Prime Weasel Dan Burgess prefers the host’s apron to the diplomat’s pen. That’s well known. But every once in a while, he’ll pick up the pen and try his hand at the game we all love. And on rare occasions, he’ll even top a board. Today was one of those occasions. When the dust settled on Game No. 167, played at John Gramila’s home in Logan Square, Dan Burgess was holding a handful of nuts.
The game ended by draw vote in Spring 1908. The final center counts were:
Austria (Mike Morrison): 4; 6.667 points.
England (Nate Cockerill): 8; 26.667 points.
France (Carlos Otero): 3; 3.750 points.
Germany (Dan Burgess): 11; 50.417 points.
Italy (Aaron Bernhardt): 1; 0.417 points.
Russia (John Gramila): 2; 1.667 points.
Turkey (Don Glass): 5; 10.417 points.
The supply center chart is here. Hopefully the players will share their thoughts. This looks like it was an interesting game.
Next up is a game at Guthrie’s Tavern on Jan. 25. Can we fill two boards? And on Sunday, we’ll announce three more games, so stay tuned.
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This was a great game. As Germany I had Nate Cockerill playing England, Carlos Otero as France, and John Gramila as Russia. I decided to befriend Carlos and do my best to keep Nate under wraps. John told me he was opening to St Petersburg, which was music to my ears. And with Italy opening to Piedmont, I had a feeling I could get three centers in 1901.
As expected, Nate supported his convoy to Norway, I bounced John in Sweden, and Carlos covered Marseilles, allowing me to go to 6. Unfortunately, Nate and John conspired to take Denmark and another center from me, but I was able to reclaim them the following year.
Basically, I lied to Nate the entire game, but John’s failure to hold his own led me to cast in with Nate, though we stayed wary of each other and never established a good sense of trust.
The southern goings-on were interesting: Turkey (Don Glass) grew to six, then shrank, and Austria (Mike Morrison) seemed like he was about to explode, but I was able to bounce him in Bohemia a few times. He did get one army into Munich, but then sent it into France, to Carlos’ dismay.
There were a number of draw votes, all of which I favored, though several times I was unjustly accused of voting against the draw. I was topping the board and happy with my result, though after each vote I managed to gain another center or two. After breaking into Austria and claiming France for myself, I was up to 11, with Nate at 8, and we could have each easily grown the next year. But many fun hours had passed and we were ready to call it a night.
Somehow I managed with over 50 points, and if I cared to play in the Royale, I might have held on for some more. But I’d rather host it. I might set an October date soon!