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« on: December 16, 2014, 10:21:36 am »
Some more retrospective:
I always fully intended to stab Germany if possible; I wanted to make sure I was the only one who could build fleets outside of the Mediterranean. I was definitely counting on one of Turkey or Austria to take advantage of the war (either to hit Germany or to start fighting each other, which would leave me free from worry on that front). I had always been a little suspicious of Germany from the opening (where he seemed eager to get England and I to commit to fighting each other while he stayed on the sidelines), although once he finally committed he was solidly helpful. Also, with England dead, there was no longer an excuse for my fleets to hang out up there, so I knew it was now or never. Sadly, I botched my opening stab, and A/T seemed content to beat up on Italy while we fought each other. Ironically, Austria finally made his move right after Germany and I had effectively negotiated a peace treaty; if he had done it a few turns earlier, I probably would have continued fighting, but as it was I wasn't really in a position to capitalize.
Germany and I were talking to each other pretty much the entire time we were fighting (both times), which made it easy to guard against a Turkish or Austrian solo. Sadly my negotiations with Austria and Turkey were less strong (although I was amused, reading the QTs, that both Turkey and I decided to play the angry, hurt victim at the same time as a negotiating tactic), which may have had something to do with their decision to stay out. Like Germany, I expected the A/T alliance to fall apart when they were no longer actively fighting, which also surprised me. I had been halfway expecting the German stab (indeed, I was planning on using my next possible builds to defend against it), but it still caught me well out of position. I had initially planned on retreating to Ska (in the hopes of either tying down 2 fleets for one, or grabbing a center), but when Germany left Hol open by mistake, it was too good to resist. Which was probably what most doomed Germany's attack; if his A Ruhr had blocked me on my stab, my F Kiel (and thus avoiding losing a unit that turn) saved me from his stab. Plus I was able to work reasonably well with Turkey (who agreed not to grab Tunis/the Med until after I had stabilized my lines against Germany).
Germany and I had worked out to form another stalemate line against Turkey (which probably would have gone into effect this coming turn, especially with Turkey's somewhat threatening final moves) if the game had gone on. At the same time, I was somewhat nervous about another German stab potentially reducing me to playing kingmaker. So I was very glad when Turkey mentioned in a QT that he was planning on proposing a 3-way draw. Once again, thanks to everyone who participated; I had a lot of fun and learned a ton.
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