risk [Updated August 2001]

RSK  3 prizes Beginners Swiss Elim Scheduled 
 Demo 20  Rnd1 Heat1 21  
 Rnd1 Heat2 14   
  Round 2 18  Final    

  Rnd1 Heat1  Salon CD  Rnd1 Heat2 Derby Round 2 Maryland 4

Steve Dickson, CA

2001 Champion

2nd: Ken Samuel, VA

3rd: Matt Evinger, PA

4th: Scott Bowling, IN

 5th: Greg Berry, VA

 6th: Tom Agostino, CA
Event History
1991    None      -
1992    None      -
1993    None      -
1994    None      -
1995    None      -
1996    None      -
1997    None      -
1998    None      -
1999    Robert Lightburn     30
2000    Craig Melton     14
2001    Steve Dickson     29

AREA Ratings:

GM: Keith Levy

Almost Everyone's First Wargame ...

Risk, for the second year in a row, reclaims its position as a Century event as the first alternate trial event. Attendance was up sufficiently to qualify Risk as a Century event next year without worrying about Alternate status. In the two Swiss elimination heats, there were two 5-player and four 6-player games. Four finalists from the 2000 event, William Place, Alan Hayes, Matt Mason and Bill O'Neil returned for another shot at the wood. But it was not meant to be, as all four were eliminated in the preliminaries. Alan Hayes fared best as the first alternate, but all six winners posted for the final - making Alternate status a poor investment. Risk seems to become more and more of a diplomatic game between the experienced players each year. Many players make alliances, attacks and concessions in order to get their own continent or corner of the world.

The Final, in play order, consisted of Tom Agostino, Ken Samuel, Scott Bowling, Steve Dickson, Greg Berry, and Matt Evinger. Tom started play by taking Australia. Ken had one large force, which he moved from Greenland to Quebec. Scott taook South America and proposed a treaty with Greg, who had forces in neighboring North Africa. Steve also had a large force, which he moved from China to Ural. Greg expanded more into African territory. Matt moved a large force into Alaska. In round 2, Tom moved his large force into Siam and proposed an alliance with Steve, Greg and Matt. Ken continued to move his large force to Northwest Territory. Scott built and expanded into Eastern U.S. Steve continued to move his large force to Afghanistan. Greg took control of Africa. Matt moved his large Alaskan force southward towards Scott in South America. Four players have some interest in North America. Three players actually have forces there.

In round 3, Tom mistakenly decided he needed to be the one to break Greg's hold on the African continent. Tom placed his troops offensively in India to attack Greg., was successful and got one troop in East Africa. Steve decided to take advantage of the lack of reinforcements in Siam by Tom and attacked him. Rolling well, he decisively destroys Tom's forces. Greg took back East Africa from Tom. Tom tried to negotiate a way to stay in the game as Matt threatens to eliminate him. Matt 's chances are not good, as he has to have one battle with two forces against one and another battle one against one. Seeing the three cards that Tom holds in his hand and with no way to protect Tom from another player's assault, Matt goes for it and makes Tom the game's first casualty. In round 4, Matt turns in two sets of cards to get ten armies. He attacks Scott in Venezuela, but rolls poorly and does not break into South America. Four players still have interest in North America. Scott, Greg, Matt and Ken brand Steve a threat and discuss strategies to stop him. Steve is the only player to not make an alliance or deal with an opponent. His response to his opponents' negotiations is that, "Everyone should just play for themselves."

Ken is next to turn in cards for eight armies in round 5. He changes his focus from North America and moves his large force from Greenland to Iceland. His move into Scandinavia towards Steve threatens but does not attack him. On Steve's turn, he surprises his opponents by turning in a set for ten armies and decides to eliminate Greg in Africa. Rolling well, he gives Greg the next early exit, and takes his four cards and Africa as his reward. Ken, Scott and Matt continue to confer in an attempt to limit Steve's superior position Matt takes two spaces from Steve in Africa on his turn. In round 6, Ken moves his large force from Scandinavia towards Australia. A fierce battle for Siam ensues, but Ken rolls poorly and Steve holds his position. Scott turns in a set for 12 armies, but he is unable to threaten Steve's closest troops and their superior position in Africa.

Steve, now with six cards, turns in another two sets for a total of 35 armies and decides to take out Scott next. He does so with little difficulty and gains Scott's three cards. On a roll, Steve continues and decides that Matt is his next target, removing him with surgical precision. Steve adds Matt's two cards to his booty for a total of five and ends his turn.

Round 7, alone, Ken does not have much of a chance, but he resists to the end and turns in a set for t25 armies. He attempts to do as much damage as possible, taking positions in Africa and all of North and South America. But he is stretched thin and is left with only two armies from his large force in Kamchatka. It is now apparent that Ken does not have a chance of winning, but he continues to resist. Steve turns in a set for 30 armies. Starting in China, Steve takes back both Americas and Africa and stops there.

Ken gets three armies for being alive in round eight. He takes Eastern Australia and collects a third card. But, alas it does not make a match. Steve collects15 armies for his board position and is able to remove most of Ken's armies on the board. The onlookers cheer Ken on to add to the fun. It comes down to one last battle of a few armies on each side in Greenland. Steve is unable to take the position and Ken is left with one lone soldier.

In the last turn, round 9, Ken takes Iceland. On Steve's turn he turns in a set for 35 armies plus another 27 for board position. Steve places this horde in Great Britain to annihilate Ken's last four pieces. Everyone cheers when Ken wins the first battle. Only 61 more to go. ....

"Everyone should just play for themselves." The Dickson's are used to taking wood back to California every year, but this year it will be son Steve's, not dad Gary's that fills the luggage rack on the plane.

For a dedicated weekend of RISK play, check out the official RISK championships at http://www.risktoc.org

 GM      Keith Levy  [3rd Year]   9 Augusta Wood Court, Reisterstown, MD 21136
    gamesofmd@aol.com   (410) 833-4395

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