Two years ago on the Internet, Tatchanka sold at auction for an average of $33 (low $22 and high $44) and was offered for sale at an average of $90. A very recent auction on the Internet saw a punched but otherwise complete and very good copy go for $40.

Tatchanka is an underrated and emminently collectible game, for all of the right reasons. Not many copies were published (Rich Erwin feels that no more than 500 copies of any Jim Bumpas game were ever published) and, with Jim Bumpas' death, there will likely not be another edition. The topic is interesting and not overrepresented, and the simulation itself is simple, well done and effective. The game components, while not up to the level of the major companies of the time, are substantial and quite acceptable nevertheless.

Other Games of This Type

There are no other games which simulate this particular period of the Russian Civil War. However, The Russian Civil War, 1918-1922 by SPI (1976) and Rossyia 1917 by AWE (1995) both simulate the entire period, including that covered by Tatchanka.

Other games of related interest include:

Patrol! by SPI (1974) which contains three scenarios relating to the Russian Civil War.

Over the Top by GDW (1990), part of the Command Decision series, which contains one scenario relating to the Russian Civil War.

Pilsudski by Panzerfaust (1969) which is about the Russo-Polish War of 1920.

Red Star/White Eagle by GDW (1979) which is also about the Russo- Polish War.

Other Games by Jim Bumpas

Bay of Pigs, an operationaltactical simulation of the three-day invasion attempt on Cuba in April 1961 by CIA- equipped units. Published 1976.

Mission Aloft, a tactical / operational air combat game depicting historical and hypothetical encounters between aircraft of many different countries in the period 1962-1977. Published 1977. Some references suggest that this game was designed by William Streiffer and only published by Jim Bumpas.

Schutztruppe, a simulation of guerilla action in East Africa during World War 1. Published 1975. Note that the rights to reprint this game were purchased by Flying Buffalo, Inc., presumably between 1975 and 1977, who allegedly published a 2nd edition.

References

Tatchanka - Ukraine, 1919- 1921 by Jim Bumpas (1977); published by Jim Bumpas, 948 Loraine Avenue, Los Altos CA 94022.

Pimper's All the World's Wargames edited by George Phillies; published by the Strategy Gaming Society, 87-6 Park Ave., Worcester MA 01605.

The Wargamer's Reference Guide by Danny D. Holte (1977); published by Etloh Technologies, P.O. Box 1493, Westminster CA 92684-1493.

Internet Wargames Catalog by Mark Boone (1996); published by Mark Boone, 125 Hoyt Street, Fredericksburg VA 22405.

Tatchanka: Ukraine 1919-1921

Tatchanka: Background
Tatchanka: Game Review
Tatchanka: Component Manifest
Tatchanka: Collector's Value