Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site duke.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!decvax!mcnc!duke!ar From: ar@duke.UUCP (Andrew L. Reibman) Newsgroups: net.games.pbm Subject: italian openings - brief analysis Message-ID: <6006@duke.UUCP> Date: Thu, 11-Jul-85 11:42:36 EDT Article-I.D.: duke.6006 Posted: Thu Jul 11 11:42:36 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 13-Jul-85 14:31:16 EDT Organization: Duke University Lines: 72 Line eaters beware! The best first move saga continues.... Two fine articles have explored the best first move for Germany. Now we move south to the sunny Mediterranean - Italy. Italy and Austria share the dubious distinction of having the only adjacent home centers on the map. Although the close Austrian centers seem enticing, they are usually poisoned fruit. It is a rare game that an early Italian invasion can make headway against the Dual Monarchy without strong allies. More likely, both Italy and Austria`s initial growth will be stunted, leaving them to be snapped up by the emerging powers around them. If Italy lines up with a Russo-Turkish alliance, Austria may fall quickly but Italy will likely be the next victim. For the fall primary Italian Options follow: (1) A Ven - Tyr, A Rom-Ven, F Nap-Ion (2) A Ven - Tri, A Rom-Ven, F Nap-Ion If you must - these are the two spring attacks on Austria. Hopefully Austria is caught unawares and is going for three builds or Russia (anything less will bog down in a long war). If a center is gained in the spring (2), Greece can be attacked in the fall without Turkish help. This is risky, as the second fleet is really needed, even if the Turks are active allies. (3) A Ven H, A Rom-Apu, F Nap-Ion Probably the most common single opening for Italy. It allows the capture of Tunis by convoy, or if a northern invasion threatens, with the fleet. Stronger, pro-austrian moves involve simultaneous demilitaization of Venice and Trieste (probably to Tuscany). This opening allows the classic Lepanto or an attack on France in 1902. (4) A Ven-Pie, A Rom-Ven, F Nap-Tyr (5) A Ven-Pie, A Rom-Tus, F Nap-Tyr These moves are openly hostile to France. The second shows greater trust in Austria (what are you doing attacking France if the Austrians are streaming across the border?). The key question is "when to attack France?" It may seem that participating in a three way attack on France would be profitable - but - in all likelihood this is probably the worst time. Given that France falls quickly (3:1 - should take 3 seasons) where do you think those English fleets will go? Its a long way from the Mid-Atlantic to the Barents. France should only be attacked if it is on the 2 side of a 2:1 northern split. In this case, a gambit is to sacrifice Tunis in order to push the Fleet to Wes in 1901. This will allow you to force the Atlantic in 1902. This should probably only be attempted if Marseilles' capture seems likely (e.g. the German's in Burgundy). Postscript: Italy more than any other player must concentrate on "balance of power". If a single dominant power emerges in either the East or West it is probable that Italy will be its next victim. Therefore, more than any other player and Italian's best 1901 is strategy is to wait and see. A final aside: I have an opening in an e-mail diplomacy game due to start this weekend. Players should preferably be withing two (or at most three) hops of my site. Send vitals plus a preference list. Andrew Reibman ...!{ihnp4,allegra}!duke!ar