The Gamers' Standard Combat Series National Championship made its debut at Origins 1996 in Columbus, Ohio. Four men were up to the challenge: Jim Gutt, Jim Mehl, Karl Seibert, and myself. The first round featured Scenario 4.5 from Yom Kippur. Table 1 pitted Jim Mehl (Israel) against Karl Seibert (Egypt), and Table 2 featured me (Israel) against Jim Gutt (Egypt).

At Table 1, Karl used his first turn to pull back his Egyptian forces around the victory hexes, which prompted Jim to move his Israeli units to block off the supply routes for the two northern victory hexes. Karl, still holding the southern victory hex, attempted to break through the Israeli defenses to resupply the central victory hex. It was not to be, and Jim Mehl move on to the finals.

Meanwhile at Table 2, Jim Gutt's Egyptian forces chose to engage my Israeli forces on Turn 1. I decided to take advantage of Israel's exploitation capabilities to take all three victory hexes. I was unable to take the central and northern victory hexes, but I was able to move a sizable force in the south to block off supply to the southern victory hex. In the end, Jim was unable to eliminate my hold on the southern bridgehead, while I was able to use the Israeli reinforcements on Turn 2 to capture the northern victory hex.

The finals pitted me against Jim Mehl in Scenario 4 of Stalingrad Pocket II. Jim was on the offensive with the Germans while I had to hold the panzers from exiting off through the victory hexes. Jim wasted no time in loading up the east side of the board with his panzer units and moving them towards the victory hex. Within two turns, Jim had me completely flanked with his panzer units and was in control to move off the two panzer units needed to win the scenario. However, the units must exit in supply, and Jim had not been able to move his headquarters at the same rate as the panzers. I had a chance to win the scenario on Turn 2 by eliminating his HQ--if only I had some units in reserve. I vowed not to make that mistake again, and I saw a slim opening to eliminate his HQ on Turn 3. It would be my last chance to win the scenario and the tournament. I was able to break through his defenses and overrun his HQ in exploitation to prevent him from winning the tournament.

While I was disappointed with the turnout for the tournament, I believe all four of us had a good time. All three games were decided by just a few dice rolls, and the final could easily have been Karl versus Jim Gutt. I would like to thank Jim, Karl, and Jim for participating in the tournament, and I encourage everyone who has played an SCS game or would like to try one to come out to Origins '97 for the next engagement.

[Ed. note: More publicity should help the turnout next year. I, for one, didn't realize an SCS tournament was scheduled until it was already underway. As plans shape up for next year's tournament, Operations will keep you informed so you can plan ahead and warm up your dice.]