This issue was originally slated as a double issue containing the Grand Europa 1943 Linking Scenario. Despite heroic efforts by Jason Long, at the last instant complications made it impossible to finish the scenario in time to go to press before Origins. Once this became clear, we decided to create a single issue (sans scenario) using the completed pages at hand. At least this would keep our publication schedule from falling further behind.

Personally, I was disappointed that there would be no scenario in this issue. However, maybe it's not a bad thing at all. Surprisingly (at least to me) there is sentiment out there that maybe the magazine has too many scenarios. A friend whose opinion I value consoled me upon hearing the news, "Rick, you are the only one I know who seems to think it is important to have a scenario in every issue. There are probably already six or seven scenarios that I haven't had time to play. I'm just as happy with an issue full of interesting articles without any scenario." This person is not alone in this assessment: witness Kevin Barrett's EXchange letter in this issue.

Upon reflection, the goal of having a scenario in every issue is a self-imposed guideline. Sure, there was a general consensus a few years ago that we needed more scenarios in the magazine. But maybe one in every issue is too much. I must admit there are scenarios I've never gotten around to playing myself. Although I do at least set up each scenario as part of the editing process, on occasion this is all I have the opportunity to do before moving on to do battle with the next deadline.

So I have decided to change my focus just a bit. Although we will still have a scenario in most issues, I am going to make the timeliness of the magazine my top priority. I want to get TEM caught up as soon as possible and keep it on schedule. And I won't let the absence of a scenario get in the way.

My Two Cents

As a general rule, I do not comment on bad play advice appearing in the magazine. First of all, it is rather unseemly for an editor to solicit material and then criticize those who submit it. (I broke this rule when judging the "Leningrad" and "Kiev" contests last year and hurt some feelings in the process. Hopefully, a more generous use of anonymity will correct this.) But more importantly, people should be free to draw their own conclusions. You can learn by analyzing bad play as well as good; in fact, most players learn more from games where they are trounced than games they win.

This is an important philosophical concept to bear in mind when reading TEM; just because someone offers advise and it is printed in the magazine doesn't mean GR/D endorses it as sound play technique! In fact, it may sometimes serve as a warning of what not to do. But readers should sort this out for themselves.

The job of the editor is to stimulate discussion, not stifle it by injecting subjective opinions right and left. Besides, if someone does offer tainted advice, we can usually depend on John Astell, Jason Long, Charles Sharp and others to take them to task in due course.

Another "Sudden Storm"

Ever since he was forced to witness the sack of Moscow at last year's Origins, Flavio Carrillo has been vowing revenge in a "Sudden Storm" rematch. Unfortunately, other commitments did not allow Flavio to attend EuropaFest this year, so he will just have to stew for another twelve months. Meanwhile, a fresh German team consisting of Gary Dickson, Rick Gayler, and Frank Watson will be crossing the Axis-Soviet demarcation line against a redoubtable Soviet squad headed up by Dave Chandler, Sam Dahman (last year's conqueror of Moscow), and Alan Tibbetts. Detail reports and much chest-thumping will appear in the next issue of the magazine.