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Dockter is used to losing to Pei ...
but this time he couldn't get past the other Pei in the
semi-finals. |
Pretty realistic ... truly brother
vs brother in the Final as Nick makes his brother sweat but the
Master wins again. |
Truly Brother vs Brother ...
Once again an experienced field of stalwart gamers entered
the fray to see who would play the role of David vs Goliath and
take another shot at unseating James Pei. For those with short
memories James lost to the Finnish wonder, Riku Riekkinen two
years ago, but came back none the worse for the experience, and
reversed that outcome last year when he took his ninth title.
This time the field decided to fight fire with fire, or, in this
case, Pei with Pei.
Unlike earlier years where David Dockter faced his usual 6.28
problem (two times Pei) where he would have to beat Nick Pei
(Jame's younger brother) to get at the Master, this year Pei
the younger set up a classic brother versus brother confrontation
Final so fitting for a game about the American Civil War that
it is cliche. Nevertheless, here in his own words, Nick recounts
his attempt to deny his older brother his blackbelt in their
Final.
As USA, Nick had great cards for an aggressive start. AoP
killed the small JJ force and then advanced to Manassas. With
the Farragut card, Union burned Columbus, GA. Another AA force
landed at Sabine. CSA had an average hand, playing an Indian
Ally reinforcement card and placing a few PC markers.
Turn 2: USA drew great cards again. Its force advanced
from Columbus and burned Atlanta. Another force threatened to
take MO. A Pope-led army was poised to take KY and burn Nashville.
The timely play of the Pre-War Treachery card saved Nashville
and diverted Pope to Paducah. CSA spent the turn playing a reinforcement
card and dislodging the Union force at Sabine.
Turn 3: Fate seemed to begrudge James his tenth title.
Nick had another fantastic hand with three 3-Ops and two Campaigns.
Richmond was strongly defended, so Union forces were sent elsewhere
to grab easy objectives. USA took MO and attacked Selma. It also
converted WV and advanced into VA. CSA reacted patiently and
conserved its strength. It spent most of its resources on containing
the Union enclave in Columbus GA. With his last card, CSA was
able to take KY. USA SW hovered around 120, while CSA SW was
about 100.
Turn 4: With the arrival of Lee and the CAV leaders,
USA started the fortification process in the East. Lee promptly
formed an army and pushed Union forces back to Manassas. Pope
tried to convert AR, but was blocked by a Smith-led corps. Little
Rock and Memphis both fell. The Union played a discarder which
fished out a Rebel Campaign card, just as Lee was poised to lunge
north. Instead, JJ with a Cav was detached to the Lynchburg area
to cover the flanks.
Turn 5: James formed another army under Jackson. Together,
the two CSA armies maneuvered in tandem to threaten DC. The fortification
process was incomplete and too late to slow down the CSA attacks.
With two Campaign cards, CSA broke through the WVa line into
Pittsburgh. Pleasanton failed the critical 4/6 interception into
a fortified Pittsburg to stop the Rebels from raiding into Harrisburg-Philly
to cut off DC. James took advantage of the deadly combo of Lee-Jackson
in Turn 5 and two CC to cut off DC and forced an early USA surrender.
Such a promising start to end in a sudden reversal of fortune.
Well, they don't call him the Master for nothing.
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