# SDMB Diplomacy **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 5, 2009, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964 "2009-07-05T09:56:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/261 "2009-08-04T16:21:01Z")
> [@grimpixie](#): > > Greetings all - just to note that, for some reason, I am unable to access the boards from home (which is where my gaming happens) and my time at work is limited. Not that it matters much, since my imminent demise seems likely… This was the reason for my relative inaction last turn, I was unable to communicate with anyone and barely able to submit my moves in time. > > I know that you’ve all decided that I’ll be easy pickings, and given the above, this may be true, but rest assured that it will take some effort to overthrow me, and this is effort that could be better spent toward the west, where the war (as opposed to this battle) will be won or lost. > > More if I am able to… I regret this necessity, as a Russo-Turkish alliance is easier to manage than Austro-Turkish, but things haven’t been working out up to now, and with Italy in trouble and Germany/England about to give you a faceful of alien wing-wong, I have to look for allies where I can. > [@treis](#): > > Sounds good. Don’t do anything crazy though because I am relying on some of your moves! Crazy is contra-indicated given the current European political turmoil. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/262 "2009-08-04T16:30:11Z")
> [@Tristan](#): > > So I am alone in the wilderness then. Interesting. Me too, it appears - different wilderness perhaps… I wonder whether a Franco-Russian alliance could work? What do you think? ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/263 "2009-08-04T19:24:26Z")
I’m willing to try, but I’m not sure how much assistance we can give one another. Suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/264 "2009-08-04T19:44:54Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Very good. I will need to take a little time to determine what the best course of action is in the south. Also I want to think a little on what the best course of action is regarding France. While there are low hanging fruit in Russia to be had I’m not sure how long we can be content to stalemate him especially with that fleet nestled between us. Let’s do some head scratching, I think we need to be careful not to allow ourselves to get too out of position while poaching SCs from Russia. Okay, waiting to see how it all shakes out in the Med… ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/265 "2009-08-05T05:45:10Z")
Still waiting for moves from three countries. Don’t forget deadline is tonight at 8pm GMT. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/266 "2009-08-05T05:55:48Z")
> [@CatInASuit](#): > > Still waiting for moves from three countries. > > Don’t forget deadline is tonight at 8pm GMT. Can we get another day extension? I’ve been unable to get online most of the day today and I fear that everyone has called it a night. Lots of action this turn. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/267 "2009-08-05T06:42:30Z")
> [@Tristan](#): > > I’m willing to try, but I’m not sure how much assistance we can give one another. > > Suggestions? Me neither, but it’s better than sitting around waiting for the end… The only power we can both really concentrate on is Germany, perhaps if we both put the squeeze on at the same time, we may reap some reward? ETA @Turkey - don’t be alarmed… ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/268 "2009-08-05T07:32:03Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Can we get another day extension? I’ve been unable to get online most of the day today and I fear that everyone has called it a night. Lots of action this turn. Certainly, there is a fair amount going on indeed. \*\*PLEASE NOTE THE NEW DEADLINE IS THURSDAY 6TH AUGUST AT 20:00PM GMT. THIS DEADLINE WILL NOT BE EXTENDED! PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR ORDERS ARE SENT BY THEN. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/269 "2009-08-05T14:23:35Z")
> [@grimpixie](#): > > Me neither, but it’s better than sitting around waiting for the end… > > The only power we can both really concentrate on is Germany, perhaps if we both put the squeeze on at the same time, we may reap some reward? > > ETA @Turkey - don’t be alarmed… I am agreeable to that, though I’m not sure how much help I can be, with both Germany and Austria moving against me, and England coming in to hurt me. Should be an interesting season, to say the least. I have been played like a fiddle, I fear. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/270 "2009-08-06T02:00:41Z")
**England** , I have a bold proposal. Can you temporarily sacrifice a build in Russia in exchange for a build on the mainland? Your army is of only minor help in St Pete’s long term but can be leveraged strongly in the low countries. I am willing to support you into Holland, sacrificing my own SC, in exchange for subsequent coordination on the mainland. Once you are in Holland I can support you into Belgium, while you still take St. Pete’s in the next year, and I take Holland back next year. Eventually once you get into Iberia we can negotiate the status of Belgium going forward. Time is short so I hope you are online this evening. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/271 "2009-08-06T02:05:35Z")
4 minutes afterwards! BRB with my thoughts, in case you’re still lurking. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/272 "2009-08-06T02:15:50Z")
Hmm. Okay, looking over the board, I don’t see a 100% sure thing with Holland, as France can still bounce me out if he so wishes, cutting your support in the meanwhile, and may have already decided to make a move there anyway. To be honest I think it is best that we neutralize the Russian first (horse before the cart)-I can always keep the convoy route open and send him down there anyway next spring (depending of course on what Russia disbands). Something will have to stand guard up in St. Pete in any event, and he could cooperate in attacking Moscow. I just don’t think I should be passing up a sure build for an iffy one. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/273 "2009-08-06T02:33:23Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Hmm. Okay, looking over the board, I don’t see a 100% sure thing with Holland, as France can still bounce me out if he so wishes, cutting your support in the meanwhile, and may have already decided to make a move there anyway. Here’s the thing. He could cut support and bounce you in Holland but if he does that does two things: It keeps Holland in one of our hands. It keeps France out of the English Channel. Also by waiting a year to punch Russia in the mouth, I can use my fleets to support you into St. Pete’s from Finland. This means you can spare a unit to get West and take your F Nwg to NAT now and threaten Por/Spa for the Fall of next year. I’m going to help Austria deal with Russia. He will be ripe for the taking later. We have France in a hole right now and if we let him make some tactical defensive move it’ll end up being the same stalemate that you two encountered with me. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/274 "2009-08-06T02:47:39Z")
Yes, I’ve considered the Channel issue, as well as possible preliminary defensive moves on his part. How late an answer do you need? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/275 "2009-08-06T03:01:07Z")
Quick suggestion: support F North Sea instead. Yes, it can’t be used to attack/support an attack on say Paris, but would allow me to have my cake and eat it too. Would France then risk me getting two fleets by not contesting Holland? I think not. In which case I get a bounce and a build anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/276 "2009-08-06T03:01:43Z")
I’ll be up late, til at least 2AM Central. Give it some thought. I have a couple of motives for wanting to press France as quickly as possible. The aforementioned fear of a Maginot Line developing and more critically getting you around the horn and into the Med ASAP. The Med is practically vacant right now and France has failed to build fleets to compete with you. The sooner you can get Brest, Spain and Portugal the sooner you can command Gibraltar and start filling the Italian void. If your unites get hung up north by Russia it increases the chances that Turkey and maybe a revived Italy can head you off at the pass and make it impossible for either of us to get fleets down there. If you don’t get fleets into the Med at some point you simply cannot win the game. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/277 "2009-08-06T03:06:02Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Quick suggestion: support F North Sea instead. Yes, it can’t be used to attack/support an attack on say Paris, but would allow me to have my cake and eat it too. Would France then risk me getting two fleets by not contesting Holland? I think not. In which case I get a bounce and a build anyway. I’ll have to think about it a minute. It would accomplish the goal in the short term, but I’m worried that having a fleet in Holland and eventually Belgium will be useless for helping me into Paris. Look at what happened to France when you talked him into putting a fleet in Belgium, it’s essentially useless for other stuff. Secondarily I have no doubt that you intend to fill in behind Nth with Nwg, which does nothing to speed your progress into MAO. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/278 "2009-08-06T03:09:46Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Sounds good. Can you do Tyr-Pie? Have a feeling France is either going to support Italy or try to get two armies into the peninsula. You sure you wouldn’t rather I support you into Ven? It accomplishes the French blockade and/or it destroys a Italian Army. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/279 "2009-08-06T03:18:17Z")
Yeah, that nasty Med stalemate line hosed me in another game as England, so rest assured that’s been on my mind too. Note that the sure build would indeed give me another fleet (either London or Liverpool) to use in the race for the Med. My plan, I just noticed, wouldn’t allow me to cover Norway to prevent an “offensive” retreat from Sweden by Russia, so scratch that. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964/280 "2009-08-06T03:20:07Z")
Right now the mere threat of a move into Holland will compel France to bounce it, which is all I really need. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-diplomacy/501964.md?page=15)