-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Spring of 1904.  (trinja.013)

Austria: Army Serbia -> Rumania.
Austria: Army Moscow -> Warsaw.
Austria: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Serbia -> Rumania.
Austria: Army Tuscany -> Piedmont.

It looks like the Austrians have both made a deal with the Russians
and stabbed them. They move into Warsaw with Russian help at the
same time the Germans vacate it. Were the Germans in on the plan?
Austria also forces its way into Rumania, making up for the loss of
Serbia. But can they hold it? The move to Piedmont signals an attack
on France.

England: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Liverpool.  (*bounce*)
England: Fleet English Channel SUPPORT Fleet London -> Wales.
England: Fleet London -> Wales.

The move from NAO is forced, but putting a fleet in Wales exerts
decisive control over Liverpool.

France: Army Burgundy -> Ruhr.
France: Army Munich -> Berlin.  (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Irish Sea -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
France: Army Paris -> Burgundy.
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT Army Burgundy -> Ruhr.
France: Fleet Wales -> Liverpool.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
France: Fleet Brest SUPPORT Fleet Irish Sea -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.

The English tried to look aggressive by moving to the English Channel
and it worked. The French got scared and backed away from a strong
position in the Irish Sea. A better choice would have been to take
Liverpool from Wales with Irish Sea support. The retreat to IRI is a
lucky windfall. They could have covered MAO from Brest and Brest from
Picardy. If the move to Berlin had succeeded he would have been too
stretched out, but taking Ruhr adds a strong german province.

Germany: Army Kiel -> Berlin.  (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Holland -> Kiel.  (*bounce*)
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> Helgoland Bight.
Germany: Army Bohemia -> Munich.  (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Warsaw -> Silesia.

More DEN-HEL nonsense. Maybe he meant to cover Holland? Was he in on
the Warsaw move or did he just want to exert more influence on his
home centers of Berlin and Munich from Silesia? He's purely on the
defensive and the bounces might be the best thing for him. At least
he's in a decent position for a concentrated attack on Munich, though
it's not guarenteed.

Italy: Army Venice -> Rome.
Italy: Army Trieste SUPPORT Turkish Army Bulgaria -> Serbia.
Italy: Fleet Ionian Sea HOLD.
Italy: Fleet Adriatic Sea -> Venice.
Italy: Army Tyrolia -> Vienna.

Letting Austria in the back door has wasted time for Italy, but his
defensive moves are straight-forward and efective. The stroll into
Vienna is lucky, but he should be able to hold it with support from
Trieste.

Russia: Army Norway -> St Petersburg.
Russia: Army Livonia SUPPORT Austrian Army Moscow -> Warsaw.
Russia: Fleet Rumania HOLD.  (*dislodged*)
Russia: Fleet Sweden HOLD.
Russia: Fleet Barents Sea -> Norway.

Getting the army into St. Pete is the best move, and the deal for Warsaw
guarentees him Moscow in the fall. He's careful to cover both Norway and
Sweden (the move to Norway was unopposable so support from Sweden wasn't
needed). He's got to be mad about losing Rumania and I'm hoping to use
to my advantage, coaxing him out of Sevastopol, to which he retreated.

Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Serbia.
Turkey: Army Armenia HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea SUPPORT Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Turkey: Fleet Greece SUPPORT Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.

Another conservative turn from me, but I picked up a supply center and
still cover Sevastopol, which I hope to take next turn.

Evaluation:

The English have manuvered well to cover what they still have, and the
new Russian player has made all the best moves to consolidate the weak
position he inherited. France continues to make progress, but the Germans
should have enough force in the area to hold them off. Austria is
directionless. Italy is a little tied up but progressing well. In fact, I'm
a little worried about how well I've let him do. It might be best for me
to deny them Budapest and limit them to one build. I feel I'm in a good
position. I'm hoping to pick up another supply center in the fall, but the
French still seem to be in the lead.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Fall of 1904.  (trinja.015)

Austria: Army Rumania -> Budapest.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
Austria: Army Warsaw -> Galicia.
Austria: Army Galicia -> Vienna.
Austria: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles.  (*bounce*)

I was not expecting half of this. I figured he'd go to Budpest and Vienna,
but after he entered Warsaw I didn't figure there would be German support
into Vienna. At the same time he leaves Warsaw officially in German hands
so he had to be in on that move from the beginning. The attack on MAR is
useless, but the bounce in BUD leaves him with two supply centers.

England: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.  (*bounce*)
England: Fleet English Channel -> Belgium.
England: Fleet Wales -> Liverpool.

I'm not sure what to think about this capture of Belgium. German frienship
is certainly helpful but France still exerts a controlling ammount of force
on Belgium. England had better make effective use of that build this year.

France: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Army Munich -> Kiel.
France: Army Munich -> Kiel.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean SUPPORT Fleet Brest -> English Channel.
(*cut*)
France: Army Burgundy -> Marseilles.  (*bounce*)
France: Army Belgium -> Holland.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
France: Fleet Irish Sea SUPPORT Fleet Brest -> English Channel.
France: Fleet Brest -> English Channel.

France abandons Munich to cut the Germans in half. This is a bold move that
would have paid off better if the Austrians had kept Warsaw for themselves
and forced a German removal. As it is I'm not sure he can sustain this
position. In the water the French put a lot of effort into taking a province
that the English abandoned. I tend to agree with the French estimate of the
value of the channel, and England can't retake it without Russian help.

Germany: Army Kiel -> Ruhr.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
Germany: Army Holland SUPPORT English Fleet English Channel -> Belgium.
Germany: Fleet Helgoland Bight -> Denmark.
Germany: Army Bohemia SUPPORT Austrian Army Galicia -> Vienna.
Germany: Army Silesia -> Berlin.

Germany focused all its efforts this turn to helping out others and got cut
in half for it. Now he has to figure out which French move to counter. I
don't envy him that headache. He has nothing but the hope of help from the
Austrians to save Warsaw from the Russians.

Italy: Army Rome -> Tuscany.
Italy: Army Trieste -> Budapest.  (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Ionian Sea HOLD.
Italy: Fleet Venice HOLD.
Italy: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Trieste -> Budapest.  (*cut, dislodged*)

This would have been a good set of orders if Austria didn't still have
German help. As it is he gets unlucky and isn't able to hold Vienna. Looking
back, he should have supported Vienna from Trieste and saved Budapest for
another year. He is poorly positioned for the stab coming from me, which makes
me happy.

Russia: Army St Petersburg -> Moscow.
Russia: Army Livonia SUPPORT Army St Petersburg -> Moscow.
Russia: Fleet Sevastopol -> Rumania.
Russia: Fleet Sweden HOLD.
Russia: Fleet Norway -> North Sea.

All these moves are expected and logical. The move to the North Sea is the
only one I didn't see coming. If he wanted a piece of England why didn't he
go to the Norwegian Sea in the spring and take unoccupied Edninburgh in the
fall? Maybe he's offered to help England.

Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Russian Fleet Sevastopol -> Rumania.
Turkey: Army Armenia -> Sevastopol.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Greece HOLD.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria SUPPORT Russian Fleet Sevastopol -> Rumania.

Half my units work very effectivly this turn and two just sit there. Still,
the back door attack on Sevastopol leaves me in a pretty strong position.
The Italian stab that the fleets are waiting for will be better timed next
turn.

Evaluation:

The extent of cooperation in the north will determine France's future. If, on
the other hand, Russia is hostile, he could still build hiself a future
despite my attack. Austria is dying, and Italy is weaker than I had thought
they would be, which is just fine. The time is right to stab them. I
optimistically estimate that France and I are tied for the lead right now.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adjustment orders for Winter of 1904.  (trinja.017)

Austria:   Removes the army in Galicia.
Austria:   Removes the army in Piedmont.
Turkey:    Builds an army in Constantinople.
Turkey:    Builds a fleet in Ankara.
England:   Builds a fleet in London.

I had hoped that Austria would keep Galicia instead of Ukraine. If I upset him
he can give Sevastopol to the Russians and keep it that way. My Ankara fleet
is headed to the Black Sea and then to the Mediterranean. Again, England
needs Russian help at this point regardless of what he builds.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Spring of 1905.  (trinja.018)

Austria: Army Ukraine -> Galicia.
Austria: Army Vienna -> Budapest.  (*bounce*)

The move to Galicia is not a surprise. He should have just kept the army
that was there already. This way wastes the army's usefulness for a turn.
He successfully defends both Vienna and Budapest with one army.

England: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Norwegian Sea.
England: Fleet Belgium -> North Sea.
England: Fleet Liverpool -> Clyde.
England: Fleet London SUPPORT Fleet Belgium -> North Sea.

England has totally turned his back on France. Did he make a deal that
France didn't keep? His obvious intention here is to attack Norway, but
he left Russia able to forward retreat to Edinburgh.

France: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Army Kiel -> Holland.
France: Army Kiel -> Holland.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> North Atlantic Ocean.
France: Army Burgundy -> Munich.  (*bounce*)
France: Army Picardy -> Belgium.
France: Fleet Irish Sea SUPPORT Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> North Atlantic
Ocean.
France: Fleet English Channel SUPPORT Army Picardy -> Belgium.

This was a lot more than I expeced from France this turn. He gets both of
the low countries (and can hold them in the fall), exerts controlling
infulence on Liverpool, and keeps the Germans out of Munich. He loses
Kiel but that's a small price to pay for a turn like this. His position is
very strong. He will probably reoccupy Munich in the fall, giving him a solid
front in Germany, and already has a strong front off the English coast.

Germany: Army Holland SUPPORT Fleet Denmark -> Kiel.  (*dislodged*)
Germany: Fleet Denmark -> Kiel.
Germany: Army Bohemia -> Munich.  (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Berlin SUPPORT Fleet Denmark -> Kiel.

Germany maintains his supply center balance but with the benefit of
hindsight we can see that attacking from Holland would have saved that army.
As it is, he's playing an army short this turn. Still, I can't blame him
for trying to hold on to Holland, it had a reasonable chance of success.
Now he faces a guessing game to hold the French back this fall.

Italy: Army Tuscany -> Venice.
Italy: Army Trieste -> Budapest.  (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Ionian Sea HOLD.  (*dislodged*)
Italy: Fleet Venice -> Adriatic Sea.
Italy: Army Tyrolia -> Vienna.  (*bounce*)

This would have been a successful turn for Italy If I hadn't turned on him.
He would have taken Budapest and probably Vienna in the fall. As it is, his
Austrian front moves nowhere and he loses the important Ionian Sea.
We had discussed me moving into the Ionian and his fleet going to the
Tyrrhenian with a long convoy in mind and he does retreat to the
Tyrrhenian, so he might not be viewing this as quite as offensive as it
really is.

Russia: Army Moscow HOLD.
Russia: Army Livonia -> Prussia.
Russia: Fleet Rumania HOLD.  (*dislodged*)
Russia: Fleet Sweden HOLD.
Russia: Fleet North Sea SUPPORT English Fleet Belgium.  (*void, dislodged*)

It is a real relief to me that Russia isn't going to fight me over
Sevastopol. He could have occupied Warsaw this turn but Prussia will be
valuable against the Germans and he can take Warsaw from Moscow.
The dislodgement of the North Sea fleet leaves him with some interesting
choices. He can fall back and defend Norway, or he can risk Norway and
grab a supply center from either England (Edinburgh) or Germany (Denmark).
Since he ordered support for the English I have to wonder if this turn
wasn't a stab by the English. But at the same time I have to wonder whether
England realized he was giving Russia those forward retreat opportunities.
He chooses to retreat to Denmark, showing that his fight is with Germany,
not England. It risks Norway, but could be a good bet.

Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Army Bulgaria -> Rumania.
Turkey: Army Sevastopol SUPPORT Army Bulgaria -> Rumania.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea SUPPORT Fleet Greece -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Fleet Greece -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Rumania.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Turkey: Fleet Ankara -> Black Sea.

A good turn for me. Every unit executed a successful and useful order. I've
closed off the Black Sea and am at no risk of losing that hold any time soon.
My weak point is the fleet in the Black Sea. He can either move to Sevastopol
and just sit there or take forever to get out to the Mediterranean. It turns
out I didn't need him in the Black Sea but I couldn't have known that when I
built it.

Evaluation:

France and I both had strong turns with good positional gains. Germany and
Austria appear to be dying, and Italy has a fight for its life coming.
England seems to play well tactically but might be to scattered to put up
the sort of defense necessary to defend the isles. I'm becoming more worried
about France's chance of soloing, so I'm thinking more about wanting Russia
to stay in it and maybe form a stalemate line together against France. This
is just speculation at this point, though, because there is a lot of game
to be played before decisions like that need to be made.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Fall of 1905.  (trinja.020)

Austria: Army Galicia -> Budapest.  (*bounce*)
Austria: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Galicia -> Budapest.  (*cut, dislodged*)

He did everything he could to cover his remaining centers, but loses both.
If Italy had focused on Budapest he would still have Vienna, which is what
I wanted.

England: Fleet Norwegian Sea -> North Atlantic Ocean.
England: Fleet North Sea -> English Channel.
England: Fleet Clyde -> Liverpool.  (*bounce*)
England: Fleet London SUPPORT Fleet North Sea -> English Channel.

There was really no way to hold Liverpool this turn. The only other way
to gain something would have been to take Norway, but England is
justifiably more concerned with protecting his home supply centers. Fighting
Russia would probably mean a longer life for England, but wouldn't actually
improve his situation. England will have to remove half his units this year
and which ones he removes will show how he intends to defend the isles.
Since he supported the fleet into the English Channel I've got to assume
he wants to keep it there but without support I don't think it will do him
much good.

France: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Army Burgundy -> Munich.
France: Army Holland HOLD.
France: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Liverpool.
France: Army Burgundy -> Munich.
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT Army Holland.
France: Fleet Irish Sea SUPPORT Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Liverpool.
France: Fleet English Channel -> London.  (*bounce, dislodged*)

France takes the obvious capture of Liverpool and solidifies his line in
Germany. His retreat to the Mid-Atlantic is defensive but smart. France's
position with respect to England will be much clearer after adjustments.

Germany: Fleet Kiel -> Denmark.  (*bounce*)
Germany: Army Bohemia -> Silesia.
Germany: Army Berlin SUPPORT Army Bohemia -> Silesia.

If I were Germany this turn I would have figured Russia would stay put in
Denmark. I wouldn't have ordered the move to Denmark, figuring it was
pointless. As it turns out, it was a great move. It keeps possession in
Germany's hands and saves him from having to remove a unit. Occupying
Silesia acknowledges the Russian attack while keeping options open for
defending against France.

Italy: Army Venice -> Trieste.
Italy: Army Trieste -> Vienna.
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Naples.
Italy: Fleet Adriatic Sea -> Apulia.
Italy: Army Tyrolia SUPPORT Army Trieste -> Vienna.

Italy has finally stopped trusting me and takes the Austrian province he
can get on his own. In our negotiations we has planned to attack Budapest
with my support. Vienna makes up for the loss of Tunis and keeps him
balanced. Moves to Naples, Apulia, and Trieste show that he's preparing
for a fight with me.

Russia: Army Moscow -> Warsaw.
Russia: Army Prussia -> Silesia.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Sweden -> Denmark.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Denmark -> North Sea.

I'm not sure why Russia chose to abandon the easy capture of Denmark. The
North Sea would be useful in an aggressive attack on England or France but
I don't think that will work for Russia at this point, and as these results
show, moving from Sweden doesn't necessarily cover it. Armies in Warsaw and
Prussia can work well in either defensive or offensive roles, depending on
what he thinks Germany will do.

Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Turkey: Army Sevastopol -> Rumania.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Tunis.
Turkey: Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Greece.
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea -> Sevastopol.

I'm very happy with this turn and this whole year. I've again been able to
do something useful with each unit and put myself in a strong positional
situation. The fleet in Sevastopol was promised to Russia, but is basically
useless sitting there. The capture of Budapest could only have been prevented
by some good cooperation between Austia and Italy, which seemed unlikely
considering the way they've hated each other so far. I'm well situated to
push westward through Austria, but will need to build fleets to fight for
Italy. I'll also need them to defend against France once I get there.

Evaluation:

Once again France and I had good turns. France is better deployed against
Germany now and his position in England is bound to look stronger after
England removes two units. I found a stalemate line for Russia to use and
he seems interested. If he can hold off France in the north there's a good
chance we can stop him. Germany's situation looks bad. He's surrounded by
aggressors and cut off from England, his only friend. I'm hoping England
gives France a good fight and slows him down a little. Russia can probably
get to the stalemate line faster than I will get through Italy, so the
ball's in my court for stopping France.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adjustment orders for Winter of 1905.  (trinja.022)

England:   Removes the fleet in Clyde.
England:   Removes the fleet in London.
Turkey:    Builds an army in Constantinople.
Turkey:    Builds a fleet in Ankara.
Turkey:    Builds a fleet in Smyrna.
France:    Builds a fleet in Brest.
France:    Builds a fleet in Marseilles.
Russia:    Builds a fleet in St Petersburg (south coast).
Austria:   Defaults, removing the army in Galicia.
Austria:   Defaults, removing the army in Bohemia.

England knows he's in trouble and he's signaling here that he's going to go
down fighting. France warned me beforehand that he would be building a fleet
in Marseilles for defensive purposes, but it can also be used to aid Italy.
I'm also worried about the fleet in the north since it will be very easy to
swing that down to the Med as well. Now I'm glad I decided to build two
fleets this turn. Russia and I agreed that the St. Petersburg fleet was
necessary to secure Denmark.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Spring of 1906.  (trinja.023)

England: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Clyde.
England: Fleet English Channel -> Wales.

England had a fairly aggressive position here, and I thought he'd use it
to cut into the North Sea and threaten the Iberian centers. That would be
a way to give France a real run for his money. But instead he opts to fall
back to a defensive position. Not a bad idea in itself, but if this is
where he wanted to be, why did he support the fleet into the channel only
to back out of it, and why disband the fleet in Clyde only to move the
North Atlantic there? In any case he has a lot of defensive options from
this position, especially if he has help from the Russian fleet in the
North Sea.

France: Army Ruhr -> Kiel.
France: Army Holland SUPPORT Army Ruhr -> Kiel.
France: Fleet Liverpool SUPPORT Fleet Irish Sea -> North Atlantic Ocean.
France: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr -> Kiel.  (*cut*)
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT Army Holland.
France: Fleet Irish Sea -> North Atlantic Ocean.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean SUPPORT Fleet Brest -> English Channel.
France: Fleet Brest -> English Channel.
France: Fleet Marseilles -> Gulf of Lyon.

Kiel was the obvious next step in Germany and the attack was straight-
forward and correctly executed. He'll have a fight with Russia, though, for
Berlin, and I don't think he can win it. Entering the North Atlantic and
English Channel gives him good positioning for an attack on England. England
has a lot of defensive options, but France has a lot of offensive options
here, too. I'm a little worried about moving the fleet to Gulf of Lyon. I
understand if he wants Marseilles open for builds, but he didn't need to do
that until next turn. That fleet could be moving toward Italy to help them
out against me, even though we agreed to a line from Piedmont to Tunis.

Germany: Fleet Kiel -> Berlin.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
Germany: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Berlin -> Munich.  (*cut, dislodged*)
Germany: Army Berlin -> Munich.  (*bounce*)

Germany is trying to fight two neighbors that are stronger than he is. He
does what he can tactically here, but he should be trying to make friends
with someone. Both dislodged units were disbanded, meaning Germany is
basically resigning his position in this game. They both had valid retreats
and he could have caused significant trouble to both France and Russia this
turn, but he's done.

Italy: Army Trieste -> Budapest.  (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Trieste -> Budapest.
Italy: Fleet Naples SUPPORT Fleet Apulia -> Ionian Sea.
Italy: Fleet Apulia -> Ionian Sea.  (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Tyrolia -> Trieste.  (*bounce*)

Italy's best shot this turn would have been to stop my units from moving
into Galicia and Albania, but I don't think he realized that. All of his
attacks were expected and so they were all covered. In the end none of his
units move or do anything to stop my advance.

Russia: Army Warsaw -> Silesia.
Russia: Army Prussia SUPPORT Army Warsaw -> Silesia.
Russia: Fleet Sweden -> Denmark.
Russia: Fleet North Sea SUPPORT Fleet Sweden -> Denmark.
Russia: Fleet St Petersburg (south coast) -> Gulf of Bothnia.

Germany could have stopped Warsaw to Silesia if he had been focused solely
on Russia, but fortunately for the two of us he wasn't. Now Russia can
take Berlin either this turn or next. With that and the fleet in the Baltic
he'll have half the stalemate line in place. Here's the line I'm hoping to
get him to: Barents supports Norway, Skagerrak and Baltic support Denmark,
and Silesia supports Berlin. I'll have to hook up with him in Bohemia and
hold the French off south of that.

Turkey: Army Serbia SUPPORT Army Budapest.
Turkey: Army Rumania -> Galicia.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea SUPPORT Army Greece -> Albania.  (*cut*)
Turkey: Fleet Tunis SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Budapest SUPPORT Army Rumania -> Galicia.  (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Greece -> Albania.
Turkey: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Turkey: Fleet Ankara -> Constantinople.
Turkey: Fleet Smyrna -> Eastern Mediterranean.

Even though I didn't accomplish a whole lot of movement this turn I'm much
better positioned to move across Austria now. I'm pretty sure I will capture
at least one of Italy's centers in Austria this turn, two if I get lucky.
Now that the Eastern Med can support Ionian I can also try to get into the
Tyrrhenian Sea and threaten Rome. This was a slow turn for me and the next
will be too, but I think I'm making good positional gains.

Evaluation:

If France realizes the line Russia and I are trying to build soon, it could
be trouble. It's not unreasonable for him to try to streak across the north
navally and wreck the stalemate line by getting into Barents or Skagerrak,
or worse, Norway. Plus if he can't cross the stalemate line he could turn
everything he has on me. I think I could find a defensive line of my own,
but not necessarily one that denies France 18 supply centers. Time is my
enemy as much as France is right now, but I don't think I can safely move
much faster against Italy.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Fall of 1906.  (trinja.025)

England: Fleet Clyde SUPPORT Fleet Wales -> Liverpool.
England: Fleet Wales -> Liverpool.  (*bounce*)

This was pointless. Of course France is goint to support the fleet in
Liverpool. Falling back to cover home supply centers or trying to cut behind
French lines would have been useful, but this is basically a wasted turn.

France: Army Kiel SUPPORT Army Munich.  (*cut*)
France: Army Holland SUPPORT Army Kiel.
France: Fleet Liverpool HOLD.
France: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Kiel.  (*cut*)
France: Army Belgium HOLD.
France: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean SUPPORT Fleet Liverpool.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> North Africa.
France: Fleet English Channel -> North Sea.
France: Fleet Gulf of Lyon -> Western Mediterranean.

Two thirds of France's units just stay put this turn. It doesn't accomplish
much, but since it's a fall turn it does secure everything he's moved into.
Unfortunately he's most aggressive in my direction, lining up to attack
Tunis. I was hoping he'd keep the Mid-Atlantic fleet busy in the north. Now
if the Italians help him just right he can take Tunis. I'm not sure if it's
worth fighting for except that it will be almost impossible to take back
later. From the North Sea he threatens four supply centers and could get
behind Russia's stalemate line.

Germany: Army Berlin -> Munich.  (*bounce, dislodged*)

If you're going down, you might as well go down with an attack.

Italy: Army Trieste -> Budapest.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
Italy: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Trieste -> Budapest.  (*cut*)
Italy: Fleet Naples SUPPORT Fleet Apulia -> Ionian Sea.
Italy: Fleet Apulia -> Ionian Sea.  (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Tyrolia -> Bohemia.

The only Italian move that worked this turn was the one to Bohemia. From
there he can put pressure on Silesia, which doesn't do him any good but helps
France a lot. France came up with this move. I simply don't believe Italy
would do this on his own. As for the rest of his moves, did he really think
I wouldn't cover my newly captured Budapest, or allow the obvious attack on
the Ionian? He retreats to Tyrolia, which would make sense if he were keeping
all three of those armies, but he's got a removal coming and does he really
want to give up one of his fleets?

Russia: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Prussia -> Berlin.
Russia: Army Prussia -> Berlin.
Russia: Fleet Denmark -> Kiel.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet North Sea -> London.
Russia: Fleet Gulf of Bothnia -> Baltic Sea.

Russia moves into Berlin, giving him the seven units he needs to establish
the stalemate line. But he also surprised me by taking London. I think
England must have offered this to him. He looked badly overstretched to me
at first, but then I realized that if he gets that fleet out into the
Channel it will make a great back rank maurauder and cause France all sorts
of trouble. I only hope France doesn't realize it.

Turkey: Army Serbia -> Trieste.
Turkey: Army Galicia -> Vienna.  (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Tunis -> Tyrrhenian Sea.  (*cut*)
Turkey: Fleet Tunis -> Tyrrhenian Sea.
Turkey: Army Budapest SUPPORT Army Galicia -> Vienna.  (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Albania SUPPORT Army Serbia -> Trieste.
Turkey: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Rumania.
Turkey: Fleet Constantinople -> Aegean Sea.
Turkey: Fleet Eastern Mediterranean SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea.

I've only picked up one build for myself this year, but my position is
almost unstoppable in Austria. My only worry there is that I'm moving too
slowly. In the Mediterranean I'm in a good position to strike at the Italian
mainland, but only at the expense of Tunis. It was a poor choice to leave it
open like I did and now I don't know what I'll do about it.

Evaluation:

Russia grew explosively this turn and he tells me he is going to use all of
his builds. That means two new armies. An army in Moscow can move north to
Norway, but an army in Warsaw can do nothing but threaten me. I'm not sure
he actually means to do this but I've got to watch my back anyway. It would
be easy for him to think he's back in the game, when in reality he cannot
defend against both France and me. France and I shored up already strong
positions. Everybody else is on the way out.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adjustment orders for Winter of 1906.  (trinja.027)

England:   Removes the fleet in Wales.
Italy:     Removes the army in Bohemia.
Turkey:    Builds an army in Constantinople.
France:    Builds a fleet in Marseilles.
Russia:    Builds an army in St Petersburg.
Russia:    Builds an army in Warsaw.
Russia:    Builds an army in Moscow.

Since Italy removed the army in Bohemia he's thinking about defending
himself, and not helping France in Germany. France committed himself to
further action in the Mediterranean. But what scares me is that Russia
built three armies. What he needs to fight France is fleets, and he doesn't
have enough room to move armies through Germany, so the only thing they
could be for is to attack me. I worried that he might get greedy with those
three builds and think he could still be a contender. I'm glad I built an
army.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Spring of 1907.  (trinja.028)

England: Fleet Clyde -> Edinburgh.

Not much else to do at this point.

France: Army Kiel SUPPORT Fleet North Sea -> Denmark.  (*cut*)
France: Army Holland SUPPORT Army Kiel.
France: Fleet Liverpool -> Clyde.
France: Army Munich -> Berlin.  (*bounce*)
France: Army Belgium -> Ruhr.
France: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean SUPPORT Fleet Liverpool -> Clyde.
France: Fleet North Africa -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
France: Fleet North Sea -> Denmark.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
France: Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Tunis.
France: Fleet Marseilles -> Gulf of Lyon.

Zing! I dodge a major bullet here. But only just barely, and it might come
around for another pass. I'll summarize the diplomatic happenings
below, but I lucked out and got France to move the fleet back to the Mid-
Atlantic. He still occupied Tunis, and I'm not optimistic about my chances
of talking him out of there, but I'm facing much less force in the
Mediterranean. No forward progress in Germany, but I don't think he intended
it. He was trying to hold his line and position himself for a push. But
before he can push hard on land he needs to bring some support around by sea.
In England he's positioned himself to attack Edinburgh. North Sea retreated
to Yorkshire. From there he must mean to attack Edinburgh, but retreating
to the Norwegian Sea seems like a better choice. He could also have retreated
to Skagerrak, where he would boarder three Russian centers defended by two
units.

Italy: Army Tyrolia -> Venice.
Italy: Army Vienna -> Trieste.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
Italy: Fleet Naples -> Rome.
Italy: Fleet Apulia -> Naples.  (*bounce*)

The move to Venice was expected, but I couldn't really count on it so I
just concentrated on Vienna, who retreats to Tyrolia (his only choice).
He did just what I expected in Italy, probably the safest move anyway.

Russia: Army Silesia -> Bohemia.
Russia: Army Berlin -> Kiel.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Denmark -> North Sea.
Russia: Fleet London SUPPORT Fleet Denmark -> North Sea.
Russia: Fleet Baltic Sea -> Denmark.
Russia: Army St Petersburg -> Norway.
Russia: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Moscow -> Ukraine.
Russia: Army Moscow -> Ukraine.

I exchanged some nervous press with Russia in which he admitted he had
thought about attacking me. We had agreed to the moves to Ukraine and Norway
(more below). The North Sea is a strong place to be and Bohemia will be
helpful, although I wanted that for myself. He's still weak at the very top
of the map.

Turkey: Army Trieste SUPPORT Army Budapest -> Vienna.
Turkey: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Budapest -> Vienna.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Naples.
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea -> Naples.
Turkey: Army Budapest -> Vienna.
Turkey: Army Albania HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Sevastopol -> Black Sea.
Turkey: Army Rumania -> Sevastopol.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea SUPPORT Fleet Eastern Mediterranean -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Fleet Eastern Mediterranean -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.

I put a lot of focus into Vienna and Naples. I got them both but I worry
that I'm moving too slowly. The lifting of French pressure helps, but for
how long? I had to take Russia's threat seriously, so I positioned myself
for a real attack on him. He admitted to me that the army to Sevastopol
hadn't even occurred to him. It's a decent position against the Russians,
but I'd rather get that army west.

Evaluation:

After Russia built those three armies he told me he had made a deal with
France that he wouldn't build fleets if France would back off in the north.
He was very up-front about this with me after the fact, but I think he saw
it only as means of relieving a little pressure. The fact that he actively
encouraged France to attack me could be taken as a stab in itself, but he
was very open about his plans to continue to fight France and I believed him.
At the same time I couldn't be sure I could trust him so I tried to talk
France out of it.

I began by getting some information from Russia on what he planned to do in
England and passed it along to France in the form of, "I can't believe you
promised both Edinburgh and London to Russia." Then I pointed out to Russia
that there is no stalemate line that crosses England and he replied that he
hoped to defend NAT, IRI, WAL, LON, NTH. I passed this whole little
conversation on to France knowing he hadn't promised Russia all of England
and hoping he would feel betrayed. At this point France wrote that if I
wanted him to return his focus to the north I would have to start fighting
Russia.

Now, Russia had wanted to make it look like we were fighting so France would
think he was keeping up his end of their agreement. And now France wants me
to attack Russia, so I accepted his offer and said I would attack if he
backed out of the Med. I made an aggressive move toward Moscow both so it
would look right to Russia and France, and so I could carry through with it
if I thought I had to.

Well France took the bait and sailed back into the Atlantic. Russia pulled
one army out to Norway (if it had moved to Moscow it would have been
trouble). And I now threaten Moscow, forcing Russia to retreat from Ukraine.
Russia is upset with France since he not only didn't sail away from the
north, he moved another fleet in that direction. I hope that will keep
Russia from making any more deals with France. In the mean time, I'm still
toying with the idea of carrying through on my attack of Russia. This might
be a good opportunity to take a crack at soloing. If I can talk France into
letting me keep Tunis, I just might do it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Fall of 1907.  (trinja.030)

England: Fleet Edinburgh SUPPORT Russian Fleet London -> Yorkshire.

England teams up with Russia here to stay in the game and take Yorkshire
from France.

France: Army Kiel -> Berlin.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
France: Army Holland -> Kiel.  (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Clyde SUPPORT Fleet Yorkshire -> Edinburgh.
France: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Kiel -> Berlin.  (*cut*)
France: Army Ruhr -> Belgium.
France: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Norwegian Sea.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> English Channel.
France: Fleet Yorkshire -> Edinburgh.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
France: Fleet Tunis HOLD.
France: Fleet Gulf of Lyon -> Tyrrhenian Sea.  (*bounce*)

Big loss for France here. More conservative play would have protected
Kiel. This loss was preventable. The army logically retreats to Ruhr.
The army that moved out of Belguim last turn moves back this turn. He had
to protect against a North Sea attack, but he ends up just spinning his
wheels. In England he makes his best-bet attack on Edinburgh, but England
and Russia are just in better position, leaving Yorkshire with no retreats.
Fleets in the Norwegian Sea and English Channel could give Russia some
headaches. No breaks for me in the Mediterranean. He keeps Tunis and wrecks
my attack on Rome.

Italy: Army Venice -> Trieste.  (*bounce*)
Italy: Army Tyrolia SUPPORT Army Venice -> Trieste.
Italy: Fleet Rome -> Tyrrhenian Sea.  (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Apulia -> Naples.  (*bounce*)

Nothing actually moves here. The only reason he kept Rome was because France
cut my support from Tyrrhenian.

Russia: Army Bohemia -> Munich.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Berlin -> Kiel.
Russia: Fleet North Sea SUPPORT English Fleet Edinburgh.
Russia: Fleet London -> Yorkshire.
Russia: Fleet Denmark SUPPORT Army Berlin -> Kiel.
Russia: Army Norway -> Sweden.
Russia: Army Warsaw -> Silesia.
Russia: Army Ukraine HOLD.  (*dislodged*)

A slight risk to Berlin pays off big by capturing Kiel. Neither he nor I
had expected this to work but we're both happy to have it. It should be
keepable and a threat to Munich in the fall. In England he works to keep
the Brits alive and ends up destroying the fleet in Yorkshire, too. Defending
London will be a question mark here. The dislodge in Ukraine was planned
with me. The idea was to get a build for a fleet in the north, but as it
worked out he can retreat to Warsaw to help plug the gap at Berlin.

Turkey: Army Trieste SUPPORT Army Vienna.  (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Galicia SUPPORT Army Sevastopol -> Ukraine.
Turkey: Fleet Naples -> Rome.  (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Naples -> Rome.  (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Trieste.
Turkey: Army Albania -> Ionian Sea -> Naples.  (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Black Sea -> Sevastopol.
Turkey: Army Sevastopol -> Ukraine.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea -> Greece.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea CONVOY Army Albania -> Naples.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Rumania.

Not a productive turn for me. I held what I had but barely moved anything.
France cut my support or I would have captured Rome. With the loss of Tunis
I get only one build this year.

Evaluation:

France's position in Germany has been seriously compromised. He could lose
all of Germany by the end of this coming year. He needs to use his northern
fleets to threaten England and Scandinavia. Russia should be able to make
progress on land this year and threaten the French homeland. I've offered
Italy a Janissary role against France. I doubt he'll take it, but if he does
I can concentrate on Tunis. France's trouble in the north should give me a
little breathing room, but his upcoming build will tell the tale.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adjustment orders for Winter of 1907.  (trinja.032)

Italy:     Removes the army in Tyrolia.
Italy:     Removes the fleet in Apulia.
France:    Builds an army in Marseilles.
Russia:    Builds a fleet in St Petersburg (north coast).
Turkey:    Builds a fleet in Smyrna.

Italy logically keeps his home centers covered, but also agreed to play a
janissary role against France. I hope he means it. It can't hurt to have
another ally. France's army in Marseilles must be defensive, I don't see
what else he hopes to do with it. France is on the defensive now. He wrote
to me that he doesn't hope to solo anymore and is hunting for a draw.
Russia's probably the best solo candidate right now, with the best
opportunities for growth. I'm facing logistical problems getting fleets
and armies west to where they can do some good.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Spring of 1908.  (trinja.033)

England: Fleet Edinburgh -> Norwegian Sea.

Russia tells me England wants out. He's helping Russia into Edinburgh here.

France: Army Ruhr -> Kiel.  (*bounce*)
France: Army Holland SUPPORT Army Ruhr.  (*void*)
France: Fleet Clyde HOLD.
France: Army Munich -> Berlin.  (*bounce*)
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT Army Holland.
France: Fleet Norwegian Sea -> North Atlantic Ocean.
France: Fleet English Channel -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
France: Fleet Tunis SUPPORT Fleet Gulf of Lyon -> Tyrrhenian Sea.  (*dislodged*)
France: Fleet Gulf of Lyon -> Tyrrhenian Sea.  (*bounce*)
France: Army Marseilles -> Piedmont.

France is putting up a fiesty defense of the German line. If Russia isn't
very careful, he could lose ground. His two most forward fleets in the north
both pulled back, looking a lot like he's sending them after me. The North
Atlantic fleet might be moving to support Liverpool, but could continue
south. If he is moving that channel fleet back to the Mediterranean it
represents a lot of lost time. He took a year to get it there only to turn
it around and take another year to get back to me. Once it's back, though,
it will be a problem.

Italy: Army Venice -> Trieste.  (*bounce*)
Italy: Fleet Rome -> Naples.  (*bounce*)

Italy agreed to the Janissary role, but didn't act on it. I was safe from
his attacks. He hasn't done anything particularly effective since fall '05.

Russia: Army Bohemia -> Munich.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Kiel SUPPORT Army Bohemia -> Munich.  (*cut*)
Russia: Fleet North Sea SUPPORT Fleet Yorkshire -> London.
Russia: Fleet Yorkshire -> London.
Russia: Fleet Denmark SUPPORT Army Kiel.
Russia: Army Sweden -> Norway.
Russia: Army Silesia -> Berlin.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Warsaw -> Silesia.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet St Petersburg (north coast) -> Barents Sea.

Good coastal defense moves are the most effective things here. France keeps
him from covering Berlin, which he really needs to do before he can advance
any further on land.

Turkey: Army Trieste SUPPORT Army Vienna -> Tyrolia.  (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Galicia -> Vienna.
Turkey: Fleet Naples -> Tyrrhenian Sea.  (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Tunis.
Turkey: Army Vienna -> Tyrolia.
Turkey: Army Albania -> Serbia.
Turkey: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Turkey: Army Ukraine -> Galicia.
Turkey: Fleet Greece -> Albania.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Tunis.
Turkey: Army Rumania -> Budapest.
Turkey: Fleet Smyrna -> Aegean Sea.

Man, is this position stagnant! All I'm doing is shuffling things around.
I hope to convoy something through the Adriatic to break Italy's back but it
won't get there for two more turns. I expect France to try to deny me a
return to the Tyrrhenian, so my fleets probably won't be doing much moving
any time soon. At least I got Tunis. His fleet retreated to the west-med.

Evaluation:

France is giving every indication that he wants to fight me. He used his
build in the south and he's moving his fleet in my direction. At least I
haven't seen any good Italy-France cooperative action. They could be
coordinating their fleets to better effect. But with that French army there
they might cook up something better. That army worries me. Russia's position
just keeps improving. If he plays his cards right and France doesn't start
fighting him better, he has the best shot at a solo.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Fall of 1908.  (trinja.035)

England: Fleet Norwegian Sea CONVOY Russian Army Norway -> Edinburgh.

England bows out, giving Edinburgh to Russia.

France: Army Ruhr -> Munich.  (*bounce*)
France: Army Holland HOLD.
France: Fleet Clyde SUPPORT Russian Fleet North Sea -> Edinburgh.  (*void*)
France: Army Munich -> Tyrolia.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
France: Army Belgium -> Ruhr.  (*bounce*)
France: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> North Africa.
France: Fleet Western Mediterranean SUPPORT Fleet Gulf of Lyon -> Tyrrhenian
Sea.
France: Fleet Gulf of Lyon -> Tyrrhenian Sea.  (*bounce*)
France: Army Piedmont SUPPORT Italian Army Venice.

I understand that Russia had talked France into attacking me, which explains
the otherwise strange choice to concentrate on Tyrolia and not defend
Munich at all. Russia must be one hell of a diplomat to talk him into this.
And it costs him dearly. He basically makes a thrust toward me with his
entire force, and loses his last hold on Germany and probably England.
Munich retreats to Burgundy.

Italy: Army Venice HOLD.
Italy: Fleet Rome -> Naples.  (*bounce*)

For the first time Italy and France show real cooperative action. This is
Italy's best turn in a long time. He effectively kills everything I tried
to do this turn.

Russia: Army Bohemia SUPPORT Army Kiel -> Munich.
Russia: Army Kiel -> Munich.
Russia: Fleet North Sea -> Belgium.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet London -> English Channel.
Russia: Fleet Denmark -> Kiel.
Russia: Army Norway -> Norwegian Sea -> Edinburgh.
Russia: Army Silesia -> Berlin.
Russia: Army Warsaw -> Silesia.
Russia: Fleet Barents Sea -> Norway.

This is a great turn for Russia. Munich gives him a strong front to attack
France's homeland with, and an army on England will be tough to stop. Plus
the fleet in the channel could go to Brest or the Mid-Atlantic and cause
all sorts of trouble for France.

Turkey: Army Trieste SUPPORT Army Tyrolia -> Venice.
Turkey: Army Vienna -> Tyrolia.  (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Naples SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea -> Tyrrhenian Sea.  (*cut*)
Turkey: Fleet Tunis SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea -> Tyrrhenian Sea.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia -> Venice.  (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Serbia -> Albania.
Turkey: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Turkey: Army Galicia HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Albania -> Adriatic Sea.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Tyrrhenian Sea.  (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Budapest -> Vienna.  (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea -> Ionian Sea.  (*bounce*)

Twelve units and only two of them do anything useful this turn. This is
awful. This whole year was awful. Italy's cooperation with France has kept
me out of both Venice and the Tyrrhenian. And now France has enough strength
to get Tunis back, making my efforts to resecure it wasted.

Evaluation:

After this turn Russia is clearly the front-runner for a solo. He has played
exceptionally well, both tactically and diplomatically. Italy has asked if
he can be a Janissary after all. I don't believe him for a second. I'll try
to direct him towards France, but I'll attack him this time. He's too bull-
headed to be obedient enough to be a Janissary, anyway. France apparently
made some big deal with Russia this turn that Russia totally stabbed him on.
I don't know how Russia is pulling that off, but he is good. And right now
he doesn't seem to want to turn all that skill against me which is probably
the only reason I'm still in it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adjustment orders for Winter of 1908.  (trinja.037)

England:   Removes the fleet in the Norwegian Sea.
France:    Removes the fleet in Clyde.
France:    Removes the fleet in the Gulf of Lyon.
Russia:    Builds an army in Warsaw.
Russia:    Builds an army in Moscow.
Turkey:    Builds an army in Constantinople.

Russia's two armies look awfully threatening. I don't believe he needs two
armies on the French front so quickly that he had to build one in Moscow.
Now I wish I had built in Ankara instead of Constantinople. If he's attacking
me that might be the critical lapse in tempo that kills me. If he really
focuses he could take Sevastopol back by the end of next year. France removed
one from each theatre, giving up on England and letting me keep Tunis, if I
decide to.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Spring of 1909.  (trinja.038)

France: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Army Holland.  (*cut*)
France: Army Holland HOLD.  (*dislodged*)
France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT Army Belgium.
France: Army Belgium HOLD.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> Brest.
France: Fleet North Africa -> Tunis.  (*bounce*)
France: Fleet Western Mediterranean SUPPORT Fleet North Africa -> Tunis.
France: Army Piedmont SUPPORT Italian Army Venice.  (*void*)

There was just too much to protect from Russia to cover everything this turn.
In the Med he attacks Tunis on the chance that I'll shoot for the Tyrrhenian.
The fact that Italy moved there looks like cooperation, but the voided
support of Venice contradicts that.

Italy: Army Venice -> Trieste.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
Italy: Fleet Rome -> Tyrrhenian Sea.

It is really unclear how much Italy and France are working together. The
Tyrrhenian Sea move gives them a strong position on Tunis, but the voided
support gives me Venice. I'm glad I didn't trust Italy to play the Janissary.
Attacking him gave me his two remaining home centers. He retreats to Tuscany
where he will cause some trouble this fall.

Russia: Army Bohemia -> Silesia.
Russia: Army Munich -> Ruhr.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet North Sea SUPPORT Fleet Kiel -> Holland.
Russia: Fleet English Channel -> Belgium.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Kiel -> Holland.
Russia: Army Edinburgh -> Liverpool.
Russia: Army Berlin -> Kiel.
Russia: Army Silesia -> Berlin.
Russia: Fleet Norway -> Norwegian Sea.
Russia: Army Warsaw HOLD.
Russia: Army Moscow -> Livonia.

Russia and I are working out a big DMZ which is why he's shuffling units
behind his line so much. Russia's got so much power in north he was bound
to get something, and Holland is a good choice. Add an easy walk into
Liverpool and he's picked up two centers. And it's only spring.

Turkey: Army Trieste -> Venice.
Turkey: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Tyrolia.
Turkey: Fleet Naples -> Rome.
Turkey: Fleet Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia SUPPORT Army Trieste -> Venice.
Turkey: Army Albania -> Adriatic Sea -> Apulia.
Turkey: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Turkey: Army Galicia -> Rumania.
Turkey: Fleet Adriatic Sea CONVOY Army Albania -> Apulia.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Tunis.
Turkey: Army Budapest HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Aegean Sea -> Greece.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.

I finally start getting something accomplished again. I captured both Italy's
remaining supply centers but I could lose Tunis now. I won't concentrate on
capturing it, but on getting my fleets better arranged instead. I've gained
a little ground here but haven't played positionally.

Evaluation:

I'm going to start reinforcing my northern line in case Russia gets greedy.
If I lose Tunis and he picks up Belgium he'll have caught up with me. It's
looking like a solo for Russia at this point. I don't think I'll stab him
since I don't think it will stop him. It's going to be a race for France
and it definitely favors him.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Fall of 1909.  (trinja.040)

France: Army Ruhr SUPPORT Army Belgium.  (*cut, dislodged*)
France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT Army Belgium.
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT Army Ruhr.  (*cut*)
France: Fleet Brest SUPPORT Fleet North Africa -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
France: Fleet North Africa -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
France: Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Gulf of Lyon.
France: Army Piedmont -> Venice.  (*bounce*)

This is a new France but more on that below. With three Russian armies on
both Belgium and the Ruhr, the new guy decides to make Belgium his strong
point. A good idea considering it's the fall and he keeps the supply
center, but the position is just too far gone to hold. Belgium will fall
next turn and the French homeland after that. I convinced France of my
peaceful intentions so he moved the fleet back to Mid-Atlantic (again, if
only he knew). and backed off Tunis. The attack on Venice was supposed to
make it look to Russia like we were fighting.

Italy: Army Tuscany SUPPORT French Army Piedmont -> Venice.
Italy: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Tunis.  (*bounce*)

I talked France into not helping Italy into Tunis so this, finally, is
his last turn.

Russia: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Berlin -> Munich.
Russia: Army Munich -> Ruhr.
Russia: Fleet North Sea SUPPORT Fleet Holland.
Russia: Fleet English Channel -> Belgium.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Holland SUPPORT Fleet English Channel -> Belgium.
Russia: Army Liverpool HOLD.
Russia: Army Kiel SUPPORT Army Munich -> Ruhr.
Russia: Army Berlin -> Munich.
Russia: Fleet Norwegian Sea -> North Atlantic Ocean.
Russia: Army Warsaw HOLD.
Russia: Army Livonia HOLD.

Both Russia and I are in "wait and see" mode this turn. Neither of us wants
a war but we both played really carefully anyway. There's always the chance
that the other guy will try to use the new player as leverage to stab.
Neither of us did and it looks like we're going to continue the course we
were on. Russia splits his attack between Belgium and the Ruhr, knowing that
France can't defend both. Since he has only two open supply centers and
already has two builds there's no need to focus on Belgium, which he will
get next turn anyway. The only move I don't understand is why he didn't
move Liverpool somewhere more useful, like Wales.

Turkey: Army Venice SUPPORT Army Tyrolia.  (*cut*)
Turkey: Army Vienna SUPPORT Army Tyrolia.
Turkey: Fleet Rome SUPPORT Fleet Ionian Sea -> Naples.
Turkey: Fleet Tunis HOLD.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia SUPPORT Army Venice.
Turkey: Army Apulia SUPPORT Fleet Rome.
Turkey: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Turkey: Army Rumania HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Adriatic Sea SUPPORT Army Venice.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Naples.
Turkey: Army Budapest HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Greece -> Albania.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Serbia.

I really didn't do anything this turn. But I did hold on to two new centers
in a fall turn, finally eliminating Italy. Plus with the French pressure off
I am free to push westward forcefully.

Evaluation:

Just as France has lost all hope of getting back into the game (tactically
he was out a while ago, but Russia had kept him going with false deals) he
has e-mail troubles and can't reply and goes abandoned. I'm suspicious even
though he did sign back on as an observer and apologize. Introducing an
unknown like a new player at this point is the last thing I wanted. I knew
that Russia must be considering using him to facilitate a stab of me. Even
if he didn't want to stab, we both had to try to steer him toward the other
guy. It is to my advantage that Russia attacked him right away, while my
intentions won't be apparent for another turn. Russia and I have made it
clear to each other that we want to continue westward through France and
not attack each other.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adjustment orders for Winter of 1909.  (trinja.041)

Italy:     Removes the army in Tuscany.
Italy:     Removes the fleet in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Turkey:    Builds an army in Constantinople.
Turkey:    Builds a fleet in Ankara.
Russia:    Builds a fleet in St Petersburg (north coast).
Russia:    Builds an army in Moscow.

The fleet in Ankara is going to move to Armenia, where it can provide
Sevastopol with an uncuttable support. Other than that, neither Russia nor
I need to use our builds. We've both got enough strength in the west already
to finish off France and new units are not likely to get west in time to do
anything useful. We've also both got strong enough defensive lines that even
with reinforcements a stab wouldn't work. I offered Russia a 17-17 draw and
he accepted it. In my estimation we will probably both reach 17 at about the
same time anyway, and an even draw is a result that is true to how the game
has progressed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Spring of 1910.  (trinja.042)

France: Army Burgundy SUPPORT Army Belgium.  (*cut, dislodged*)
France: Army Belgium SUPPORT Army Burgundy.  (*cut, dislodged*)
France: Fleet Brest SUPPORT Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean HOLD.
France: Fleet Gulf of Lyon -> Spain (south coast).
France: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles.

Still in France's good graces for one more turn, I suggested the move to
Spain. From there he can support the Atlantic if he chooses to. Or he might
just turn back on me. There was nothing he could do to save Burgundy or
Belgium, but holding on to the Mid-Atlantic was good for him. The army in
Belgium is destroyed, but Burgundy retreats to Paris.

Russia: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Munich.
Russia: Army Ruhr -> Burgundy.
Russia: Fleet North Sea SUPPORT Fleet Holland -> Belgium.
Russia: Fleet English Channel -> Picardy.
Russia: Fleet Holland -> Belgium.
Russia: Army Liverpool -> Wales.
Russia: Army Kiel -> Ruhr.
Russia: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr -> Burgundy.
Russia: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Warsaw HOLD.
Russia: Army Livonia HOLD.
Russia: Fleet St Petersburg (north coast) -> Norway.
Russia: Army Moscow -> St Petersburg.

Russia stages a major invasion of northeastern France. Unfortunately for him
the fleets in Belgium and Picardy don't provide any leverage for further
movement. He'll have to shuffle armies into them before he can move any
further. Abandoning the Channel might prove to be a bad idea, considering
that France can still muster a supported attack on it.

Turkey: Army Venice SUPPORT Army Tyrolia -> Piedmont.
Turkey: Army Vienna HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Rome -> Tuscany.
Turkey: Fleet Tunis -> Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Army Tyrolia -> Piedmont.
Turkey: Army Apulia -> Rome.
Turkey: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Turkey: Army Rumania HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Adriatic Sea -> Apulia.
Turkey: Fleet Naples -> Tyrrhenian Sea.
Turkey: Army Budapest HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Albania -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Army Serbia -> Trieste.
Turkey: Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria.
Turkey: Fleet Ankara -> Armenia.

Ten units successfully moved this turn. You can't ask for much more than
that. I won't take anything this year but my position is very strong. I'm
pretty sure I can take both Marseilles and Spain next year.

Evaluation:

It is now abundantly clear to all involved that Russia and I are just going
to finish off France.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement results for Fall of 1910.  (trinja.044)

France: Army Paris SUPPORT Fleet Brest.
France: Fleet Brest SUPPORT Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean.  (*cut*)
France: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean SUPPORT Fleet Brest.  (*cut, dislodged*)
France: Fleet Spain (south coast) SUPPORT Army Marseilles.
France: Army Marseilles SUPPORT Fleet Spain (south coast).  (*cut*)

France knows now that we're just going to shut him out and settle it between
the two of us. He doesn't put up much of a fight, accepting the inevitable.
The Atlantic fleet retreats logically to Portugal.

Russia: Army Silesia SUPPORT Army Munich.
Russia: Army Burgundy -> Gascony.
Russia: Fleet North Sea SUPPORT Fleet Belgium -> English Channel.
Russia: Fleet Picardy -> Brest.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Fleet Belgium -> English Channel.
Russia: Army Wales HOLD.
Russia: Army Ruhr -> Burgundy.
Russia: Army Munich SUPPORT Army Ruhr -> Burgundy.
Russia: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean -> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
Russia: Army Warsaw SUPPORT Army Silesia.
Russia: Army Livonia SUPPORT Army Warsaw.
Russia: Fleet Norway -> Norwegian Sea.
Russia: Army St Petersburg -> Norway.

Pushing through to Gascony solves the problem of his fleet positioning. He
still will probably need my help to get into Portugal.

Turkey: Army Venice HOLD.
Turkey: Army Vienna HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Tuscany -> Gulf of Lyon.
Turkey: Fleet Western Mediterranean SUPPORT Russian Fleet North Atlantic Ocean
-> Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
Turkey: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles.  (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Rome -> Tuscany.
Turkey: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Turkey: Army Rumania HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Apulia -> Ionian Sea.
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea SUPPORT Fleet Tuscany -> Gulf of Lyon.
Turkey: Army Budapest HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Tunis.
Turkey: Army Trieste HOLD.
Turkey: Army Bulgaria -> Serbia.
Turkey: Fleet Armenia HOLD.

I'm well positioned here. I can take Marseilles in the spring and then
Spain in the fall.

Evaluation:

France has the only adjustment this turn and they can't use it. I missed it
but he has a build coming because Russia vacated Belgium, leaving it in
France's posession in the Fall. There's nothing he can do for it, though,
Russia will cover it next year.

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Movement results for Spring of 1911.  (trinja.046)

France: Army Paris -> Gascony.  (*bounce, dislodged*)
France: Fleet Brest SUPPORT Army Paris -> Gascony.  (*cut, dislodged*)
France: Fleet Portugal SUPPORT Fleet Spain (south coast).  (*cut*)
France: Fleet Spain (south coast) SUPPORT Army Marseilles.  (*cut, dislodged*)
France: Army Marseilles SUPPORT Army Paris -> Gascony.  (*cut*)

Now it's also abundantly clear that Russia and I are working together.
France tries to consolidate by taking Gascony. Unfortunately for him all
his units get attacked, so all supports are cut. The only unit that can
retreat is the army in Paris, which goes to Picardy, its only choice.

Russia: Army Silesia -> Munich.
Russia: Army Gascony SUPPORT Army Burgundy -> Paris.
Russia: Fleet North Sea CONVOY Army Norway -> Belgium.
Russia: Fleet Picardy -> Brest.
Russia: Fleet English Channel SUPPORT Fleet Picardy -> Brest.
Russia: Army Wales -> London.
Russia: Army Burgundy -> Paris.
Russia: Army Munich -> Burgundy.
Russia: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean -> Portugal.  (*bounce*)
Russia: Army Warsaw HOLD.
Russia: Army Livonia HOLD.
Russia: Fleet Norwegian Sea -> North Atlantic Ocean.
Russia: Army Norway -> North Sea -> Belgium.

Russia covers Belgium and I imagine he'll stay put this time. He helps me
into Spain by cutting Portugal's support and takes Paris, neatly surrounding
Brest.

Turkey: Army Venice HOLD.
Turkey: Army Vienna HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Gulf of Lyon SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Spain (south
coast).
Turkey: Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Spain (south coast).
Turkey: Army Piedmont -> Marseilles.  (*bounce*)
Turkey: Army Tuscany -> Piedmont.  (*bounce*)
Turkey: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Turkey: Army Rumania HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Ionian Sea -> Tyrrhenian Sea.
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea -> Western Mediterranean.
Turkey: Army Budapest HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Tunis -> North Africa.
Turkey: Army Trieste HOLD.
Turkey: Army Serbia HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Armenia HOLD.

I continue to line up my fleets in the western end of the Mediterranean.
This is defensive in case Russia decides to go for the solo. I don't think
he will but it doesn't hurt to be safe. Spain is now mine and Marseilles
(#17) is also mine without Russian help. Russia needs me to give him his
#17, Portugal. If I slip into Marseilles and don't give him Portugal I can
force a three way draw that includes France. I don't see any point to doing
that, but it's nice to know that I can make that choice.

Evaluation:

Even though I'm not going to do it I look at the gap in Silesia and wonder
if I could effectively cut into Russia. If it weren't for his coming builds
I think I could take something from him. But it's all academic anyway.

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Movement results for Fall of 1911.  (trinja.048)

France: Army Picardy HOLD.  (*dislodged*)
France: Fleet Portugal HOLD.  (*dislodged*)
France: Army Marseilles HOLD.  (*dislodged*)

Russia: Army Munich -> Burgundy.
Russia: Army Gascony SUPPORT Army Burgundy -> Marseilles.
Russia: Fleet North Sea CONVOY Army London -> Belgium.
Russia: Fleet Brest SUPPORT Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
Russia: Fleet English Channel SUPPORT Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
Russia: Army London -> North Sea -> Belgium.
Russia: Army Paris SUPPORT Army Belgium -> Picardy.
Russia: Army Burgundy -> Marseilles.
Russia: Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean SUPPORT Turkish Fleet Spain (south coast) ->
Portugal.
Russia: Army Warsaw -> Silesia.
Russia: Army Livonia -> Warsaw.
Russia: Fleet North Atlantic Ocean SUPPORT Fleet Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
Russia: Army Belgium -> Picardy.

Turkey: Army Venice HOLD.
Turkey: Army Vienna HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Gulf of Lyon SUPPORT Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Spain (south
coast).
Turkey: Fleet Spain (south coast) -> Portugal.
Turkey: Army Piedmont SUPPORT Russian Army Burgundy -> Marseilles.
Turkey: Army Tuscany HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Sevastopol HOLD.
Turkey: Army Rumania HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Tyrrhenian Sea HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Western Mediterranean -> Spain (south coast).
Turkey: Army Budapest HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet North Africa HOLD.
Turkey: Army Trieste HOLD.
Turkey: Army Serbia HOLD.
Turkey: Fleet Armenia HOLD.

Evaluation:

Well, that's it for France. Russia and I have agreed to a 17-17 draw and I
don't think he'll turn on me. We'll go through the build phase just to be
sure France is eliminated and declare the draw in the spring.

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