Broadcast message from 6-Tun in 'fools':
As 6-Tunis, I attempted to carve out a place for myself in Italy and kept hoping that W-Portugal would go North. Even though it took a few turns, I felt like I was succeeding nicely, but there was not enough pressure in the north to keep W-Portugal from coming over and pouncing on me before I could consolidate my power.
Once I realized that I was done-for, I made certain that *SOMEBODY* was strong in Italy by pulling out and going suicidal against W-Portugal. It even through W-Portugal temporarily out of position. I'm glad to see that X-Rome managed to pull through to the end. X-Rome fought hard and deserved to have Italy (at least if I couldn't have it. :-) )
Now that I look at the board, I see that W-Portugal is indeed the best starting position. As long as Spain moves out, you gain a center in the first year. Even at that point you have some defense because both centers are together. I thought that Tunis was the best because of it's isolation, but that isolation was only a temporary measure.
This was a fun game. I just wish that I had more time to play Diplomacy...
I don't remember the exact history of who's "idea" this was. I do remember talking with Josh about it a year before it actually happened (the April Fools day joke of 1993). I seem to remember that he and I joked about it: The ultimate chaos game. When April Fools day of 1994 came around, I asked Larry to start it so that I could play in it. (I came out of hiding for this event, I'm afraid that I'll have to go back into hiding now that it's over...)
While on the one hand I do believe that it is/was the ultimate on the silliness scale, it's also the case that it is a very interesting strategic puzzle.
I will say that I did think that W-Por was the most obvious threat on the board from about 1901. I was really surprised when there was not much of an organized defense against the hoards. Of course, I needed 2-3 secure centers before I could do anything to stop him. Self-interest and a hope to be allowed to continue to do one's own thing won out over trying to slow down a possible threat.
Chris Yoder
Chris@Pitzer.Edu
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