8,9,10) now at the expense of Germany (6,7,9,8,7,5).  
Importantly Autria, Italy and Russia stagnated with no progress in their scores after the demise of England and Turkey.
 The game petered out to a draw.
Tiros-1 : Geoffrey Moore [A:7], Adam Stewart [E:0], Andrew Geraghty [F:10],
          Andrew Goff [G:5], Paul Gill [I:5], Jon Tonkin [R:7], Doug Stewart [T:0]
1998-March Game-2
[GHANA]
Ghana
Standard Austrian opening. OK, I know that. Then, in Fall '02, Goff tips me off to an Italo-Turk stab.
 For once, I believe him and it is the start of a remarkable alliance. 
 I punish Italy and Andrew hits Turks. England/France, are working together to take down Jon Tonkin's German empire. 
 Jon's play deserves better than the pummelling he got, but Russia  was too interested down south.
It's a dream. 1904 and I'm still allied with Goff (he gets the best of it, but I'm alive!).
 Italy, Turks, Huns are dead and Goff insists on 17 to draw. Swift, Doug, Andrew & I agree to a draw and I'm glad just to live.
 If I'd not gone with Andrew, it would have been over. 
 I shudder to say it, but he seems to be a remarkably reformed character!
Andrew Geraghty (Austria)
GHANA: Andrew Geraghty [A:6], Roger Swift [E:1], Doug Stewart [F:10], Jon Tonkin [G:0],
       Adam Stewart [I:0], Andrew Goff [R:17], Paul Armstead [T:0]
1998-March Game-1
[ALAMO]
Alamo
The central powers were destroyed in a repeat of the game's namesake.
 The dashing duo of Tom Fieldhouse and Theo (his son) led a crushing alliance (F&E)
  against the elusive defence of a defiant Doug Stewart (G).  
  Adam Stewart (r) joined the fray early, but he too was turned back.  
  Across the board, Stephen Moynahan (A) and Andrew Goff (T) settled their differences
   and eradicated the potential of Andrew Geraghty (I).  
Russia lost  ground midgame to England in the north, but made up for it with ground in the Turkey/Austria,
 while Italy and Germany vanished.
ALAMO: Stephen Moynahan [A:5], Theo Fieldhouse [E:7], Tom Fieldhouse [F14:], Doug Stewart [G:0],
       Andrew Geraghty [I:0], Adam Stewart [R:6], Andrew Goff  [T:2]
1998-February
[GayPol]
GayPol
Another disappointing turnout with only 5 people again.
 Tonight's encounter was marked by Russia attacking Germany on it's own and being stranded by it's so-called allies,
 although it gained Berlin in a short lived manoeuvre.  
 After Austria relieved Russia of Rumania Russia abandoned it's northern campaign and attacked Austria full on.  
Italy was making slow progress and was neither a threat to anyone,
 nor truly able to defend itself against a belated onslaught by France.  
 France's initial charge into the North Sea, gave the launchpad for claiming England, and this was completed with German complicity.
Germany finally relieved Russia of Scandinavia, while France launched all it's efforts against Italy.
 Austria set up a defensive line and the game was drawn. 
GayPol: Adam Stewart [A:8], n/a [E:0], Paul Armstead [F:9], Andrew Geraghty [G:11], Goeff Moore [I:4], Doug Stewart [R:2], n/a [T:0]
1998-January
[New Year]
This month marked a low and high for the club.
 It is not unusual that many people are away for the Christmas/New Year period, however we only achieved 5 people tonight.
 In a lunge for a new club record Andrew Geraghty achieved the second club 18 while the others argued about the crumbs.
 A full report - by the man with the greatest likelihood of becoming the 1998 Club Champion is enclosed in this newsletter.
QUOTE Whoever speaks of Europe is wrong: it is a geographical expression - Otto Von Bismark
New Year (by Andrew Geraghty)
18 Centre Whitewall win - First, the awful truth. 
Andrew Geraghty has taken the DCOC crew, still queasy from their New Years Eve hangovers,
 and thumped home with DCOC's 2nd 18 centre win. 
Yes, I said it was awful!  The game began placidly enough, with five players contesting the odds and Austria and Turkey neutral.
 This was not necessarily an advantage to Russia, especially if an EFG began. 
 But France (Adam) and Germany (Geoff) figured they had time to take England (Doug) out before Russia and Italy (Paul)
  divided the two neutrals.  
  Naturally, I promised to build F1 StP and help with England I supported Germany into Vienna in Fall 01, 
  but England bounced A Kiel-Den (Germany's fleet being in Holland).  
  This meant Germany's fleet build was Berlin and Germany was on the back foot against England. 
  I demurred on F StP and built A StP instead I did not plan to take Norway, but had no reason not to keep the Poms honest. 
  This was the moment for England to cry EFG, but France was still intent on taking England.
Italy had taken Trieste and Greece, building F Nap and A Ven. Paul then got nervous and I  bluffed him out of Serbia.
 He should have insisted he needed the build for a fleet against France.
 If I'd known how quickly I'd get Turkey I would have agreed. 
 A year later I made my one error, with Serbia supporting Bud-Tri rather than the reverse,
  leaving Bud as a retreat for the Italians in Vienna. 
 The Germans had been smashed, though I put him into Vienna again and tried to get him into Berlin.
 The latter not possible, I took Berlin myself (kicking out the French).
 
The crucial moves for me were taking Serbia and building F Sev in 1901, followed by another F Sev a year later.
 Con fell, then Ank, then Smy and by then the Italians had  their hands full with the French. 
 I began to puppet Italy as well, who needed a friend.
Paul was criticised for moving slowly in 1902 and it is true he lost some momentum.
 You have to stick by your guns and demand things at times (give a logical reason, eg the  French fleets). 
 He says he was worried about the Germans, and perhaps me. 
 But remember how the other side feels: if they are nervous too, then perhaps you have the initiative after all.  
 Frankly, my success lay in my ability to play the English and the Germans
  and in the EFG's persistence in squabbling rather than teaming up. 
  Had they done so, I was dead meat as a northern war would have bled me dry quickly.
  
Germany, too, after missing out on Denmark in 1901, should have considered immediately switching to pro-British
 and building armies to throw against France who, flush with fleets, would have crumbled. Put this down to experience.
 Sometimes it is that build decision phase that must not only sway your plans but make it clear
  to your new ally that you can deliver what you promise. 
By now Germany was A Vie only, France was strung out from Tunis to (at one point) Berlin,
 Italy was floundering in the Balkans while I gobbled Turkey and England was making large gains at Germany's expense
  while listening to my urgings that the get richquick options were in France. 
My actual progress was solid and sensible, eventually stretching an attacking line from Berlin to Greece and out into the Ionian.
 I wasn't exposed (unless an EFG formed) and judicious support for England and Germany kept them just strong enough to slug each other.
When I reached 12, most players asked if I wanted 18. I denied it. The same question a season later.
 It is always best to deny wanting an 18 and to talk up your difficulties. 
 I knew my position was strong but I hadn't counted ahead. In the end, I got Italy into Munich and Germany into Kiel. 
 Germany was kind enough to tap Den, although it'd already ensured Sweden's safety. 
 The Italians were not so lucky, as I decided I should have Munich instead, sealing the 18 centre win.
Five players is a quorum for our games and with different play by an EFG should have wiped me out in two years
 with Italy or France next to go. 
 In the end, solid play and squabbling opposition (properly fed) proved enough to win the day. 
 It should also show France that in crushing Germany and facing a steamroller (even a Russian-only whitewall)
 the units holding Germany must be armies, not English navies - preferably French armies!

New Year: n/a [A:0], Doug Stewart [E:7], Adam Stewart [F:4], Geoff Moore  [G:1], Paul Armstead [I:4], Andrew Geraghty [R:18], n/a [T:0] 
1997-December
[The Loved One]
Loved One
This evenings game was packed with excitement and unusual turns as Doug Stewart (fresh from gaining the 1997 Championship)
 immediately gained control of the south as Italy with 3 builds in 1901F.  
Paul Armstead's Austria struggled under the initial onslaught, losing both Trieste and Budapest.
 From the east, Steve Moynahan's Turkey was hemmed in, and failed to capitilise on Russia's (Roger Swift) good will. 
Russia gained Sweden as expected but made no other gains in the early years in spite of the western powers division.
 England (Andrew Geraghty) moved quickly in the north, and with assistance from Germany (AdamStewart)
 launched an all-out attack on AndrewGoff's France. 
 It was made made plain that they intended that Goff's poor record with France should continue,
 and would have erased him but for the support of Italy.
Geraghty lost interst in the relentless push against France and turned his interest to soft german centres,
 with assistance from France and Russia.
Italy and Austria had sorted out their differences and finally made inroads into the shaky Russian/Turkey alliance.  
With the end in sight, centres were relinquished to achieve a draw, coinciding with Turkey's final demise.
Disregard the scores - this was strategically well fought by what were the four minor powers Goff/Armstead/Moynahan/A.Stewart.
 
The Loved One: Paul Armstead [A:2], Andrew Geraghty [E:14], Andrew Goff [F:1], Adam Stewart [G:0],
               Doug Stewart [I:13], Roger Swift [R:4], Steve Moynahan [T:0]