I’m glad I have Austria as my partner vs. Turkey. Austria seems dependable, thoughtful, and motivated, especially considering the circumstances.

I have not played a sum-of-squares scoring game in something like 2 or 3 years, and I feel validated in my choice to avoid such matches.

The main thing on my mind is how disappointing and annoying it is to play in a tournament match, only to watch most of the players give up participating.

One backstab follows another. The mid-game board continues to develop. My hope of a solo win is reduced, but not gone.

The most effective way to manipulate someone is to state true things about that person’s self-interest that coincide with your own desires.

I am absolutely certain that some of my readers will be emotionally devastated to behold my cold-hearted backstab of Germany.

This turn is a good demonstration of how letting your ally have choices or letting them think a plan “their” idea is an effective form of manipulation.

I spent an entire turn (a whole day in real time) just trying to convince my ally not to take one of my supply centers, if possible. Sheesh.

I need to keep my mind open on ways to keep Turkey contained. Austria powered up Turkey far too much, and I don’t trust Turkey.

With France and Russia dead in the water, I think we’re basically in mid-game already heading into 1903. What a match!