Winning Chess Strategy

@ryandascienti Looks cool, but I think Europe is both too crowded on absolute terms and having too small territories with respect to what most of the rest of the world has.

I think you would be better either further increasing the area Europe occupies on the map or decreasing the number of zones into which you have split this area. For example, you could represent England (comprising Wales) as a single territory (instead of the current two), have a single territory (instead of the current two) for northern Italy and have two territories (instead of the current three) for the Italian Peninsula, and so on.

The Urals are rather small mountains and are economically important as a source of minerals: I’m alway perplexed when I see anyone having them impassable.

Let me introduce you to Phoney War, a grand strategy WW2 game for 2-3 players. Phoney War consists of two games in one: Race to Berlin, the 3 player version, begins in 1939 and features a setup inspired by history. Phoney War: Prelude to War is our two player version, and begins sometime in the early 1930s. It plays out very differently from the three player game, and should appeal to the alternate history crowd, or those who just like two player games more.

Some features: Diceless combat resolve. Fog of War mechanic. East and West share a common enemy in Germany, but are nonetheless competitors - single player victory!

Please see my instagram to follow along with the development story of Phoney War, and read some primers on our original and intriguing game mechanics.
Race to Berlin.jpg

I’ve played a couple. Commander-In-Chief has quality pieces and offers a fun alternative to Chess. Otherwise, Solitaire Chess offers interesting challenges with a handful of Chess pieces.

@Imperious-Leader I wasn’t aware that there was any other edition

@Wolfshanze:

Ya, there is another game called “Shogun” by Queen Games.
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/20551/shogun

But it’s totally different than the Milton Bradley “Shogun”
https://www.amazon.com/Milton-Bradley-Shogun-Gamemaster-Series/dp/B001NHE7BW

Which was later renamed “Samurai Swords” and released by Ikusa
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/221/ikusa

And is now entirely out of print :(

I had the original Shogun that mysteriously disappeared in my teens.

Several years ago I picked up Ikusa. It’s the same game, with “upgraded” art, but no little plastic swords (#sadface). I was sad to find it’s now unavailable to purchase new.

@Private:

I would say that the key is to always use your daimyo armies to the full AND then make sure they are safe at the end of the turn.

Defending borders with non-daimyo garrisons and castles can be expensive and yet ineffective. A better defense is the threat of counterattack by your own daimyo. And a better use of castles can be to provide your daimyo army with a safe haven.

The loss of a daimyo army is a significant set-back. The biggest threat is a two or more daimyo attack on one, so always beware this from your opponents and try to create such a possibility for you.

Lastly, the fluid alliances of this game make the diplomatic aspect critical. If any player looks like winning, it makes sense for the others to gang up on him/her. So if you can surprise your opponents with the win, so much the better. For example by going first. Or by taking out an opponent.

Pretty much this. I’ve never found a strategy that I have stuck with but this advice is golden.

@calvinhobbesliker:

I think part of Australia should be connected to Argentina.

That’s way too far away look at the map.

Yeah, I have an account, but haven’t been on in a while.

I’ve just joined a Go club, and I’ve pretty much converted.  Chess is still awesome, but Go is better.

I must admit, i prefer Go, even though i am not good at it at all. I once got beaten on a 9x9 field with four stones given to me in front. Even though it was close, it was a lesson.