Malcolm Rivera
Diplomacy is a strategic board game created by Allan B. Calhamer in 1954 and commercially released in the United States in 1959. The game is set in Europe in the years leading up to World War I and involves players controlling the armed forces of major European powers. The game proceeds by seasons, with each year divided into Spring and Fall moves. The Spring 1914 move is significant as it involves players navigating complex diplomatic and military strategies to secure advantageous positions and outmaneuver their opponents. The first move in Spring 1914 can set the tone for the game, with players forming alliances, spreading disinformation, and vying for control of strategic locations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year the game begins | 1914 |
| Number of players | 2-7 |
| Number of units at the beginning of the game | 2 armies and 1 fleet |
| Exception to the number of units at the beginning of the game | Britain (2 fleets and 1 army) and Russia (2 armies and 2 fleets) |
| Number of units that can occupy a given map region | 1 |
| Number of seasons in a year | 2 |
| Seasons in a year | Spring and Fall |
| Number of phases in each season | 2 |
| Phases in each season | Negotiation and movement |
| Number of adjustments after the movement phase | 2 |
| Adjustments after the movement phase | Retreat or disband |
| Phase after the Fall adjustments | Winter |
| Number of minutes allowed for writing the moves after the diplomacy period ends | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
The army at Berlin moves to Silesia
In the context of the board game Diplomacy, which is set in Europe prior to World War I, the army at Berlin moving to Silesia is a strategic play. This move is mentioned in a journal entry from Spring 1914, where the player expresses doubt about their strategy, but a lack of better alternatives.
The move to Silesia is significant as Silesia borders Berlin and is a crucial territory for maintaining control of Berlin and Munich. Holding onto Silesia prevents an enemy army from entering Bohemia, which could otherwise be used as a stalemate line. However, moving to Silesia may upset a major neighbour, Russia, and the diplomatic disadvantages could outweigh the tactical benefits.
In the broader context of the game, the player mentions having many units and feeling confident about their position. They are focused on breaking through in the east, dealing with Italy, and reaching 17 centres to secure a solo win. The player also mentions potential alliances with Austria and Turkey, and the possibility of baiting France into certain moves while maintaining good diplomatic relationships with England.
The specific move of the army at Berlin to Silesia is part of a broader strategy to control key territories, manage alliances and rivalries, and ultimately achieve victory.
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The fleet at English Channel moves to Mid-Atlantic Ocean
The first move in the game of Diplomacy set in Spring 1914 involves the fleet in the English Channel moving to the Mid-Atlantic Ocean. This strategic decision is likely aimed at gaining a positional advantage and strengthening control over the surrounding waters.
The English Channel, a busy shipping lane and natural defence for the United Kingdom, connects the North Sea to the Western Atlantic Ocean via the Strait of Dover. It is a narrow arm of the Atlantic, about 560 kilometres long, separating Southern England from Northern France. The Channel has historically served as a route and a barrier, playing a significant role in the peopling of Britain and the emergence of modern European nation-states.
The movement of the fleet from the English Channel to the Mid-Atlantic Ocean could be part of a broader strategy to control this crucial waterway and establish a stronger naval presence in the region. By advancing into the Atlantic, the fleet gains access to a wider area of operation and potentially disrupts enemy shipping lanes and communication lines.
Additionally, this move may be intended to support other naval forces in the area or to establish a forward operating base in the Atlantic. The Mid-Atlantic Ocean provides the fleet with greater flexibility and the ability to quickly respond to developments in multiple theatres. It is worth noting that the Germans developed submarine warfare during this period, so the move could be a countermeasure to this threat.
The decision to move the fleet to the Mid-Atlantic Ocean is a significant opening gambit in the game of Diplomacy. It sets the tone for the strategic manoeuvring to come and underscores the importance of naval power in the Spring 1914 scenario.
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The army at Brest moves to Gascony
In the Spring of 1914, the army at Brest moves to Gascony. This move is part of a larger strategy to outmaneuver Italy and set up possible attacks on Spain and Marseilles in the Autumn. By leaving Brest open, there is a chance that Italy will move into it, away from the stalemate line, and be unable to retreat into the Mediterranean when taking the Mid-Atlantic Ocean. This is a trap that will cut Italy's capacity to guard critical centers.
The move to Gascony is also intended to plug a hole in the line against Italy and set up a wall that Italy cannot penetrate. It also keeps armies in position to potentially attack Italy later. Additionally, the move to Gascony supports the army in Burgundy, which can then defend Munich or backfill if needed.
The player moving the army from Brest to Gascony recognizes that there is no point in staying in Brest, as it is not under any threat and there is no need to convoy another army into Great Britain when England is close to being finished off. Instead, the focus is on gaining a strategic advantage over Italy and preparing for future attacks.
This move is a tactical decision aimed at gaining a stronger position and setting up future offensive actions, while also luring Italy into a vulnerable position.
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The army at Munich supports holding the army in Burgundy
The army at Munich supporting the hold of the army in Burgundy is a rare move in the game of Diplomacy. This move is part of the Burgundian Attack, which is the 19th most popular opening in the game and the third most popular for Germany. However, it occurs in only 9.1% of games, which is considered a historically low figure. The Burgundian Attack is a forward defence of Munich that sacrifices diplomatic leverage for significant tactical benefit. This opening is a bold statement that can be quickly rolled back if needed.
The army at Munich supporting the hold in Burgundy is especially useful when France supports a move to Burgundy. In this case, the opening becomes very poor for Germany. However, this scenario is uncommon, and in almost every other situation, the move is tactically superior. If the move succeeds, France faces more problems than any other attack mounted against them until the mid-game. On the other hand, Germany can continue to apply pressure or revert to taking Burgundy. Even if the move fails, the outcome is still better for Germany than France.
The main downside of the Burgundian Attack is diplomatic, as it is overtly anti-French on the surface. However, given the perceived strength of France, these diplomatic drawbacks are likely outweighed by the diplomatic gains from the other five countries. Despite this, very few players make this opening move, possibly due to the fear of French supremacy or the success of Germany's other openings. Nevertheless, it is safe to assume that the Burgundy opening will make a comeback at some point.
The army at Munich supporting the hold in Burgundy is part of a larger strategy to gain a tactical advantage over France. By leaving Brest open, Italy may be lured into moving there, away from the stalemate line, trapping their fleet in a position with a reduced capacity to guard critical centres. This sets up an opportunity to take Portugal, Spain, or Marseilles, as a stalemate line formed by Italy will make winning by force impossible. Overall, the army at Munich supporting the hold in Burgundy is a bold and flexible move that can provide significant tactical benefits, especially when combined with other strategic manoeuvres.
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The game begins in 1914
The game of Diplomacy is set in Europe in the years leading up to World War I. The game begins in 1914, just before the outbreak of the Great War, and the map reflects the political boundaries of the continent during this time. For instance, Bosnia is annexed to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Finland is part of the Russian Empire, and Syria is part of the Ottoman Empire.
The game involves strategic negotiation and alliance-building among two to seven players, each controlling the armed forces of a major European power. The players aim to manoeuvre their starting units and capture a majority of the strategic cities and provinces marked as "supply centres" on the map. These supply centres enable players to produce more units and gain a strategic advantage.
The game proceeds by seasons, with each year divided into two main seasons: Spring and Fall moves. Each season consists of negotiation and movement phases, followed by adjustments for retreats or disbandments. During the negotiation phase, players discuss tactics, forge alliances, and share or conceal information. Trust and communication are vital, as players must assess each other's trustworthiness while planning their next moves.
In the Spring of 1914, players might consider various strategies and manoeuvres. For example, moving the army at Berlin to Silesia, or focusing on the stalemate line in the East, or even leaving Brest open to lure Italy into a trap. The options and tactics are diverse, and players must carefully consider their next moves to gain the upper hand in this intricate game of Diplomacy.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy is a strategic board game created by Allan B. Calhamer in 1954. The game is set in Europe in the years leading to World War I and involves players controlling armed forces and forming alliances to defeat opponents and gain possession of strategic cities and provinces.
The game begins in 1901, with each year divided into two main seasons: Spring and Fall moves. The map reflects the political boundaries of Europe in 1914, just before World War I.
Diplomacy can be played by two to seven players. With fewer players, each person may control multiple powers.
The game proceeds by seasons, with each season divided into negotiation and movement phases, followed by retreat or disband adjustments. Players negotiate, form alliances, and plan strategies during the negotiation phase. After the negotiation phase, players secretly write down their moves, and then all moves are revealed and executed simultaneously.
Some potential moves in the game include the fleet at the English Channel moving to the Mid-Atlantic Ocean or the army at Paris supporting a move to Gascony.
