42 Century Events Century Events 43
2013 Results 2013 Results 2013 Results 2013 Results Bert Schoose, IL Lewis Lin, WA Bruce Reiff, OH Daniel Hoffman, NC Gary Dickson, CA Anne Norton, NJ Rob Kircher, RI Ewan McNay, NY Richard Beyma, VA Andy Latto, MA Bill Edwards, VA David Metzger, NY Alan Zasada, IL Dan Mathias, MD O Jeff Mullet, OH Scott Burns, uk Doug James, NC O Vien Bounma, VA O Curt Collins II, PA O Lyman Moquin, DC O Tom Gregorio, PA O Robert Cranshaw, RI O Eric Brosius, MA O Graeme Tate, uk
Tom Gregorio, PA Norman Rule, MD Jeff Mullet, OH Matt Calkins, VA 26 1991-2013 108 2005-2013 98 2004-2013 36 2012-2013
Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Gary Dickson, CA 435 Arthur Field, SC 102 Bruce Reiff, OH 104 Daniel Hoffman, NC 80 Doug James, NC 378 Randy Buehler, WA 90 Rob Kircher, RI 69 Ewan McNay, NY 24 Tom Gregorio, PA 358 Tom DeMarco, NJ 87 Tom Browne, PA 69 Rob Winslow, NY 24 Bert Schoose, IL 265 Anne Norton, NJ 84 Jeff Mullet, OH 62 David Metzger, NY 16 Rob Beyma, MD 96 Vien Bounma, NJ 63 Raphael Lehrer, MD 46 Tom Drueding, MA 16 George Karahalios, IL 86 Chris Robbins, UT 52 Jason Levine, NY 38 Scott Burns, uk 12 John Ohlin, FL 81 Lewis Lin, WA 40 Greg Thatcher, CA 30 Lyman Moquin, DC 12 Alan Zasada, IL 63 Charles Hickok, PA 40 Bill Salvatore, MD 30 Lachlan Salter, on 12 Curt Collins II, PA 40 Eric Brosius, MA 27 James Pei, VA 8 Bert Schoose, IL Phil Evans, VA 63 Lewis Lin, WA Bruce Reiff, OH Daniel Hoffman, NC Pat Flory, CT 61 Norman Herrick, NE 40 Nick Page, on 24 Graeme Tate, uk 4
Russian Campaign (TRC) Saint Petersburg (SPG) San Juan (SJN) Sekigahara (SKG) he 5-turn scenario celebrated its 7th hree heats generated 48 games with five or the third year in a row we fell just a cou- ttendance was down in its second year but Tanniversary, allowing completion in a Twon by tiebreaker and three by a single Fple short of a triple-digit field as the event Astill logged 45 games. Ten “honor prizes” reasonable four hours or less, while giving point! Robert Cranshaw’s 115 was the high- has averaged 99 players since 2010. To qualify were awarded to the players who won their third both sides attack and defense opportunities.- Bal est score. In contrast, Tom Johnston won with for the single elimination portion, you had to match (regardless of the outcome of their first two) ance seemed adequate with the Germans winning only 41 points. Most games needed only four win three times. Everyone who won the first after three rounds. Another prize was awarded for 50.8% of the matches. The bidding has continued or five rounds, but Charles Hickok required three rounds got to have lunch, while the 2-1’s killing the most enemy leaders. Scott Burns elimi- to drift ever higher with bids now between 14 and nine rounds to win his game. Three of the top had to go hungry and play again. This year nated 11 enemy daimyo in 13 weeks of play—an 15 extra Russian replacement factors. By the medal 16 opted out of the semifinals, opening the door more players kept playing even after being astonishing figure—to claim that prize. Honor rounds, however, the bids averaged 23. Six play- for three alternates. Anne Norton, Dan Mathias, eliminated just for the fun of it. This was nice prizes included sculptures and GMT games. ers played ten or more games. Michael Trobaugh Andy Latto and Lewis Lin emerged from the to see and goes to show both what a quick fun Our four semifinalists were defending cham- earned Iron Man status with 13 matches with Char- semis to become the finalists. game it is and that exhaustion has not yet set in pion Daniel Hoffman, Burns, Ewan McNay, and lie Catania close behind with 12. Eight matches and They contested a six-round Final with Lewis on Monday. David Metzger. Daniel defeated David in the first six wins were needed to make the playoffs. scoring 95 to win with the green, blue and or- Alas, the elimination rounds came down match by doing what he usually does: eliminating Bert Schoose was able to deny Richard Beyma’s ange stacks completely gone. He was able to get to 2006 champ Bruce Reiff versus 2nd ranked the enemy leader. In the other semifinal, Ewan best- Germans in three turns, but the other semifinal both a Mistress and an Observatory. Some say Rob Kircher. Neither player had a good start- ed Scott by a single point. This was impressive since was a closer affair. Defending champ Gary Dick- this all but guarantees a win, but the numbers ing hand. Rob evolved towards the purple he had only learned the game the previous day. son’s Germans made good progress, taking Lenin- don’t lie. During the preliminaries, the winner building strategy while Bruce took the risk of Daniel bid 1 for Tokugawa in the Final and grad, Stalino and Kharkov on low-odds attacks on enjoyed both an Observatory and a Mistress in pursuing the Guild Hall strategy without actu- won a big battle early in the north over the Ue- Turn 3. Alan Zasada drove them out of Kharkov six games, plus two more games where the win- ally having a Guild Hall. Using the “run and sugi, playing every card in his hand to deliver 23 and back to the outskirts of Smolensk where vic- ner had an Observatory and two Mistresses! In gun” method, he quickly built small production impact. Ewan struck back by taking two southern tory awaited he who held the city. The initial So- one, the winner enjoyed a 30-point lead, but in buildings, forcing Rob to follow suit with less castles. Daniel countered with a 21-impact vic- viet 1-1 failed and kept Gary’s title defense alive. the other, one point was the difference. On the useful buildings to keep pace. Without a Guild tory with his Maeda troops out of Kanazawa. The Bert’s Germans got off to a bad start with flip side, there were 22 players with both, who Hall, Bruce was behind throughout in what game drifted Daniel’s way with a 13-6 advantage many Russians able to retreat during the Final’s still lost. There were two more games where a was destined to be a very low scoring game. To in casualties. Ewan drew even by the fifth week opening assault. Unfortunately for Gary, his 3-1’s player had both Mistresses and another where Rob’s dismay, the Plaque King drew the Guild behind a fearless Ishida block taking a series of failed to free his pocketed defenders so he went the player had both Observatories and still lost. Hall at the end and was able to overtake him perilous positions. On Turn 6, Daniel attacked from having plenty of defenders to being very We also had two games where the winner beat by a single point, thereby becoming the second Okazaki castle, where Ishida was hiding, with a shorthanded. Bert quickly shifted to an two opponents who each had a multiple San Juan champion. Few 4-block army. Forced to take three attritional strategy in the south while Mistress and an Observatory. That of those who have played him losses from his 3-block army, Ishi- his relatively weaker forces were leaves a 16.6% win rate if you have would be shocked that Mr. Four- da was defeated—giving Daniel able to maintain drives on Leningrad some combination of Mistress and leaf Clover got exactly the card he his tenth straight win while sweep- and Smolensk. Observatory and a 52% loss rate. needed at the end. ing both tournaments. 44 Century Events Century Events 45
2013 Results 2013 Results 2013 Results 2013 Results Julie Ehlers, NJ Kristen LaDue, NY Terry Schulz, PA Scott Bramley, NJ Natasha Metzger, NY Yoel Weiss, NJ Doug Schulz, MD Bill Thomson, TX John Min, NJ Luke Parauda, NJ Randy Needham, NJ A. Cummins, uk Doug Faust, NY Ray Freeman, CA Curt Collins II, PA O Pete Pollard, TN Thomas Strock, PA O Kevin Cantwell, PA O Robert Rund, MA O Michael Day, AZ Carolyn Strock, PA O Gus Collars, SC O Tim Mossman, MD O Phil Grasha, PA
Joseph Maiz, NJ Sean McCulloch, OH Douglas Schulz, MD Scott Bramley, NJ 123 1999-2013 194 1993-2013 27 1991-2013 19 1991-2013
Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Rob Kircher, RI 126 Derek Landel, NJ 81 Scott Cornett, FL 166 Pete Pollard, CA 241 Brian Reynolds, MD 125 Kaarin Engelmann, VA 66 Doug Schulz, MD 158 Bill Thomson, TX 238 Rick Dutton, MD 114 Ken Gutermuth, NC 54 Terry Schulz, PA 156 Andrew Cummins, uk 182 Charles Faella, RI 96 Josh Githens, SC 50 Kevin Keller, MD 107 Eric Stranger, OH 95 Tom Dunning, NY 87 Doug Galullo, MD 46 Gerald Lientz, VA 81 David Bronkhorst, VA 86 Jeremy Osteen, MD 84 Kristen LaDue, NY 40 Jimmy Fleckenstein, VA 78 Phil Grasha, PA 81 Matt Tolman, UT 84 Nicole Reiff, OH 40 Lane Newbury, TX 66 Mike Pacheco, CA 78 Natasha Metzger, NY 72 Alexandra Henning, CT 40 John Welage, OH 64 Scott Bramley, NJ 66 Julie Ehlers, NJ John Min, NJ 72 Kristen LaDue, NY Ted Simmons, NJ 40 Terry Schulz, PA Dennis Nicholson, NY 60 Scott Bramley, NJ Chuck Leonard, PA 40 Andrew Arconti, MD 66 Greg Berry, VA 39 Bruce Rae, bc 56 Michael Day, AZ 33
Settlers of Catan (SET) Slapshot (SLS) Speed Circuit (SCT) Squad Leader (SQL) he 12th straight triple-digit field in a single- iven the raucous atmosphere that signals he first heat featured tight tracks with less worthies tested their mettle in 39 Tstart event proved again that the gateway Gthe end of another WBC, one must use a Troom for overtaking. At Shanghai, this re- 19 games of Squad Leader (19), Cross of status of this classic has not ebbed. The games different metric to describe memorable events sulted in the highest bid for pole of the event. Iron (13), Crescendo of Doom (3) and G. I.: averaged 85 minutes, with the fastest taking 45 at Slapshot. To wit: Richard Irving’s team backed Robert Rund bid seven—double the nearest Anvil of Victory (2.) Eight were veterans of at least minutes and the longest stopped at the 2-hour into his table playoffs with a team totaling 8.5 bid—but converted his pole position into a win. seven of the past eight years. Our debut as a “B” cutoff. 69 games were logged in three rounds; 27 points only to be swept by reigning Caesar Ran- Meanwhile, Catalunya was won by Tim Moss- event delivered six additions to the field as the at start with 2/3 of them still present at the end. dy Buehler in the WBC version of Christians vs man with a dramatic forced pass to edge Jim demonstration emboldened new recruits to put The semifinal barrier required two wins, or Lions. • Laurie Wojtaszwzyk won her playoff Fleckenstein. their toe in the water for the first time. a win, a second and a third. The 16 with the series with every game going to overtime and Day 2 featured tracks with longer and fast- The semifinals paired four veterans with right stuff for admittance were: Israeli Haim Tiny Tim scoring the decisive goal. Laurie was er straights. At Shanghai four cars withdrew. ten titles between them. Bill Thomson and Pete Hochboim, Doug Faust, Eve Secunda, Allyson “stunned” to have advanced: “whataya mean I Fleckenstein and Kevin Keller ran 1-2 for most Pollard paired off for the umpteenth time in Field, Julie Ehlers, Canadian Donna Balkan, have to play another round?” • Grant Dalgliesh of the race but lost their brakes and gave way Mogilev, a scenario that charged Bill’s Germans William Austin, Rod Davidson, Forrest Speck, won his table with Tiny Tim scoring twice in con- on Lap 3. That enabled Doug Schulz to pass with clearing a hill of Russian units. They put Lynda Shea, Natasha Metzger, Carolyn Strock, secutive games. • Not to be outdone, Lex Jackson Bruce Rae with two corners to go for the win. the Russians to flight in short order. Meanwhile, John Min, Thomas Strock, Brian Bortz and Phil scored with Tiny Tim three times! Sadly, it wasn’t Suzuka is narrower and caused a major pileup. Scott Bramley and Andrew Cummings played Reese. 90 minutes later Min, Faust, Ehlers and enough as Kristen LaDue advanced despite Tiny In the last lap a series of failed chance rolls and Eviction Notice with the Americans assaulting a Metzger emerged as finalists with the Strock Tim’s best efforts. forced passes in the same corner resulted in German observation post. The OP was almost in siblings earning 5th and 6th place wood as the Having upstaged Tiny’s heroics, Kristen dis- spins for half of the field. John Welage eventual- American hands when their Demolition Charge closest runners-up. It was the second consec- pensed with the Massively Unfair semifinals and ly emerged to claim the win after starting ninth. rubbled the only stairs up to the second level utive Final for Natasha - no small feat in an wondered what all the fuss was about. Winning at At Bahrain on Day 3 Lane Newbury and and denied them access to the sole German lead- event this size. her first WBC seemed no harder than beating her Welage started 1-2 and held off all challengers er occupying the OP. The last turn thus found Fate loomed large in the Final. No 10’s or dad. But hey, she got to stay up past her bedtime to finish that way. At Yas Marina Terry Schulz Andrew forlornly hoping that the building 12’s, one 2 and 11, two 5s, three 9s and 3s, four so what the heck. Thus incentivized, Luke Parauda and Rund also started in front and dueled each would offer enough protection from withering 4s, five 6s, six 7s and 13 8s were rolled. Julie’s stood no chance in the opening playoff series. Kris- other until Robert gave way on the last lap. point blank fire to hold the OP. initial choice of an 8 ore location played a major ten bruised Luke’s 6 and 7 players in the first two 27 drivers had vied on six different tracks So Bill and Scott advanced toTooth and Nail in role in her 10-7-6-5 win. Only five cities were games to take a 3-2 series win. Yoel Weiss was the to reach the Sepang Final. 12 were rewarded the Yelnia Salient during August, 1941. This sce- built, four by Julie. A WBC newcomer, her tri- next victim and he took the opening game into OT, with a fourth day of racing. At Sepang’s final nario required Bill’s Russians to use a 3:1 advan- umph was even more impressive but Kristen’s superstar saved the day corner, Mossman took a chance roll for an op- tage to occupy six of nine victory hexes. He came in light of a last place finish in her on the way to a sweep. The only prob- portunity to drag Terry to the up one hex short when his last two opening game. Unlike many who lem left was the lop-sided look to the finish. Tim spun instead and squads were eliminated by a STG, lost early, she kept at it and was mantle now that her shield resides Schulz went on to claim his allowing Scott to join the Band of left smiling at the end. next to her dad’s sixth place wood. second title. Brothers of WBC champions. 46 Century Events Century Events 47
2013 Results 2013 Results 2013 Results 2013 Results David Gubbay, TX Brian Mongold, MD R. Bacigalupo, MD Jacob Hebner, CO Marilyn Flowers, MD Seth Gunar, NJ Cary Morris, NC Terry Coleman, CA Thomas Strock, PA Steve Cameron, PA Ed Ericson, AR Bill Beckman, SC O Karl Henning, DC O Phil White, MD Cliff Ackman, PA Roderick Lee, CA O Ken Whitesell, PA O Mike Buccheri, MD Chris Yaure, PA O Winton Lemoine, NV O Ted Lange, GA O Steve Caler, MD O Kyle Smith, PA O Lori Wallace, OH
Buddy Sinigaglio, CO Michael Garton, VA Peter Staab, PA Bill Beckman, SC 45 2002-2013 50 1999-2013 203 2009-2013 35 1991-94, 96-13
Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Larry Lingle, PA 118 Seth Gunar, NJ 102 Cary Morris, NC 118 Rich Moyer, MN 174 Brian Sutton, MD 105 Phillip White, MD 99 Rod Bacigalupo, MD 90 Harry Flawd, PA 170 Karl Henning, CT 66 Steve Caler, OH 42 Eric Freeman, PA 88 Bill Beckman, SC 120 Bill Morse, VA 54 Luke Koleszar, VA 42 Dominic Blais, qc 60 Terry Coleman, CA 78 David Gubbay, TX 39 Jim Bell, MD 39 Dan Eppolito, PA 58 Chris Palermo, NY 47 Alex Bell, MD 39 Brian Mongold, MD 36 Cliff Ackman, PA 42 Jacob Hebner, CO 46 John Schoose, IL 36 Bill Beckman, SC 30 Henry Dove, MD 40 Mark Giddings, NY 40 Buddy Sinigaglio, CO 34 Kevin Brown, GA 30 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 40 Randy Cox, SC 28 David Gubbay, TX Andrew Wilson, NJ 30 Brian Mongold, MD Jean Younkin, VA 30 Rodney Bacigalupo, MD Christopher Ellis, FL 40 Jacob Hebner, CO Ken Samuel, VA 28 Nick Page, on 30 Devin Flawd, PA 30 Virginia Colin, VA 34 Roderick Lee, CA 25
Star Wars; Queen’s Gambit (QGB) Championship Racing (SCC) Stone Age (STA) Superstar Baseball (SSB) vailability of games (not players) remained of 28 qualifiers appeared for the WBC 250 he heats yielded 66 different winners includ- t was the smallest field in eight years despite Athe limiting factor. 39 preliminary games were 27 Final. The resulting record field included Ting triple winner Eric Engelmann and double IWBCs record attendance. Could it be baseball played in three heats. The Naboo won 20. In the ten rookies. There would be 12 lead changes winners Henry Dove, Marcy Morelli, Loc Nguyen is on the wane? This year’s ever-changing format time-limited playoffs, results were again equally shared between ten drivers. Joshua Coyle led and Joe Yaure – none of whom would survive the consisted of three heats played on consecutive split, as the Trade Federation won 8 of 15, leaving the longest with 48 laps in front, but the winner quarterfinals. 52 of the 66 qualifiers (78%) contin- days. Heat winners and runners-up plus two wild- the combined tally for the entire tournament at 27 and runner-up both started on the last row and ued to the quarterfinal round, creating 13 4-player card teams composed an 8-team playoff bracket. wins per side. David “The Hutt” Gubbay went 6-0 worked their way to the front when it count- games with the three best runners-up also join- The heat winners were Terry Coleman, Caley with all wins garnered as the Dark Side. Only two ed—at the end. ing the semifinals. Cliff Ackman, Rodney Baci- Roark, and Roderick Lee. Winton Lemoine, Bill past champions were among the 16 to make the The first lead change occurred on Turn 2 galupo, Alex Bove, Henry Dove, Ed Ericson, Paul Beckman and Lori Wallace each claimed seconds. elimination rounds, Karl Henning and three-time as Joshua Githens passed R. Buccheri on the Klayder, Larry Loiacono, Matthew Morgal, Cary Jacob Hebner and Steve Cameron earned wild- champ Larry Lingle. Former champs Brian Sutton, 6th lap. 2010 champ Bill Beckman took over Morris, Scott Saccenti, Lexi Shea, Kyle Smith and card entries based on their overall records. That John Schoose and Bill Morse failed to make the cut. on Turn 3 with Githens regaining the lead on Christopher Yaure won to advance. produced matchups of: Coleman (‘53 Yankees) vs In the quarterfinals Tom Strock took the the next turn. Beckman reclaimed the lead Ackman, Bacigalupo, Ericson and Morris won Cameron (‘92 Blue Jays); Roark ( ‘01 D’backs) vs Throne Room from Alex Lange after Quigon briefly on Turn 5 but a crash claimed him, Jared again to become the finalists. It soon became ap- Hebner (‘07 Rockies); Lee (‘ 81 Dodgers) vs Wal- killed Darth Maul. The Hutt made short work of McLaughlin, and Wayne Mucklaw a turn later, parent that starvation was not in their plans. On lace (‘97 Indians); and Lemoine ( ‘24 Senators) vs Ken Whitesell’s Palace Guards when Maul exited causing everyone to pit during the yellow flag. Turn 2 Rodney took the farm followed by the hut Beckman (‘54 Indians). the Generator Core. Marilyn Flowers escaped Ted Eric Ritter emerged in the lead and blocked two space on a later move in the same turn as nobody The first two rounds were one game, winner Lange’s clutches when Anakin shut down the pass attempts. Coyle shifted to the outside lane wanted the extra mouth to feed. Cary did the take all. Coleman, Lee, Beckman and Hebner won droids in the waning seconds. In the battle of for- and pulled in front on Turn 8. 2009 champ Phil same on the next turn. their openers to advance. In Round 2, the Yanks mer champs, Henning destroyed Lingle who had White took advantage of quick pit times to take The first points were scored on Turn 4 as huts tied the Indians with two out in the 9th on a Mantle only four pieces left at game end. Marilyn didn’t a commanding lead on Turn 10. Four turns later, were finally built. On Turn 7, Rodney starved for RBI single and then ousted the defending cham- wait until the waning seconds to defeat Karl as Brian Mongold caught and passed White on the the first time out of necessity. He managed to get pion with a Gil McDougal triple in the 10th. The Anakin blitzed through the Star Fighter spaces and 200th lap. On the last turn M. Buccheri made his the card giving him an additional permanent tool Rockies defeated the Dodgers handily to advance shut down the droids quickly in the semifinals. move and momentarily took the lead. Two-time along with a bonus toolmaker to eventually max out to a best 2-of-3 World Series. The Rockies rode Meanwhile, the Hutt overwhelmed Tom Strock as champ Seth Gunar moved to the outside with his tools with 12. In end game scoring a turn later, the pitching of Ubaldo Jimenez and Jeff Francis to Anakin’s Star Fighter stalled. Steve Cameron bump drafting Gunar into the Rodney surprised all with a set of five civilization sweep the Yankees, winning the first game 2-1 on a The Final was closely contested until Darth lead, but then slingshot passed to take cards (25 points), two farmers and a food produc- 9th inning homer by Todd Helton. The Rocks then Maul killed Quigon and then put six hits on Obi- the inside lead and used a Two Wide tion (two points), seven tool makers got three unearned runs in the third wan, who failed to block. The Sith card to protect it. Mongold, knowing and 12 tools (84 points), two shamen for a 3-1 win and Hebner’s first SSB quickly sent eight Palace Guards to his shot was on the outside, bump x 10 people (20 points) and eight re- title—making him the King of both oblivion while Anakin was stuck two drafted Gunar and slingshot passed to sources to win 183-176-167-123 de- baseball and football. Will basketball spaces from the control ship. the checkered flag. spite having only four buildings. be next? A sporting trifecta awaits. 48 Century Events Century Events 49
2013 Results 2013 Results 2013 Results 2013 Results Joel Lytle, NY Rob Murrray, NJ Hilary Haagen, VA Ray Freeman, CA Aran Warszawski, il Aran Warszawski, il Richard Irving, VA Bryan Eshleman, NC Jason Ley, WA David Meyaard, NY Trella Bromley, FL Bob Hamel, CT Randy Buehler, WA O Jenn Mongold, MD Henry Allen, FL O Charles Drozd, IL Haim Hochboim, il O Judy Wobbeking, MD Jay Fox, NJ O Tom Melton, VA Andrew Emerick, CT O Andy Latto, MA O Joe Millovich, PA O David Wong, PA
Randy Buehler, WA Andy Latto, MA Claire Brosius, MA Ray Freeman, CA 72 2008-2013 148 2006-2013 247 2004-2013 16 2000-2013
Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Randy Buehler, WA 164 Andy Latto, MA 128 Jay Fox, NJ 84 Ray Freeman, CA 262 Jason Ley, WA 132 Anne Norton, NJ 75 Virginia Colin, VA 70 Bryan Eshleman, NC 143 Joel Lytle, NY 114 Rob Kircher, RI 72 Eric Monte, NY 70 Tom Thornsen, NY 109 Zvi Mowshowitz, NY 60 Randy Buehler, WA 61 Steve Shambeda, PA 69 Mike Mishler, CA 96 Raphael Lehrer, CA 52 Aran Warszawski, il 54 Henry Allen, FL 68 Jim Winslow, ME 90 Andrew Emerick, CT 48 Robert Murray, NJ 48 Hilary Haagen, VA 60 Rick Young, NC 73 Aran Warszawski, il 40 David Meyaard, NY 48 Anni Foasberg, NJ 60 Brad Jones, FL 60 Rob Flowers, MD 26 Amy Rule, MD 48 Kyle Greenwood, HI 60 Charles Drozd, IL 36 Joel Lytle, NY David Metzger, NY 24 Rob Murray, NJ Kyle Smith, PA 42 Hilary Haagen, VA John Faella, RI 60 Ray Freeman, CA Robert Mull, CO 36 Alan Sudy, VA 20 Jim Castonguay, PA 42 Patrick Monte, NY 50 Bob Hamel, CT 32
Through the Ages (AGE) Thurn & Taxis (T&T) Ticket to Ride (TTR) Tigers in the Mist (TIM) preliminary games generated four preliminary games meant it was diffi- he first two heats each attracted 38 4-player efending champion Charlie Drozd’s 45 triple- and eight double-winners, 66 cult to qualify for the 16 semifinal slots. Tgames as the event surpassed 200 players for Dtitle defense got off to a rough start so it required a win and a close 2nd to Twelve double winners left only four slots for the sixth straight year. when Bob Hamel’s Germans captured advance. Two-time champion Jason Ley bested the multitude of players with a single win. Defending champion Henry Allen repeated Marche on the last impulse to salvage a draw. Four new Caesar Andrew Emerick by 16 to advance. Two players had a first and two seconds, so his 2012 technique of holding a fistful of cards other Round 1 games netted wins for Ray Free- The other two-time champion, newly dethroned only two of the 11 players with both a win in for most of the Final, playing only key sections man, Bryan Eshleman, John Sharp and Mike Mish- Randy Buehler, won by 63. Aran Warszawski their first heat and a second could be in the during the early stages. At one point, he held ler. Ray’s Germans blitzed John Sharp in Round deployed the little-used Age IFrederick Barbarosa semifinals. Two players won their first heat, almost half the deck. But his title defense was 2 as if it were 1939. Meanwhile, Drozd’s troubles to effect and leveraged an early military advan- and lost by only two points, which wasn’t doomed, as Trella Bromley, Rich Irving and Hill- continued with a loss to Dave Wong. Bryan record- tage into a 57-point win over triple-heat-winner good enough to make the cut—those last two ary Haagen had other plans. ed his second win against Tom Melton while Bob Sceadeau D’Tela. Joel Lytle overtook Haim slots went to runners-up who had lost by a Henry had a connected network in the east recorded a German win over Jim Kramer. Hochboim by 5 points in the closest semi. single point. and a small section in the west that included Se- The critical matchups for Round 3 were Esh- The Final started with a military focus. By Rob Murray reached the Final by draw- attle, Vancouver and Calgary. He had six orange leman-Freeman and Hamel-Wong. Ray bid 1 to the end of the Age I arms race, players had built ing a facedown card rather than using the and six yellow cards plus twelve trains left to play the Americans and things went wrong for nine Swordsmen, five Warriors, two Knights, and Administrator to get his choice of six cards connect Duluth to the western section to fulfill Bryan immediately and never improved. Mean- a Great Wall. Like any good arms race, this one in his semifinal win over Norman Rule and his tickets. He first played the yellow cards to while, Bob’s US parlayed a stout defense of Bas- ended in détente. Between a continued focus on three-time champ Andy Latto. Thus reward- connect Seattle to Helena. On Trella’s turn, she togne into a win. The key crossroads held out un- military and an early Age 3 Rats event that ate 20 ed, he continued to take chances in the Final, fell on her sword. She used three orange cards til the 20th. Dave did release the 2SS on the 18th, food, infrastructure suffered. Aran used Einstein making blind draws in Turns 2 and 3. He and and three locomotives to build Helena to Dulu- but without a decent road net, he could not make to good effect in Age 3, and when he followed Aran Warszawski raced through the carriag- th. Unable to connect her own network, she saw any progress. that with First Space Flight, he seemed poised to es, both getting a 5 carriage via the cartwright to it that Henry couldn’t connect his. Rich made Only one game had any bearing on the title in win. However, with so little separation, the game on Turn 7, only one turn later than the theo- the most tickets, but could only claim second as Round 4. Bob’s dice betrayed him as his Germans came down to Impacts. Joel spent his last turn an- retical fastest possible. But Rob didn’t sacri- Hillary scored both the highest ticket score and got only three successful artillery calls on the first ticipating which Impacts other players had seed- fice efficiency to get this speed; he was first the longest route. Trella finished on Rich’s heels, day! 1 SP of the 106th escaped Bleialf, then sur- ed, and he built just enough military to move one to get the world traveler bonus, earning six and a spot higher than she would have placed vived a 2-1 on the 3rd impulse to hold St. Vith. Fur- point ahead of Aran (who he correctly guessed points. David Meyaard caught the leaders in had she not blocked Henry. Henry soon realized ther south, the bridge at Gemund was repaired and had seeded Impact of Strength) so that last point the carriage race and cartwrighted to get the that if he had played the orange cards first, he Bob tried a 5-1 follow up at Holzhum that cleared of strength turned into a 10-point first 7 carriage to trigger the endgame. How- would have had two options (Seattle to Helena the defender. The Dasburg bridge was repaired culture swing in Joel’s favor. Joel ever, Rob had kept pace with him, and also or Calgary to Helena) and and Bob launched a 6-2 attack on was thus able to overtake the lead- cartwrighted for the 7 car- would not have been vulner- Marnach on 16-3. The defenders er at the end for the third time that riage on the last turn to win able to the blocking move that survived and Bob’s hope for a week to win by 6: 144-138-124-113. by five points. thwarted his run. breakthrough in the center died. 50 Century Events Century Events 51
2013 Results 2013 Results 2013 Results 2013 Results Arthur Wines, NJ Doug Smith, PA Riku Riekkinen, fi Curt Collins II, PA Rich Atwater, WA Charles Squibb, PA Randy Pippus, on Dan Mathias, MD Tom Johnston, IL Devon Miller, VA Pat Neary, NY Cliff Ackman, PA Akihisa Tabei, jp O Greg Zegalia, PA Stefan Mecay, TX O F. de Bellefeuille, qc Kevin Hillock, VA O Brendan Coomes, OH Scott Burns, uk O Steve Shambeda, PA O Dan Strock, PA O Michael Coomes, OH Bruce Wigdor, NJ O Mark F. Smith, SC
Bruno Wolff, WI Greg Crowe, MD George Young, VT Max Jamelli, PA 36 1991-2013 92 1997-2013 53 2006-2013 39 2000-2013
Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Dave Finberg, MA 289 Matt Calkins, VA 60 Stefan Mecay, TX 428 Curt Collins II, PA 110 Aaron Fuegi, MA 263 Rebecca Hebner, CO 57 Chris Withers, CA 161 Arthur Field, SC 92 David des Jardines, CA 185 Alan Witte, NJ 50 Keith Wixson, NJ 143 Bruce Reiff, OH 57 Dan Strock, PA 157 Devon Miller, VA 42 Riku Riekkinen, fi 110 Luke Koleszar, VA 48 Rich Atwater, WA 153 Jordan Shea, CT 42 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 108 Steve Shambeda, PA 46 Jason Ley, GA 146 Harry Flawd, PA 42 Rick Young, NC 100 Jeff Mullet, OH 43 Brian Sutton, MD 117 Joseph Sposito, NJ 40 Chris Byrd, CT 82 Fred Minard, PA 35 Kevin Hillock, VA 110 Brendan Coomes, OH 38 Randy Pippus, on 72 Joe Lux, NY 34 Arthur Wines, NJ Arthur Wines, NJ 84 Doug Smith, PA Devin Flawd, PA 38 Riku Riekkinen, fi Bill Edwards, VA 60 Curt Collins II, PA Bruce Young, SC 30 Steve Koleszar, VA 84 Bruce Monnin, OH 38 Bruce Monnin, OH 46 Jamie Tang, MD 30
Titan (TTN) Titan: The Arena (TTA) Twilight Struggle (TWS) Union Pacific (UNP) n semifinal 1, Julie Ehlers, destined forSettlers of the 24 qualifiers soldiered on in ive rounds sufficed as a fortunate result of the shortage of games cost the event Ifame, didn’t fare as well vs Tom Johnston, 20five white-knuckle 4-player semifi- Fodd winner each round consistently losing to A its Century status as many play- David des Jardins and Dan Strock. Dan’s titan nals where a 2-point win was the rout of the lower seeded opponent. The last unbeatens ers had to be turned away and only 19 was last to fall as Tom advanced. In semifinal the day. A three-way tie plus a pair of deadlocked were Riku Riekennen, Stefan Mecay, Randy Pip- games were played. The average winning score 2, Art Wines killed Nick Klercker’s titan in the games at 14 points were the norm. The finalists pus, and Chris Byrd. Former champions Riku and was 122. Mike Stanley hit $163 in his 3-player tundra for 340 points. He then teleported into a were a diverse lot: a former champion, a frequent Stefan were matched in one bracket, while the un- Round 3 game to lead all scorers. Francois de winning battle with Peg Meacham, saving Ed contender denied in the last round three times, crowned contenders settled the other. Randy got BelleFeuille hit $133 to pace the 4-player games. Rothenheber for last. The third match went to and a trio of newcomers to laurels land. off to a good positional advantage by taking Italy Curt Collins’ title defense got off to a strong start Akihisa Tabei who dispensed with three-time Round 1 progressed with minimal blood- on Turn 1. Three turns later the cards took a de- with two wins and he scored enough points in champ Aaron Fuegi while Kevin Hiller elimi- shed as the Troll trudged off to the locker room cidedly Russian flavor with scores for We Will Bury Round 3 to take the first seat at the Final table. nated Brady Achterburg. The survivors both with no backers. Though two players, Doug You (3), Cultural Revolution (1), OPEC (5) and Arab- Dan Mathias also won twice to take the second fell in a mutual with Aki the rolloff winner. and Greg, were backing two creatures each, the Israeli-War (2) pushing the Red VPs to 15. seat while Cliff Ackman and Francois needed Sean McCulloch, loser of a desert battle to Da- second to be excused was Devon’s Ranger, who In the other bracket, Riku used Red Scares on tiebreakers to earn their seats. vid Finberg, was the first victim in the last semi. took one of Greg’s wagers with it. Third to go Turns 2 and 3 to gain position, but Stefan was The El Paso/Rio Grande (green) company Meanwhile, Rich Atwater vanquished Steve was Brendan’s Dragon, along with another of able to offset this with timely scoring to take a got rolling early as did the Sioux Falls Royal Koleszar and then won the resulting titan tele- Devon’s bets. substantial US VP lead (15) by Turn 4. However, Blue in the Final. Dan took control of the EPRG port climax with David. Doug made all of the kills to this point and on Turn 5, the Russian positional advantage be- and rolled it up to $14. The Sioux Falls got to The Final’s first casualty was Akihisa whose that might explain why his two first-round bets gan to exert itself with the Russians headlining 10, when Curt took advantage of first place in angel stack attacked Art’s two trolls in the tun- were still on the table. And despite 2003 champ Allende causing the US to drop South America the Union Pacific to balance out his other firsts dra. One of the trolls hit five times in eight rolls Brendan’s control of the Hydra, Devon had a scoring for USSR VPs. Scoring of Africa and Cen- in the United Mexican White (which maxed at (needing 6s) to finish Aki’s angel. Rich then tough choice between killing it and her highest tral America on Turn 6 sent the VP count over to 7) and Miami Southern (which maxed at 14) killed Aki’s titan stack for 178 points. Rich then surviving bet—Doug’s Cyclops. So, Devon had the Russians. Riku headlined Ames on Turn 10 to score $132. Dan’s first in the EPRG helped attacked Art’s angel stack in brush. On Turn 2 the onerous task of removing all of Brendan’s which effectively ended any comeback. push him to a second place finish of $107. Rich killed the angel and cyclops with his giant points from the game, leaving Doug and Greg The Randy-Riku Final was over quickly. Riku Cliff’s $105 and Francois’s $92 rounded out the having taken six out of seven hits. At that point each with their two first-round bets still very used Red Scare and the US-held Arab-Israeli and scoring. he decided not to summon his angel only to much alive. In the last round, the 10 strength Korean Wars to score early points and take posi- With his third title in a row, and fourth have his dice desert him. Art killed three pieces, cards came out on the Titan, the Unicorn, and the tional advantage with De-Stalinization to move overall in the past five years, Curt has put to- changing the tide of the battle and Cyclops, making the demise of Greg’s Warlock a into France, Thailand, and South gether a dynastic run reminiscent of the Yan- giving Art titan teleport soon af- near certainty. In the end, with two America. Balance again heavily fa- kees or Celtics in their heyday. terwards. Rich offered to resign if healthy first-round bets and a suc- vored the Russians—even moreso It may take a bloop single or Art killed Tom first and so the deal cessful secret bet on the third surviv- than usual—with the Russians win- a rim roller to end his streak was struck for Art’s firstTitan title. ing creature, Doug won handily. ning 46 of 67 games. next year.