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Ray Ganthner and Rejean Tremblay in
the opening rounds. |
Attendance for the A&A
Pre-Con rebounded nicely in 2013. |
Fresh blood can't stop the newest
Boardmaster ...
The tournament saw the return of former champs as well as
an influx of new players who acquitted themselves well with only
two of 2012's laurelists managing to add to their totals. Ty
Hansen, a two-time former champ, won his third title, defeating
returning 2009 champ Andrew Murphy in the third round, Michael
Gioia in the semis and Joe Gioia in the Final. Ty was the only
player able to defeat either of the newcomer father/son Gioia
tandem.
The Gioia family brought three top notch players pursuing
a strategy of America across the Atlantic and other containment
of the Axis. Mike defeated defending champ Joe Powell in the
second round en route to his semifinal with Ty. Chris Gioia partnered
with Joe playing against Mike Horn in the third round, and taught
the GM a few things about playing the Allies.
With 32 players A&A enjoyed both an increase and an ideal
turnout. Two-time champ Kevin Keller lost in the third round
to Sam Packwood, who advanced to the semifinals. 2001 champ Patrick
Mirk played two rounds before bowing out but brought several
experienced players with him. 2010 champ Richard Beyma lost a
12-12 tie to Joe Gioia based on income increase in the first
round. 2012 runner-up Al Hurda made another good run this year,
losing to Joe Gioia in the third round with a 12-12 tie decided
on income increase. Another family tandem scored well with Steve
Packwood claiming sixth place and son Sam taking third place
after losing a 12-12 tie to Joe Gioia in the semifinals on an
income tie-breaker.
Craig Yope, GM from 2005 through 2010, returned as a player.
Only his defeat in the third round to Mike Gioia kept him out
of the semifinals. Craig devised the 24 victory territory system
we use, the adoption of the version 2 Larry Harris tournament
rules, and the use of the 2003 revised edition. Your current
GM adopted the system and event description because it makes
for such a good tournament. All players are reminded that the
written rules for the event are the Larry Harris tournament rules
(version 2), and the posted event description. Thus far, no errata
has been required.
In the semifinals Ty Hansen's Axis defeated Mike Gioia as
his attacks on Russia were outpacing Germany's fall to the Allies.
A British attack on Germany failed, and Russian counterattacks
at Kazachstan and Novosibirsk led to heavy Russian losses without
retaking the territories. In the other semifinal, the allies
of Mike's dad defeated Sam Packwood in a 12-12 tie.
In the Final, Ty accepted a bid of 5 for the Allies and concentrated
American strength in the Pacific. The British counterattacked
to retake Egypt on Turn 1, while also taking Norway. Germany
built infantry on Turn 1. Russia and Germany battled on the Eastern
front, while the British aided the Russians with attacks from
Norway and into France. The Japanese hit Pearl Harbor and built
a factory on the Asian mainland. The Russians counterattacked
the Japanese in Sinkiang. On Turn 4 the British attacked France
while the US Pacific fleet took New Guinea. Joe conceded to Ty
on the fifth turn.
Play balance has never been stronger with the 38 games divided
evenly between Axis and Allied wins. The average bid to play
as the Axis was 5 IPC to the Allied player.
The GM extends his thanks to Assistant GMs Kevin Keller and
Ty Hansen.
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Michael Gioia anf former GM Craig
Yope |
The finalists pose as AGM Kevin Keller
observes. |
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