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 LAST CALL FOR GM COMMITMENTS: Less than a week remains in the Annual game of "Chicken" to see who can be the last to claim a GM slot without seeing the event dropped altogether. GMs are reminded to make their memberships current AND submit an event form by March 15. At that time events without a satisfactory GM claim may be replaced by those events from the Alternate list for which we have a satisfactory event form on file with a current GM commitment. You can now claim any qualifying OPEN event by completing the required event form after reading the GM Guidelines linked from the start of that event form. Nothing happens at WBC without a willing GM behind it. Check the current GM commitments and requested start times on the Preliminary Events/Orphans Page.
Century Events currently without a 2015 GM commitment include: • Can't Stop • Auction • Age of Renaissance • Enemy in Sight • Formula De • Gangsters • Hammer of the Scots • Here I Stand • Ingenius • Julius Caesar • Lost Cities • March Madness • Panzerblitz • Paths of Glory • Rail Baron • Russian Campaign • Sekigahara • Settlers of Catan • Small World • Speed Circuit • Victory in the Pacific
Eligible Trial events lacking a 2015 GM commitment include: • Adel Verpflichtet • Great Campaigns ACW • A Houde Divided • Hunters • Innovation • Maneuveur • Temporum • CVS Salerno • Tigers in the Mist • Koenig's Fortress Europe • Victory in Europe
Event forms for additional events seeking Alternate status to fill any vacancies and/or troll for Sponsor support will still be accepted until March 15. Now is the time to step forward if you want to see an event offered at WBC this summer.
CURRENT MEMBERSHIP STATUS: Those wishing to check their current membership level may do so. Note that only Sustaining level members and above are listed until General memberships become available with the appearance of the Pre-Reg form in May. Tribune-level members can still earn free Yearbooks and/or T/Shirts/Hats by joining before May.
DESIGNER DEMOS: In an effort to alleviate crowding in the Open Gaming theatre, exhibit tables will NOT be allowed in the Showroom. Monitors will be tasked with stricter policing of commercial efforts including prospective game designers who set up displays to troll for P500/Kick Starter type backing. While you are free to Open Game anything, you will not be allowed to monopolize tables with displays that are not being actively played. Designers/publishers are urged to register for FREE scheduled demos in the Paradise Assembly demo area. To be included in the printed schedule, you must be a current Sustaining level or higher member and register your demo no later than June 1. Demonstrations are limited to one hour duration unless longer periods are cleared in advance. Multiple or longer demonstrations are allowed on a space available basis. Contact conventiondirector@boardgamers.org for additional information. Include alternate times and type of table desired (either 6' rounds or 8' x 30" rectangulars) as well as potential boxart files for display signage. Reservations will be made on a first come, first served basis. Submit requests to http://boardgamers.org/forms/DemoForm.htm.
 2016 RESERVATIONS: Several early birds have already attempted to make reservations for 2016 at Seven Springs. Please be advised that the resort is not accepting reservations more than a year in advance for WBC 2016 and that such attempts will not be eligible for the much reduced group rate in any case. We anticipate no problems in securing reservations once reservations are opened in August and will advise everyone in plenty of time to secure lodging. The greater capacity at Seven Springs was a major reason for our selecting that site, so we urge you to wait for the official announcement of the opening of reservations.
 ANDREW CUMMINS: We sadly note the sudden passing of longtime member Andrew Cummins, 59, of Cambridge, UK on Feb. 26. Andrew made the trip across the big pond annually, never missing a WBC, and repeating the flight again in the fall nine times to attend the BPA's BKN mini-con. One of Breakout's top players, he currently ranks third on the laurel list and was one of only two who won the WBC/PBeM/Swiss mini-con trifecta. More than a top player, Andrew also served his hobby as GM of the event for the past eight years. He also left his mark in the Squad Leader tribe, having won that event three times. A student of history and man of letters, Andrew—like so many of his countrymen—had a gift for literary expression and an affable disposition that made him a favorite companion at post game celebrations or lamentations alike. Having played literally hundreds of Breakout games over the years, I can honestly say those with Andrew were among the most memorable. There will be one less shark in the BKN pool this summer. Our time with Andrew is remembered on the BPA Memorial page.
NAVAL GAZETTE: Another free issue of the Naval Gazette is available for any interested Wooden Ships & Iron Men fans. Contact our WSM GM Tim Hitchings at Hitchings@juno.com to be added to the list.
SHOPPING HINTS: We're not normally in the habit of being a shill for commercial products but two items of special interest to BPA members have come to our attention that we thought we'd pass along. One is WBC: The Boardgame, which you've heard us shamelessly plug previously. Alas, it has not fared well on GMT's P500 list and will be retracted if it does not make serious improvement by April 1. So, if you have any interest in adding this game to your repertoire, order now or mark it forever off your list. Check it out at http://www.gmtgames.com/p-495-wbc-the-board-game.aspx.
A second item of interest to an even more select audience is the memoir of my former Avalon Hill Games Company boss, Tom Shaw—aptly entitled Confessions of an 84 year old Teenager. Tom is the person most responsible for leading me into my present Peter Pan predicament. Together, we both did our best to never grow up and have prolonged a life of fun and games long past the point when most mere mortals have to face the realities of life. His humorously written recollections chronicle his life of wine, women and song—always centered around a game of some sort—and brought back many memories and more than a few chuckles. Those interested in sharing his nostalgic trip back in time can acquire the book at the BN.com, Amazon.com, or Lulu.com bookstores.
APP PREPARATIONS: Kevin Broh-Kahn's WBC APP for the android platform was a big hit last year. This year Michael Kiefte is doing the iOS version. They will be coordinating to share similar features and interfaces, but be tailored to each platform. Those interested in testing, making comments about last year's version or requesting new features should contact dev@boardgamers.org.
PBeM NEWS:
      
HERE I STAND: The third Here I Stand PBeM tournament will start on April 10. The game pits the leading figures of the period as they try to lead their respective powers to domination of worldly affairs. Contact mkiefte@gmail.com to register. The tournament will consist of five rounds: the first three will be the tournament scenario. The top 18 players will advance to the fourth round and play the 1532 Scenario and the top six players will advance to the fifth round and play the Campaign Scenario. See more info at the official website: https://sites.google.com/site/hereistand2015pbem/.
PEI TAKES FOR THE PEOPLE AGAIN: A field of 81 players could not derail the Master's express in the latest For The People PBeM tournament. After 116 games, only Bill Pettus stood between the BPA laurels leader and reigning Caesar and another shield for his collection. Others winning laurels in the truly international field were Domenico Licheri, Dominique Marchal, Tolga Corapci and Tim Tow. Updated laurel totals and more details can be found at http://boardgamers.org/yearbook15/ftppge.htm#pbem.
MARCH MADNESS: Only 26 of the original 96 teams are still alive in the current tournament with real life conference tournaments about to start. Aran Warszawski's 34th seeded Arizona '97 squad leads the pack as the only team in the Elite Eight. However, Oliver Searles, Bruno Passacantando, Debbie Gutermuth, Terry Coleman and John Coussis still have both teams alive. Track the progress of the event at http://www.nktelco.net/bdmonnin/mm-brack-2015.htm.
DENT WINS STONE AGE: 31 Gamers took to Yucata for the annual Stone Age tournament, logging 95 games. Unlike it's WBC event, the online version features a different style of play—the 2-player game. Stefan Mecay, Rob Kircher, and Tim Mossman won their pools with 6-0 records. Nick Henning earned the high score with a 328 registered against GM Max Jamelli. Pool play wrapped up with 15 players in the Round Robin playoff. Keith Dent and Andrew Emerick outlasted the round robin field to meet in the best 2 of 3 series Final. Emerick won Game 1 while Dent claimed Game 2. The deciding game was went to Dent by a 264-213 score using a strong building strategy while Emerick focused on cards in each game. Others emerging with padded laurel totals were Curt Collins II, Tim Mossman, Pete Staab and Eric Freeman. Updated laurels and event details can be found at http://boardgamers.org/yearbook15/stapge.htm#pbem.
PRO GOLF: Pro Golf will appropriately commence its Sixth Annual BPA PBeM rendition on April 1. This year we shall play Augusta during April, the month of the Masters. Round 2 in May will be played on the world famous Muirfield Village, as the Memorial is played then. Finally, during our third round in June, we shall play Pebble Beach in honor of the U.S. Open. See all the details at http://www.nktelco.net/bdmonnin/pro_golf_PBeM_2015.html and contact bdmonnin@nktelco.net to enter.
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Remember…all of the above PBeM fun is free to current BPA members. Others may qualify with a $10 Email membership in the year the event starts. All multi-day paid attendees to WBC are current BPA members for the balance of that calendar year. You need not keep your membership current in order to finish a PBeM event. Players may join the BPA throughout the year. See the BPA Terms page for details.
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BPA members who would like to see an email tournament for their favorite game are encouraged to step forward as the GM of such an event. BPA does not run tournaments. Rather, we are an organization of gamers lending support to one another so such events can happen. No one cares as much about your hobby as you do. Get involved. See the requirements to host a BPA email tournament at http://www.abovethefields.com/top_pbem/
Visit the BPA website at http://www.boardgamers.org
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SOCIAL NETWORKING: Keep up with WBC electronically by joining the World Boardgaming Championships (WBC) Facebook group and the BPA_WBC Twitter Page. You can also easily find us in the Boardgame Geek Forums under Gaming Related, Conventions, WBC.
If you are not already receiving our monthly newsletters,
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