While the snow fell outside the climate was anything but cold in Matt's back room as John Burke, Charlie, Tom, Kirby, and Matt met for a game of Diplomacy. This meeting was inspired by our taste of Empire in Arms at the January Game Day. We chose countries at random and here's how it turned out:

Russia - Matt, Turkey - Kirby, Austro-Hungary - John, France - Tom, and England -Charlie. The game started with some strange alliances. Turkey and Russia agreed on a non-aggression pact, and France and England formed an alliance. During the early turns Russia took Rumania while the Turks seized the rest of the Balkans. Austro-Hungary moved to capture Italy. Russia and England vied for control of Scandinavia, and Russia pushed her way into Germany. France gobbled up the neutral countries on her border, and moved into Spain. Russia ended Austro-Hungary's dreams of empire by seizing Budapest. But, she showed weakness by not finishing off the crippled power. Austro-Hungary would remain in the game to the end, clinging desperately to three supply centers. However, she remained a road block in Europe that neither Russia or Turkey had the heart to remove.

England had no such qualms about playing to win. When France gave up the English Channel and left her coast undefended England took advantage and seized three supply centers. This left France crippled, and she was completely eliminated just a few turns later. At this point in the game Turkey, Russia, and England looked like even bets to win. Turkey, free from any Russian threat, had expanded to control the Mediterranean. Russia had annexed Eastern Europe, built a solid wall in Scandinavia, and was moving to threaten Turkey. England had control of Western Europe. Russia suffered a fatal blow when England managed to sneak an army through Finland into the Russian heartland.

By the time Russia had recaptured the lost territory it was too late. The rest of the game would be a slow retreat for the Russian bear. Russia's losses were English gains. Turkey was unable to break out of the Mediterranean or effectively mount a land attack. Before long England (Charlie) had squeaked to victory ahead of Turkey (Kirby). Russia (Matt) finished a disappointing third, with Austro-Hungary (John) and France (Tom) bringing up the rear.