Encouraged by Joe Nixon's description of his Huey Long solitaire game, I got to thinking... Here's mine. I've not run it yet. Anyone care to try it and report back? Bonaparte is a solitaire Matrix Game in which the player takes on the role of a upwardly mobile Corsican artillery officer. Can you conquer the world before Elba beckons? No map is needed. Only a general map of europe in the players head. Turn sequence Each turn is one year. First turn is 1805. Turn Phases. 1) Grande Armee Allocation Phase The Emperor allocates the Grande Armee to one specific area. This is it's operating area for this year. Grande Armee allocation is important as any war winning arguments should be rated as unlikely to succeed without the Grande Armee. MG arguments may not be used to move the Grande Armee. Areas of operation are: France – France, Netherlands Iberia – Spain, Portugal N Germany – Hanover, Denmark, Prussia S Germany – Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland The Balkans – Turkey in Europe Scandinavia – Norway, Sweden, Finland Russia – Russia, Poland Obviously, if they become available via arguments, Bonaparte may send the Grande Armee outside Europe (Egypt? India?, Haiti? Louisiana? Brazil?) This would, of course depend on having mastery (via MG arguments again) of the oceans, or at least the acquiescence of the Royal Navy. If this occurs, simply assign new areas on a roughly regional basis (eg, "The West Indies" "Central America" etc..) 2) Crisis Phase "Events" can ruin in the best laid plans. Roll to see if any occur, then of what type and where. Once events are allocated then produce a single line statement as to what they are. Events are uniformly negative to some degree towards Bonaparte and France. Events activated this year 1-3 = No events 4-5 =One event 6 = Two Events (your worst nightmare!)# Event Type 1-3 = Military Event 4-6 = Political Event Event Location 1-4: Table `A 5-6 Table `B' Table 'A' 1 - France 2 - England 3 - Prussia 4 - Austria 5 – Russia 6 - Spain/Portugal Table `B' 1 – Holland/Belgium 2 – Italy 3 – Scandinavia (Denmark/Norway/Sweden/Finland) 4 – German States (Bavaria/Hanover/Baden/Switzerland etc) 5 – Ottoman Empire 6 – Outside Europe 1808 is a bad year. 2 events take place A-4 (military) and B-3 (political). Austria is currently at war with France and the Scandinavian countries are currently at peace. So Event 1 "Austrian army under Archduke Charles invades Italy" Event 2 "King of Sweden dies without heir, Russia seeks to impose candidate" So, if (say) the Grande Armee was in Spain, then the best argument Napoleon could come up with would be to hold the Austrians until the Grande Armee moved east in 1809. Likewise, Unless Napoleon argued to put a French candidate on the Swedish throne (Marshal Bernadotte busy? ) then Sweden allies with Russia. Whatever happens, Bonaparte's plans are scuppered for this year 3) Argument Phase Napoleon issues and resolves his arguments. Arguments should be aimed mainly at one other power. Obviously, military arguments are greatly strengthened by the presence of the Grande Armee. BTW: Napoleon can never have more than one Grande Armee. Obviously if Napoeon is lucky, he sets events, otherwise he reacts to the general world crisis. Optional rule: On a 6 each year, Napoleons 'star' is with him. You may make 2 arguments in this phase! Nations All Nations of Europe are in one of three states towards France. Allied, Neutral or At War. In 1805 they begin as follows: Allied: Holland, Italy, Switzerland Neutral: Prussia, Spain, Portugal, Ottoman Empire, German States At War: Britain, Austria, Russia New nations (e.g The Grand Duchy of Warsaw) may be created via successful MG Arguments. Back to Table of Contents -- Matrix Gamer #21 To Matrix Gamer List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2000 by Chris Engle. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com