Diplomacy World #121, Spring 2013 Issue

the Russians. But the Italians are in Tyrolia. That could
mean any of a number of things.
I think Chris didn't necessarily know this was
happening, in fact, it looks to me like he had an
opportunity foregone not to bounce one or both of
Italy's army moves. The diplomacy underlying that
would be interesting to understand. in fact, now,
Austria cannot build a fleet (obvious, but true) yet
Italy can't make progress advancing on Austria
either.
Meh….I don’t see anything interesting yet in Austria’s
moves---safe and straight forward. Italy in Tyr could
be a good thing or a bad thing. Since I predict an E/F
coming I don’t think it’s a bad thing for either
Austria or Italy for Italy to backstop Germany.
England: Frank does a safe move by convoying to
Norway while covering London with the North Sea
fleet. We'll see in 1902 if he has any allies. The army in
Norway signals a stronger interest in holding that than a
fleet landing would. And it also makes him slightly more
vulnerable to a French attack.
The biggest risk for England right now is that he has
left the North Sea open. As all Sealion fans know,
this is REALLY dangerous for England.
I find England’s move the most telling, not only did he
leave North Sea open but he is not contesting Eng at
all. In fact he looks pretty comfortable with France
in Eng he sent his army to Nwy. That tells me there is
a high probability of an E/F alliance, or at least
England believes there is an E/F. We won’t know for
sure until we see France’s builds and moves.
France: Gregory (Greg?) takes the easy builds. It was
possible for England and Germany to combine to keep
him out of Belgium, but that's an unlikely
move. Germany has to be happy that he left
Burgundy. This position is still anti-English in form.
It really is Gregory.... yes, I think that there is great
opportunity for a GF alliance going forward. This
was the way to maximize the outcome, and leave
Portugal to be taken later. This seems like it was
Gregory's plan all along.
France looks like he’s a good position but It’s tough to
tell in ’01 since a G/E alliance could be stil be in the
offing although with France in Eng it will be tough for
it get off the ground with Italy’s help.
Germany: Michael (Mike?) takes the easy build in
Holland while covering Munich against the French. If
E/F conflict is coming, he'll be the swing vote. It's worth
noting that he could have kept the Russians out of
Sweden, but he didn't.
But Mike is fine here. I thought that was weird in
tactics, and since Mike is such a fine tactician I must
be missing something. I would have moved Ruh-
Mun for the possible bounce and Kie-Hol since I
couldn't believe with London threatened that
England would bother to bounce Holland. And IF
France bounced in Munich then he would have been
stuck in Kiel without being able to build the fleet. Of
course, it didn't matter, but it could have. As Rick
noted, he also could have kept the Russians out of
Sweden, but didn't.
Germany has a decent position so far, I’m assuming
he’s talking to Russia since he Russia has chosen to
move an extra unit into the north. Again, it’s hard to
tell where people really stand while the neutral dot
grabbing is going on.
Italy: Timothy (Tim? - geez, why is everybody so formal
here?) bypasses the Lepanto convoy, taking Tunis
instead with a fleet. And he moves his armies into
Tyrolia and Venice respectively. The army move could
mean any of a number of things. He might actually be
attacking Austria, though letting Chris get two builds first
seems an odd way to go about that. He might be miffed
by the DMZ between Austria and Russia, and feel that
he needs to set up a line, now, even if it isn't going to be
offensively viable. He might have moved up there with
Austrian encouragement, with an intent of bypassing
Austria to go after either Germany or Russia. The move
to Tyrolia gives Italy the most flexibility. I prefer it
personally to just sitting on the boot. An Italy that does
not go inland in some fashion is not an Italy that will
grow much.
Tim or Timothy, I think he goes by either one.... but
it is a more formal named group that usual. I also
strongly agree with getting Italian armies into the
action, so being in Tyrolia is better. Since Austria
could easily have bounced it (with a bit of risk), one
suspects some possible cooperation. Flexibility is
always good and getting Italy to a place of flexibility
is key to her long term success.
As for the convoy that wasn't taken: the convoy to Tunis
has gotten unpopular. It only really makes sense if Italy
is racing Turkey to take the Eastern Med. And it always
requires another convoy back in any case. Also, the
boot is much more vulnerable if one of the armies is in
Africa.
And that's WHY the convoy to Tunis has become
so unpopular, it is NOT flexible for Italy, both
because it needs to be convoyed back at some point
Diplomacy World #121 – Spring 2013 - Page 40