Century Events 51

2011 Results 2011 Results Steven LeWinter, NC Ed Paule, NJ Nick Page, on Charles Drozd, IL Rob Flowers, MD Andy Gardner, VA O J. Oppenheim, VA Jim Kramer, PA O Mark Love, MD Jim Eliason, IA O David Duncan, PA Ed Menzel, CA

Eric Freeman, PA Charles Drozd, IL 94  2008-2011 36  1991-2011

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Eric Freeman, PA 48 Andy Gardner, VA 342 Nick Page, on 36 Dan Henry, IL 272 Andrew Gerb, MD 33 Michael Kaye, CA 246 Steven LeWinter, NC 30 Ed Menzel, CA 232 Randy Buehler, WA 30 Charlie Drozd, IL 188 Sceadeau D’Tela, NC 18 Darren Kilfara, uk 146 Rob Flowers, MD 12 Ed Paule, NJ 126 Matt Peterson, MN 12 Michael Ussery, MD 118 Steven LeWinter, NC Scott Chupack, IL 12 Ed Paule, NJ John Pack, CO 114 Kevin Brown, GA 12 Alan Applebaum, MA 113

Vegas Showdown (VSD) Victory in the Pacific (VIP) espite being out of print, 2011 was VSD’s most he bids increased from 4.5 to 4.8, Dsuccessful year in its fourth outing at WBC. Tand the Japanese winning percent- Thanks to Bob Wicks, Mohegan Sun, a Connecticut age dropped eight points, but remained casino, sponsored the event with prize support in the a very strong 60%. After five rounds, Jim Eliason form of a T-shirt and deck of cards for each player. was the only unbeaten player—no doubt yearning The three heats produced 29 games, from which, for a return to the days of the last man standing Alex Bove and defending champion Randy Bue- swiss format. Four former champions manned the hler emerged as double winners. The closest game gauntlet standing between him and his first VIP was also the lowest scoring contest in the history of title. Ed Paule, defending champ Andy Gardner, the tournament; Jim Fry besting Doug Faust, Alfred 2006 champ Ed Menzel, and 2008 champ Charles Smith and Eric Cheatam, 27-26-25-24. In contrast, the Drozd manned the next tier at 4-1. The remaining biggest win (23 points) belonged to Mark Globus. three places were filled by John Sharp, 2009 champ Six of the 27 qualifiers opted out, allowing Mike Kaye, and Jim Kramer who edged four other four runners-up to advance as alternates to the 3-2 players by tie-breaker. five 5-player games of Round 2. The closest semi, Eliason’s luck ran out in Round 6 against both between first and second as well as overall Kramer’s hot Allied dice. Paule, Gardner and Dro- from top to bottom was Nick Page over alternate zd also advanced. Round 7 found Ed, the new top David Duncan. They finished tied at 43 with Nick seed, bidding 6.5 to play the IJN vs. Andy while advancing due to $9 in change besting David’s Jim bid 5.5 vs. Charles. In both games, the 7th AF $5. Eric Monte, 2009 champion Eric Freeman, and did not survive Pearl Harbor, putting the Allies in Cary Morris followed close behind at 40, 38, and 35 trouble. Andy surrendered after Turn 4 with both points respectively. Both Erics were also involved Samoa and Pearl Harbor in IJN hands. However, in the closest top to bottom semi-final last year. Charles was able to keep the IJN PoC low, forcing The largest victory in the semis went to anoth- Jim’s concession after Turn 6 . er alternate, Mark Love, who finished a comfort- The Final matched an unstoppable force able 17 points over defending champion Randy (Paule, 6-0 with the IJN) vs. an impenetrable de- Buehler and Greg Thatcher. In the other semis, it fense (Drozd, 5-0 with the Allies). True to form, was Rob Flowers by seven over 2008 Paule bid 5.5 POC for the IJN. Charles champ Andy Gerb, Steve LeWin- gamely held out till Turn 7 but the ter by five over Michael Kaltman, game was all Japanese from the out- and Jeremy Oppenheim by six over set and Ed Paule became the 12th dif- James Denham. ferent VIP champion. 52 Century Events

2011 Results 2011 Results Steve Packwood, MN Ty Hansen, DC Charlie Drozd, IL Alan Sudy, VA Andy Choptiany, PA Lucas Rhodes, PA D. Nicholson, NY O K. Wojtaszczyk, NY O Pat Richardson, VA O Todd Treadway, VA O Bruce Monnin, OH O Ted Lange, ae

Vince Meconi, DE Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY 42  1991-2011 23  2006-2011

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Andy Gardner, VA 169 Chris Trimmer, TX 106 Pat Richardson, FL 158 Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY 101 Ray Freeman, CA 133 Ty Hansen, DC 42 Dennis Nicholson, NY 127 Phil Rennert, MD 30 Jon. Lockwood, VA 125 Jason Levine, NY 24 Vince Meconi, DE 123 George Young, VT 24 Ed Menzel, CA 116 Alan Sudy, DC 18 Darren Kilfara, uk 99 Jacob Hebner, CO 18 Steve Packwood, MN Bruce Monnin, OH 82 Ty Hansen, DC Nick Anner, NY 17 Ewan McNay, CT 80 Lyman Moquin, DC 16

War At Sea (WAS) War of the Ring (WOR) teve Packwood (6-2) won his second title 15 he sixth battle for Middle Earth Syears after taking his first by defeating Char- Tended with a pair of new finalists as lie Drozd (6-1-1). Charlie also was runner-up in the rotating titles of Chris Trimmer and VIP, narrowly failing to become the first player to Kevin Wojtaszczyk were laid to rest! 26 games win both in the same year. Jonathan Lockwood were played with the Free People winning 12. (4-2) became the only player since the elimina- The new SE format reduced the field to three un- tion rounds were expanded to make the playoffs beatens by Monday night. Ty Hansen narrowly four years in a row. In the quarter-finals, top seed avoided defeat vs two-time champion Wojtaszc- Charlie’s Axis cruised past Ray Freeman (3-3), zyk when there was no dawn on the final turn, Dennis Nicholson’s Axis (4-3) upset Pat Richard- eliminating a possible game dunking Will of the son (4-1-1), Andy Choptiany’s Allies (4-2-1) were West. A.J Sudy needed two Free People wins .5 better than Jonathan, and Steve’s Axis crushed to stay unbeaten and Lucas Rhodes had to put Bruce Monnin (4-2). A round later, Charlie’s Axis down defending champ Trimmer to round out overcame Dennis using only nine ASW to sink his the top three. first seven U-boats and won anyway. Meanwhile, A.J. was paired with Ty, handing Lucas Steve’s Allies defeated Andy. the eliminator game vs the GM. Lucas’s Free In the Final, Charlie left his Axis comfort zone People were found early and had a slow go of and took the Allies for a 2.0 bid. On Turn 4, the it while the Shadow had great action dice and Axis sortied in the Barents, winning the area and event cards which eliminated all the DEW, sinking Convoy 2B. On Turn 7 eight Allied ASW Lorien and HD with Peligar to close out the 10 rid the South Atlantic of six U-boats, but Axis LBA VPs before the fellowship could reach Mordor. sank Convoy 3C. The Allied bid of 2.0 flipped an This successful eliminator role transformed the Allied 1-POC victory to a 1-POC loss. Ty vs AJ semi into a Final. Ty managed to get Charlie copped Best Axis Player with a 5-0- Aragorn crowned in Turn 2 while AJ put the 1 log, while Jonathan nabbed Best Allied Player Corsairs in play. The Ents were mustered and laurels at 4-1-0, the sixth time he has been so des- Smeagol guided the Fellowship on a steady ignated. The Allies won 43 of 76 contests, with pace. On Turn 11 the Shadow were laying siege three ties. These results contrasted to three strongholds and in position for the win, with last year’s, when the Axis won but Frodo dunked the ring first a majority of the games. However, giving Ty his first WOR shield and this year the Axis won six of seven the first of three titles he would playoff contests. earn that week! Century Events 53

2011 Results 2011 Results Rob Winslow, NY Mike Mitchell, GA Greg Hultgren, CA Tom Drueding, MA Stan Myszak, qc George Young, VT O Derek Landel, NJ M. Birnbaum, NY O Steve Smith, NE O Michael Ussery, MD O Robert Sohn, NJ O Bill Powers, VA

Bruce Monnin, OH Marvin Birnbaum, NY 36  2009-2011 68  1994-2011

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Rob Winslow, NY 49 George Young, VT 260 Terry Coleman, CA 30 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 251 Greg Hultgren, CA 24 James Pei, TX 217 Lembit Tohver, on 18 Paul Gaberson, PA 198 Stan Myszak, qc 16 Brian Mountford, NY 179 Derek Landel, NJ 12 Keith Wixson, NJ 120 Gary Phillips, FL 12 John Poniske, PA 91 Jason White, VA 12 Mike Mitchell, GA 61 Rob Winslow, NY Steve Smith, NE 8 Michael Mitchell, GA Dan Leader, MA 60 Chad Mekash, NJ 6 Joe Collinson, MD 52

Warriors of God (WOG) Washington’s War (WWR) arriors of God again increased attendance in t took over 18 hours from the opening round Wits Junior year. Over 30 people appeared for Ito the end of the Final, but Mike Mitchell’s Terry Coleman’s demonstration followed by 36 British bested Tom Drueding in a 1779 win for players in the first round. Miraculously, exactly the championship—marking 15 years between half of them brought a game, so none had to be titles for Mike since the days when he domi- turned away. The English dominated in Round 1, nated in Third Reich. The Final proved a bit of going 13-5. The French made a comeback in Round an anti-climax as the beginning was the usual 2, winning six of nine, including the twin demise of PC placement fest. Then the British focused on defending champion Coleman at the hands of Greg New England while Washington ran around the Hultgren and 2010 runner-up Lembit Tohver to board battling at Fort Detroit and the middle Rob Winslow. These two new worthies would per- states to obtain French Intervention. Alas, the severe all the way to the Final. The English regained game ended before the colonists could make the upper hand in the remaining rounds, winning any progress with their newfound strength. six of seven to claim 22 of 34 games overall. The result was typical as the British held a In the semi-finals, Rob Winslow (the only re- 47-34 advantage. The duration of the swiss seg- turning laurelist to make the prize rounds) won ment was not determined until after Round 3. as the English against Stan Myszak’s French, Five players had earned Elite 8 status with a while Greg Hultgren’s English did likewise 3-0 start, leaving 11 2-1 players vying for three against Derek Landel. remaining slots. Per the event preview a secret The Final began close with Greg’s French vote was taken whether to add a fourth round looking good early in the victory point count. The or a dice off for the last three slots. Only one fickle dice turned against him however as Turns vote was needed to require a fourth round. To 4, 6 and 7 saw French leaders drop like flies. Rob’s my surprise the most popular response was “I English, with numerous healthy leaders, took ad- want to play but if I am the only one, change vantage of this leadership shortage by taking Ile- my vote”. Gamers are gamers. Ten elected to de-France on Turn 8 and holding it through the continue knowing that two of the five win- end. Not even Joan of Arc could change the tide ners would be eliminated in a dice off for the French, and Rob’s lead grew following Round 4. Champion Mike until he achieved a 30+ VP auto- Mitchell won in that fourth round, matic victory on Turn 11 to claim rolled good dice and then produced the first of two titles he would win three wins in the single elimination that week and his sixth overall. portion for his title. 54 Century Events

2011 Results 2011 Results Richard Beyma, VA Rejean Tremblay, on Ray Clark, CT T. Casselberry, VT Joe Angiolillo, CT Peter Reese, VA O Tim Miller, GA O Jesse Boomer, KS O Bruno Sinigaglio, AK O M. Casselbury, PA O Marty Musella, MD O F. Morehouse, PA

Marty Musella, VA Rob Olsson, MD 25  1991-2011 26  2006-2011

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Rob Beyma, MD 162 Peter Reese, VA 120 Marty Musella, VA 146 Ed Rothenheber, MD 66 Richard Beyma, MD 107 Henry Russell, PA 48 John Clarke, FL 97 Rejean Tremblay, on 30 Bruno Sinigaglio, AK 61 David Gantt, SC 30 Chuck Stapp, NJ 31 Melvin Casselberry, PA 27 Joe Beard, AZ 30 Tracey Casselberry, VT 18 Mark Gutfreund, KY 30 Al Hurda, on 12 Richard Beyma, VA Ray Clark, CT 27 Rejean Tremblay, on Jesse Boomer, KS 12 Pat Mirk, FL 27 Rob Olsson, MD 12

Waterloo (WAT) Wellington (WLL) wo minor rule changes concerning he tournament was rich with events of note, TPrussian & Anglo-Allied (PAA) stack- Tincluding the beginning of a family dynasty ing and attack coordination were added in Wellington and even a participant from Wel- in 2011 to fine tune the play balance. Prohibiting lington, New Zealand. The Casselberry family Prussian units stacking in the same hex with British brings a lot of Wellington experience to the table or combining to attack the same French unit also at the WBC, and in the Mulligan round, secured reflect the lack of tactical coordination between the three of the four victories. British and Prussian armies. One of the more difficult aspects of Welling- Ray Clark’s French downed Tim Miller’s PAA ton is that erstwhile teammates must gauge their forces in one semi while defending champ Richard support for one another when only one can ad- Beyma’s PAA were able to deny Joe Angiolillo’s vance. With only two tables of four semi-finalists, French in the other. the victorious teams did not face this conundrum. Richard’s PAA triumphed in one of the closest There was a more genuine esprit de corps among Finals of recent vintage. The French gained an early the allies as the semi-finals began with each play- advantage by sweeping the Prussians from the er now expecting his ally to fully support his ad- heights at Quatre Bras with two 2-1 assaults while vance for the first time. This worked for the Allied conducting holding attacks along the entire front teams of Tremblay/Tracey C. and Reese/Boomer. limiting Richard’s counterattack options. Ray’s ag- In the Final, defending champion Reese gressive advance forced Richard’s PAA back to the turned the first choice into Britain. Jesse Boomer center. By the end of the first day the loss ratio fa- then chose to remain his ally. Rejean Tremblay vored Ray. Dawn saw the tide turn as Ray gambled chose Armee du Nord leaving Armee du Sud to on two large assaults against doubled PAA posi- his former teammate, Tracey Casselberry. Brit- tions resulting in exchanges while Richard skill- ain began the march to Madrid, but after taking fully maneuvered his PAA forces concentrating Ciudad Rodrigo, the dice abandoned them. Wel- his attacks on vulnerable French divisions whose lington went south to remove the threat posed by retreats were blocked by restricting rivers and for- Soult, but in a devastating battle, was routed. A ests. Nevertheless, Ray’s French were threatening ‘6’ Peace Roll brought a swift French victory and to turn the PAA left flank, but his at- since his Armee du Nord outscored tacks netted only exchanges while Tracey’s Armee du Sud 12.5 – 11, Re- Richard’s eliminated defenders. With jean’s first WBC title. Peter took the the Prussian IV Corps approaching bronze with Britain’s 5 points over his rear, Ray conceded. Jesse’s 2-point Spanish effort. Century Events 55

2011 Results 2011 Results James Pei, VA Paul Milne, MN Michael Ussery, MD Steve Erickson, CA Grant LaDue, NY Don Stanley, sk O George Young, VT Timothy Francis, MD O Paul Gaberson, PA Jon Hogen, CA O Keith Wixson, NJ Jerry Smolens, PA

Keith Wixson, NJ Mike Crowe, VA 26  2002-2011 32  92-00; 02-11

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists James Pei, VA 336 Jason Moore, NY 156 Keith Wixson, NJ 250 Paul Milne, MN 144 Paul Gaberson, PA 186 Bruce Harper, bc 121 Ron Fedin, PA 141 Jon Hogen, CA 118 Peter Reese, VA 111 Greg Wilson, NJ 96 George Young, VT 107 Bill Moodey, PA 96 John Buse, IL 99 Herbert Gratz, aa 78 Tom Drueding, MA 98 Tim Francis, MD 72 James Pei, VA Rob Winslow, NY 70 Paul Milne, MN Eric Thobaben, MI 72 Bruce Wigdor, NJ 48 Randy Scheers, TX 66

Wilderness War (WNW) World At War (WAW) ames “The Master” Pei became the first four-time f one takes the term “unique” literally, it is safe Jwinner in the event’s history. Pei was undefeated, Ito say that this is indeed a unique event. Unlike beating Chris Jones, Bob Jamelli, and Michael Uss- conventional tournaments, World At War takes the ery in the preliminaries, George Young in the semi- form of an ongoing playtest of an incredibly de- finals and Ussery again in the Final. Ussery defeated tailed game taking a week to play that has been Ernie Chambers and Doug Smith in the preliminar- underway for over 20 years. The participants meet ies and advanced to the semi-finals on tiebreakers at the end of the week to vote who “won” and despite losing to Pei in Round 3. He defeated Grant decide on the rule changes for next year! If that is LaDue in the semi-finals to advance to his rematch not unique enough for you, the participants come with the Master. Young and LaDue were each un- equipped with fully magnetized versions of the beaten in the preliminaries. In Round 3 LaDue game which came in extremely handy during the knocked out Paul Gaberson, the defending champ, need to change locations due to the unavailability while Young outlasted GM Keith Wixson, 2010’s of Lampeter Hall during the auction. other finalist. The finalists got to choose between a They must be doing something right because warhawk and a spiked ballhead warclub replica. they attracted their largest field ever—allow- The losing semi-finalists each received a book. ing for eight full campaign games. Two games The rule changes implemented to address the involved failed invasions of England that were game’s inherent French advantage may have finally followed by invasions of Russia. One featured an hit home. British players are now allowed to retrieve Axis conquest of Spain and Turkey, followed by a reinforcement card from the discard pile at the a 1942 invasion of Russia. And in another, the Al- start of each turn (if conditions permit), the French lies managed to invade France in 1942, and stay Marine Detachment units have been reduced to only ashore. Two were one-point Axis victories (which one loss step, the starting French VPs have been re- means one theater tied, while the Axis won by duced to 3 and side selection has been made ran- one turn in the other theater); one was a draw; dom in order to eliminate specialization. This year two were Allied victories; and three were Axis the games split evenly with each side winning 16 (as victories ranging from four to eight points. compared to French advantages of 69%, One of our players, Elihu Feustal, used a 65%, 67%, 61%, 52%, 56%, 71% and 62% video camera to interview each in the last eight years. Similar results player at three intermittent points, from the current online tournament providing a visual and oral history have reinforced this trend, but time will of each match that were posted on tell if this isn’t just a statistical anomaly. You Tube. 56 Century Events

The Seven Heroes of 2011 2011 is destined to be remembered ever more as Upcoming BPA Competition the end of “the streak”. Consul Reiff, he of the BPA members can revel in several 44 titles, had never failed to win at least one for opportunities to relive past glories or improve 20 years. In two decades he has amassed more on their best performances in the year ahead. bragging rights than any one mortal should ever enjoy, so his recent struggles were met with WBC Pre-Cons considerable mirth. Herewith, we salute those Saturday, July 28th, 2012 who brought this reign of terror to an end. So many games, so little time! Pre-Cons are the It all started quietly on Monday afternoon with answer to schedule conflicts for “meaty” games Bruce defending his 2010 Union Pacific title from requiring your full attention. This year offering his customary vantage point in the Final. But • Age of Renaissance • Axis & Allies Curt Collins, the 2009 champ, had other ideas and • 18XX • Hannibal and Grognardcon including made him settle for silver with a 131-118 victory. • Afrika Korps • Anzio • Bulge ‘81 • Gettysburg Tuesday brought another opportunity as he • Panzerblitz • Russian Campaign • Squad Leader sought his fifth Auction title. But our auctioneer • Waterloo • Wooden Ships & Iron Men. was slow to respond and barely qualified as the Sunday, July 29th, 2012 last non-winning alternate. He ended his day in the semis at the hands of Rob Buccheri who went • A Few Acres of Snow • Manifest Destiny on to finish second overall. • Paths of Glory • Through the Ages • Victory in the Pacific • War of the Ring Wednesday and Thursday were spent in pursuit of his tenth Football Strategy plaque. Ray Stakenas July 30th – August 5th, 2012 II denied him 14-11 in the fifth round of the first heat. Bruce hastily rearranged his schedule to play WBC 2012 in the poorly attended second heat for a backdoor Lancaster Host Resort, Lancaster, PA route to the Final. But out of nowhere, rookie Larry Hiemenz upset the nine-time champ in the November 1st–4th, 2012 first round! Reiff watchers were now excitedly EuroQuest X questioning whether this could be the year. Hilton Pikesville, Pikesville, MD Friday brought Battleline, an event he has owned A dozen Euro tournaments, open gaming four years running. There would not be a fifth. galore, and the debut of the latest Euros Barrington Beavis stopped the defending champ from Essen. in the Quarter-finals on his way to a second place finish. Bruce would settle for 6th—but no fez—in January 24th–27th, 2013 the Trial event and the pressure mounted. Winter Activation Meeting (WAM) XI Saturday’s title hopes came down to six rounds Holiday Inn, Timonium, MD of Battle Cry but Bruce was ousted short of laurels Four tournaments for Card Driven Wargames. in the Quarter-finals by Phil Shea who lost in the next round to finish third. Daughter Nicole Play By Email Tournaments rubbed salt in her father’s wounds by winning Frequent partial play keeps skills sharp Slapshot late that night. and provides daily vicarious thrills at your Sunday dawned on the Streak’s last hope: the convenience. Ongoing events include: Ingenius semi-finals—or as fellow Cabbie Pete • Battles of the American Revolution Stein put it: “Bruce’s pathetic last stand”. Paired • Washington’s War • Russian Campaign with Jason Levine, Rebecca Hebner and Meghan • Breakout Normandy • Manifest Destiny Friedmann, the Consul could manage no better • Afrika Korps • Bitter Woods • Here I Stand than third. Winner Meghan was destined to • Age of Renaissance • Stone Age finish second in the next round but had already • Gettysburg • War At Sea • Squad Leader won the most important game of the week. The • Victory in the Pacific • Advanced Civilization streak was over! • Amun-Re • Paths of Glory • March Madness I invite all seven to toast an end to the streak at • Wilderness War • Great Campaigns the Good Spirits Bar before the Sandman Parade • Pro Golf • Speed Circuit • For The People on Thursday. The drinks are on me.