The Weekly Weasel — Week of Jan. 13

Here’s the latest news from the Weasels.

Have Dream, Will Host
Matt Sundstrom has a dream to play Diplomacy this weekend, and he’s willing to host to make it happen. Dan Burgess had been scheduled to host a game on Sunday at his place in Downers Grove, but a conflict forced him to cancel. If there’s sufficient interest, Matt will host at his home in Glenview instead. The game would start at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Matt says he will serve food and drink and that football will be on. If you want to play, speak up.We don’t have much time to throw this one together.

Neither Hyde, Nor Hair, Nor Gloom of Night
Speaking of dreams, Game No. 233, played Saturday in Hyde Park, started out a nightmare. One player couldn’t get away from the office and another never bothered to show up. So, at 12:30, an hour and a half after the scheduled start time, host Matt Kade and Prime Weasel Nate Cockerill scrambled to keep the game alive. Fortunately, they found two replacements, including a novice, and at 1:30, the game finally started. And the novice, one of three new Weasels on the board, posted a monster result. Check out the game summary.

Hosts Needed
Since we have not yet officially scheduled Matt’s game, we officially have nowhere to play until CODCon, April 5-6 at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. That means we need a host or two for February, plus three for March Madness. Who wants to step up? Contact me with the dates you can host. Our club needs players to thrive, of course. It takes seven to field a board. But just as important, we need people to open their homes so we have places to play.

CODCon is Coming
Our eighth annual CODCon Open Diplomacy tournament is just three months away. Last year was a down year for our minor tournament as we managed just 15 players and five boards, but we expect to be back up in the seven- to nine-board range this year. Make your plans to join us April 5-6 at the College of DuPage’s CODCon gaming convention. Two rounds Saturday, one on Sunday, and if that weren’t enough, a Friday night appetizer of Civilization or Junta. Or both.

Ultimate WAC
The 2014 North American Grand Prix kicks off Jan. 24 at the 10th and final WACCon in Seattle, which also serves as the 2014 North American Championship. It looks like Dan Burgess, Kevin O’Kelly, John Gramila, Tyler Mollenkopf, possibly Nate Cockerill and I will represent the Weasels. In addition, ex-pats Aash Anand, Adam Berey and Christian MacDonald will be there. (I’m not sure about Peter Yeargin. He hasn’t responded to the Facebook invite.) It should be a great time.

This will be my sixth trip to WAC, and I’m really sorry to see the tournament go. I can’t recommend the event highly enough. If you can swing it, make your plans to join us. You won’t be disappointed. (That’s not a guarantee of support into Belgium.)

Upcoming Games

• Jan. 19 at Matt Sundstrom’s home in Gleniew, starting at 11 a.m. Have one. This one is not yet on the official schedule, but if there’s sufficient interest, we’ll post it. Who wants to play?

• April 5-6: The eighth annual CODCon Open Diplomacy tournament at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.