Malcolm Rivera
In the board game Diplomacy, set in Europe in the years before World War 1, players represent one of the Great Powers: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy or France. The aim of the game is to gain control of 18 supply centres, thus gaining control of Europe. Each player must use their diplomatic skills to gain support from other players, and tactics alone are not enough to win. In terms of Sweden's strategy, it can be effective for Sweden to move to Norway, and then to Finland, in order to gain a tactical advantage over other players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2-7 |
| Setting | Europe, pre-World War 1 |
| Objective | Control 18 supply centers to gain control of Europe |
| Roles | England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy, France |
| Provinces | St. Petersburg, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland |
| Tactics | Diplomacy, fleet movement, army movement |
| Game Length | 4 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Sweden's defence of Norway in the Diplomacy game
The strategy board game Diplomacy is played with seven players, each representing one of the Great Powers of Europe in the years before World War 1: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy and France. The objective of the game is for one player to gain control of 18 supply centres, thus "gaining control of Europe" and winning the game.
In the context of Sweden's defence of Norway, the Scandinavian provinces consist of five spaces: St. Petersburg, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and non-centre Finland. These five spaces form a distinct, separate, and easily defended block of centres. A land attack must be channelled through St. Petersburg or Denmark as these are the only spaces that may be attacked by armies from the outside.
Sweden and Norway share a coastline, so a fleet in Sweden can support an attack on Norway. One strategy for England is to move their fleet from the North Sea to Norway and then to Sweden. This can be effective against either Russia or Germany. If Sweden is unoccupied, it should be easy to get Russian support to move into the province. With German support, not only can Sweden be taken, but also St. Petersburg.
However, it is important to remember that giving away your strategy to either Russia or Germany may backfire. Even if Russia occupies Sweden at the end of 1901, you can still go through and hit Germany. Russia would be happy to have the army out of Norway, especially if they are involved in the south.
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Scandinavia's supply centres
Scandinavia is a neutral supply centre in the game Diplomacy. The Scandinavian provinces consist of four supply centres: St. Petersburg, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, as well as one non-centre, Finland. Control of these centres is virtually essential to the victory of three players. St. Petersburg and Denmark are the only spaces that may be attacked by armies from the outside, and every land province borders on at least one sea space.
To successfully invade Scandinavia, fleets are essential. Of the three spaces that fleets can pass through—Sweden, Denmark, and Kie—Sweden is generally the most susceptible. An army convoyed to Norway, and then dropped to Finland is another way of getting into Sweden. If the Englishman can time this properly, he can force the Russians to support St. Petersburg in holding. Even a single fleet "inside" Scandinavia is of immense value to the Britons and a serious threat to the others. Three coastal centres, two fleets at the game's outset, and an unexposed position give England an overwhelming advantage in Scandinavia.
To win the game, a power must control 18 centres (one more than half of all 34 centres) during Autumn. To own or change ownership of a supply centre, a player must have a unit there after the Fall turn. For example, if France moves Mar-Spa in Spring 1901 but does Spa-Por in Fall 1901, Spain will remain neutral since it was unoccupied in the Fall.
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Sweden's susceptibility to attack
Externally, Sweden's geographical location makes it vulnerable to attacks from neighbouring countries. As part of the Scandinavian provinces in the Diplomacy game, Sweden is one of the three spaces that fleets can pass through, along with Denmark and Kie. Of these three, Sweden is often considered the most susceptible to attack. Its position as a coastal centre gives it an advantage, but also makes it a target. An attacker could move their army to Norway and then drop it to Finland, gaining access to Sweden.
Internally, Sweden faces threats from violent "right-wing" and Islamist groups. The National Center for Terrorist Threat Assessment (NCT) reported an increased threat towards Sweden in 2023, with lone actors and small cells from these violent groups posing the main danger. The Swedish Security Service raised the terrorism threat level from 3 (elevated) to 4 (high) on a five-level scale in August 2023. This increase was due to several Quran burnings, disinformation campaigns, and the Israel-Hamas conflict, which led to protests and heightened tensions.
Sweden has also faced challenges with the repatriation of its nationals who joined ISIS and al-Qa'ida-linked groups. While Sweden has successfully disrupted planned attacks and made arrests, the return of these individuals poses a continued risk. The Swedish Center for Preventing Violent Extremism has developed rehabilitation and integration programmes to address this issue.
In summary, Sweden's susceptibility to attack is influenced by both its geographical position and its involvement in global affairs. While the country has taken steps to strengthen its counter-terrorism laws and disrupt planned attacks, it remains a target for external and internal threats, making the prevention of violent extremism a key focus for the Swedish government and its partners.
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England's Sweden strategy
In the game Diplomacy, England's Sweden strategy is dependent on a number of factors. Firstly, it is important to consider whether Sweden is occupied. If Russia occupies Sweden, German support from Denmark will be required to take it. Germany can be informed of the entire plan, and with their support, England can not only take Sweden but also be in a position to take St. Petersburg in the fall. If Sweden is unoccupied, Russian support should be easier to obtain.
To gain a tactical advantage over Germany, England can take Denmark with two supports, allowing Russia to slip into Sweden. With an army in Denmark, along with fleets in Helgoland and the North Sea, England will be in a strong position. Even if Russia ends up with Sweden, England can still move to attack Germany.
However, this strategy is not without risks. If England moves against Russia, gains will likely be limited to Sweden and possibly St. Petersburg. A sustained attack on Russia would leave England vulnerable to an attack by Germany or France. On the other hand, if England moves against Germany, their northern flank will be exposed to Russia, especially if they move to Helgoland instead of Skagerrak. In either case, France could also pose a threat, so it is advisable for England to ensure an alliance with France before proceeding.
In terms of fleet movements, the F Norway-Sweden should be accompanied by F North Sea-Skagerrak or Helgoland Bight, and either F Norwegian or a newly built fleet to the North Sea. If England can time their moves correctly, they can force Russia to support St. Petersburg and not cut Finnish support for F(Nwy)-Swe. Even a single fleet inside Scandinavia is of great value to England and a serious threat to other players.
To defend against Sweden, it is recommended to have an army in Denmark, as this is one of the few Scandinavian provinces that can be attacked by outside armies. Denmark also has naval superiority over Sweden, which can prevent Sweden from sieging Copenhagen, taking troops over Åland, and will cause Sweden to rack up a large amount of war exhaustion. Therefore, a strong naval ally is required to counter Denmark. England is a natural choice for this alliance.
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The role of the Gamesmaster
As the name of the game suggests, diplomacy is a key component, and the Gamesmaster must be well-versed in the rules to facilitate effective negotiation between players. The game is complex, and newcomers should be instructed for around 30 minutes on the rules before playing. The Gamesmaster can assist here, providing a clear and concise explanation of the game mechanics, objectives, and strategies.
In addition to their mediation and instructional roles, the Gamesmaster also oversees the game's progression and timing. They ensure that players adhere to the allotted time for writing moves after the diplomacy period ends, typically limiting this to five minutes. The Gamesmaster also standardises the format of orders, with each order specifying the space each unit occupies, followed by its instruction.
Furthermore, the Gamesmaster can enhance the immersion of the game by adopting historical context. Diplomacy is set in the years preceding World War I, with players representing the Great Powers of Europe: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and France. The Gamesmaster can encourage role-playing and strategic discussions, aligning with the game's focus on negotiation and alliances.
Finally, the Gamesmaster can facilitate variations in gameplay, such as accommodating six to two players. For instance, in a six-player game, Italy is eliminated, and its units hold their positions without supporting each other. The Gamesmaster must communicate these alternative rules clearly and ensure their consistent application throughout the game.
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Frequently asked questions
The objective of the game is to gain control of Europe by controlling 18 supply centers as one of the Great Powers of Europe.
Sweden can solicit support from both Russia and Germany to defend Norway. Sweden can also move its fleet to Denmark to gain a tactical advantage over Germany.
England should focus on taking control of Scandinavia by moving to Sweden and gaining support from Germany or Russia. England should also consider attacking Warsaw or Sevastopol to distract the Russians.
