Smid's Diplomacy Game Thread #2

[muon2]

More bouncing than a bouncy castle party in that turn...

And the underlying question is the diplomacy - how many were disputes, how many were accidents, and how many were arranged?

[muon2]

Clearly, I don't actually understand Diplomacy.
Can someone explain how the Austrian fleet took Greece?

A unit cannot cut support that is directed at that unit. In this case the army Ser was used to support an attack on Gre from the fleet Alb. Therefore the attack from Gre to Ser does not cut the support.

Other options would have resulted in no change in position:

Had the Rus army Rum attacked Ser that would have cut support since Ser was not used to support against Rum. Same thing if the Bul army attacked Ser.

Had the army Bul been used to support the fleet move to Gre then that would have bounced the fleet from Alb to Gre with Ser support. The army in Gre would have remained.

[muon2]

France didn't submit any moves?  That's weird because Deadman just asked me a couple days ago if we were submitting moves this week (confused by skipping last week) and I told him we most certainly were.

I typically recommend submitting provisional moves at the beginning of a turn. They can always be resubmitted before the deadline, and they provide insurance in case the deadline is missed.

[muon2]

Sorry, got a bit carried away with the Atlasian election and realised this morning I need to update the map. I intend on doing it tonight when I get home from work. Also just waiting on ENGLAND and AUSTRIA-HUNGARY

I was getting worried, but I'm sure its all under control.

[muon2]

Well, I wasn't expecting to still be in Berlin...

It's not a bad place to be ...

I had expected a move that would keep both the new German units in position to dislodge your fleet in the fall. The fleet would be more dangerous in the Baltic in the summer where there are four supply centers that need defending. It seems that Germany had that thought as well, it's just that he used an illegal move. I was thinking that F Kie-Bal, A Mun-Kie would block a Berlin move and insure that both those units would be in a position to dislodge Ber in the fall.

[muon2]

If nothing else, this fall's moves did away with the possible AIG alliance. Perhaps it's a case of game imitating life.

[muon2]

England and France's moves confuse me greatly.  But it's better to be confused than not, from glancing at them?

I shall ponder.


Also: Is Austria acting unnecessarily tricky or just tricky enough?  At a glance, it looks like it'll be a complicated set of moves down there next turn.  Not sure why Italy is moving South so forcefully.

The English moves look like a standing offer of support. However, France was wise not to take the offer this turn. It's true that the move Bur-Bel would succeed, but a retreat Bel-Pic would leave Par unguarded in the Fall.

I have some theories about the Mediterranean situation, but I'll hold my counsel for now.

[muon2]

I leave for Brisbane on Saturday 6 June and return Saturday 6 July. I'll probably have internet access and be able to keep up, but it's probably better if someone else manages the game for the next few turns... Muon, would you mind stepping in for me for the next few weeks?

I'd be happy to sub. PM me with any submission expectations you're using and processing details that I can emulate.

[muon2]

Spring 1907 Movement:
Judge's note - The realpolitik server was down today, so I couldn't get the program Smid uses. I used the java based jDip for the maps. I'd appreciate any feedback.



Austria:
A bud Supports A tri
A rum Supports A bud
A sev -> ukr;  Bounced with gal (1 against 1).
A tri Supports A pie -> tyr
F ven Supports A tri

England:
F edi -> yor; Bounced with lon (1 against 1).
F lon -> yor; Bounced with edi (1 against 1).
F nao -> mao

France:
A bel -> wal; Convoy path taken: bel→eng→wal.
F eng Convoys A bel -> wal
F mar -> pie
A naf -> tun
F tys -> rom; Bounced with rom (1 against 1); Dislodged from tun (3 against 1).
F wes Supports A naf -> tun

Germany:
A boh Supports A tyr
A gal -> ukr; Bounced with sev (1 against 1).
F hel -> nth; Failed because Germany: F nth -> lon failed.
F nth -> lon; Failed because England: F lon -> yor failed.
A nwy -> stp
F ska Supports F hel -> nth
A stp -> lvn
A tyr Supports F mar -> pie
A vie -> gal; Failed because Germany: A gal -> ukr failed.
A war Supports A gal -> ukr; Support cut by Move from Moscow.

Italy:
A pie -> tyr; Bounced with tyr (2 against 2); Dislodged from mar (2 against 1).
F rom Supports F tun -> tys
F tun -> tys

Russia:
A mos -> war; Bounced with war (1 against 1).

Turkey:
A arm -> sev; Failed because Austria: A sev -> ukr failed.
F bla Convoys A bul -> arm
A bul -> arm; Failed because Turkey: A arm -> sev failed; Convoy path taken: bul→bla→arm.
F gre Supports F ion
F ion Supports F tun -> tys



Retreats are needed for the Italian army in Piedmont (pie) and the French fleet in Tyrrhenian Sea (tys).

[muon2]

The retreats after spring 1907 are
France: F tys -> nap
Italy: A pie -> tus

The map to start fall 1907 looks like the following. I have posted both the map with modern symbols as well as a version with period symbols as well. Let me know if you have a preference for the modern or period style.

[muon2]

Thanks for the details Lunar, it should work.

In order to be able to get a position to Lunar by Saturday afternoon (CDT) I would like to hold everyone to a midnight Friday (CDT) deadline for submission of moves. I'd encourage everyone to send provisional moves as soon as practical, and that way I can be better prepared for the final moves on Friday. It also will eliminate a wait for orders should someone find themselves unexpectedly offline late this week.

[muon2]

Here are the moves for Fall 1907



Austria:
A bud Supports A tri
A rum -> bul
A sev -> rum
A tri Supports A bud
F ven -> adr

England:
F edi -> yor; Bounced with lon (1 against 1).
F lon -> yor; Bounced with edi (1 against 1); Dislodged from nth (2 against 1).
F mao -> por

France:
F eng Supports F nth -> lon
F nap Supports A tus -> rom; Support failed. Supported unit's order does not match support given; Dislodged from tys (2 against 1); The Fleet in Naples cannot retreat; unit destroyed.
F pie -> tus
A tun Holds
A wal -> lvp
F wes -> tys

Germany:
A boh -> gal
A gal -> ukr
F hel -> nth
A lvn -> mos
F nth -> lon
F ska -> nwy
A stp Supports A lvn -> mos
A tyr Supports A vie
A vie Supports A boh -> gal
A war Supports A gal -> ukr

Italy:
F rom Supports F tys -> nap
A tus -> ven
F tys -> nap

Russia:
A mos Holds; Dislodged from lvn (2 against 1). The Army in Moscow cannot retreat; unit destroyed.

Turkey:
A arm Supports A bul -> sev
F bla Convoys A bul -> sev
A bul -> sev; Convoy path taken: bul→bla→sev.
F gre -> ion
F ion -> apu

The resulting map (with labels):


There is one retreat for the English Fleet in lon.

Since it can only retreat to wal or be removed, the adjustments for winter 1907 are:

England: remove 1 unless the F lon is removed instead of retreating
France: build 2
Germany: build 2

[muon2]

These are the adjustments for Fall 1908:

England: NMR for F lon retreat; unit disbanded. No other adjustment needed.

France: Build F bre, F mar.

Germany: Build A ber, A mun.

Russia is eliminated from the game.

The map to begin spring 1908:



As with the last turn, I will close orders at midnight Friday CDT. Preliminary orders are encouraged.

[muon2]

There was an unusual and interesting rules situation that could have occurred last turn but did not. I thought that all might benefit from some comments on my part.

One rule is that two units may not trade places except by convoy. This rule happens regularly, and on spring 1901 in this game the pair of moves Aus: F tri -> ven, Ita: A ven -> tri was an example of this. The rule also applies with supported attacks.

Last turn Italy moved: F rom Supports F tys -> nap; F tys -> nap and Turkey moved F Ion -> nap. There was the possibility that France ordered: F wes Supports F nap -> tys; F nap -> tys. Had this happened both units would have one support and could not trade places so there would be a standoff. It is the unusual case where the only way to keep F nap in place was to order it to attack with support.

[muon2]

Question: Do we have a player for England?
If not, what (if any) efforts are being/should be being made to get someone in place?

Gustaf agreed to let someone sub for him, but no one has contacted me. Volunteers are definitely welcome.

[muon2]

Question: Do we have a player for England?
If not, what (if any) efforts are being/should be being made to get someone in place?

Gustaf agreed to let someone sub for him, but no one has contacted me. Volunteers are definitely welcome.

I'm willing to sub for England, though I'll have a fair bit of catching up to do...

Erc,

Since this is close to the deadline for the week, and Gustav has sent in provisional moves, I propose that you take over after this set of moves. Gustav can object if necessary.

[muon2]

Moves for Spring 1908:



Austria:
F adr Supports A ven; Support failed. Move orders must be supported explicitly.
A bud Holds; Invalid order for unit at Budapest. Hold order assigned.
A bul -> ser
A rum Supports A bud
A tri -> vie; Bounced with vie (1 against 2).

England:
F edi -> cly
F por -> spa/sc; Bounced with mar (1 against 1).

France:
F bre -> gas
F eng -> mao
A lvp -> wal
F mar -> spa/sc; Bounced with por (1 against 1).
A tun Holds
F tus Supports F tys -> rom
F tys -> rom; Bounced with rom (2 against 2); Dislodged from ion (2 against 1).

Germany:
A ber -> sil
A gal Supports A vie
F lon -> eng
A mos Supports A ukr
A mun Supports A tyr
F nth Supports F nwy -> nwg
F nwy -> nwg
A stp -> lvn
A tyr Supports A vie; Support cut by Move from Venice.
A ukr Supports A gal
A vie Supports A gal; Support cut by Move from Trieste.
A war Supports A gal

Italy:
F nap Supports F rom
F rom Supports F ion -> tys
A ven -> tyr; Bounced with tyr (1 against 2).

Turkey:
F apu -> ion
A arm Supports A sev
F bla Supports A rum
F ion -> tys
A sev Supports A rum



France must retreat the fleet in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

[muon2]

With the retreat, the position to start Fall 1908 is:



Since Gustav is available to continue with England, I'll keep him in charge of orders there.

[muon2]

lol@what muon did to my A Bud S A Vie->Bre order.

The move is invalid, since A vie cannot go to bre directly or by convoy. An invalid order is considered a hold. It's equivalent to no orders received.

[muon2]

lol@what muon did to my A Bud S A Vie->Bre order.

Was that muon, or his computer program?

The answer is a bit of both. The program does not accept illegal orders, and leaves them as no moves received. I copy the output of moves and the program's adjudication to the post. However, I did alter the adjudication from No move received to Invalid order.

[muon2]

Moves for Fall 1908:



Austria:
F adr Supports A tri
A bud Supports A tri
A rum Supports A bud
A ser Supports A bud
A tri Supports A ven

England:
F cly -> lvp; Bounced with wal (1 against 1).
F por -> spa/sc; Bounced with gas (2 against 1).

France:
F gas -> spa/nc
F lyo Supports F tus -> tys
F mar -> pie; Bounced with tyr (1 against 1).
F mao Supports F gas -> spa/nc
A tun Holds
F tus -> tys; Bounced with nap (2 against 2). Dislodged from rom (2 against 1). The Fleet in Tuscany cannot retreat; unit destroyed.
A wal -> lvp; Bounced with cly (1 against 1).

Germany:
F eng Supports F mao
A gal Supports A vie
A lvn -> war; Bounced with war (1 against 1).
A mos Supports A ukr
A mun -> tyr; Failed because Germany: A tyr -> pie failed.
F nth Supports F nwg -> edi
F nwg -> edi
A sil -> boh
A tyr -> pie; Bounced with mar (1 against 1).
A ukr Supports A gal
A vie Supports A mun -> tyr
A war Supports A gal

Italy:
F nap -> tys; Bounced with tus (2 against 2).
F rom -> tus
A ven Supports F rom -> tus

Turkey:
A arm Supports A sev
F bla Supports A rum
F ion Supports F nap -> tys
A sev Supports A rum
F tys -> wes

There are no retreats for this turn, so the position before adjustment is:



England must remove one unit.
France may build one unit.
Germany may build one unit.

[muon2]

Adjustments for 1908 are

England: disband F cly
France: build A par
Germany: build A ber

And the map to start the next turn is

[muon2]

Moves for Spring 1909:



Austria:
F adr Supports A tri
A bud Supports A tri
A rum Supports A bud
A ser Supports A bud
A tri Supports A ven -> tyr

England:
F por -> spa/sc; Bounced with spa (1 against 1). Dislodged from mao (2 against 1). The Fleet in Portugal cannot retreat; unit destroyed.

France:
F lyo Supports F spa/nc; Support cut by Move from Western Mediterranean.
F mar Supports F lyo
F mao -> por
A par -> bur
F spa/nc Supports F mao -> por
A tun Holds
A wal Holds

Germany:
A ber -> mun
A boh Supports A mun -> tyr
F edi -> nwg
F eng -> mao
A gal Supports A vie
A lvn -> pru
A mos Supports A ukr
A mun -> tyr
F nth -> eng
A tyr -> pie
A ukr Supports A gal
A vie Supports A mun -> tyr
A war Supports A gal

Italy:
F nap -> tys
F tus Supports F wes -> lyo
A ven -> tyr; Bounced with mun (3 against 2).

Turkey:
A arm Supports A sev
F bla Supports A rum
F ion Supports F nap -> tys
A sev Supports A rum
F wes -> lyo; Bounced with lyo (2 against 2).

No retreats are necessary, so the position to begin the fall move is:

[muon2]

Moves for Fall 1909:



Austria:
F adr Supports A ven
A bud Supports A tri
A rum Supports A bud
A ser Supports A tri
A tri Supports A bud

France:
A bur -> gas
F lyo -> tus; Bounced with tus (2 against 2).
F mar -> spa/sc
F por Supports F mar -> spa/sc
F spa/nc -> mao
A tun Supports F mao -> naf; Support cut by Move from Tyrrhenian Sea. Dislodged from tys (2 against 1). The Army in Tunis cannot retreat; unit destroyed.
A wal -> pic; Convoy path taken: wal→eng→pic.

Germany:
A boh Supports A vie
F eng Convoys A wal -> pic
A gal Supports A ukr
F mao -> naf
A mos Supports A ukr
A mun Supports A tyr
F nwg -> nao
A pie Supports F lyo -> tus
A pru -> sil
A tyr Supports A pie
A ukr Supports A gal
A vie Supports A tyr
A war Supports A gal

Italy:
F tus Holds; Invalid order for unit Tuscany; Hold order assigned
(Judge's note: the order was F Tuscany S F Portugal - Berlin; perhaps the order was mistranslated from Italian )
F tys -> tun
A ven Supports F tus

Turkey:
A arm Supports A sev
F bla Supports A rum
F ion Supports F tys -> tun
A sev Supports A rum
F wes -> lyo; Failed because France: F lyo -> tus failed.

The position after movement is:



No retreats needed.

Adjustments needed:
France build 1
Italy build 1

[muon2]

The adjustments for 1909 are:
England is officially eliminated with no supply centers
France: Build F mar
Italy: Build A rom

The map to start 1910: