Dan Burgess was the first to arrive at my home for the Windy City Weasels’ first Diplomacy game on Sept. 10, 2005. He was half an hour early. We talked about a lot of things while we waited for the other players to arrive. (In what would become something of a tradition for our club, they were all late.)
One of the topics we covered was my reason for forming the club. I told him that I had caught the face-to-face bug at the World Dip Con in D.C. that summer and that I wanted to bring tournament Diplomacy to Chicago and one day host the world championship. To make that happen, I said, we needed to build a club that could support a major tournament.
Since then, we’ve played 193 games of Diplomacy. A total of 224 people played in those games. And thanks in part to all of them, we’re hosting the 22nd annual World Dip Con this weekend at our sixth annual Weasel Moot.
Eric Brown, another Founding Weasel, will be joining us at WDC. He plans to play in the two Friday rounds. And Jason Raynovich is thinking about coming out of retirement to play a round.
Nick Rohn, who joined the club in our second game in November 2005, plans to play in all five rounds, and Andy Lischett, the longtime publisher of the postal zine Cheesecake, will be there for one or both of the Saturday rounds.
From Game 3 in January 2006, Christian Kline will be there, and Greg Duenow is coming home from Detroit to play.
Twenty-seven people played with us in that first year. At least nine of them will participate in WDC this weekend. I hope you will, too.
I’ve played in four, and I had a blast at each one. The games were great, but the people and the camaraderie and the opportunity to play with diplomats from all over the world are what make WDC such a fantastic experience.
And as my old postal friend Steve Emmert of Virginia said to me at my first WDC at DixieCon in 1998, “You’re playing for a world championship.” That’s pretty cool.
But don’t just take my word for it. If you’re not sure what to expect from a WDC, check out the link we posted on the website over the weekend. A filmmaker from Canada attended the 2007 WDC in Vancouver, and he shot some interviews and a lot of footage. It’s good stuff and worth a look.
I flew to Vancouver for that WDC. It was a long way to go. Totally worth it, but a long way to go. This one is in our city, and it’s going to be awesome. The list of attendees is up to 84. It’s not too late to add your name to it. For more information, check out our website. And if you have any questions, email me. The new baby is keeping me busy, but I’m not too busy to try to talk you into joining us.
Things You Need to Know for WDC
For travelers and locals alike, we’ve added a list of resources to the website to help you plan your WDC weekend. For starters, you’ll find a handy list of restaurants, bars and other establishments within walking distance of the Congress Plaza Hotel. Don’t waste time wandering aimlessly!
New Sneak member Ben DiPaola also created the Traveler’s Guide to the Windy City. It contains all sorts of attractions, diversions and helpful websites for travelers arriving early, staying late, or who just want to see more of the city than the Florentine Room on the third floor of the Congress Plaza Hotel.
Finally, we’ve posted the tournament rules. Don’t be surprised by our power selection process for the top board, our rules for support into split coastal provinces, the identity of the Tournament Director, the fact that the world champion might not win the tournament, or anything else. Read the rules.
More Pyle Coverage
If you missed the season-ending Weasel Pyle last month, we’ve got you covered. Our roving reporter Mike Whitty recorded several interviews, checked in on the games in progress, and captured our Regimental Fight Song on tape. Listen in at the website.
Important Dates
- Aug. 9: WDC Welcome Party at the Exchequer, 226 S Wabash in Chicago.
- Aug. 10-12: World Diplomacy Championship at Weasel Moot VI, the Florentine Room on the third floor of the Congress Plaza Hotel, 520 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago.
- Oct. 27: The 2012 Weasel Royale club championship and Undercard game at Dan Burgess’ home in Downers Grove.
That’s all for this week. I really do hope you’ll join us for a round or more this weekend. As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, it could be at least six years before we have the opportunity to host WDC again. This weekend is going to be a great experience, and we’ve all worked (and played) hard to bring it to Chicago. Let’s enjoy it.
Hope to see you there.
Jim O’Kelley
