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is an association of boardgame enthusiasts incorporated as a non-profit company BPA in the state of South Carolina for the express purpose of hosting the annual gaming conference known as the World Boardgaming Championships, or WBC for short. It offers tournaments, vendors, an auction, demonstrations, seminars, open gaming, and Juniors programs. In addition, for those who can’t get enough, we offer focused Mini-Cons and Play-by-Email-Tournaments. We love boardgaming competition—from wargames and Eurogames to racing, sports, and rail games, and we make no apologies for it. It’s what we do. And we’ve done it better than anybody else for more than ten years. This yearbook documents BPA events of the previous year. It does not contain scheduling infor- mation for the upcoming convention. Schedules and event previews will appear in a separate program and online at boardgamers.org. In fact, on our website, you’ll find more pre- and post-event information than any place on the net—over 1,000 pages of it. It’s not very lucrative or cost effective, but we think it demonstrates our commitment to this hobby. To help support BPA activities, take a moment to subscribe to our FREE e-mail newsletter via the web site and continue to spread the good news about our association and its activities.

Credits Contents Convention Director: Don Greenwood Team Logos...... Inside Front Cover Assistant Con. Director: Kaarin Engelmann Director’s Message...... 2 Webmaster: Kaarin Engelmann Century Events...... 3 Board Chairman: Ken Gutermuth Upcoming BPA Competition...... 56 Secretary: Bruce Monnin Trial Events...... 57 Treasurer: Bruno Passacantando WBC Logistics...... 62 Incorporator and Legal Counsel: Scott Pfeiffer Team Champions...... 63 BPA Logo: Mark Simonitch PBeM Champions...... 64 Cover Art: Kurt Miller EuroQuest ...... 66 Photography: Debbie Gutermuth Winter Activation Meeting...... 68 PBeM Coordinator: Hank Burkhalter Enlightenment...... 69 Online Discussion Board: John Kranz Caesar Award...... 70 Scans: Jeff Billings Consul Award...... 71 Printing: Lost Battalion Games GM of the Year...... 72 Insurance: Phil Barcafer Sportsmanship Award...... 73 Exclusive Show Vendor: Decision Games Hobby Service Award...... 74 Security: Ken Whitesell, Dan Mathias, Boardmasters...... 75 Paul Weintraub, Larry Lingle Patrons...... 78 Juniors Room Monitors: Board of Directors...... 80 Laurie Wojtaszczyk, Lynda Shea WBC 2010 Upcoming Events...... Inside Back Cover AREA Ratings: Glenn Petroski, Bruno Wolff 2010 Pre-Cons...... Back Cover Team Event Handicapper: Stuart Tucker Auction: Columbus Area Boardgaming Society Religious Services: Keith Hunsinger Proof Reading: Bruce Monnin Signs and Tech Support: Roy Gibson Web Personal Scheduler: Steve Okonski Team Logos: David Dockter Sampler Showcase: Tom McCorry Library: Keith Levy Registration Staff: Charlie Kibler, Judy Kibler, and Tara Greenwood 1541 Redfield Rd., Bel Air, MD 21015-5739 Sponsors: Nicholas Benedict, www.boardgamers.org • [email protected] David desJardins, James Doughan, August 3-9, 2009 • August 2-8, 2010 Ken Gutermuth, Jerald R. Tracy. Lancaster Host Resort, Lancaster, PA 2 Greeting

t is hard to believe that we are on the eve of whom a larger stay is not possible. For those so the 20th anniversary of the “return to basics” inclined, you can now engage in nine continuous Igrand experiment that started with the 1991 days of boardgaming competition. Or, if you can’t birth of Avaloncon in Camp Hill, PA. Nay say- make it for all of WBC, we’ve doubled the oppor- ers were quick to downplay the possibilities of tunities for weekend warriors to get a taste of the a convention that embraced competition as its action without using a vacation day. focal point. Surely there had to be more of an at- Tournament participation grew again in 2009 traction than just playing games? But even the despite the Showroom’s expanded Open Gaming. demise of Avalon Hill Our 151 adult tourna- did not stop the pilgrim- ments included a record age of “elite” players 17 events with triple digit who returned each year entries, led by Dominion from far and wide to with 232 and Ticket to enjoy the unique cama- Ride’s 220. Slapshot also raderie of others of their broke the 200 barrier at ilk. Quite the contrary, it 204. Average event size gave birth to WBC and grew to 49.4 participants an audience which has overall, a 5% increase nearly tripled since the of 2.3 per event. Laurels days that signalled the end of the boardgame were awarded to players from 44 different states/ world as we knew it despite the current severe provinces and nine nations. The champions in- economic climate. cluded 20 incumbents who retained their respec- 2010 marks the end of our original six-year tive titles another year, seven members of the contract with Lancaster Host. The hotel has fair sex, and 14 who claimed multiple titles led proven to be such a good fit for us that we’ve by Kevin Wojtaszczyk, who tripled with wins in celebrated a five-year extension with an $11,000 Santa Fe Rails, Alhambra and War of the Ring. Joining investment in the purchase of additional tables him with two wins were James Pei, Eric Freeman, and storage facilities to improve the site for our Curt Collins, Chris Withers, John Elliott, Jim use. This will be most notable in the Showroom Castonguay, John Emery, Steve Pleva, Alex Bove, where the large round banquet tables have been Tom Brown, Chris Ellis, Rich Meyer and Raphael replaced by new 6’ rectangulars more conducive Lehrer. For the second straight year, the reigning to play. The Showroom’s tiered levels were a huge “Streaker” went down as Steve Packwood suc- success last year in its debut as an Open Gaming cumbed to Rod Coffee to end his 1776 domination mecca that played to a full house throughout. We at six. Other streaks which came to an end after will be building on this success by opening it a four straight titles included those of Devin Flawd day earlier on Wednesday and adding food ser- (Paydirt) and George Seary (Hammer of the Scots)— vice, an expanded game library, photo gallery and leaving Bruce Beard as the leading target for 2010 video updates. 2010 contributors to the library at with five straight 18XX titles. Sadly, I must report this writing include: Worthington Games, Lock that another streak lives on as Bruce Reiff again ‘n Load, Valley Games, Clash of Arms, Out of the added to his plaque collection—but just barely— Box Publishing and Z-Man Games. BPA thanks bagging only Battleline this year. these publishers for their support and encourages Newcomers made their mark also. 32 “vir- all our members to avail themselves of the oppor- gins” won their first-ever WBC championship. All tunity to try their products. told, 105 players earned laurels for the first time. Attendance continues to migrate forward in And the younger set got into the act too. Danny the week. Pre-Con activities have expanded again Lewis topped himself, his dad, and 184 adults by with Axis & Allies, 18XX and Age of Renaissance again winning a Century event despite still being joining the returning Pre-Cons as our early bird eligible for the Juniors room by adding Can’t Stop mini-con offerings attempt to avoid schedule con- to his side of the family mantle. I can’t wait to see flicts later in the week. Pre-Cons give those who what 2010 brings. just can’t get enough gaming more bang for their Don Greenwood, Convention Director travel buck without infringing on the majority for Kaarin Engelmann, Asst. Convention Director Century Events 3

2009 Results 2009 Results Bruce Beard, MD Chris Withers, CA J. Vipperman, TN Stefan Mecay, TX Jim McDanold, TN Jim Doughan, PA Mark Neale, RI Steve Brooks, FL O Rick Dutton, MD O John Wetherell, PA O Andrew Roosen, MD O Philip Yaure, PA

Pierre LeBoeuf, MD Michael Gentile, PA 32  1991-2009 24  2008-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Bruce Beard, MD 270 Chris Byrd, CT 70 Jim McDanold, TN 120 Chris Withers, CA 54 Jon Kwiatkowski, NC 104 Stefan Mecay, TX 50 Paul Hakken, NJ 103 Terry Coleman, CA 30 Barrington Beavis, uk 90 Steve Brooks, FL 24 Mark Neale, RI 72 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 20 Pierre LeBoeuf, MD 54 Justin Nordstrom, PA 20 Richard Fox, IL 50 J. Francois Gagne, qc 16 Bruce Beard, MD David Fritsch, VA 40 Chris Withers, CA Jim Doughan, PA 12 Chuck Krueger, MA 26 Keith Schoose, CA 12

18XX (8XX) 1960 (960) rail enthusiasts tried gamely to unseat cham- he populace appeared to sour quickly on presi- 31pion Bruce Beard, seeking his fifth straight Tdential politics as attendance dropped 56% with 8XX title. Ten were new to the event and three the election behind us. Only 24 vetted candidates reached the semi-finals, though even more were appeared for this year’s presidential campaign. eligible. Their efforts went for naught however as News spread quickly that incumbent Chris Byrd Bruce prevailed with comfortable wins in five of would not be running for re-election. Early returns six games including a winning margin of $2500 in indicated a tight election. Nixon and Kennedy split the Final to claim the longest current WBC win- the first 12 games with average electoral scores of ning streak. 263-255 for Nixon. One candidate had to drop in the There were again four preliminary rounds, second round with no news of his whereabouts. Re- with 1826 and 1846 added to the four more widely ports he was hiking the Appalachian Trail proved available games. 1830 remained the most popular false. Returns continued close, with Nixon winning choice, by 7-6 over 1861. There were only three three of five by an average 277-250 score. 1856, two 1870 and one game each of 1826 and 1846. Six advanced with three winners and the high- The players were offered the alternate 6 train in the est scoring loser surviving to do battle once more. 1830 prelims with newer players to make bank- Stefan Mecay and Chris Withers enjoyed lopsided ruptcies less common, but none included it, and victories, while Jim Doughan edged Steve Brooks, there were only three bankruptcies. allowing both to continue. Kennedy won on all The Final matched (in turn order) Mark Neale, three boards with a 120+ electoral vote margin. Jim McDanold, defending champion Bruce Beard, There was little drama in the primaries (semis) and Jeremy Vipperman. Bruce had gone 3-1 in the with Withers’ Nixon winning big over Brooks and preliminary rounds, with Mark, Jim, and Jeremy Mecay’s Kennedy defeating Doughan. posting records of 1-2, 1-3, and 2-2. Jeremy was The Final was a showdown between the appearing in his first Final, but Mark (3), Jim (5), WAM winner, Mecay, and 2008’s WBC runner- and Bruce (7) were all on familiar turf. Mark took up, Withers. Chris’s Nixon dominated the early the C&SL for $50 and the D&H for $75. Jim got the going and won all the debates but Stefan re- M&H for $150, Bruce the C&A for $200, and Jer- fused to throw in the towel. A late October push emy the Schuylkill and the Bal- and some election day recounts closed the gap, timore & Ohio privates at cost but Chris nonetheless persevered ($20 and $220). for a 277-231 win. The final tally 18XX moves to Pre-Con sta- was 12 wins for Nixon and 11 for tus in 2010. Kennedy. 4 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Dan Eshleman, NC Philip Yaure, PA M. Beuregard, qc Marc Houde, VA Cliff Ackman, PA Pam Gutermuth, FL O James Pei, VA O Jessica Hardesty, MD O Davyd Field, SC O Jonathan Izer, MD O Pete Gathman, NJ O D. Rynkowski, NY

Cliff Ackman, PA Tom DeMarco, NJ 65  1991-2009 47  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Justin Childs, FL 88 Ray Pfeifer, MD 104 Steve Shambeda, PA 51 John Pack, CO 85 David Gantt, SC 44 Tom DeMarco, NJ 81 Matt Calkins, VA 42 Thomas Browne, PA 72 Phil Bradley, IL 38 Marc Houde, VA 60 Jason Ley, WA 36 Mark Geary, OH 57 Gary Moss, MD 36 Nick Henning, CT 36 Dan Eshleman, NC 30 A.ex Bove, PA 33 Dan Eshleman, NC Matt Amitrano, VA 30 Philip Yaure, PA Abby Cocke, MD 33 Ed Kendrick, uk 30 Philip Yaure, PA 30

Acquire (ACQ) Adel Verpflichtet (ADV) new GM brought the return of heats rather y cutting Preliminary games from four to three, Athan continuous play Sunday morning and Band semis from two games to one, two hours WBC responded by more than doubling atten- were saved in the first major format change of the dance. 24 games were played over three heats event. Eight tables soldiered on for the third set and with the GM partaking only if needed to of qualifying games. Pam Gutermuth won three complete a multiple of four, all preliminary times, garnering a perfect score of 15. In the semi, games were 4-player contests. Schedule conflicts Pam won yet again, as did Marc Houde, Jessica took a heavy toll among the qualifiers with only Hardesty and Phillip Yaure. Jonathan Izer was the 13 qualified winners and alternates opting to best runner-up at spaces past the finish, and so be- continue. Three semi-final games were played came the fifth finalist. with the highest percentage runner-up taking Marc started the Final with a big lead on the the last seat. opening stretch, but was passed by Jon at the first The Final was contested by four new laurelists corner. Jessica then gained the lead at the first with only 5th place Davyd Field able to add to his purple (2/1) space. Unbeaten Pam took the lead on former totals. It featured classic opening moves with the back stretch. Marc, the only former laurelist, participants either starting a hotel or playing along the overtook Pam and led to the last purple space. On board edge. What players didn’t account for were the the next turn Phillip passed him to land on the last number of edge tiles other players had. Three hotels space­—just short of the finish. All five went to the were created in corner 12I, two in corner 1I and Festival Castle on the next turn. Marc was the only one to in corner 12A. Dan Eshleman created the first hotel but Exhibit, moving five spaces forward and four spac- Marc Beauregard caused the first merger generating a es past the finish, but he lost a piece of art to Jon, junior bonus for him and senior bonus for Cliff Ack- who played the only thief. Phillip, Pam and Jessica man. Dan came back strong with first place in World all played a Detective and advanced. For the final Wide, a recreation and then merging it again one turn showdown, Phillip had the largest set at nine cards later to win with $50,300. and advanced eight spaces to finish at +9 spaces for Of the 24 games played, the average winning total the win. Pam had the next largest set, but her four- was $50,600. Runner-ups collectively scored 81% of space gain only moved her two past the winning total, third place 66% and the finish into third place as she lost fourth place 53%. Players who created for the first time. Jessica finished at +1 the first chain won only 25% of the time space for fourth while Jon took fifth at while those placing the opening tile –3 spaces. Phillip thus took the shield created the first hotel at a 50% clip. in his firstADV tournament. Century Events 5

2009 Results 2009 Results Kevin Youells, PA Vince Meconi, DE Ken Rothstein, NY John Popiden, CA Christina Harley, WA Jon Lockwood, VA Kevin Hillock, VA O Jim Tracy, OH Shantanu Saha, NY O Bruno Sinigaglio, AK O Jennifer Drozd, IL O Pat Mirk, FL

Shantanu Saha, NY Jon Lockwood, VA 32  1991-2009 20  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Doug Galullo, FL 266 Vince Meconi, DE 161 Kevin Youells, FL 224 Bruno Sinigaglio, AK 141 Joe Gundersen, IN 186 Jon Lockwood, VA 140 Eric Gundersen, NJ 125 John Popiden, CA 105 Shantanu Saha, NY 113 Randy Heller, MD 78 Christina Harley, WA 70 Ed Menzel, CA 76 Harald Henning, CT 50 Bert Schoose, IL 75 Ted Mullally, NJ 50 Lane Newbury, TX 48 Kevin Youells, PA John Morris, MD 40 Vince Meconi, DE Greg Smith, PA 44 Ken Rothstein, NY 30 Barry Smith, NY 30

Advanced Civilization (ADV) Afrika Korps (AFK) he “fast game” variant debuted with shortened he Final was a rematch of a 34-turn Ttrading times, limited turns, and a one-use “cred- Tmarathon from several years previous it card” for points to buy advances. The amount of (maximum length is 38 turns). John Pop- the credit grew the longer its use was delayed. iden’s Germans had average supply losses from Three of our finalists were prior champs, with April through June (two), and engaged in an initial defending champion Christina Harley (Assyria), siege of Tobruch rather than an all out assault. His 2007’s Kevin Youells (Crete), and 1994’s Ken Roth- first attack of 6-1 surr. on May I eliminated a 2-2-6 stein (Babylon) trying to recapture past glory. Prior at no cost. His next attacks on May II eliminated finalists returning for another chance included Jus- another 2-2-6 with a 5-1, and one of two 1-1-6s with tin Nordstrom (Africa), Kevin Hillock (Egypt), and an exchange on a 1-2 attack. After a brief pause, Shantanu Saha (Thrace). Jennifer Drozd (Iberia) John resumed the attack on June II, but sustained and Jacques Romain (Illyria) made their first Final heavy casualties, getting exchanges on a pair of 3-1 appearance. Board positions were determined ran- surr. attacks against a 4-4-7 and a 1-1-6, plus a “D domly with trading permitted as Kevin attempted Elim” on a 1-1 surr. vs the remaining 1-1-6. The to unload Crete to no avail. Germans were now down to 24 factors and seven Crete opened to the east to counteract Assyria’s units (including one at their home base in Tripoli). growth, leaving the Balkans open, which Illyria John then resorted to his own version of the exploited. War was threatened but never came, as Holy Hand Grenade in July I, launching a 1-1 attack Illyria was cut down by a Civil War, with Crete as against a 4-4-7 and 3-3-7 in Tobruch that resulted the beneficiary. Africa went with an early Mining in an exchange, with devastating casualties. Even strategy that worked too well. After an impressive though Ariete was able to advance into Tobruch purchase round, Africa was targeted with multiple following the subsequent 3-1 attack on the remain- calamities, continuing long after others had passed ing 1-1-6 (which also drew an exchange), the Afrika him. In the end it came down to the three prior Korps was down to four units totaling 10 factors. champs as Kevin and Ken were both convinced the Even worse, the British were now in position to seal other would win, while being wary of Christina. Ariete inside Tobruch and produce a siege of their Kevin launched a naval attack on Ken, sacking one own until the November reinforcements arrived. of his cities and grabbing a trade card John conceded what would be his last for the final round. The trading was AFK game, making Vince Meconi our furious with few calamities seen. Kevin first three-time champion. Sadly, we came away with a 300 point victory de- lost John to heart failure this past De- spite his inability to trade away Crete. cember. He will be missed. 6 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Ryan Sturm, NY Ted Simmons, NJ David Duncan, PA Eric Wrobel, VA Brad McCandless, LA Kevin Sudy, VA O Winton LeMoine, CA O Ken Gutermuth, NC O Eric Engelmann, MD O Eugene Hourany, CA O Erica Kirchner, KY O Jeff Mullet, OH

Ben Knight, MD Ted Mullally, NJ 20  2008-2009 23  1996-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Evan Davis, IN 30 Jeff Mullet, OH 356 Ryan Sturm, NY 20 Bill Crenshaw, VA 331 Jacob Hebner, CO 18 Ken Gutermuth, NC 276 David Duncan, PA 12 Ewan McNay, CT 256 Alex Gregorio, PA 12 Harald Henning, CT 187 Bill Morgal, MD 9 Chris Byrd, CT 186 Brad McCandless, LA 8 Steve Simmons, NJ 185 Winton Lemoine, CA 6 Kevin Sudy, VA 138 Ryan Sturm, NY Kaarin Englemann, MD 6 Ted Simmons, NJ Mark Smith, KY 120 Eric Engelmann, MD 4 Carl Damcke, IL 120

Age of Empires III (AE3) Age of Renaissance (AOR) ithout multiple heats, attendance fell any people appeared for the demo de- W40% to drop from the Century. All Mspite the game’s age and then put what Round 1 games were 4-player contests with they learned to the test in a heat. As befitting two resulting in just three-point spreads between a year in which it fell from the Century after a 13-year first and third. In contrast, David Duncan won by run, there was a lot of chaos. Three players chaosed out the largest spread and had the highest score (125). and they all seemed to share a table with new cham- Tom Cannon lived up to his surname by blasting pion Ted Simmons! Conversely, in the qualifying the perceived leader through Warfare—on Turn 4 heats there were three Buy Outs at 2100 in Advances alone killing six colonists and one soldier. and two more in the Final for a total of five out of 32 Duncan was joined in the Final by Winton Lem- player starts. Those were not the only interesting de- oine, Eric Engelmann, Brad McCandless and Ryan velopments. One game saw practically everyone take Sturm. All favored Initiative to grab a better place in a different path on Turn 5, with players choosing Ca- the Turn Order. Winton used Discovery and Trade thedral, Ocean Navigation, Industry, and low misery Goods, launching an expedition every turn of Age as separate points of emphasis. Industry proved the II, leading in discoveries and purchasing Mercantil- best path in that instance. Other unusual events were ism on Turn 7. Ryan pursued colonization and Trade someone owning Middle Class before purchasing Goods, leading in VPs at the end of Age II, and domi- Overland East, London not leaving the Island until nating four of the nine regions. Brad opted for Warfare, Turn 5, and an unusual Barcelona Caravan strategy. buying Training Grounds and Stable. Eric invested in The Final was contested by 2007 champ Kevin Sudy sugar, rum, and privateers, buying Wealth on Turn 7. (Barcelona) and 2002 champ Ken Gutermuth (Paris) He was in position to buy a second capital building who both bid 3 to tie for first choice with Kevin winning that turn but chose not to, saving four VP but leaving a the dice roll. Eugene Hourany got third pick with a bid 1/5 chance that the building he wanted next—Navy— of 1 which became Venice, while Ted Simmons (Genoa) would not appear. And it didn’t, so he lost potentially and Eric Wrobel (London) picked up the leavings in many more VPs. David emphasized colonization and the low rent district. Chaos would raise its ugly head Specialists, buying Glory on Turn 7. On Turn 8 he and again—making a rare Final appearance as newcomer Winton grabbed three of the four Warfare slots to pre- Eugene fell victim to an early demise. Ted, a veteran of vent most of Brad’s attacks. Eric, already snubbed by many Enlightenment campaigns, would fate, suffered again when his Turn 8 persevere to win his first title. expedition encountered one too many The event will turn to Pre-Con sta- Natives. Ryan cemented his victory on tus in 2010 in an attempt to reverse its Turn 8 by securing Population. declining attendance. Century Events 7

2009 Results 2009 Results Martin Sasseville, qc Tedd Mullally, NJ Pierre Paquet, qc Richard J. Shay, MA Marc Imbeault, qc Mike Kaltman, PA O John Karr, PA O Bill Crenshaw, VA O Mario Veillette, qc O Winton Lemoine, CA O Bruce Hodgins, on O Steve Koleszar, VA

Peter Staab, PA Malinda Kyrkos, NY 36  2004-2009 98  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Pierre Paquet, qc 114 Tedd Mullally, NJ 50 Martin Sasseville, qc 108 Rob Kirchner, RI 48 Mario Veillette, qc 42 Richard J. Shay, MA 30 Richard Irving, CA 39 Sceadeau D’Tela, NC 30 Michael Holmquist, WI 24 Bill Crenshaw, VA 27 Marc-Andre Imbeault, qc 18 Mike Kaltman, PA 23 Nathalie Malenfont, qc 18 David Platnick, VA 18 Peter Staab, PA 18 Rod Bacigalupo, MD 12 Martin Sasseville, qc Craig Moffitt, NJ 12 Tedd Mullally, NJ Winton Lemoine, CA 10 Keith Altizer, FL 12 Alex Bove, PA 9

Age of Steam (AOS) Agricola (AGR) y pappy told me never to start a snowball here were three double winners in the Pre- Mfight with Eskimos, and by the same logic I’m Tliminaries; David Platnick, Richard J. Shay and beginning to suspect I shouldn’t challenge a French Winton Lemoine. The semi-finals consisted of four Canadian to a game of Age of Steam! I’m going to 4-player games. Shay defeated Jesse Dean, Daniel have to brush up on my high school French if I want Eppolito, and Ryan Sturm. Bill Crenshaw topped to follow my finalists’ conversation. For the fifth Richard Meyer, Richard M. Shay, and John Fanjoy, time, three of the four finalists were from Quebec. while Tedd Mullally beat Rob Leveille, Platnick, and The first heat had 32 participants in eight games Herbert Gratz. The last table was won by Mike Kalt- using four different maps. Five were played on the man with 46, defeating Lemoine and Steve Koleszar Rust Belt map. The closest game saw Mario Veil- tied for second at 43 and Doug Mercer with 33. This lette tying Ben Stephenson and winning on the 3-point margin of defeat was the closest of the semis, fewer loan tiebreaker. In another nail biter, Rich- earning them 5th and 6th place Laurels respec- ard Irving, the lone U.S. champion, defeated Kevin tively. Defending champion Rob Kircher and 2008 Wojtaszcyk by a point. 5th place laurelist Joshua Cooper each won a heat, 13 qualified to advance, but conflicts claimed but due to tiebreakers didn’t place high enough to one so we had three 4-player games in the semi-final advance. The Final was one of the closest games of with the top runner-up joining the victors in the Fi- the tournament, with Mullally’s 51 narrowly edging nal. The games instantly became more ruthless with Shay’s 49, Kaltman with 43 and Crenshaw with 37. the first two bankruptcies of the tournament occur- The most successful cards (those played more ing in the same game. In that bloodbath, Pierre Pa- than once overall and won at least half of the time quet defeated Bruce Hodges by the largest margin when they were played) were: Sawhorse (played of the week (38 points) to reach the Final for the fifth 12 times/won 6 times), Swing Plow (11/6), Gra- straight year. The second game had Marc-Andre nary (5/4), Stone Cart (5/3), Clay Worker (15/10), Imbeault defeat Mario Veillette by four points for Brushwood Collector (10/5), Market Woman (10/5), his first Final appearance. The third game turned Slaughterman (10/5), Resource Seller (4/3), Travel- out to be the closest of the tournament with scores of ing Salesman (4/3), Smallholder (4/2), and Veterinar- 81, 80, 79 and 77. John Karr managed the victory by ian (3/2). Some notable exclusions from this list are taking only seven loans compared the Lover (11/5), Wet Nurse (11/3), Adoptive Parents to 14 and 15 for the other players (1/1), and Reed Hut (1/0). to overcome a huge income deficit. The 2010 event may allow any Martin Sasseville finished second of the three decks to be played in to also qualify for the fifth time. the heats and use a card draft. 8 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Chris Storzillo, NJ K. Wojtaszczyk, NY Jim Fleckenstein, VA Carolyn Strock, PA Jimmy Fleckenstein, VA Robert Drozd, IL Pat Richardson, VA O D. Gutermuth, NC O Stephane Dorais, qc O Matt Amitrano, VA O Philip Shea, FL O Alfred Smith, NC

Henry Richardson, VA Debbie Gutermuth, NC 60  1996-2009 99  2004-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists John Coussis, IL 131 Nate Hoam, OH 54 Chris Storzillo, NJ 108 Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY 30 Ken Rothstein, NY 82 L. Dan Hoffman, MD 30 Robert Sohn, PA 74 Vassili Kyrkos, NY 30 Brandon Bernard, PA 64 Michael Mullins, MA 30 Michael Musko, IN 50 Bruce Reiff, OH 30 Jack Jaeger, VA 50 Holliday Jones, MD 20 Jimmy Fleckenstein, VA 46 Carolyn Strock, PA 18 Chris Storzillo, NJ Erica Kirchner, KY 40 Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY Luke Koleszar, VA 18 Jonathan Fox, FL 40 Matt Calkins, VA 18

Air Baron (ABN) Alhambra (ALH) t the end of the Final’s Rd 1, the first Bid for e again had 25 tables during the two prelimi- AContract had been sold for $4 and three play- Wnary heats with all games being 5-player con- ers were broke—purchase poor. They bought West tests, yielding five four-player semi-final games. Palm Beach, San Diego, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Kevin Wojtasczyk’s 107 gave him an eight- and Seattle, all of which had been the first steps to point spread over Ed Roberts 101, Devon Miller past victories, but Lady Luck struck early, keeping 100, and Vassili Kyrkos 99. Debbie Gutermuth San Diego in the cup and Green penniless for the won by only 4 over Alfred Smith’s 101 and ended next four rounds. The second Bid went to Blue for Dan Hoffman’s defense of his title. Carolyn Strock $5. By the time Blue broke the $50 market share scored the largest win by 32 over Meghan Fried- barrier, throwing the first calamity in the cup and mann. Matt Amitrano used the longest wall to top clearing the way for $10 loans, he had gobbled up Thomas Saal. Robert Drozd won the last Final seat the other two spokes in LA. Finally, in Rd 5, San from John Lewis despite the latter having the lon- Diego and LA were drawn, yielding $8 for Green. gest wall built in the semis. On his turn, he took the first $10 loan, immediately The Final saw Kevin take an early lead with the lost $7 of it to a Crash, and plowed the rest into longest wall (9). By the second scoring round, Caro- Minneapolis-St. Paul for $8. As the last player in lyn and Matt had taken leads in Green and Blue re- the round, Blue went into Fare Wars, drew the Bid spectively. Ties stagnated the other point positions. for the $3 Contract (which went to Orange for $10), Carolyn had increased her wall from four to 11. At and diced his way into control of Phoenix and $90 this point, Kevin held a two-point lead over Carolyn. market share before losing his takeover attempt in In the last scoring round, there were many ties for San Diego. He took San Diego in a Rd 8 Fair Wars point positions with White being split four ways. By but sold it to a Rd 9 Fuel Cost, only to buy it back this time Matt had only gained two more tiles. This on Rd 10. left Matt with the lead in Blue, a tie in White, and one Meanwhile, during all this western chaos, Or- in all the other colors. This gave Matt a very colorful ange had slowly solidified its NY hub and when and diverse palace—albeit one in last place. Debbie Blue led off Rd 13 with a Recession, Chris Storzillo tied in many of her buildings which decided his time had come, went into Fare Wars prevented her from threatening the and romped through Yellow’s hubs, leaders. A one-point difference between taking over Detroit, Washington, second and third separated Carolyn and and Miami. He raised his market Robert. Kevin pulled out the victory by share plus cash to $335, claiming his adding to his wall and being included in second Air Baron title in the process. many of the leading position ties. Century Events 9

2009 Results 2009 Results Eric Freeman, PA Tom Oleson, WA Alex Bove, PA Paul Fletcher, CT Raphael Lehrer, CA Robert Ryan, MI O Curt Collins II, PA O Mike Scott, MD O Greg Thatcher, CA O Bill Scott, VA O K. Wojtaszczyk, NY O Bill Riggs, VA

Jeremy Billones, VA Bob Ryan, MI 57  2003-2009 19  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Greg Thatcher, FL 100 Robert Ryan, MI 204 Arthur Field, SC 91 Paul Fletcher, CT 149 Eric Freeman, PA 64 Tom Oleson, WA 142 Nick Anner, NY 51 Mike Sincavage, VA 114 Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY 43 Stephen Likevich, OH 74 Evan Tannheimer, MA 42 Bruno Sinigaglio, AK 32 Alex Bove, PA 40 Carl Walling, PA 30 Rich Meyer, MA 30 Chris Harris, VA 25 Eric Freeman, PA Sam Atabaki, CA 30 Tom Oleson, WA Paul O’Neil, MD 21 Curt Collins II, PA 27 Mark Bayliss, uk 17

Amun Re (AMR) Anzio (ANZ) eat 1 fell victim to a scheduling snafu and he Grognard scoring system advanced Hdrew only 27 players compared to 48 players Tfour to elimination play. Winning the for Heat 2. Play slowed considerably in the semis as 15-turn scenario, Sicilia scenario and the the stakes rose, removing the wheat from the chaff, 21-turn scenario earned 15, 5, and 21 points re- as all six laurelists added to prior totals in the event. spectively plus a bonus point for each win a loser Alex Bove was randomly made the Final’s first previously had. Only the best three games count. Pharaoh for the second straight year, though he did This effectively deals with the issue of playing more not monopolize it as he had in 2008. Players were games or only being involved in matches with less miserly with their money early; only two provinces experienced players. The qualifiers after nearly a went for as much as ten gold, only once did a player week of play were: Mike Scott: 78, Tom Oleson 61, spend more than that on their actions, and the larg- Bob Ryan 48 and Paul Fletcher 40. est sacrifice was four in a permanent drought. Eric Top-seeded Mike, at his first WBC, met Paul’s Freeman was the 15-14-10-8-6 leader at the end of Germans by landing at Terracina and managed to the Old Kingdom with Alex in second. The purses weather numerous counterattacks but his Nov 1 opened in the New Kingdom: Avaris with three second invasion near Rome fared poorly and Paul Pyramids went to Eric Freeman for 21 in Rd 4, Da- earned a shot at his third crown. khla to Alex for 21 in Rd 5, and Memphis to Alex for Ryan met Oleson in the other semi. Bob stationed 15 in Rd 6. Though sacrifices remained low, actions the 16th Panzer at Termoli so Tom landed at Naples got more expensive, with Eric spending 19 with the and executed his Second Invasion on Nov II at Ter- last action rd. Final scoring was 36-36-32-28-27. Both racina—drawing a German concession on Dec III. Eric and Alex held eight pyramids with no stones. The Final was a rematch of frequent foes. Tom Each had seven farmers, but Eric had the temple in invaded at Terracina and again at Anzio at the earli- Amarna, an 8-7 edge, and with it, the 2009 title. est opportunity, giving the Germans early use of re- Having the most Pyramids (12-6, 52-45) re- action forces. As both sides shifted their forces into mains a more reliable strategy than Cash (3-17, 30- the Rome area, the battle raged for the high ground 69) or the halftime lead (9-13, 43-58) over the past east of the beach for seven turns, with the Frascati five years. 4-player games were played hill changing hands often. The British 7th Arm’d with three provinces removed (Aby- division died there, surrounded. It was a game of dos, Amarna, and Kharga). Due to the closely massed divisions, many 1-1 attacks, heavy removal of the 4-power-card province, losses and free use of the reroll. the requirement for the Power Card But this time Tom’s crossing of bonus card was reduced from 7 to 6. the Tiber was not to be denied. 10 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results John Elliott, MD Bill Edwards, VA Gary Libby, RI Rob Schoenen, PA Ben Collinson, MD O J. Fleckenstein, VA Bruce Young, SC O Tim Mossman, MD O Carmen Petruzelli, PA O John Emery, SC O Jeff Heidman, NY O George Young, VT

Keith Hunsinger, OH Steve Caler, PA 120  1998-2009 28  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists John Coussis, IL 102 Bill Edwards, VA 76 Roy Gibson, MD 100 Daniel Hoffman, NC 52 Scott Buckwalter, MD 96 David Sidelinger, CT 40 Rob Winslow, NY 95 Kaarin Engelmann, VA 35 John Elliott, MD 84 John Conlon, OK 33 Henry Richardson, VA 60 Rob Schoenen, PA 32 Bob Eastman, OK 60 Steve Caler, PA 32 Bruce Young, SC 52 Buck Karpowitz, DC 30 John Elliott, MD Robert Barnes, WV 50 Bill Edwards, VA Brian Conlon, OK 28 Ben Knight, MD 49 Greg Courter, MI 24

Atlantic Storm (ACS) Attack Sub (ATS) ost of the 120 entrants played at least two of the hree players emerged from three Swiss Mfour heats. 40 players won a heat with only Ste- Trounds unbeaten; John Emery (who phane Dorais able to bag two—a feat that did not get showed no favoritism in defeating his son him to the Final. The finalists were defending champ who was 2-0 at the time), George Young, and James Bruce Young, Gary Libby, John Elliott, Ben Collin- Fleckenstein. Tiebreakers were needed to select five son, Carmen Petruzzelli, and Jeff Heidman. The later of the 13 2-1 players to join them in the elimination three were new to the laurel table, while the first trio rounds. The final eight included four of seven past was repeating laurelists. Ben immediately demon- champions in attendance: Emery, Bill Edwards, strated to the others that he knew the game well by Bruce Young, and David Sidelinger. Joining them declaring surface and escorting a full 1940 convoy to were Tim Mossman (fresh from learning to play safety with the Renown. Round 3 saw a major sur- at the demo), George Young, Rob Schoenen, and face battle over QP 11 (a minor convoy)—with every- James Fleckenstein. one involved. The battle began when John victimized Mossman continued his rags to riches run by Gary’s Edinburgh, but it was Bruce’s King George V defeating Emery in the Quarters. The other two- that won the day, and he shared spoils with Ben. time champ fared better as Bill handed George his After Round 4, everyone had points, but Ben still first loss. But the two other champs both lost. In the led. In Round 5, Carmen daringly called a 1940 sub semis, the rookie’s luck ran out as Bill bested Tim in battle for HX 72 and played the Wolverine, which Scenario H with the boomer while Rob enjoyed the Gary defeated with Prien’s U47 (the card that Wol- opposite result vs James. verine is supposed to fate). Gary followed that victo- Bill chose the boomer scenario again for ry by winning the next round—a sub battle in which the Final and Rob went NATO for their second everyone joined—pulling ahead of Ben. However, straight match of scenario and side for each. Rob John won the next two convoys, which netted him got off the first shot, but missed. Bill‘s boomer 13 VPs for convoys alone, and he was now in the lead likewise missed but narrowly. All Rob could do with an eight-card hand. The next battle was John’s was play passive sonar. Bill’s second attack did to select, and like the expert he is, he called air for the sensor damage and Rob’s next two attacks mal- full, 1941, 7-point SC 44. Carmen and Gary tried to functioned. It looked like Rob might be able to oppose him and had a slight advantage, but John turn the tables when Asheville joined to start the rolled high enough to take the convoy and the spoils, second deck, but it was not to be. thus gaining a big lead, and The boomer managed to escape the title on his fourth try at the on its third try in the second deck brass ring. for Bill’s third ATS title. Century Events 11

2009 Results 2009 Results FirstPlace,Steve Cuccaro, ST MD AndrewFirstPlace, Murphy, ST PA WoodWinner,Arthur Field, SC ST WoodWinner,Joseph Powell, STVA O MarcWoodWinner, Houde, VA ST WoodWinner,Brad Tumey, NY ST O KenWoodWinner, Gutermuth, ST NC O WoodWinner,Ty Hansen, DC ST O CarolWoodWinner, Haney, CA ST O WoodWinner,Doug Bailor, DE ST O RobertNon-Wood, Buccheri, ST MD O Non-Wood,Philip Shea, FLST

GameMaster,George Sauer, STOH GameMasterCraig Yope, MI 32##  1991-20091993-2009 25##  1991-20091999-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Bruce Reiff, OH 70 Philip Shea, VA 192 Arthur Field, SC 50 Joe Powell, VA 180 George Sauer, OH 34 Kevin Keller, MD 162 Steve Cuccaro, MD 32 Pat Mirk, FL 99 Jeff Mullett, OH 30 Phil Rennert, MD 96 Jon Lockwood, VA 22 Andrew Murphy, PA 76 Mike Stanley, OH 20 Tim Rothenhoefer, MD 68 James Tyne, OH 20 Ty Hansen, DC 64 Steve Cuccaro, MD Ray Stakenas II, MI 20 Andrew Murphy, PA Brian Fitzpatrick, VA 54 Andy Gardner, VA 20 Charles Michalek, NV 40

Auction (AUC) Axis & Allies (A&A) egulars Jon Lockwood, Kate Taillon, he 12 Round 1 games included five former RKen & Lisa Gutermuth and Bruce Reiff Tchamps, some promising newcomers, and even all punched their ticket to advance during the GM who was pressed into play to even out the Mulligan Rd. The second-chance Round 1 put an the field. One new arrival joined 19 holdovers for early end to Mike Stanley’s title defense in the guise Round 2. Defending champ Kevin Keller evened of young Henry Pfieffer. Our illustrious champ imi- his record at 1-1 after a close first round loss, while tated my wife by ending the game with less money ‘07 champ Ty Hansen dropped to 1-1 courtesy of than he started!! Carol Haney, Arthur Field, Jason the same newcomer, Brad Tumey. Meanwhile, two- Levine and Steve Cuccaro won to advance. time champ Phil Shea and Andrew Murphy looked 12 played on knowing that with only three semi unruffled cruising to easy wins and were joined in games the best runner-up would also advance. Ar- the unbeaten ranks by ‘06 champ Joe Powell and a thur won handily while Ken edged Steve by selling pair of new contenders—Doug Bailor and Konrad his last item—Queen Anne—for 100% and just mak- Bergandy. At the end of three rounds, the SE field ing the $7500 needed to win. However, Steve made was set with Andrew Murphy against Ty Hansen enough to slip in the back door with his close second. and Brad Tumey versus Joe Powell. Marc Houde, crushed his table including yours truly, Joe won with 13 VTs to Brad’s 11. A failed UK by over $4000. And so, began my pitiful week… amphib attempt on Eastern Europe was the differ- The Final would be contested by two past ence. Meanwhile, Andrew won 14 VTs to 10 and champs, a relative newcomer in Houde, and the bounced a former champ in Ty, but more impor- sneaky KGB head Cuccaro. Arthur jumped out to tantly, had set up a chance for redemption with a an early lead with Prints and Glassware, but made rematch of the 2006 title game. a fatal mistake selling Rare Miscellany trying for The grind of two straight days of grueling the win. Marc had a set of books, but was waiting matches seemed to weigh heavily upon Joe the lon- around for more Queen Anne furniture that never ger the Final wore on. From missed moves to ques- showed. Ken, not showing why he is a past cham- tionable choices, the mistakes started to add up. pion, was never a factor. However, our sneaky KGB Eventually, Andrew was able to comfortably burn Chief got himself an additional Buyers card and assets to lessen Joe’s ability keep was able to add Arthur’s Rare Miscellany to his the pressure on and take needed hand for the win. Arthur finished second VTs. The final tally of 16 Axis VTs and Mark third. And a new member was to Joe’s 8 told the tale all too well added to the exclusive club known as as the old guard surrendered the WBC Auction champions. title to a new champ. 12 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Rich Moyer, MN Steve Lollis, MD Paul Risner, FL Ben Knight, MD Ruth Evinger, PA Bill O’Neal, NY Mike Windle, DE O Terry Coleman, CA Paul Weintraub, MD O Bill Alderman, VA Phil White, MD O Jack Morrell, NY

Dave Terry, MD Jeff Cornett, FL 47  1992-2009 32  2001-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Paul Risner, FL 211 Jeff Cornett, FL 60 Richard Moyer, MN 156 Philip Shea, VA 54 William Rohrbeck, NH 106 Ben Knight, MD 51 Keith Hunsinger, OH 100 David Metzger, NY 33 Dan Dolan Sr, NJ 60 Steve Lollis, MD 33 Dave Long, NC 60 Larry Lingle, PA 30 Stephen Quirke, WI 56 Robert Eastman, NV 30 Eric Stranger, OH 52 Barry Shoults, MI 30 Rich Moyer, MN Judy Krauss, PA 42 Steve Lollis, MD Josh Githens, SC 30 Jim LeVay, MA 40 Ilan Woll, CT 30

B-17 (B17) Battle Cry (BCY) e had a record 47 pilots as our squadron cenarios were determined randomly with extra Wkeeps on growing. This year, our missions Scard draws bid to choose sides. Players avoided took us to Stuttgart, La Pallice and Emden, histor- the Confederates in Murfreesboro, New Market ical raids which occurred in September 1943. Our and Pickett’s Charge. The Union was dodged in bombardiers were the heroes led by Ken Richards Kernstown, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Devil’s who scored a 96% bomb run on Mission 3. Den. After bids, the sides tended to balance out At the start of each mission, the GM provides with players winning on both sides except for An- scenarios to brief players on the setup, target, air tietam where the Confederates won all four even cover and weather, complete with a detailed his- though the Union had up to three extra draws. torical synopsis of what really happened on these The next most lopsided scenario was New Hope missions. We fly in six-plane squadrons with three Church where the Confederates won four of five pairs for each scenario. You dice for your gunners (although the preference for sides was mixed). and your wingman rolls the German dice, each at- After five rounds of Swiss play, eight advanced. tempting to destroy the other while you struggle Ben Knight and Bill Edwards were unbeaten fol- to the target and back. B-17 is a game system that lowed by Roy Gibson, Bill Alderman and Terry condenses and enhances the risks faced in WW2. Coleman with 4-1 records. Three advanced with 3-2 Fighters come in wave after wave, anti-aircraft ar- marks aided by luck of the draw: Steve Lollis, Jack tillery is more ferocious and the damage to planes Morrell, and Bill O’Neal—the latter persevering and crews more deadly than one would encounter after losing his first two games. O’Neal continued on the average run. Because most of the crews suf- his come-from-behind streak in the Quarters by fer casualties and perform heroic acts, each year handing Edwards his first loss. Knight remained AGM Mike Lam contributes medals for various unbeaten, dispatching Morrell. Lollis defeated Al- acts of courage and outrageous fate. In 2009 we derman as Coleman downed Gibson. awarded five Medals of Honor, a Silver Star, four Knight and Lollis won in the semis to force the Distinguished Flying Crosses and five Air medals! only rematch of the event. The Bull Run Final was a Friday’s 2200 “After Action Meeting” re- nip and tuck affair with Ben rallying to tie the score mains a big success as we reopen the Officer’s at 5-all. Steve could only respond with a cavalry Club, hand out medals, report the results, and skirmish which ran down the Union conduct the 5th Annual Prize artillery for a 6-5 Confederate win. Table—ending with a showing Each ended 6-1, giving the other their of another episode of Twelve only defeat, but Steve’s win came at O’Clock High. the end when it counted most. Century Events 13

2009 Results 2009 Results Phil Evans, fr Chris Ellis, FL Bill Morse, VA Michael Shea, CT Forrest Pafenberg, VA Steven Shedden, TN O John Clarke, FL O Phil Barcafer, PA O Bruno Sinigaglio, AK O Steve Lollis, MD O Bob Ryan, MI O Jeff Paull, IN

Frank Sinigaglio, NJ Phil Barcafer, PA 20  1991-2009 15  2007-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Steve Likevich, OH 152 Allen Kaplan, NJ 30 Forrest Pafenberg, VA 106 Keith Levy, MD 30 Phil Evans, fr 82 Steve Lollis, MD 20 Bill Morse, VA 75 Chris Ellis, FL 19 Bob Ryan, MI 60 Matt Evinger, PA 18 Bruno Sinigaglio, AK 57 Michael Shea, CT 15 Frank Sinigaglio, NJ 39 Alex Bell, MD 12 John Clarke, FL 28 Jim Shaw, PA 12 Phil Evans, fr Randy Heller, MD 21 Chris Ellis, FL Bill Powers, VA 9 John Grant Jr, CT 20 James Dougherty, PA 6

Battle of the Bulge (B81) Battlelore (BLR) games were played in the preliminaries ttendance fell 43% to drive this event 27to keep this classic Century-bound for Afrom the Century ranks. Adding the eighth straight year. Only 12 were won by Specialists allowed the diehard players to the Germans, but two of those came in the playoffs. really customize their forces. When players had The results since 2003 give the Germans a 99-95 edge. the expansions, the favored additions were the Making it to the Final Four was perennial hard luck Long Bows followed by Mounted Knights. runner-up Forest Pafenberg (48 pts), ‘06 champ Bill The Swiss rounds cut the field to four. The elimi- Morse (44 pts), John Clarke (40 pts) and two-time nation rounds gave each player a card set from Call champ Phil Evans (38 pts) who had been kidnapped to Arms to set up their own army. Chris Ellis played and taken to France by a beautiful French partisan. Steven Shedden, while Michael Shea drew Phil Bar- Paffy’s luck, or lack of it, held true in the semis cafer. In this game there are some card combinations while John Morse crushed Clarke in the other that can be game changers, if not game enders. One is semi-final with a spectacular opening assault. The Long Bow with Darken the Sky. Shea took the Long 395th infantry was engaged and seven units were Bows, played Darken the Sky and had his Cleric use eliminated by various means. As a result, John’s Eagle Eye. Thus, all his Bowmen had two shots, hit- 16AM American line was too thin and too many ting on shields and having an extra die. The results units were sacrificed to plug holes. On 16PM an- were similar to Agincourt, with Barcafer’s Mounted other five units were eliminated and free German Knights dying in place. While Ellis and Shedden had movement to the west on the German 17AM turn a closer game, Ellis entered the Final without a loss. could not be stopped even with air interdiction. In the last match each player picked their own In the Final, Evan’s 16AM attacks trapped three Call To Arms deck and used all the expansion sets. US units and eliminated four more in the north Both picked Mounted Knights. Ellis added Long and center. In the south the 110th Infantry was ex- Bows, while Shea took Halberdiers. It didn’t take changed. The US barely scraped together an accept- long for another deadly card combination to ap- able line. On 17AM and PM major breakthroughs pear. Ellis played Enhanced Mass Might with are averted in the north, but the American losses Mounted Charge to kill two crossbow units. An are unsustainable. A German artillery concentra- Ambush eliminated Shea’s Mounted Knights to tion in the center allows them to take Bastogne on take a 4-0 lead. What followed was a slow game of 18PM. On 19AM they capture attrition, which Ellis won with his big an Ourthe River bridgehead for lead to take his first WBC wood ever, Phil’s third B81 title—some 15 until later in the week, when he added years after his first. a second for Stone Age. 14 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Jim Tracy, OH Tom Gregorio, PA John Vasilakos, VA Bill Morse, VA David Stiffler, VA Randy Heller, NH O Rob McCracken, DE O Bob Ryan, MI O Andrew Maly, MD O Kevin Hacker, PA O Dale Long, NJ O Michael Mitchell, GA

Rob McCracken, DE Ed Witkowski, VA 21  1999-2009 26  1999-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Mark Miklos, GA 189 Randy Heller, NH 202 John Vasilakos, VA 78 Tom Gregorio, PA 191 Dale Long, NJ 77 Bob Ryan, MI 128 Jim Tracy, OH 72 Phil Evans, fr 94 Bruno Sinigaglio, AK 64 Forrest Pafenberg, VA 57 Cliff Hansen, NM 48 Steve Likevich, OH 57 Volko Ruhnke, VA 42 Bill Morse, VA 54 Andrew Maly, MD 35 Bruno Sinigaglio, AK 54 Jim Tracy, OH John Miklos, GA 30 Tom Gregorio, PA Mike Mitchell, GA 42 Don Hanle, VA 27 John Grant Jr, CT 35

Battles of the Am. Revolution (BAR) Bitter Woods (BWD) he Mulligan round drew nine games of Eu- t was another milestone year for Bitter Woods. In Ttaw Springs played to a virtual draw (4-4-1). Ithis 11th incarnation, not only was there record Two of the eventual three finalists lost and had to attendance with 22 just in the Mulligan Round, return for Round 1. Five games in Round 2, with the event was also graced with the presence of Dale Long accepting the bye presented us with a the “Patton’s Relief” scenario which saw usage three-game Round 3 to create three winners for the in addition to the traditional six- and eight-turn 3-player Savannah Final. Round 3 was the semi- scenarios. final using Saratoga. Top billing goes to Jim Tracy The final four featured familar faces and three for taking the baggage train from Dale Long’s former champs; Tom Gregorio vs Randy Heller British command. Dave Stiffler handled Rob -Mc and Bill Morse vs Bob Ryan. Tom topped Randy Cracken’s redcoats roughly while Andy Maly and to take a 3-2 lead in their head-to-head rivalry John Vasilakos played the tensest game of the lot, while Bill Morse secured his semi win over Bob as the issue went down to the final die roll before with a fortuitous advance that resulted in the cap- John emerged triumphant. ture of Eupen. The Final started auspiciously, as each player Since Bill had recently defeated Tom, it was got his preferred side—with Jim taking the redcoats with some trepidation that the latter agreed to vs Dave’s Americans and John’s French. The latter play the Germans in the Final. Bill’s defense got along famously for much of the game. These was rock steady but Tom won the 50-50 roll and allies had held the initiative for the entire tactical Skorzeny snuck through and enabled the elimi- phase until Turn 20 when in the second half of his nation of three US units and the additional ‘trap- double move, Tracy pulled the ace from his sleeve: ping’ of a valuable artillery unit. The artillery His one and only card play: “Commander Initia- survived the initial assault but succumbed on the tive”—adding to his units’ movement allowances. US turn because it was forced to counterattack Jim decided to use this sudden reach against the and couldn’t move. Some tactical misplays led to downtrodden Americans. John’s White Coats were the Germans capturing Eupen and Trois Ponts, simply too strong to dent at the time, and Dave’s the destruction of sufficient American units for line was exposed by Jim’s actions in the second half the victory point and the pres- of Turn 19. Dave had some disrupted ervation of German mech forces units behind the line that were fair gave the Germans four VP. At this game, and Jim went all out against the point, Bill conceded to give Tom Americans to break their morale and his third straight BWD title and win the game and the title. fourth overall. Century Events 15

2009 Results 2009 Results Nels Thompson, NY Rick Kirchner, KY A. Applebaum, MA Matt O’Connor, NJ K. Hammond, NY Ewan McNay, NY Mike Kaye, MD Barry Smith, NY O Mark Gutfreund, KY O Sarah Sparks, nz O Jim Doughan, PA O Rich Curtin, NY

Andrew Cummins, uk James Jordan, MD 20  1994-2009 37  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Don Greenwood, MD 322 Ewan McNay, CT 293 Andrew Cummins, uk 276 Nick Benedict, PA 192 Nels Thompson, NY 258 James Jordan, MD 96 Alan Applebaum, MA 204 Mark Smith, KY 82 Jim Doughan, PA 187 Scott Pfeiffer, SC 73 Jim Eliason, IA 176 David Gantt, SC 70 Bryan Eshleman, NC 153 Rick Kirchner, KY 64 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 151 Richard Curtin, NY 64 Nels Thompson, NY Tom Dworschak, GA 136 Rick Kirchner, KY Barry Smith, NY 52 Henry Jones, PA 136 David Yoon, NY 41

Breakout: Normandy (BKN) Britannia (BRI) he player pool is now regarded as a shark-tank lue suffered a relapse in 2009 with but two Twith many skilled players having absorbed the Bwins compared to six Red, five Green, and harsh lessons of the game with six former champi- five Yellow. The Ewan McNay memorial award, ons still tilting in the lists. New players however ahem, rather the Red High Score award, went to, can surprise. Kevin Hammond in his first face-to- naturally, Ewan McNay, with a score of 324 (yes, it face encounter took down ex-champs Greenwood is mathematically possible). Perhaps I should just and Doughan before being stopped in the semi- put his name on it next year. Next, Nick Benedict finals by a third champion, Alan Applebaum. almost hit 300 with a 299 for Green—again, math- There have been some subtle changes in the ematically possible. Next, we had Rick Kirchner bidding since last year, the average bid remain- with the very respectable Yellow High of 244. ing approximately the same at 36-37 supply for Rounding it out, Jim Lawler pulled out the single the Germans. But early round bids have increased Blue win in the heats to get the High Blue at a pal- somewhat (32-35) while later round bids have try 229. Last, we had Llew Bardecki pulling a 180 subsided from the heights of 50-70 seen last year to grab Ethelraed the Unready. But Llew kept com- towards 40-45. The overall results still favor the ing back to better his score and ending 2nd by a German side with 13 wins out of 24 (0.54) down point put Llew into the semi-finals. from last years (0.65). Interestingly, the Allies won There were 16 players in the semis with nine seven of the last 12 and four of the final six. It winners and seven runners-up advancing. While seems that increased bidding and improved strat- the semi-finals were exciting in their own right, egy with the Allies is indeed narrowing the gap. let us pass quickly to the Final, where three of the Defending champion, Nels Thompson, again players repeated their semi-final colors. We had reached the Final to face Alan. They agreed to Ewan McNay as Yellow (Purple), Matt O’Connor play with the no magic bridge variant, using as Blue, and Rick Kirchner as Green. Barry Smith cards instead of dice and with Nels taking a rare played Red; former laurelists all. turn as the Allies. But when the dust settled and the points were At the end of the 8th, with Allied progress poor counted, the quiet Green people, led by Rick Kirch- and the German position east of Caen weak, Nels ner, had won. And a tight one it was too. Green came decided his best hope was a break- in at 227, Blue at 225, Yellow at 223 and out. He switched gears and suc- Red trailed not far behind at 205. cessfully broke out to the east—a Meanwhile, that silver plate is rare occurence against top play and growing crowded and we’ll have to claimed his third straight title. christen another one soon. 16 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Danny Lewis, DE Lisa Gutermuth, NC Brian Hanechak, MA Jeff Mullet, OH O Anna Marion, PA M. Mattingly, PA O Evan Cagwin, PA O L. Dan Hoffman, MD O Larry Lingle, PA O Jon Gemmel, MD O Chris Greenfield, NY O Rob Kircher, RI

Beth Zhao, TX Tom McCorry, VA 184  2006-2009 59  2002-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Danny Lewis, DE 30 Robbie Mitchell, VA 69 Anne Norto, NJ 30 L. Dan Hoffman, MD 56 Rob Winslow, NY 20 Scott Buckwalter, MD 42 David Burkey, PA 20 Olin Hentz, CT 36 Brian Hanechak, MA 18 Debbie Gutermuth, NC 33 Ted Drozd, IL 18 Katie McCorry, VA 30 Anna Marion, PA 12 Jennifer Drozd, IL 30 Cheryl Burkey, PA 12 Richard Jones, uk 30 Danny Lewis, DE Nick Page, on 12 Lisa Gutermuth, NC Meredith Mattingly, PA 26 Jay Fox, NJ 12 Lisa Gutermuth, NC 23

Can’t Stop (CNS) Carcassonne (CAR) very night at WBC has a late night slot at 11 ith Dominion starting an hour ear- EPM filled with light fare that draws big crowds Wlier and running long and Ticket to and Wednesday now appears to belong to Can’t Ride scheduled to start at the same time we Stop which posted its third attendance increase discovered who the really dedicated players were. in a row­—each year’s increase greater than the Consequently, Carcassonne dropped from the ranks one before. Participants played four fast-paced, of the Century. The first round was a multiplayer raucously loud rounds—the first with whatever format with 4-player games using the basic set (71 group would have them—before the field was nar- tiles plus the starting tile) and the Inns and Cathe- rowed down to four finalists. dral expansion which adds another 18 tiles giving The survivors were Evan Cagwin, Brian Han- players 22 tile plays. The goal was to have 16 win- echak, Danny Lewis, and Anna Marion. It took ners advance. three rounds of play before each player held a po- Round 2 started the 2-player format with one sition on the board. These players truly took the straight road tile removed from the basic set to definition ofCan’t Stop to a new level—they busted give each player an equal number of plays (35) per (gained no movement on their current position) game. With only 15 winners appearing, Rob Kirch- 66% of the time to the delight of a small crowd of er by random selection had to play the GM (in an late night onlookers. This bust rate was overtly en- Eliminator only role) but was able to dispatch him couraged by a shouting throng of 25 people urg- easily 83-66. Round 3 was highlighted by a classic ing the continual pressing of their luck. Despite tussle between Jeff Mullet and two-time defend- their cheers and questionable advice, Anna was ing champion Robbie Mitchell. Robbie finally met the first one to close out a column (#8). Following his match after 11 straight WBC Carcassonne wins. a complete round of busts, Evan finally joined her Things didn’t get any easier for Jeff in the semi-fi- in closing out a column (#4). This was followed by nals as he had to face 2004 champion “Legendary” more busts, until Brian joined the scorers by clos- Dan Hoffman but he was on a roll and advanced to ing out the #7 column. There were several more the Final for his ultimate test. Waiting for him was busts until Danny made a run for the win. Wth no the victor of the other bracket, Lisa Gutermuth to columns closed out at the start of his turn, he was return the title to the family where it was first won able to gain enough momentum to in 2002 by Debbie Gutermuth. Lisa close out the #5, #6, and #9 columns edged Jeff in a 124-120 nail biter. in a single turn. From rags to riches, In 2010 we will add a mulli- young Lewis again showed his dad gan multi-player round to enable a how easy it is to win wood. 32-player two-player playoff. Century Events 17

2009 Results 2009 Results Peter Putnam, PA Mark Neale, RI Andrew Gerb, MD Rebecca Hebner, CA Sam Atabaki, CA Chris Hancock, CA O Jeff Meyer, MA Tony Musella, VA O Mike Kaltman, PA Phil Livingston, DE O Rich Meyer, MA Stephanie Welch, MA

Mike Kaltman, PA John Jacoby, VA 45  2006-2009 89  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Peter Putnam, MD 97 Josh Githens, SC 225 Andrew Gerb, MD 74 Steve Katz, VA 144 Sam Atabaki, CA 64 Tom Saal, MI 120 Jeremy Spencer, NC 40 Anthony Musella, VA 117 Rich Meyer, MA 33 Scott Sirianna, NY 80 Michael Kaltman, PA 32 John Tighe, NJ 72 Rod Spade, PA 22 Bill Beckman, SC 72 Jeff Meyer, MA 18 Frank Sinigaglio, NJ 68 Peter Putnam, PA Raphael Lehrer, MD 12 Mark Neale, RI Mike Stanley, OH 60 Chris Trimmer, TX 12 Karl Henning, CT 56

Caylus (CYL) Circus Maximus (CMS) players competed on nine boards in Heat 1, o less than nine former champs drove in the 34with 11 new players joining eight from the N2009 circus but none would repeat. The Fi- previous heat to contest five boards in Heat 2. Ken nal drew two light, a medium and seven heavies. Horan won games in both heats. Due to an odd On Turn 2, Mark Neale’s Light took four hits to number of attendees among the winners and top its right wheel and sustained another pair of hits alternates, exactly 14 players advanced to the semi- to its left the following turn. He lashed his horses finals, with two 3-player and two 4-player games to get away from the rabid heavies nipping at his held. The 3-player games were won by a pair of (w)heels and was jostled but pulled out of range returning laurelists: Jeff Meyer (edging Ryan Sturm as long as he maintained his maximum speed and by 6) and Sam Atabaki (who dominated his table, chanced damaging his wheels further. On Turn 8, winning by 26). The other 2008 finalists lost incred- the other light flipped while Mark’s right wheel ibly close contests to former champions: Rich Mey- lost another spoke. With at least nine turns left, er fell to Andy Gerb (who won his second heat) by everyone agreed that he would never see the fin- four points, earning 6th place, while new GM and ish line and the pack turned on itself in earnest 2008 runner-up Mike Kaltman lost by a single point behind him. On Turn 12, a sixth spoke came off to Peter Putnam to take 5th place laurels. the right wheel. Mark then “encouraged” his No castle builds or wood buildings were horses a tad too much and went to 0 endurance as made in the first two turns of the Final as all play- he entered the last turn. The crowd held its breath ers hoarded resources and cash. The Tower Phase in anticipation of the “splat” about to come. How- would only take three rounds before the 14 requi- ever, only a seventh spoke grudgingly gave way site batches would be accepted. All 17 wood and from the right wheel and a third from the left. The stone buildings were built, but only one residence wheelwright was heard to loudly proclaim above (by Andy, who had no gold), and so no Prestige the crowd to one and all his brand on the wheels buildings. As a result, it was the lowest scoring in question. On Turn 17 Mark straddled the finish game of the tourney. Peter edged Andy by a line and proudly wrote the manly speed of 17 to point, 65-64, with Sam getting third with 58 and the cheers of the crowd only to finally have his Jeff (who was shut out of the castle in that final right wheel give way as he surfed to victory—a phase) fourth with 39. Last year’s battered but proud winner. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place lau- In 2010, the Demo Derby heat relists finished, in order: 3rd, 5th, will be replaced by a special obsta- 6th, 4th, and 2nd and this year’s cle course complete with stream, champion was the 2008 GM. bridge, and numerous obstacles. 18 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Bob Heinzmann, FL Rick Young, NC Brian Hanechek, MA Bill O’Neal, NY Rob Winslow, NY Tony Curtis, OK Jim Mehl, VA O Steve Cuyler, NY O Bryan Collars, SC O Eric Raymond, PA O Dan Dolan, NJ O James Terry, NJ

Joel Tamburo, IL Andy Lewis, DE 56  2007-2009 34  2006-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Bob Heinzmann, FL 118 Bill O’Neal, NY 79 Mike Galandiuk, OH 40 Brian Conlon, CT 46 Bryan Collars, SC 32 Tony Curtis, OK 42 Brian Hanechek, MA 24 Rick Young, NC 30 David desJardins, CA 24 Jack Morrell, NY 24 Bob Jamelli, PA 18 Jeff King, ME 18 Rob Winslow, NY 16 Andy Finkel, uk 18 Greg Courter, MI 16 Riku Reikkinen, fn 12 Bob Heinzmann, FL Chris Storzillo, NJ 16 Rick Young, NC Allan Kaplan, NJ 12 John Wetherell, PA 12 Steve Cuyler, NY 9

Combat Commander (CBC) Commands & Colors Ancients (CCA) Mulligan round followed by six Single Elim- he first round used the pod system of Aination rounds churned a record 56 players T4-player groups with each player playing the in a maelstorm of vicarious combat. Ultimately other three in their group in the same scenario, it came down to a tense Final between the origi- Bagrades, with the best record advancing auto- nal champion Bob Heinzmann’s Canadians and matically. Side selection was handled by players Brian Hanechek’s Germans fighting over the Ital- bidding victory banners; something with a more ian city of Ortona in 1943 with Bob ultimately re- known effect on the outcome than the things we claiming his crown. tried the last two years. Carthage improved on Play balance improved as the scenarios had things considerably this year as they went 31-18 roughly even records. As these scenarios were (up from 33-27 in 2008). 15 games were decided designed using the built in scenario designer pro- by one banner and 12 more by two. None of the vided with the game it stands as a testament to bids were crucial as the difference was always the strength of that system. greater than the bid. I want to extend special thanks to Bryan Col- The eight group winners advanced to quarter- lars, who not only went way above and beyond finals of Cynoscephalae from the 1st Expansion in his conduct as Assistant GM but also was my which were conducted as two-game matches, nominee for Sportsman of the Year for his con- playing both sides against the same opponent. duct in the games he played. The color scenario Tony Curtis and Rick Young won both games cards were created by Bryan, who also collaborat- while Stephen Cuyler and Eric Raymond split but ed with me in scenario design and provided the advanced on tie-breakers. O’Neal has made the necessary loud voice to get everyone’s attention semis every year. Bill and Rick both swept their when I was not equal to the task. semis pairing of Ticinus River. Finally, I look forward to next year as Com- The Final was Ipsus from the 1st Expansion. bat Commander attempts to post its fourth straight Selecuus won both battles by an 8-6 banner count year of increasing attendance. You, the player so we had to go to a tie breaker. Rick Young was can have input into the design of the event by victorious as he only lost 57 blocks to Bill’s 66. visiting the Combat Commander discussion topic We stretched the players a little further in on ConSimWorld and joining in. their need to understand the game to We’d like to know what would win this year in our scenario selection. make the event more enjoyable for We will push it even further next year you—aside from a few more good so check the scenario selection early for cards at opportune times. more practice time. Century Events 19

2009 Results 2009 Results Glenn McMaster, on Rob Flowers, MD Phil Barcafer, PA Mike Kaltman, PA Benoit Groulx, qc Robb Effinger, on O Stephane Dorais, qc O Curt Collins II, PA O Bill Dyer, IL O Nick Henning, CT O Joe Harrison, KY O Barb Flaxington, NJ

Brad Johnson, IL Rob Flowers, MD 24  1992-2009 71  1999-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Bill Dyer, IL 132 Rob Flowers, MD 82 Glenn McMaster, on 91 Greg Thatcher, FL 62 Phil Barcafer, PA 90 Jason Levine, NY 62 Steve Koehler, NC 70 Robb Effinger, on 51 Joe Abrams, CT 64 Geoff Pounder, on 46 Benoit Groulx, qc 48 Charlie Kersten, OH 40 Brad Johnson, IL 42 Jay Fox, OH 40 Andrew Clark, AZ 40 Mark Guttag, VA 40 Glenn McMaster, on Jay Schlaffer, DC 40 Rob Flowers, MD Stu Hendrickson, VA 36 Stephane Dorais, qc 33 David Buchholz, MI 32

Dune (DUN) El Grande (ELG) e had two solo wins; a Turn 7 Atreides win, xperience abounded in the semi-finals, in- Wand a Turn 2 Guild win! Previously, we had Ecluding former champs Pounder, Effinger, recorded only three solo wins in eight years of play, Thatcher, Flowers, and Fox, plus as many former and those were all accomplished by the Harkonnen, laurelists. The competitive field, combined with so it was nice to see a couple of new factions getting the chaotic flow of the game, have conspired to in on the action. The remaining games were won prevent a repeat champion in the entire history by two 2-player alliances and four 3-player teams, of the event until this year. Highlights included with only one default condition victory achieved by a high score of 137 by Matt Peterson in the Heats. the Guild. The factions were fairly evenly balanced, The narrowest win was a virtual tie between Nick with each achieving three - five victories, but for the Kiswanto and James Pei. Alex Bove was the only poor Fremen who shared in only one win, continu- double winner in the heats, but with only 23 ing to occupy the cellar. games in three heats, there was enough room for Best Faction awards went to those giving the top all winners plus a few alternates. single-game performance with each faction in the Three former champs were eliminated in the preliminaries: Phil Barcafer Atreides; Rob Barnes BG; semis, leaving Rob Flowers and Robb Effinger to Jean-Francois Gagne Emperor; Bill Dyer Fremen; Ste- contend with Curt Collins (back for his third Final in phane Dorais Guild; and Benoit Groulx Harkonnen. as many years), Mike Kaltman and Nick Henning. The three Canadians from last year’s Final all Round 7 of the Final brought out a “score repeated that appearance this year, with Glenn the 5’s” which allowed Robb Effinger to take the McMaster drawing the Harkonnen; Benoit Groulx, lead by four points. Then in Turn 8, Nick set up the Emperor; and Stephane Dorais, the BG. a score for Mike which allowed him to score two Rounding out the Final were Joe Harrison with the provinces, giving many points to Mike, Nick, and Atreides, Bill Dyer as the Fremen, and Phil Barcafer Robb, but very little to Rob and Curt. Two more with the Guild. All six reside in the top half of the scoring cards in Round 9 helped put Mike and Laurels List, three being former champions. Robb out in front; however, the tradeoff was not In the end, the Guild/Harkonnen alliance shared getting as many men on the board, especially the the requisite four strongholds evenly, with the Har- Castillo. Curt and Rob tied for most cabs (nine konnen being declared the champion each) in the Castillo, and Rob finally managed to due to having more tokens on planet. retake his home province, winning by Glenn is the third player to win a sec- a single point over Mike. The entire ond Dune title, but the first to do it in group was within six points at the sequential years. end, a close finish. 20 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Mark Kennel, DE Matthew Bacho, MD Mike Zorrer, DE Gordon Rodgers, PA Kyle Greenwood, HI Michael Ussery, MD Eric Brosius, MA O Dan Gavrilovic, on Eyal Mozes, NY O Matt Evinger, PA O Ted Mullally, NJ O Evan Hitchings, DE

Tom Dunning, NY Bill Alderman, VA 56  1999-2009 42  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Jim Yerkey, MD 110 Gordon Rodgers, PA 78 Harald Henning, CT 100 Matt Evinger, PA 75 Tom Dunning, NY 97 Mike Sincavage, VA 48 Eric Brosius, MA 95 Evan Hitchings, DE 38 Richard Meyer, MA 82 Bill Peeck, NY 36 Mark Kennel, DE 78 Mike Mitchell, GA 36 Donna Balkan, on 61 Robert Eastman, NV 33 Debbie Gutermuth, NC 60 Matthew Bacho, MD 30 Mark Kennel, DE Steve Okonski, MD 60 Matthew Bacho, MD Tom Wojke, PA 30 Bill Navolis, PA 50 Alan Arvold, IL 27

Empire Builder (EPB) Enemy In Sight (EIS) e had four multiple Heat winners with Mark he Demo attracted six players to this old war- WKennel, Chris Goff, Ted Mullally and Bob Thorse—proving that every game is new to Stribula each winning twice. Chris Goff earned the somebody—even after 19 years. Changing the for- number 1 seed. A roll call of the winners appear- mat (to multiple Heats, “B” status, two hands only ing for the semi-final left three spots open for alter- with tiebreakers, only [and all] Winners advance nates. Everyone who appeared for the semi-final to the Final) worked well in reviving flagging at- was seated save one, your GM Tom Dunning, who tendance figures. Limiting the games to two hands failed to make the cut for the first time in six years. was necessary to allow players to participate on At Table 1 newcomer Kyle Greenwood bested Sunday in the face of travel time crunches. The “old former Finalist Paul Van Bloem. Mark Kennel hands” were pleased the game was being played defeated another former Laurelist Bill Duke in in multiple heats on three different days, yet re- the second semi to finish. At Table 3 Mike Zorrer mained a last chance option on Sunday. The two- punched his first ticket ever to the Final by top- hand limit was less popular and needs amending to ping Ilan Woll. Table 4 saw frequent Finalist Eyal first to 100 points or the lead after two hands. Mozes defeat veteran Tedd Mullally, but his high Seven of the ten qualifying winners appeared runner-up score earned Tedd sixth place Laurels for the Final Sunday afternoon. The first hand saw which he added to his total. Former Champion Evan Hitchings gain 41 points, only to lose 15 of Eric Brosius earned the right to try for another them in the second and not score another point. title by besting Norm Newton at Table 5. The special rule which eliminated the lowest score Of these five happy road warriors, only Mark at the end of each hand of the Final speeded play Kennel would emerge triumphant in the end with while eliminating Joe Burch in the first hand and the shield that had evaded him in two prior Fi- Hitchings in the second, who thereby claimed sixth nals. Mike Zorrer was a close second. place laurels by avoiding the first heave ho. As usu- The Final used Empire Builder without Mexi- al, those who needed Refuse Battle cards couldn’t co for the second consecutive year. The new Eu- find one, while one player, with no prizes, had rorails doesn’t look to be as Spain-dependant as three. Prizes were taken, snatched away, and then previous editions. Consequently, I am consider- boarded and retaken yet again! Scores were racked ing changing the Final back to Euro- up at a furious rate. Matthew Bacho, (who won the rails in 2010. We will also be return- first heat on a tie-breaker) took ing to the more spacious Wheatland six prizes. He scored 58 points room in 2010 and leaving Host A & B in sunk ships in the third hand behind. to sail away with the title. Century Events 21

2009 Results 2009 Results Marc Berenbach, MA Richard Meyer, MA Patrick Shea, VA Richard Irving, CA O Jeff Cornett, FL O Ted Drozd, IL O Mark Guttag, VA O Dave Burkey, PA O Brian Stone, NY O Francis Spencer, MD O Jeff Arnold, MD O Rob Winslow, NY

Craig Moffitt, NJ Arthur Field, SC 36  1999-2009 50  1993-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Jeff Cornett, FL 106 Richard Meyer, MA 52 Aaron Fuegi, MA 70 Richard Irving, CA 44 Craig Moffitt, NJ 54 Aaronn Silverman, FL 44 John Kilbride, PA 42 Doug Hoylman, MD 42 Ananda Gupta, MD 42 Paul Bean, MA 40 Chetan Radia, uk 40 Randy Cox, SC 31 Rob Kilroy, PA 36 Winton LeMoine, CA 28 Matt Calkins, VA 32 Eric Brosius, MA 26 Marc Berenbach, MA Aran Warszawski, is 30 Richard Meyer, MA Pitt Crandlemire, MA 24 Lance, Ribeiro, NH 30 Ted Drozd, IL 20

Euphrat & Tigris (E&T) Facts in Five (FI5) he tournament again used a variant to here was much mirth from the record Thandicap the first two players. Instead T50 contestants during the new evening of their normal two actions, they received timeslot before Slapshot, on the contrasted but one action to start. In the play-offs, the higher reading of the rules to set the tone for this festive seeded player was offered the choice of first or trivia contest. third. The distribution of wins for 4-player games Puzzle 1 categories: U.S. National Parks; Heis- was 4 - (31%), 4 - (31%), 4 - (31%), 1 - (8%) for play- man Trophy Winners from 1960 forward; Woody ers moving first through fourth, respectively. This Allen Film Titles; U.S. Army 4-star Generals 1900- variant continues to offer better player balance and 1954; and Jethro Tull album titles across the letters will remain in place in 2010. A, C, P, S and T. Ted Drozd led the pack with 13 Seven winners plus the best five runners-up correct answers, hotly followed by former cham- from the preliminary heats rounded out three pion Richard Meyer with 12 and former GM Rich- semi-final tables. In the first, Marc Berenbach (8-8- ard Irving with nine correct. 8-8) defeated Patrick Shea (7-7-8-8) and defending Puzzle 2 improved Irving’s score considerably champion Alfred Smith. In semi #2, leading laurel- when he managed 17 correct in the categories: Can- ist Jeff Cornett scored a solid win as the Archers ada Provinces or capitals; James Bond movie Titles; over prior champion Matt Calkins and perennial -fi Mexican States; Bridges in or to New York City and nalist Rob Kilroy. In the last semi, former GM Mark Civil Air Patrol Phonetic Alphabet on the letters C, M, Guttag made his first E&T Final by edging Brian O, Q and T. Defending champ Paul Bean tied Irving’s Stone10-10-11-15 to 9-9-11-13. Patrick was only two 17, sharing the honors for high score of the night. hypothetical treasures behind the winner and thus The last puzzle sought: Old Testament Books; advanced as the closest runner-up. Sondheim major stage works; song titles on Who’s The Final endgame was punctuated by several Tommy; James Bond villains; and female U.S. Sena- external conflicts. Mark won a green battle against tors (C, D, G, M and S). Amazingly, Meyer could re- Jeff for five points. Marc won two battles and gained member four Bond villains and Sweeney Todd and three black, three green, and a treasure. Jeff ended Micah and Cousin Kevin, but could not remember the game by using a catastrophe and dropping in the Bible begins with the book of Genesis or that Hill- his Trader to claim the last treasure. Marc won with ary Clinton is a senator! Still, he squeaked a low score of eight reds (8/9/9/10) on out a 12, which edged Irving’s 11. Final his 30th birthday. Patrick (6/6/7/9), Jeff scores were Richard Meyer 65, Richard Ir- (6/6/7/8), and Mark (5/6/6/11) claimed ving 62, Ted Drozd 59, David Burkey 53, the other laurels in that order. Francis Spencer 52, and Rob Winslow 51. 22 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Scott Moll, VA Bert Schoose, IL Rick Young, NC Bill Cleary, PA Todd Treadway, NY O Erik Arneson, PA O John Vasilakos, VA O Kevin Keller, MD O Bill Beswick, IN O Michael Schoose, IL O Derek Pulhamus, NY O Bruce Reiff, OH

Rick Young, NC Nate Hoam, OH 16  2008-2009 33  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Scott Moll, VA 38 Bruce Reiff, OH 219 Bob Heinzmann, FL 30 Bill Cleary, MD 99 Rick Young, NC 12 Ken Whitesell, MD 63 Kevin Garber, VA 12 Bert Schoose, IL 44 Grant LaDue, NY 9 Kevin Keller, MD 39 Todd Treadway, NY 8 Paul O’Neil, MD 33 John Vasilakos, VA 6 Ray Stakenas II, CA 30 Jack Stalica, on 6 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 24 Scott Moll, VA Bill Beswick, IN 4 Bert Schoose, IL David Rynkowski, NY 24 Stu Hendrickson, VA 3 Arthur Davis, MI 21

Fast Action Battles (FAB) Football Strategy (FBS) his year we played the new C3i “Pay- t took 19 years but Bruce finally conned Tback” scenario and also incorporated a IDon into a football game. The much an- bidding change where the bid was for addi- ticipated “matched pair” grudge match tional assets to be pulled from the Selection Cup in- between perennial champion Reiff and yester- stead of Fuel Assets. The scenario seems to slightly year’s anti-hero resulted in the CD’s defeat 20-17, favor the German player, and the bidding was very and immeasurable bragging rights for the Buck- light (0-2 assets were bid) throughout the tourna- eyes booster. Bruce will tell you that Don scored ment. The Germans won about 60% overall, but the late and the game wasn’t really that close, while eventual champion, Scott Moll, won by playing the Don wailed that the only difference was that Allied side throughout the event. “lucky” Bruce made his close field goal while The defending champ, Bob Heinzmann, fell out Don missed his. And with that the gauntlet was after two rounds. The Final came down to the 2008 tossed for Grudge Match II. The distracted Reiff, runner-up and lone returning laurelist, Scott Moll, sated by his latest triumph, didn’t have long to vs the designer, Rick Young. Rick had a promising savor his win and soon succumbed to the steady opening, ripping a hole in front of 5th Panzer Army play of Bill Cleary who went on to sweep the heat that Scott could not fill. Scott’s frown turned upside by downing AH Football League alumni Kevin down though when he realized that Rick focused too Keller in the Conference Final 20-17. much attention on the 5th Panzer Army, and made a The second heat drew a much reduced field mistake in the 6th Panzer Army sector that allowed of 12 and a correspondingly shorter path to the him to place much of that formation out of supply. Final, but the battles were no less intense. The Rick had to spend much of his Turn 2 efforts last two standing were Erik Arneson and Bert remedying the supply problem he had created Schoose with the latter emerging a 21-10 winner. for himself rather than worsening Scott’s position, The Final pitted two veteran ball control coach- and the chance for a decisive victory slipped away. es against one another. Cleary scored first to go Rick spent the last two turns tenaciously defending up 7-0 but Bill picked the wrong time to be daring against the US counterattack while trying to cling and was dropped for a safety on a fake punt. Bert to a marginal victory from his successful opening, drove down the field with the ensuing free kick and but Scott used his last turn’s breakthrough phase, scored a touchdown on an end run with his last special action, and American airpower to 6:15 left in the half. The tide thus turned, snatch Malmedy back from Ger- it was all downhill from there as Bert man possession, thereby grant- took a 23-13 victory for his first title aid- ing him the win. ed by several 9G Option interceptions. Century Events 23

2009 Results 2009 Results James Pei, VA Jason Levine, NY Riku Reikkinen, fn Bill Dyer, IL Dave Dockter, MN H. Anderson, PA Michael Ussery, MD O Patrick Monte, NY Michael Mitchell, GA O Roderick Lee, CA O Bob Sohn, NJ O Robert Davidson, IL

Mark Herman, MD Josh Githens, SC 18  1999-2009 57  2000-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists James Pei, VA 526 Jason Levine, NY 90 David Dockter, MN 174 Barry Smith, NY 89 Mark Giddings, NY 127 Lance Fogel, PA 78 Riku Reikkinen, fn 68 Roderick Lee, CA 42 Trevor Bender, CA 62 Robert Kircher, MA 38 Stefan Mecay, TX 60 Mario Veillette, qc 30 Mike Mitchell, GA 53 James Kendrick, uk 30 Tim Miller, GA 52 Steve May, MD 30 James Pei, VA Chris Byrd, CT 39 Jason Levine, NY Keith Levy, MD 30 Nicholas Pei, CA 38 Bill Dyer, IL 27

For The People (FTP) Formula De (FDE) t was all about the “rematch”. Defending cham- sing a two-heat format with the top ten Ipion Riku Riekkinen who scored the upset of Uqualifiers advancing directly to the Final the decade last year while ending Pei’s string of gave racers a chance to cut to the chase with a seven straight titles was back to try for two in a minimum of preparation. Each heat had enough row. As expected, the two titans of the FTP battle- entrants to run boards with between six and eight fields faced each other again in the Final. Could the drivers. Players were allowed to sit at any table mighty Finn deny the Master again? In a word, No. of their choosing, eliminating lengthy randomiza- By Turn 5 with DC isolated, AoC could not get tion, while also allowing players to sit with their any reinforcements so Riku set up multiple corps friends and have fun at 200 MPH. along the perimeter to blast his way in. He opened The tracks were chosen at each table, many with a Major Campaign, sending Halleck’s corps people saw the action of Melbourne this year; a through WVa to force its way into DC. Jackson quick moving track that rewards good rolling, stood like a stonewall at Manassas and repulsed and makes you try to keep pace with the leader. A the relief force. Second move, another corps came missed turn can take you from near victory to the thru Harrisburg, which AoNV failed to intercept, back of the pack in a hurry. Another track used on and pumped six much needed SP into AoC. Third several tables was Monaco. Some technical portions move, Pope made an AA to Aquia to open up the are favorable to good planning, but ground can eas- sea lane. Pei decided to send Lee to clean out the ily be made up if you have a miscue. various flying columns the Union had posted be- Sadly, the 2009 Final was not played on the fore they could rejoin AoC. They were easy kills as large scale track as it was in 2008, however expect Lee had +7 modifiers vs at most +1 for the Union a return to large format racing in 2010. The track forces. AoC then tried to make a dash to open up preparation crew is hard at work to provide a the LOC thru MD and PA, but AoNV made the worthy venue for WBC finalists. Suzuka was the interception and repulsed it. Lee swung back to venue for the 2009 Final. Designed as a Honda attack AoC and sent it packing to DC again. Riku test track, Suzuka is one of the few circuits in the made a last attempt by trying to cut the supply to world to have a figure 8 layout. the Rebel forces in the East. Jackson made the in- The starting grid was filled with nine unique terception and kept the LOC open. It was at this heat winners and the top placing alternate. The guy point that Riku resigned as he with the big advantage who knows his way around was bereft of 3 Op cards and the all those odd-shaped dice won entire NE corridor was open to again as Jason Levine took his Rebel raids. third title with the funny dice. 24 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Chris LeFevre, AZ John Elliott, MD Rich Fetzer, NY Andy Gardner, VA Sarah Vasilakos, VA Tom Richardson, VA O Matt Fetzer, NY Ruth Evinger, PA O Harry Flawd, PA O Tony Musella, VA O Jordan Flawd, PA O Nick Henning, CT

Chris LeFevre, AZ Rolinda Collinson, PA 71  2001-2009 64  1992-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Lisa Gutermuth, NC 48 Nick Henning, CT 150 Chris LeFevre, AZ 33 Pitt Crandlemire, MA 132 Jordan Flawd, PA 33 John Pack, CO 90 Forrest Speck, MD 30 Nick Smith, uk 90 Dan Lewis, DE 30 Bob Hamel, CT 67 Matt Evinger, PA 30 Thomas Richardson, VA 64 Debbie Gutermuth, NC 30 Jim Castonguay, PA 54 Mike Stachowski, NY 30 Mark Love, MD 53 Chris LeFevre, AZ Bill Place, PA 30 John Elliott, MD John Elliott, MD 52 Steve Cameron, PA 28 Jeffrey Hacker, PA 40

Formula Motor Racing (FMR) Gangsters (GSR) here were 17 games in the three heats. The best olinda “Ma” Collinson promised a kindler, Tquote was by Megan McCorry when she stated Rgentler Gangsters—one where 1,000 points of “I’m going to pit stop blue because he gave me the light did not refer to the light visible through a dice”. Blue happened to be John Tighe who refrained ventilated corpse. Instead, “Ma” and her ladies, from handing the dice to anyone else after that. Ashley the “Angel” and Angela the “Red Rose,” 14 of the 17 heat winners advanced including would establish a new underworld order. Quiet defending champion Jordan Flawd. Four runner- whispers and deals in dark, secret corners would ups were tapped to round out the field of 18. The rule the night. semi-final table of Terri Wicks, Chris Greenfield, The ladies had their way as sweet-talking and Thomas Strock, Harry Flawd, Kevin Youells and romance, along with moonshine, brought first heat Rich Fetzer provided the closest race at 28-28-27- earnings to a peak. The new order would prevail! 27-25-21 with Harry and Rich tied to qualify for “The Steak” reported, “I was vamped away.” the Final. They were joined by GM Chris LeFe- Then Ashley, who history remembers as “No- vre (32 points), Matt Fetzer (31), Jordan (29), and body’s Angel,” boldly declared, “Purple, a bad Sarah Vasilakos (27). strategy?!! I beg to differ.” The newspaper head- Chris started by winning the first race and was lines ran. The mockery was clear. It was “my way passed in the second by Harry. For having the lead, or the highway.” The gloves were off. The buried Harry was rewarded in the third race when he lost heaters were found. The hit was ordered. Blood one car to a crash and the other blew an engine. flowed in the streets. Purple blood. Nepotism worries were erased as Jordan crashed 90 minutes into the showdown, the hail of his father’s car—provoking the best color commen- bullets ended. All “Angel” could say was, “Isn’t tary of the game when Harry said: “If you crash this supposed to be a three-hour game?” Our new another of my cars, you are walking home”. Race Godfather, John “Bugs” Elliott replied, “Dis ain’t 4 knocked out four cars as Chris took the lead. Rich no game, Scha-weetheart.” lost both of his cars in Race 5 while Matt finished And so in the year of the Godfather’s ab- first and second to vault from last to first. Every- sence, John Elliott won his first title one scored points in Race 6, but Chris won it—and over the prostrate bodies of Andy the title with 32 points. There was a three-way tie Gardner, Tom Richardson and Ruth for second at 27. The Flawds Evinger. Ma’s reign is over, for the brought up the rear with Har- big man is coming back to town, but ry in 5th with 26 and newly ex- she won’t be forgotten—not by a long champion Jordan 6th with 17. shot—or many short ones either. Century Events 25

2009 Results 2009 Results Ed Menzel, CA Alex Bove, PA Richard Beyma, VA Chris Moffa, NJ D. Zimmerman, PA Chris Trimmer, TX O John Clarke, FL O Aran Warszawski, is O Vince Meconi, DE O Jeff Meyer, MA O Jim Tracy, OH O Steve Shambeda, PA

Vince Meconi, DE Alex Bove, PA 35  1992-2009 38  2004-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Ed Menzel, CA 182 Alex Bove, PA 117 Vincent Meconi, DE 156 Chris Moffa, NJ 84 Allen Kaplan, NJ 91 Arthur Field, SC 84 Dave Zimmerman, PA 78 Raphael Lehrer, MD 79 Ted Drozd, IL 62 John Kerr, VA 48 Barry Shoults, MI 56 Rod Spade, PA 46 Jim Tracy, OH 38 Kevin Walsh, NY 45 William Place, PA 31 Chris Trimmer, TX 38 Ed Menzel, CA Richard Beyma, MD 24 Alex Bove, PA Perrianne Lurie, PA 30 Mike Pacheco, CA 24 Jeff Mullet, OH 21

Gettysburg (GBG) Goa (GOA) an anybody beat Ed Menzel at Gettys- ost of the 18 games were decided by two Cburg ‘88? The answer would appear to Mpoints or less. The highest winning score was be no, at least when the title is on the line, 54 (by both Rod Spade and Aran Warszawski), and as the Californian made it four straight titles in 2009 the lowest was 43 (Michael Isgur and Alex Bove). to trail only Bruce Beard’s current WBC title streak. The tendency has been for winners to advance Ed finished with an 8-4 record. In all, a record 67 their spice and expedition card tracks to the bottom, total games were played and just six years ago we but this year only five did so. Cards were still impor- were down to eight players and seven total games. tant, though, as 12 of 18 winners advanced that track By Friday night, a record 17 players had played the all the way. Having the flag at the beginning of the required minimum three games to qualify for the game (seven of 18 wins) and having most money at Final Four. The top qualifiers were, in order, Ed the end (11 of 18) also characterized many victories, Menzel (6-4, 68 points), Dave Zimmerman (4-1, 66 though the eventual champion had neither. points), Richard Beyma (4-3, 64 points), and John The Final featured three former champions. Clarke (4-5, 62 points). Ed Menzel was the only In the early game, Chris Moffa advanced evenly player to repeat from last year’s final four. while Chris Trimmer used his first turn planta- Ed had to reverse an earlier loss to John Clarke tions (double-ginger and double-cinnamon) to to reach the Final, but for the fourth year in a row, push quickly down the ship-building track. Aran it found him matched against an adversary who went for early cards but drew poorly, at one point had defeated him earlier. Richard had scored a July having to discard twice before drawing two oth- 1 knockout as the Confederates vs him despite a ers. Alex Bove failed twice on colonies in the first bid of 5.0, but again it was Ed turning the tables in round and fell behind. the rematch. Richard acquired the Grey for a bid Moffa used his two Phase B tiles (Espionage of 7.0. The tide turned on Turn 9 as the Confeder- and Vice King) to advance the ship-building track ates suffered an infantry flip and the two blocking to the bottom and three other tracks to level 4. unit losses. Turn 10 saw more Southern reverses, Bove’s purchase of six extra actions (three from with an infantry flipped in one battle and a double the flag) helped him overcome a third coloniza- infantry flip in another, followed by a chit transfer tion failure to edge Moffa 51-49. Six VP from two and the same result on the reroll. The snowball con- tiles (Duty and Mission), enabled Trimmer to tinued rolling downhill on Turns finish third with 44 points. Aran’s 11 and 12 with more Confederate unlucky draws continued with five casualties, leading to Lee’s con- expedition cards scoring only eight cession on Turn 12. VP to give him 39. 26 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Ed Beach, MD Lyman Moquin, DC Justin Rice, VA Ric Manns, IN Chris Withers, CA Phil Rennert, MD O Rob Doane, MA O George Seary, NY O Dave Cross, VA O Mike Dauer, TX O Ken Lee, PA O Fred Bauer, VA

Justin Rice, VA George Seary, NY Great Campaigns 20  1993-2009 16  2003-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Chris Withers, CA 333 George Seary, NY 195 Ed Beach, MD 237 Lyman Moquin, DC 109 Mark Booth, VA 107 Rick Young, NC 108 Rob Doane, MA 96 Ric Manns, IN 68 Dave Cross, VA 91 Hank Burkhalter, GA 57 B. Passacantando, CT 84 Phil Barcafer, PA 53 Paul Nied, KS 78 Bruce Reiff, OH 51 Steve Likevich, OH 66 Bill O’Neal, NY 33 Ed Beach, MD Justin Rice, VA 53 Lyman Moquin, DC Jeff Mullet, OH 30 Michael Pacheco, CA 46 Susanne Tuch, NY 26

Great Campaigns (GCA) Hammer of the Scots (HOS) aving ended Chris Withers eight year hold idding for sides was closer than in previous Hon the title, Ed Beach was not about to let Byears, although English wins once again him start another streak, so he started one of his outnumbered Scot victories, especially in the own. He topped Justin Rice in the Chickamauga early rounds. Final to claim his second straight title. In the semis, Lyman Moquin won early over Perennial champion Chris Withers went 4-0 Phil Rennert, trapping and killing Edward I quickly in the prelims, and clinched an elimination-round and forcing a mid-game concession. Ric Manns sur- bye with his win over Beach in their third-round prisingly outbid defending champ George Seary “McLemore’s Cove” showdown. Rob Doane for the privilege of ‘wearing the kilts’ and played a earned the top seed at 3-0. Ken Lee went 2-1 after very aggressive strategy, garnering a close victory, a long absence to join Dave Cross (3-1), Beach (2-1) that was not decided until the very last card play, and Rice (2-2) in the elimination round, where Rice but nonetheless ended Seary’s four-year reign. topped Cross and Beach beat Lee in “Seven Pines.” This set the stage for an unfamiliar Final: Ric In the “Wilderness” semi-finals Rice ripped again bid for the Scots, Lyman for the English. off an improbable initial run to put Doane’s The opening move by Ric’s Scots on Turn 7 sent a Yanks in a deep hole in their match while Beach raiding party into vacant England, which distract- and Withers fought a wild battle, with several up- ed Edward’s horde; The King and Hobelar were and-down swings. When Beach cleared Parker’s sent South to dispatch the raiders. This required Store (for the third time) late on Turn 2, Withers two card plays for the English to first clear Eng- conceded and our Final was set. land, and then return to the head of the large but “Chickamauga” from Battle Above the Clouds stagnant army. The remainder of the turn was an was the Final battle. Rice took the offensive- all out brawl, with most of the blocks from both minded Rebs, but Beach quickly tore off seven- sides being eliminated. During Turn 8, Ric recov- straight initiatives to block Bragg’s easiest path ered just enough to set the stage for a 7/7 noble over the Chickamauga. Rice responded by driv- count for the start of the last turn. ing forward to Lookout Mountain and splitting Seeing that the Scots were heading for a 7/7 the Union army, but Beach threw Thomas and tie, with his last card play Lyman sent what little Steedman forward to steady the line. Turn 2 at- he had left into an all out desperate battle around tacks were halted by Ed’s one-sided Atholl, which caused three more blocks combat dice, and the Yanks’ spoiler to leave. The Scot reinforcements fell attacks against Longstreet secured just short of enough force to carry the Chattanooga on Turn 3. battle, giving the English an 8/6 win. Century Events 27

2009 Results 2009 Results Keith Wixson, NJ Jeff Burdett, NY Kyle Greenwood, HI Dave Cross, VA Roderick Lee, CA Kirk Harris, NJ James Pei, VA Chris Striker, PA Henry Rice, NM Nat Pendleton, PA Marc Berenbach, MA Tim Rogers, SC

Stuart Tucker, MD Ed Beach, MD 54  1996-2009 62  2006-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Keith Wixson, NJ 283 Jeff Burdett, NY 120 James Pei, VA 254 Bryan Collars, SC 62 Jim Heenehan, PA 206 Dan Gallagher, MD 60 Chris Byrd, CT 157 John Wetherell, PA 60 Peter Reese, VA 94 Dave Cross, VA 42 Gary Andrews, NY 62 Alan Sudy, VA 41 Nick Anner, NY 60 Chris Striker, PA 39 Aaron Fuegi, MA 60 Ken Richards, SC 38 Keith Wixson, NJ Jung Yueh, MA 50 Jeff Burdett, NY Rob Seulowitz, NY 36 Scott Moll, VVA 48 Alan Hill, MD 36

Hannibal (HRC) Here I Stand (HIS) idding PCs for sides resulted in an av- e set a record with 15 opening round Berage Bid of 0.9 for Carthage. In six of Wgames, each won by a different player. The 90 games, PCs were bid to be Rome (max most notable game was our three-player contest of two PCs), and in 53 games Carthage was sought. in which Mary I made her first WBC appearance. Given this Bidding context, wins were fairly The extra burnt debaters in England propelled even. Round 1 went to Rome 14-11, but Carthage Jeff Burdett to a Papal win (and seemingly built bounced back in Round 3 (12-8), so that by tourna- up his Catholic karma for later in the week). Nat ment end, the 90 games split 45-45. Pendleton scored the only one-turn preliminary Round 1 saw the fall of defending Champion Jim round win (with the Hapsburgs), needing only Heenehan as his Carthage fell to Tim Miller’s Rome 90 minutes to polish off his foes. by a 10-8 province count as Scipio and Marcellus Power selection in the Final was as follows: pounded into Idubeda on Turn 9. It would be the first Tim Rogers (Protestant), Dave Cross (Ottomans), of many upsets as the field was awash with sharks. Nat Pendleton (England), Kirk Harris (French), Round 4 dawned on six remaining unbeat- Chris Striker (Hapsburgs), and finally Jeff Burdett ens. Kyle Greenwood’s Rome defeated Roder- (Papacy). After a quick first turn in which all play- ick Lee 10-8. Henry Rice’s Rome downed Kevin ers jockeyed for position, the game quickly heated Wojtaszczyk 10-7, benefitting from Philip’s peace up—quite literally for Tim who had two debaters and Messenger Intercepted on Turn 8. Keith Wix- burnt at the stake. Going into the last turn, the Ref- son sent Hannibal on Turn 3 to hold Syracuse ormation was still in trouble, especially in England against James Pei’s game-long attempt to get it where another debater was burnt. So Nat pub- back (with only a Turn 9 Carthaginian relief army lished the Book of Common Prayer, even though driving off the besiegers for good). most of England is still Catholic. The Reformation In Round 5, the top-rated 3-1 player, Tom Rich- attempts failed and the entire island revolted! With ardson, faced Kyle in an attempt to end the event in the Reformation in deep trouble, a Papal win was the planned five rounds. Despite the death of Afri- secure. Jeff won his second game of the week based canus on Turn 8, Kyle swung a 9-7 victory. Wixson on the strength of burnt debaters, this time without edged Rice with even less to spare, tying 9-9. This left the aid of Bloody Mary. With the win he became two 5-0 players who had to return Mon- both the first two-time champion and day for an unprecedented 6th round. The the first to record back-to-back titles. omens were bad for Kyle though whose And he was playing the Papacy be- loss was predicted early and realized in cause all five other players had passed short order. Still, not bad for a newcomer. on that power before him! 28 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Henry Dove, MD Blair Morgen, NJ Patrick Gorman, PA Rob Seulowitz, NY Joe Collinson, MD Mike Wojke, PA Bill Beswick, IN O J.-F. Gagne, qc O Matthew Beach, MD O Dennis Mishler, GA O Kevin Youells, PA O Chris Orszak, CT

Kevin Youells, FL D. Bohnenberger, PA 45  1993-2009 29  2007-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Harald Henning, CT 126 Patrick Maloney, PA 60 Rolinda Collinson, MD 90 Blair Morgen, NJ 30 Jonas Borra, NY 84 Rob Seulowitz, NY 18 Mike Backstrom, MN 68 Jeff Bowers, UT 18 Jeff King, OH 64 Tony Defeo, CT 18 Gregory Kulp, NJ 64 Mike Wojke, PA 12 Haim Hochboim, is 60 Romain Jaques, qc 12 Robert Destro, NJ 60 Jim Doughan, PA 12 Henry Dove, MD Joe Collinson, MD 58 Blair Morgen, NJ Peter Eirich, MD 10 Henry Dove, MD 50 Jean-Francois Gagne, qc 9

History of the World (HWD) Imperial (IMP) his year marked the first use of a second heat ost of the players learning the game in the Twhich generated our highest attendance in four Mdemo actually stayed to play. This helped years. The demo was also well received with nearly a bring the total number of players in the first heat dozen people attending. Newcomers fared well this to 23, spread over five tables. Due to conflicts year, as Nick Page learned the game at the demo and with the incredibly popular Dominion and Atlantic then proceeded to win his first game. Four earned Storm tournaments, turnout was not so good for their first laurels including our new champion who the second heat. Only 14 players were mustered, celebrated his first WBC with inaugural wood. eight of whom were die-hard repeaters from the Semi-final winners were Henry Dove by nine previous heat. The only positive was that since points over Matthew Beach and Bill Beswick who only three tables were needed for Imperial, we all tied for second, Patrick Gorman who finished ten managed to fit in the ballroom. points ahead of top alternate David Anderson, and Turnout for the semi-final was very good with Kevin Youells over Joe Collinson by seven in the clos- 12 players competing on three tables albeit with- est semi-final, setting our field of six for the Final. out two-time champion Patrick Maloney who, in After getting passed the Minoans and playing part due to his helpful nature and free advice, fin- the Hittites minor empire, Kevin took the initial ished no higher than third in either heat and thus lead but it was not to last. Patrick followed his was ineligible to advance. However, he was not Egyptians with the Chou Dynasty and forged a alone as virtually all the eventual laurelists were two-point lead after two epochs. Kevin regained new to the list. the lead—and a huge target—when he drew and The winners of those three semi-final games: kept the Romans in the third epoch. After that, it Rob Seulowitz, Blair Morgen, and Michael Wojke, was all Henry as he played the Arabs followed all advanced to the Final along with top runner-up by the Franks for a huge back-to-back score and Jean-Francois Gagne. “JF” introduced an extremely a resounding lead which he never relinquished. aggressive style of play, and all players needed to He was passed the Incas/Aztecs which cut his adjust. The Final began with Blair controlling Brit- score to 21 points, but it was enough to keep the ain, France and Italy, Michael controlling Germany, lead. The US did not appear in the last epoch, and and JF controlling Austria/Hungary and Russia. Henry was passed the Netherlands Rob opted to begin play with no flags. instead. Patrick had a chance to At one point, Blair controlled as many catch him while playing Great Brit- as four nations. This strategy paid ain, but Henry was not to be denied off, and after a long and contentious and won by 18. game, Blair was victorious. Century Events 29

2009 Results 2009 Results Brittany Bernard, PA Keith Levy, MD Matt Calkins, VA Terri Wicks, CT Daniel Eppolitto, NV O Frank Mestre, NY O Bruce Reiff, OH O Kelsey Lee, PA O Joe Yaure, PA O Gino Sinigaglio, NJ O Jon Gemmell, MD O Haim Hochboim, is

Peter Stein, OH Lee Mewshaw, MD 103  139  2007-2009 2001-02, 05-06, 08-09

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Brittany Bernard, PA 30 Keith Levy, MD 30 Andy Latto, MA 30 Andy Latto, MA 20 Bruce Reiff, OH 21 Dave Buchholz, MI 20 Chris Johnson, CA 20 Bob Titran, NY 20 Matt Calkins, VA 18 Steve Scott, CA 19 Rob Winslow, NY 18 Terri Wicks, CT 18 Peter Stein, OH 17 Frank Mestre, NY 12 Daniel Eppolito, CA 16 John Ellsworth, IL 12 Brittany Bernard, PA Jamie Tang, MD 12 Keith Levy, MD Ken Lee, PA 12 Joe Yaure, PA 6 Mark Love, MD 12

Ingenius (ING) Ivanhoe (IVH) he number of games played increased to 64 vanhoe seems to have found its niche as a quick Twhich meant people were playing more than Iand light end-of-day session. All it needs is one heat. That was my goal when I changed the someone willing to shoulder the burden of being format to best two games. It also solved the prob- in charge and keeping the records. Of course, the lem of effectively being eliminated if you lost your willing and self-sacrificing GM is what separates first heat. I was hoping all players who won two the successful events from the used-to-be’s. or more games would get into the semi-final round The late night crowd had a really good mix of with a handful of players with a first and a second young and older players. For the most part, the peo- filling out the field and that is what transpired. Kar- ple who came to the demo did as well as the more en Roberts was the only tripple winner, with Joe experienced players—and as a consequence we had Yaure, Steve Cameron, Tom Dunning, Nick Smith, all new laurelists. Some of the top players had never David Maynard, Brittany Bernard, Peter Stein, played more than a game or two previously. Andy Latto and Daniel Eppolito winning twice. Even so, observing the strategies played, In the semis, Table #1 had Matt Calkins score a taught me a lot of things about this game that I had perfect game of all 18s to knock out defending champ never considered previously. The players seemed Latto, Greg Wilson and Laurie Wojtaszczyk. Table #2 to genuinely like playing because, as the last game was very close with Brittany Bernard squeaking by of the day, it wasn’t overly long or complex. I had Nick Smith, Joe Yaure and Karen Roberts. At Table a lot more players than I ever anticipated. I aver- #3 Alexandra Henning, Katie McCorry and Bruce aged about 60 players each night but one. Sadly, I Bernard were not up to denying the Evil Empire only got to play one game because I kept myself in of Bruce Reiff, which made him the only returning reserve for games with insufficient players. Never- finalist. At Table #4 Daniel Eppolito edged Jonathan theless, I enjoyed myself. Afterwards, I kept saying Gemmell while I and Dan Mathias watched. I was never going to GM again, but now that I have The Final was close with plenty of defensive a little distance and a lot more rest, I think I would moves but seemed somehow less interesting like to try it at least one more time. without me in it for the first time. Near the end, There’s a lot of “homework” involved in Bruce’s beloved Green betrayed him as he got GM’ing. I missed games I wanted to play be- cut off. It was Brittany who stayed cause I was entering information, in contention throughout and had sorting out the rankings and printing the right tile at the right time to win the results. But then again, if every- with 13 points over Matt 11, Daniel body felt that way, there would be 10-13 and Bruce 10-11. no WBC. 30 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Ewan McNay, NY B. Beckerman, NY Steve Cuccaro, MD Peter Staab, PA Greg Tanner, AZ Kathy Kilroy, PA O Sean McCulloch, OH O Adam Nolan, VA O Jeffrey Martin, CT O Josh Githens, SC O Mark Mitchell, VA O Stephanie Kilroy, PA

Steve Cuccaro, MD Jason Levine, NY 37  1991-2009 183  2003-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Steve Cuccaro, MD 142 Josh Githens, SC 36 Peter Stein, OH 86 Daniel Hoffman, NC 36 Tom McCorry, VA 46 Bernard Beckerman, NY 30 Lee Rodrigues, VA 42 Kathy Kilroy, PA 30 Ewan McNay, CT 40 Josh Lanham, MD 30 Llew Bardecki, on 40 Thomas Browne, PA 30 Marc Houde, VA 35 L. Dan Hoffman, MD 30 Sean McCulloch, OH 34 Lucimara Martins, MD 30 Ewan McNay, NY David Buchholz, MI 30 Bernard Beckerman, NY Peter Staab, PA 18 Bruce Glassco, NJ 30 Scott Buckwalter, MD 18

Kremlin (KRM) Liar’s Dice (LID) teve took an early lead in the Final with till a great draw in its seventh year at WBC, Scontrol of Nestor and Badenuff (starting SLiar’s Dice drew 183 crazed liars with hopes as Foreign Minister but quickly moved into of becoming the ultimate prevaricator. The fes- the Defense Minister slot). Nestor lasted until the 4th tivities started with the traditional massed cup turn thanks to some luck with both die rolls and his shake and resounding smash to the tables led by starting Intrigue cards (flu vaccine and one of the two the reigning Caesar and consul in togas. Release From Sanitarium cards). However, a failure From the crowd of 183 hopefuls, 32 accom- on Turn 2 left Steve with just two waves, and due to a plished liars (or bluffers if you prefer the more heavy toll with the Turn 4 health dice the Party Chief pc version) emerged for the semi-final round. position went to Goferbrok, who had been lurking The Final consisted of Bernard Beckerman, Pe- in the second level of the Politburo. He turned out ter Staab, Stephanie Kilroy, Stephanie’s mother to belong to Ewan’s faction, and Ewan proceeded Kathy and a former runner-up, Adam Nolan, to rearrange the politburo more to his liking, mov- and past champion Josh Githens. An esteemed ing Shootemdedsky to Foreign Minister and having gathering of liars to be sure. Only three people Protsky replace him as KGB head, as well as replac- have managed to laurel twice in seven years of ing Badenuff (still at Defense) with Talksalott. WBC Liar’s Dice and two of them were now at Goferbrok gave Ewan one (failed) attempt at the table. waving before his waning health put him in the Four exactors later we were down to two li- Kremlin wall, after which Protzky became Party ars left with one die apiece. Peter started the bid- Chief. To no one’s surprise, Ewan remained in con- ding with one 5 and Bernard followed by bidding trol, naming Strychnin as KGB head and bringing one 6. At that moment Peter told Bernard he had Karrienko back to the Politburo in his starting po- made another mistaken bid. Once again Bernard sition as Defense Minister. Turn 5 yielded another bid 6’s when the dice only went up to 5 with a star failed wave attempt, and the Politburo remained replacing the 6. Bernard re-bid as one star. Peter stable until the successful wave ending Turn 6. At thought there was no way that Bernard had a star this point, Steve took control of Protzky by Adding under his cup as he tried to bid a “false 6” with his Influence to get 10+, but to no avail—Protzky didn’t first bid. Peter had a 4 under his cup so he called survive the health phase. His replacement Strych- Bernard only to reveal Bernard’s star. nin survived health die rolls and card Slip of the tongue or smart double play to wave twice in the next two think ploy? Only Bernard knows for turns, winning the game and the title sure, and like any good poker player, for Ewan on Turn 8. he’s not saying. Century Events 31

2009 Results 2009 Results Rebecca Hebner, CA John Emery, SC Sam Atabaki, CA Richard Beyma, VA Eric Brosius, MA Jeff Paull, IN Richard Fetzer, NY O George Young, VT O John Corrado, VA O Bryan Collars, SC O Andy Latto, MA O Bill Powers, VA

Ivan Lawson, MD Andy Lewis, DE 166  2000-2009 50  2008-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Andy Latto, MA 61 John Emery, SC 30 Rebecca Hebner, CA 50 Chris Byrd, CT 30 Jared Scarborough, IL 48 Richard Beyma, VA 18 Sean McCulloch, OH 34 John Miklos, GA 18 Daniel Karp, MD 32 Jeff Paull, IN 12 Eric Brosius, MA 30 Scott Moll, VA 12 Jarett Weintraub, NY 30 George Young, VT 9 Chris Entwistle, MD 30 Mark Giddings, NY 9 Rebecca Hebner, CA Daniel Broh-Kahn, MD 30 John Emery, SC Bryan Collars, SC 6 Laurel Stokes, NJ 26 Marc Berenbach, MA 6

Lost Cities (LST) Manoeuvre (MAN) he first heat drew 54 pairs, while the others at- uring the Swiss rounds, not surprisingly Ttracted 40, 20 and 40 pairs, respectively. Erica DBritain and France were the most played as Kirchner posted the top individual score of 361; they are powerful and straightforward. How- no one has yet topped 400. The closest defensive ever it was good to see that many players went struggle was posted by Marc Berenbach with 75 for some of the other countries in much larger over Peggy Pfeiffer with 73 and we again had a tie numbers than the previous year and with a lot of that required a fourth hand. The struggle in mutual success even against Britain and France. The W-L futility was turned in by Steve Koleszar who beat records for the countries in winning percentage Emma Hauser by a score of 10 to (–44). Eric Brosius order were Ottoman Empire 15-7, Austria 6-4, and Edward Roberts were the only players to win Britain 16-15, Prussia 9-9, Russia 8-9, France 18- in all four heats. 20, Spain 5-10, and United States 1-5. The biggest Heading into single elimination, each of the 32 movers were Ottoman Empire up from 8-9 and qualifiers as well as the five alternates had at least Austria up from 1-5. The biggest loser was France two wins. Among them were four former champi- dropping from 27-14. ons: Andy Latto, Sean McCulloch, Jarett Weintraub Three unbeaten players advanced to SE play and Rebecca Hebner. Rebecca made it as an alter- along with five 3-1 players after tie breakers were nate as several qualifiers failed to post, including applied. John Emery’s British defeated Steve Jarett. In her initial SE round, she lost, but advanced Raszewski’s French by concession. Jeff Paull’s anyway by forfeit when her opponent withdrew British defeated Bill Powers’ French at nightfall due to a schedule conflict. After three SE rounds, 9-7. George Young’s British killed five of Bryan four players had advanced to the semis: Sam Ata- Collars Prussians. Richard Beyma’s French killed baki, Eric Brosius, Richard Fetzer, and… Rebecca. five of Josh Githens’ British. John Emery’s Rus- Sam continued his steamroller SE run, compiling sians then defeated George Young’s Austrians an average score of 213. Meanwhile, Rebecca had 15-5 while Richard Beyma’s Ottomans edged Jeff prevailed in nail biters with an average score of 94- Paull’s French 8-6 in a pair of semi-final games 74. Sam averaged +93 over his opponents. In the ended by nightfall. Final, Sam went up ten after the first hand and Re- The Final was a two-game match. In the opener, becca seven after the second. Sam had Richard’s Austrians were able to squeak out a 10-8 cut into her lead by the end of the last nightfall win. As dusk fell in the second hand, but Rebecca, the alternate quali- battle, John’s Prussians managed a 13-7 fier, prevailed by a score of 104 to 100, nightfall advantage which gave him for her second title. the title 21-17 on aggregate score. 32 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Jeff Mullet, OH Terry Coleman, CA AJ Sudy, VA Pete Staab, PA Tedd Mullally, NJ O Ken Gutermuth, NC Bill Crenshaw, VA O Nicole Reiff, OH O Kevin Sudy, VA O Bruce Reiff, OH O Pete Pollard, TN O Jeremy Billones, VA

Bill Crenshaw, VA Terry Coleman, CA 31  2005-2009 43  1992-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Bill Crenshaw, VA 192 Bruce Monnin, OH 112 Harald Henning, CT 116 Terry Coleman, CA 83 Arthur Field, SC 80 John Coussis, IL 79 Kevin Sudy, VA 76 Dennis Nicholson, NY 70 Jeff Mullet, OH 64 Peter Staab, PA 66 Ewan McNay, CT 58 Ken Gutermuth, NC 62 AJ Sudy, VA 54 Derek Landel, NY 54 Stefan Mecay, TX 51 Harry Flawd, PA 45 Jeff Mullet, OH Tom Taaffe, VA 46 Terry Coleman, CA Bruce Reiff, OH 44 Peter Staab, PA 42 Jeff Martin, CT 39

Manifest Destiny (MFD) March Madness (MMS) eff Mullet, playing Pennsylvania, overcame record 28 coaches contested the first Jgame-long low Profit with timely attacks, cards Aheat. Derek Landel managed to draft and collaboration to win over perennial final- Arizona 2001, the same team he had taken ists (and Northern Virginia gaming buddies) Bill to within inches of the online title game, and rode Crenshaw (Quebec), AJ Sudy (Virginia), and Kevin his favorite horse to the regional final where it met Sudy (Louisiana), and MFD laurelist newcomer its end at the hands of Peter Staab’s Nevada Las Tedd Mullally (Mexico). Mexico (five wins) and Vegas juggernaut averaging 120 points per game. Pennsylvania (four wins) dominated the event, The second heat on Wednesday morning with Louisiana picking up two wins and Virginia drew 24 but came down to Bruce Reiff’s 2001 and Quebec one each. Game speed increased as Michigan State vs defending champ Terry Cole- well with only a couple of games flirting with the man’s Indiana State squad, with Larry Legend’s four hour maximum time while several 4-player crew winning 106-98. Terry picked up the Bird- games finished in less than three hours. man in the #4 seed with the 18th pick. The Final featured largely mismatched home Heat #3 was the soft touch with but 14 players. and Destiny cards, a slow start and an exciting fin- Terry punched his Final Four ticket again as his Ar- ish. Quebec took the early lead as he cashed Hud- kansas whomped Jeremy Billones 2006 Florida 81-51. son’s Bay for the Profit increase on Turn 1 and hit The last heat drew 18 players but was the most his Mechanization research roll on Turn 2. When entertaining. Young Nicole Reiff topped three vet- he played Fulton and got Steamships on Turn 4, eran players before coming up short against ex- followed shortly thereafter by Electricity, Quebec champ Ken Gutermuth in the regional final and appeared to be on his way. Mexico also started settling for fourth place laurelsahead of her dad. well, gobbling up most of Mexico in two turns With two teams in the Final Four, Terry was and hitting his Turnpike roll on Turn 3, but did not a heavy favorite to win his fourth title. Those have California Gold Rush (which Virginia never odds skyrocketed after Bird and Indiana State put played), starting with Manifest Destiny and later away Pete’s Running Rebels 119-108. Now Ken drawing Louisiana Purchase, which wasn’t played would have to beat Terry twice to claim his third until the 1 / 2 transition turn. title. With an insurance policy named Final scores: Jeff Mullet (PA) 30 VPs/$30, AJ Bird in his back pocket, Terry aggres- Sudy (Virginia) 27 VPs/$65, sively parlayed a 94-92 Arkansas vic- Tedd Mullally (Mex) 27 VPs/$0, tory over Illinois to win it all without Bill Crenshaw (Que) 26 VPs/$20, even playing the Final since his were Kevin Sudy (La.) 26 VPs/$5. the last two teams left standing. Century Events 33

2009 Results 2009 Results Robert Drozd, IL Gordon Rodgers, PA Doug Galullo, FL Eric Monte, NY Jeffrey Meyer, MA Allen Kaplan, NJ O William Burch, MD O Sam Edelston, CT O Fred Minard, PA O Michael Shea, CT O Kevin Youells, PA O Eric Martin, MD

Ilan Woll, CT Mark Guttag, VA 61  1999-2009 62  2004-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Harald Henning, CT 82 Joe Harrison, KY 108 Tom Stokes, NJ 55 Robert Eastman, NV 68 Gary Noe, FL 52 Jonathan Miller, DC 57 Bruce Reiff, OH 43 Steve Lollis, MD 54 Doug Galullo, FL 42 Gordon Rodgers, PA 36 Peter Staab, PA 40 Scott Gibson, VA 30 Ann Cornett, FL 40 Sam Edelston, CT 27 Jeff Cornett, FL 38 Harrison Anderson, PA 26 Robert Drozd, IL Carmen Petruzelli, PA 30 Gordon Rodgers, PA Benoit Groulx, qc 20 Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY 30 Scott Sirianna, NY 20

Medici (MED) Memoir ‘44 (M44) he sport of the trade lords, Medici began atches were two-game pairings, with players Twith 61 competitors, but like the High- Mswitching sides between games. Advance- lander, there can be only one. The finale ment was based on most total medals earned with a started off with very high bidding. However, when most-enemy-eliminated tiebreaker. The theme was your competitors overbid, being the garbage col- the Battle of the Bulge featuring different scenarios lector can pay off. And pay off huge it did as Rob in each of seven rounds. Drozd picked up 17 points including the 10 gold on With five players advancing to Round 5, the three cards for a mere one lira. With this, he estab- GM served as an eliminator. Playing against lished the dominant position and the game quickly him, Eric Monte lost the first game 3-6 as the Al- devolved into a race for second. End of round 1: lies and was down to his last roll to avoid losing Rob Drozd 74, Doug Galullo 37, Jeffrey Meyer 36, his 4th medal and the match, when he destroyed Bill Burch 35, Fred Minard 28. the sixth Allied unit to win the game 6-3 and the Round 2 saw more aggressive bidding and match 42-38 on figures eliminated. Meanwhile, Al- Minard taking a 5, 4, and 2 of Dyes for 18. Both he len Kaplan swept Mike Shea 6-3 and 6-5. Mike had and Doug Gallulo both reached the top of their re- just eliminated defending champion, Scott Gibson spective towers. Drozd meanwhile continued his 11-8 in Round 4. Elsewhere, Sam Edelston won the frugal ways with a 13-point boat for one lira while first game of his match 6-5 as the Axis vs Gordon all others had three or more shipments already. Rodgers for his ninth straight win. All of his previ- End of Round 2: Drozd 83, Burch 63, Meyer 62, ous victories had been by at least two medals and Gallulo 60, Menard 43. it looked like Sam, leading 5-3, would take his 10th Round 3 saw the duel for runner-up honors straight win and the match, when Gordon played continue, with Gallulo winning the silver metal “Their Finest Hour”. Not only did Gordon roll well and Meyer the bronze. Final scores: Drozd 121, Ga- enough to activate five units, the maximum pos- lullo 100, Meyer 91, Burch 85, Minard 76. sible, but he hit with every one of his rolls, scoring Cutting Medici to two heats resulted in by far three kills, including a 4-figure tank, and winning the lowest attendance figures ever for the event— the game 6-5. They tied in medals and figures and requiring a reprieve from the Annual Membership so Gordon won on the equivalent of a coin flip. vote. The event was ineligible for a Legacy excep- Although three players remained and went on to tion due to a past GM failure within a round-robin play-off which the preceding ten-year qualifying peri- Gordon won after a 1-1-1 split, od. Legacy rules require a ten year his- he owed his title to lightning tory of meeting minimum standards. striking vs Sam in Round 5. 34 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results D. Gutermuth, NC David Meyaard, CT Vassily Kyrkos, NY Derek Landel, NJ Joe Abrams, CT Verity Hitchings, DE O Philip Shea, FL O Matthew Beach, MD O Luke Koleszar, VA O Joanna Melton, VA O Charles Hickok, PA O Jason Levine, NY

Richard Irving, CA Mark Love, MD 57  1991-2009 58  1998-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Bill Crenshaw, VA 96 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 100 Joe Abrams, CT 66 Nick Henning, CT 80 Eric Wrobel, VA 60 Rebecca Hebner, CO 77 Luke Koleszar, VA 58 Steve Scott, CA 68 Debbie Otto, MO 56 Joe Sposito, NJ 63 Eyal Mozes, NY 54 David Brooks, TN 62 Ed Wrobel, VA 52 Tom Meier, VA 50 Steve Dickson, CA 48 Matthew Beach, MD 36 Debbie Gutermuth, NC Charles Hickok, PA 43 David Meyaard, CT David Meyaard, CT 30 Chuck Foster, TX 42 Daniel Val, es 30

Merchant of Venus (MOV) Monsters Ravage America (MRA) n the first heat, Bob Woodson took four turns he field was 25% female with 29% new to the Icrossing over to the unfashionable Western Spiral Tevent. 54% used the 2005 Menace edition, while Arm of the galaxy trying to find a place to unload 46% used the Ravage edition. The Menace winners his Space Dust. He finally got a great roll, 665 for were Megaclaw 6, Tomanagi 3, Toxicor 2, Zorb 2, 17! On the 14th space he decided to explore a “?” Gargantis 1. Ravage winners favored Bronacle 6, To- marker-only to find a Telegate. As the Telegate 5 & managi 4 (champion), Ixitpla 1, Glow Wyrm 1. 6 were already discovered, Bob was sent back from The biggest Ravage monster was newcomer whence he came. Ouch! Bob easily wins the fictional David L. Anderson’s Glow Wyrm. Newcomer “Wrong Way Corrigan” Award. Amanda Stockwell Eric Raymond won two Menace games. Scott found four relics in the treacherous Asteroid Belt in Gibson became the first player to win three heat another game, greatly aiding her victory. Heat 2 was games since Dan Eshleman in 2000. Scott built the noteworthy for Debbie Gutermuth discovering six biggest Menace monster in the tournament for his planets before her erstwhile competitors and easily third win with Megaclaw. winning. Geoffrey Entwistle won his Heat 3 game In the Final David Meyaard played Navy/ with the highest total score—mainly because he Glow Wyrm, Verity Hitchings Army/Ixitpla, Mat- forgot it was a game to $2000 and declared victory thew Beach Air Force/Bronacle, and Derek Landel two full turns after making that total! There were Marines/Tomanagi. New York City and the whole enough qualifiers to field five semi-final games. northeast, which contains 60% of the health points Vassili Kyrkos edged Charles Hickok in a tight race on the map, became heavily guarded. All four mon- while Debbie Gutermuth won easily. Luke Koleszar sters migrated west. Derek had Tomanagi disap- prevented the GM from making his own Final pear to reappear in the Atlantic and attack NYC. His again. Bill Crenshaw found $160 in penalties on the Kinda Friendly mutation made him immune to the first five turns of the game are not conducive to win- National Guard; he got 15 health. David made the ning, although Philip Shea didn’t mind as he used 20th stomp at Minneapolis! Derek went to Three a freighter to power his way to victory. Lastly, Joe Mile Island and mutated with Armor Scales. No- Abrams won his way to yet another Final. body swiped the Challenge. It was brutal but David Debbie Gutermuth stopped taking pictures Meyaard’s Glow Wyrm remained standing with long enough to win a tight 5-play- four health, and then dispatched er Final to $3000, by getting $2000 Matthew’s military Mecha-monster in deeds, locking out many key to win! The Final produced the only systems and getting several early win in 2009 by Glow Wyrm but that factories. was the win that counted the most! Century Events 35

2009 Results 2009 Results Henry Russell, PA Rich Northey, MA Lane Hess, PA Marty Musella, VA Harry Theodore, NY Chuck Leonard, PA John Emery, SC O Alan Arvold, IL Jesse Boomer, KS O Bert Schoose, IL Jim Castonguay, PA O Greg Tanner, AZ

Mark McLaughlin, CT Bert Schoose, IL 45  2003-2009 23  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists John Emery, SC 138 Bill Scott, VA 127 Lane Hess, PA 132 Marty Musella, VA 125 Bruce Young, SC 110 Chuck Leonard, PA 90 Ed Rothenheber, MD 96 Bert Schoose, IL 73 Scott Moll, VA 80 Greg Tanner, AZ 50 Henry Russell, PA 78 Dave Giordano, AZ 47 Melvin Casselberry, PA 75 Rich Northey, MA 44 David Gantt, SC 60 Alan Arvold, IL 36 Henry Russell, PA Forrest Speck, MD 60 Rich Northey, MA Eduardo DeNucci, ag 26 Scott Fenn, MD 50 Johnny Hasay, PA 21

The Napoleonic Wars (NW5) Panzerblitz (PZB) he French won eight of the 18 games played he top four positions for the semi- Twith four British, three Austrian, one Rus- Tfinals were Rich Northey (4-3-1) with sian and two Prussian wins. One deserves spe- 38 points, Alan Arvold (3-2-1) with 34 cial mention. Jesse Boomer’s France had a tough points, Marty Musella (2-1) with 31 points, and first year. With four veteran foes ranged against two-time defending champion Bert Schoose (3-0) France, it was soon obvious that France was not with 30 points. going to win—but Jesse refused to quit. France The first semi-final pitted Chuck against Rich in was invaded on Turn 2—Jesse threw them back. scenario 1A. In the end, some of Chuck’s units were They came again on Turn 3 and Jesse held on. able to avoid dispersal and got off some shots on the Turn 4, in they came again—his back to the wall, last German turn but none of the three low odds at- in a battle with more than 40 dice on a side—Jesse tacks were successful so the game ended in a 13-13 routed the coalition attacking Paris! tie (Russian win) and a well-played victory for Rich. Three times the Allies came at Paris—and tree The other semi sent Marty’s Germans against times he sent them packing. Reduced to literally Alan in Scenario 14. The German mobile defense only Paris, Jesse fought on! The game went the full was able to overrun three Russian truck platoons five turns, with Jesse battling every step of the way. and one infantry company on Turn 6 for four Although he finished last when the game came to crucial VPs. More importantly, the remaining its inevitable end, Jesse’s epic defense earned him defenders became invisible to Russian direct fire, the GM’s nod as an alternate in the Final where he leaving Marty with a 34-30 win. walked away with fifth place wood. The Final was contested in scenario 52. Rich’s The Final was unusual even by Napoleonic German battle group occupied the town of Bednost War standards. It demonstrated the flexibility as they had been alerted to Marty’s Russian raid- of the system, how important a role diplomacy ing force in the vicinity. On the last turn, victory and personalities can play—and how not every depended on the ability of Marty’s Russian tank to game need follow the historical path of The Na- repeat for a third time its incredible shooting. When poleonic Wars. Lane Hess, otherise known as “the his unit ran out of ammo, the CP could not be de- back-stabbing weasel” led Austria into the French stroyed so Marty conceded the match by a 21-5 camp where he remained till the score although it appeared to be much closer than end, declining to join Russia and the score indicated. Rich Northey thus won the title Prussia in spending to prolong and his first WBC wood against the war and thereby giving Henry a field which included six of the Russell a four-turn French win. ten previous champions. 36 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Stefan Mecay, TX B. Passacantando, CT Dave Dockter, MN David Tianen, WI Tom Drueding, MA Devin Flawd, PA Riku Riekkinen, fn O Dale Long, NJ Tom Gregorio, PA O Ron Pisarz, VA Peter Gurneau, WI O Harry Flawd, PA

Peter Reese, VA Harry Flawd, PA 50  1999-2009 49  1993-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Tom Drueding, MA 404 Devin Flawd, PA 200 David Dockter, MN 274 Harry Flawd, PA 150 Peter Reese, VA 240 Bill O’Neal, NY 40 Stefan Mecay, TX 232 Mike Destro, NJ 36 Chris Byrd, CT 202 B. Passacantando, CT 32 Rob Hassard, NJ 181 Derek Landel, NJ 28 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 174 Barry Shoults, NI 24 Nick Anner, NY 126 John Ellmann, MD 22 Stefan Mecay, TX Jim Falling, MI 117 B. Passacantando, CT Jordan Flawd, PA 21 Stephan Valkyser, de 96 David Tianen, WI 18

Paths of Glory (POG) Paydirt (PDT) “modified historical campaign sce- FC coaches showed in record numbers (42) Anario” was used for the first time— Afor the opening heat. Devin Flawd was gun- shifting four victory spaces, making it eas- ning for his fifth straight title, but It would be ier to play the Tsar Takes Command and providing a quick exit for the champ in the AFC as Doug more incentives for the CP to hold real estate in the Porterfield led his Browns to a convincing 57-28 West. Consequently, the Yanks appeared occasion- win over Devin’s Colts. The AFC title game came ally (in contrast to their usual absence) and most down to duplicate Bills teams. In a hard fought games saw a real Western Front meat grinder (in defensive struggle, David Tianen beat Dale Long contrast to the usual “Defend-the-Rhine” strategy). 12-7 to advance to the Super Bowl. After 52 games in the Swiss rounds, we had five The NFC heat drew 28 coaches but set a new 3-0s, a 2-0-1 and two “roll-off” spots. In what has record for players. Bruno Passacantando bid quick become an annual POG tradition, six prospective and hard to grab his Giants and try to guide them giant killers “roll-off” to make the quarter finals. to the promised land. He started with a 56-36 win Jeromey Martin and Keith Schoose were the lucky over Detroit. and then took down Jordan Flawd’s winners. Rising star Tom Gregorio at 2-0-1 and un- Vikings 20-13, Barry Smith’s Bucs 34-13 and Harry defeated Gurneau, Mecay, Drueding, Herr Dr and Flawd’s Saints 34-31 before the true test in the NFC the Finnish Dragon completed the field. title game against Devin and his five titles. A 27-19 No giants were slain in the Quarters so four pre- win not only ended Devin’s title defense but com- vious champs with unblemished records did battle pleted his elimination of the entire Flawd family. in the semis. Both games went down to the final die The Super Bowl was, after many games and roll. Stefan Mecay’s CP, using his traditional Defend rolls of the dice, a formality for Bruno, as he dis- the Rhine strategy, defeated Riku’s AP while David patched David Tianen’s Bills even with his +14 Dockter’s CP downed Tom Drueding’s AP. point spread, 42-17. A very dominating game, with During the early turns, Dave’s CP was able to the Giants running at will, tossing in an occasional setup the West and Italy, while getting the Tsar pass, but putting forth a dominating effort. Bruno’s Takes Command off and beating the AP to total victory gave him his first Paydirt title and made war by two turns. However, reverses in the East him just one of six titleholders thanks to eleven sapped replacements and the CP began to col- being held by the Flawd clan—all of whom bent lapse on Turns 15 and 16. Stefan’s to his Giants. It’s back to the draw- victory over his teammate would ing board for the Flawd household cost them their fourth team title of which will be putting in many more the decade. hours this offseason! Century Events 37

2009 Results 2009 Results A. Collinson, MD Jim Castonguay, PA Beth Zhao, TX David Platnick, VA Barrett Straub, MD Richard Meyer, MA O Henry Pfeiffer, SC Ken Horan, PA O James Bell, MD Keith Levy, MD O Verity Hitchings, DE Robert Woodson, NV

Larry Lingle, PA Jim Castonguay, PA 57  2005-2009 129  2004-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Tom Pavy, OH 69 Jim Castonguay, PA 173 Paul Weintraub, MD 51 Eric Brosius, MA 103 Chris Striker, PA 36 Richard Meyer, MA 72 Ashley Collinson, MD 30 Bill Murdock, NY 72 John Elliott, MD 30 Patrick Shea, VA 60 Henry Pfeiffer, SC 27 Bill Crenshaw, VA 45 Forrest Speck, MD 27 Rod Spade, PA 39 Beth Zhao, TX 18 David Platnick, VA 36 Ashley Collinson, MD Chris Gnech, PA 18 Jim Castonguay, PA Lyman Moquin, DC 33 Lauren Vessey, VA 18 Barb Flaxington, NJ 33

Pirate’s Cove (PRC) Power Grid (PGD) arrgh! This be an event that rolls more r’s and he breakdown for heats entered was 77 in one Auses more props than a Disney ride. And the Theat, 41 in two, and 11 who played in all three ladies are far from helpless damsels on the high heats. Heat 1 drew 78 players playing 16 games; seas. Six rogues won in Heat 1. It would be the 12 on the Germany board and four on France. last time the men acted the part. The Heat 2 win- Heat 2 drew 75 players playing 15 games; ten on ners were Emma Hauser, Chris Daly, Beth Zhao, the USA board and five on Central Europe. Heat Rob Drozd, Ron Glass, Claire Pfeiffer and Linda 3 drew 39 players for eight games split evenly be- Pattison as the women put them to shame. Emma tween Italy and Benelux. sank as many as all her dainty adversaries com- I used a points-based system for the qualify- bined. Beth used her wiles to slip by the others ing format to take the top 25 people for the semi’s by a mere three points. Claire joined her brother based on their overall points and a win was a win Henry as the Pfeiffers ruled the seas—sending no matter which heat. It rewarded players who six below the waves. Linda continued the Ama- scheduled their convention around Power Grid zon reign of terror, sinking five. Ashley Collinson and played multiple heats. joined the suffragettes in Heat 3 as Dan Mathias David Platnick won the #3 plant in the Final for won again. At last a sailor with some iron. $4 and then bought the four free connection cities The wenches again held their own in the to spend his starting $50 ($6 for two oils). This put semis, sending two to the Final reckoning. Henry him in a “must upgrade” situation and no way to slipped into the win column by a lousy point over get turn position for quite a few turns; which helped Linda and two over Emma. Beth bewitched the keep the market moving (he bought eight plants opposition, sinking more than all three blokes overall). Ken Horan managed to get the #4 plant for combined and ending Tom Pavy’s title defense. $5 the first turn and immediately upgraded to the Ashley breezed by two other wenches to advance. #12 plant for $12 on the second turn. Jim got the 8 Paul Bissa was smitten early and did not stand a plant and Richard the 9, both for cost. So that left chance as they ate him alive. Barrett Straub and Jim as fourth to build and built two just north of the Jim Bell rounded out the final five. four free connection cities; forcing him into a game The Final was hotly contested—by the wench- of trying to be in good turn position for when things es. Beth gave it her all, but Ashley was not to be opened up. The game ended with four players denied. The brotherhood lagged far building, and powering, 16 cities. The behind with the two lasses outscor- difference between Jim Castonguay ing the three scum combined! Twas winnning his third title and David Plat- a sad day for men on the high seas. nick gaining his first was a single dollar. 38 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Thomas Browne, PA Eric Brosius, MA Chris Senhouse, MA Robert Drozd, IL Bruce DuBoff, NJ O Mark Neale, RI O Rod Spade, PA O B. Beckerman, NY O Davyd Field, SC O Rich Meyer, MA O Jason Long, PA O Ken Gutermuth, NC

Eric Brosius, MA Bruce Monnin, OH 58  2001-2009 58  1994-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Eric Brosius, MA 100 Ken Gutermuth, NC 72 Rod Spade, PA 91 John Coussis, IL 50 L. Dan Hoffman, MD 72 Devin Flawd, PA 34 Brian Reynolds, MD 50 Keith Hunsinger, OH 26 John Kerr, VA 50 Eric Brosius, MA 20 Arthur Field, SC 50 Brian Farrelly, IL 20 Doug Kaufman, MD 49 Bruce Reiff, OH 20 Eugene Lin, WA 44 Nate Hoam, OH 20 Thomas Browne, PA Tom Browne, PA 42 Eric Brosius, MA Terry Coleman, CA 20 Alex Bove, PA 42 Dennis Nicholson, NY 20

Princes of Florence (POF) Pro Golf (PGF) lose games were common. There were three hinking they would use their experi- Cties for Prestige Points in the heats, with Tence to grab easy wood, 37 of 2008’s the winners determined by the tiebreaker, most duffers returned. However, they soon cash. Two others were won by just one PP. At the found that experience was not a key ingredient other end of the spectrum, David Platnick won in Pro Golf success as three of the final foursome his first heat by 27 PP. Alan Elkner was the only came from the 19 newcomers. player to win both heats. After the 75-minute first round was completed Some people claim Princes of Florence is slant- on the 18 holes of the 2002 version of the Augusta ed toward the player who plays 2nd in Round 1. course, three golfers had claimed spots in the Skins It makes sense in theory, but it didn’t pan out in game. Bernard Beckerman (playing with Fred 2009. For the second straight year, the bottom of Couples) led the field at –8. Mark Neale (Retief the order out-scored the top, and in fact Seat 2 Goosen) was right behind at –7, while Eric Brosius came in fifth in five of the eleven 5-player heats. (Phil Mickelson) was also safe in the clubhouse at In the semis and Final, players bid for player –5. That left only one opening in the Skins game. order, paying florins to get their choice of seats. Five players (Paul Risner, Ken Gutermuth, Robert The average bids were 1st: 117, 2nd: 300, 3rd: 67 Drozd, Rich Meyer and Arthur Field) all finished florins. All five semis were close. four under par and went into a sudden death play- The Finalists were Bruce DuBoff, Tom Browne, off on Pebble Beach to claim the last spot. Robert Chris Senhouse, Rod Spade and Davyd Field. After Drozd’s David Toms sank a birdie putt on the 2nd Round 7, Chris lead with 47 PP, followed by Rod hole to move on to the Skins game. with 45, Bruce 42, Davyd 38 and Tom 34. But it wasn’t These four players were then transported to the over. Bruce had a Prestige card and Davyd and Tom Lancaster Host Golf Club for the 12-hole Skins game. each had two. Bruce’s card was worth five PP for “2 When Eric Brosius birdied the par 3 11th, the Skins Large Buildings”, tying him with Chris. Davyd had were 4, 4, 3 and 0—eliminating Bernard. Either Eric “4 Buildings, 2 Freedoms and 4 Works” for six PP, or Robert would win if they took the next hole. Mark but did not score for “Most Works”, leaving him at halved the hole with a long birdie putt to deny Robert 44. Tom then revealed “All 3 Freedoms” for eight the win. The skin was carried over to the par 4 13th, PP and “1 Builder, 1 Jester and 2 Land- and Eric, given new life, immediately scapes” for seven PP bringing his score to birdied. Robert and Mark each had birdie 49, 2 PP ahead of Chris and Bruce and in putt attempts to halve the hole, but both sole first place. The final scores: Tom 49, failed, giving Eric Brosius the come-from- Chris 47, Bruce 47, Rod 45, Davyd 44. behind victory with five skins. Century Events 39

2009 Results 2009 Results Steve Pleva, CT Alex Bove, PA Jeremy Osteen, MD David Buchholz, MI John Weber, MD Cheryl Meek, MD Geoffrey Pounder, on Tom Dunning, NY Haim Hochboim, is O Jake Byrens, CA Aran Warszawski, is O C. Petruzelli, PA

John Weber, MD Steve Scott, CA 151  2002-2009 176  2000-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Barb Flaxington, NJ 143 Tom Dunning, NY 178 David Platnick, NY 108 Alex Bove, PA 172 John Weber, MD 97 Joe Jaskiewicz, MD 70 Arthur Field, SC 96 Winton LeMoine, CA 64 Christian Moffa, NJ 95 Steve Scott, CA 44 Bill Murdock, VA 64 David Buchholz, MI 40 Malinda Kyrkos, NY 63 Bobbi Warczak, CA 40 Steve Pleva, CT 60 Chris Terrell, VA 40 Steve Pleva, CT Nick Page, on 60 Alex Bove, PA David Rohde, MI 40 Nicholas Anner, NY 60 Michelle Hymowitz, MD 38

Puerto Rico (PRO) Ra (RA!) he eventual champion was a newcomer who ttendance records fell as 176 sun worship- Twon his first game in the last heat, followed by Aers gathered. The Thursday heat drew a re- three consecutive wins in the elimination rounds to cord 106 players in 22 games, causing a delay as sweep the top honors. And, for the first time, half of nine more games were retrieved. The other heats the six laurelists came from outside the United States. filled 15, 18 and nine games and generated two The most remarkable result was from a game triple and seven double winners. To qualify for involving 2006 champ Chris Moffa, reigning Cae- the semi’s you had to win your first heat unless sar Alex Bove, Kevin Walsh (a two-time WBC you won twice. The 25th semi-finalist was Laura semi-finalist), and newcomer Lexi Shea, who had Brown who was seeded 36th for winning her only no tournament pedigree. The winner had 75 points, heat played by two victory points. two short of the all-time WBC record, while second In the semis former laurelist David Buchholz (Chris) was a distant 43. The surprise was that the beat double winner Carmen Petruzzelli 41-38. Car- winner was Lexi, whose 32-point blowout win men took 6th place with the lowest percentage of shattered the previous all-time margin of victory of defeat in the semis. Triple winner Jeff Plummer 25 set by Rachel McGinley in 2003. and double winner Rod Davidson got pummeled However, nothing could take away from the by Cheryl Meek who posted a 19-point win over record-setting performance by Steve Pleva, who Laura Brown 55-36 at Table 2. Table 3 saw the like Nick Page before him in 2008, won the title in ouster of 2008 laurelist and double winner Eric his first try. His winning margin of 12 VPs shat- Freeman by newcomer Jake Byrens in a close 39- tered the record for the largest winning margin in 36 match. Table 4 was the domain of triple win- the Final, set by Arthur Field in 2002. Final scores ner and defending champion Alex Bove who ad- (after taking into account the bids) were: Steve 61.5, vanced with a 45-41 victory over Stephane Dorais. Jeremy 50, John 48.5, Geoff 48. Taking 17 turns to The last table was loaded for bear with two-time complete, it was the longest and also the highest- champ Tom Dunning and double winners Greg scoring Final ever. Overall statistics from the 74 Thatcher and Mario Veillette but it was newcomer games followed a familiar pattern, with the two Rob Renaud who came closest in Tom’s 42-38 win. corn seats (starting positions 3 and 4) outscoring The Final was tense. In the closing moments, the two indigo seats by an average of just over Alex spent his last sun (the “1”) on two three points per game. With over monuments to complete 10 point sets 500 tournament games recorded, that proved to be the difference in de- the Seat winning %s are: 1: 19.9%, 2 feating David 51-44 with Cheryl third 19.5%, 3 30.8% and 4 29.7%. only three points back. 40 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Robert Renaud, NJ M. McCandless, LA Don Sutherland, CT Angus McDonald, on Dave Finberg, MA Mark Kennel, DE O Scott Anthony, PA Tony Newton, on O J.R. Geronimo, NY Chester Lanham, MD O Rob Kircher, RI O Bill Duke, MD

Winton LeMoine, CA Ron Secunda, MD 139  2008-2009 35  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Robert Renaud, NJ 60 Mark McCandless, LA 122 Doug Faust, NJ 20 Steve Okonski, MD 120 Mark Delano, CT 20 Ron Secunda, MD 101 Don Sutherland, CT 18 Doug Galullo, FL 80 Mike Richey, VA 18 Brian Conlon, OK 74 Aaron Fuegi, MA 18 Mark Kennel, DE 60 Rob Kircher, RI 15 William Duke, MD 60 David Finberg, MA 12 Chuck Foster, TX 60 Robert Renaud, NJ Eric Brosius, MA 12 Mark McCandless, LA Ed Wrobel, VA 60 Scott Anthony, PA 9 Stan Buck, MD 60

Race For the Galaxy (RFG) Rail Baron (RBN) onsistency was prevalent as seven of the last 16 hester Lanham did his best to stifle the opposi- Csemi-finalists repeated this year despite a 40% Ction by winning all three of his heats to deprive attendance increase. With 20 multiple winners, two others from advancing. Bill Duke was the only other wins were no guarantee to advance, although none player to bag an extra win in the Preliminaries. of the six triple winners made the Final. The unenviable record for the most hostile des- In the first semi, Scott Anthony knocked out tinations was held by Scott Chupack. His first five three of the returning semi-finalists, winning destinations in Heat 1 were friendly, but 13 of his by military strength with Epsilon Eridani. Don next 15 were hostile. However, he did win his Heat Sutherland also advanced by military with New 3 game. Bill Duke had the most destinations (29) in Sparta complemented by development points. Heat 2, with Chamblee Shufflebarger close on his David Finberg advanced with New Sparta too, heels with 28 in Heat 3. but on the strength of Galactic Federation and Very noticeable was that most winners held the Pan Galactic League. Defending champ Robert AT&SF, followed closely by the UP. Relatively few Renaud won the closest semi with Earth’s Lost winners held the SP. In the Northeast region, con- Colony boosted by Diversified Economy. trary to popular belief, owning the PA did not en- Renaud’s New York team was a force. At least sure a win. The B&O did just as well, followed close- five of them went 10 for 17 but they made the great- ly by the NYC and C&O. In the Southeast, the SAL est impact in the seeding. Two of them qualified and L&N did equally well, and to no surprise, most ahead of him but opted not to advance, allowing winners held a Northwest RR. Only a half-dozen or him to do so in his ‘team game’, while bringing forth so winners held the NYNH&H and/or the B&M, the spectre of co-operative team play moreso than is which seems to lessen their importance. Surpris- the norm at WBC. Early in the Final it appeared that ingly, many winners held the CB&Q and/or SLSF. Donald was pulling ahead, settling several colonies Our champion Rail Baron this year, Mark Mc- from New Sparta, but Robert had enough consume Candless, managed to win our 5-player Final with points to pull off an unlikely repeat win. the C&O, AT&SF, NP, C&NW, and the IC. The other Wins by starting world were clustered ab- player’s holdings were: 2nd: Angus McDonald - PA, normally against the prevailing wisdom that SP, ACL, GM&O, CMSTP&P, SLSF. 3rd: Mark Ken- higher numbered start worlds are nel - NYC, SAL, L&N, MP, T&P. 4th: Tony Newton favored. The 2009 distribution was: - CB&Q, N&W, GN, UP, Old Earth - 10, Epsilon Eridani - 15, WP, D&RGW. 5th: Chester Alpha Centauri - 22, New Sparta - Lanham - B&O, CRI&P, 16, Earth’s Lost Colony - 7. SOU, NYNH&H, B&M. Century Events 41

2009 Results 2009 Results Derek Landel, NJ Brad Johnson, IL Richard Curtin, NY Bill Navolis, DE Paul Bissa, OH Jeff Finkeldey, OH O Bill Riggs, VA Curt Collins, PA O Charles Drozd, IL O Scott Chupack, IL O Steve Dickson, CA O Josh Githens, SC

Alan Hayes, IL Marc Houde, VA 36  1999-2009 65  1999-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Rob Lightburn, VA 108 Brad Johnson, IL 248 Steve Dickson, CA 53 Bill Navolis, MD 53 Phil Rennert, MD 40 Scott Buckwalter, MD 40 Alan Hayes, IL 39 Bill Dyer, IL 40 Brandon Bernard, PA 34 Jeff Cornett, FL 40 Derek Landel, NJ 30 Jeff Ribeiro, NH 40 Keith Galbraith, PA 30 Dan Lawall, VA 39 Gary Schaefers, PA 30 James Kendrick, uk 36 Derek Landel, NJ Eric Wrobel, VA 30 Brad Johnson, IL Tamara Houde, VA 30 Craig Melton, VA 30 Rich Shipley, MD 28

Risk (RSK) Robo Rally (RRY) lthough Matt Tolman and Alan Hayes also espite a poor start in the second heat, and Awon games in the preliminaries; Richard Dthe near miraculous luck of Henry Pfeiffer, Curtin (a 2007 finalist), Paul Bissa, Derek Landell, who with only three cards to program managed Steve Dickson (a two-time champion), Charles to touch Flag 2 despite, or perhaps because of, Drozd and Bill Riggs qualified for the Final with being interfered with by two other robots on the more eliminated opponents. same turn, I managed with consummate skill to Turn 1: Richard secures Australia. not only catch, but surpass the leaders on the very Turn 2: Derek takes Africa and Charles South last hand of the game. Surely this was to be the America. year of the GM. Perhaps I would even play in the Turn 4: Paul takes North America. Final instead of just taking notes on the outcome. Turn 6: All six players turn in their first set, cul- I came out strong in the semi-final taking an minating with Charles’ Army of 15. early lead by virtue of spending the first five turns Turn 7: Bill turns in the 7th set for 20. as a virtual bot. The last register phase of each of Turn 9: The tipping point has been reached. Rich- the first four turns found my bot sharing a space ard turns in the 8th set for 25, reinforces Siam—bring- with Josh Githen’s bot—a distinct benefit to both ing its garrison to 53 and begins a march of conquest players as neither needed to worry about the ac- through China; while Great Britain conquers Scandi- tions of the other players. I managed to continue navia, thus eliminating Steve. Now, with seven cards this trend another turn without Josh’s help, then in his hand, Richard turns in set #9 for 30, places them the trouble began, and by the end of the game I in Ural and continues his Asian rampage all the way was back in the pack. to the Eastern U.S. where a 17-all standoff with Paul Brad Johnson gave the lie to his frequent falls one short of success. A reprieved Paul turns in insistence that he’s really ‘not that good’ by set #10 for 35 and retakes North America. Derek turns handily winning his sixth title. Meanwhile, Robo in set #11 for 40; putting several in East Africa and Rally remains a Brad lake that the rest of us may the rest in North Africa, from whence he conquers visit from time to time, but where no one dare South America. Then his East African horde marches contemplate taking up residence. Perhaps next through Middle East, eliminating Charles. That cre- year I will return the format of detailed action, ates set #12 for 45 which crushes Japan and counting out the fact that Brad won Bill. That becomes set #13 for 50, allowing the game despite having to shutdown him to amass 90+ in Japan. Paul is next and three times, or that the race for third his demise fuels set #14 for 55, drawing was so much more intense than that Richard’s concession. for first, or perhaps not. 42 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Rob Beyma, MD Doug James, NC Richard Beyma, MD Bert Schoose, IL Jim Eliason, IA Gary Dickson, CA O Art Lupinacci, on O Tim Nielson, VA O Charles Catania, MD O John Ohlin, FL O Charles Drozd, IL O Tom Gregorio, PA

Rob Beyma, MD Tom Gregorio, PA 20  2006-2009 39  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Rob Beyma, MD 120 Doug James, NC 350 Art Lupinacci, on 57 Tom Gregorio, PA 296 Richard Beyma, MD 36 Gary Dickson, CA 261 Jim Eliason, IA 30 Bert Schoose, IL 111 Jim Miller, VA 21 Rob Beyma, MD 76 Craig Champagne, NJ 12 George Karahalios, IL 74 Lembit Tohver, on 9 Phil Evans, VA 63 Charles Catania, MD 6 Pat Flory, CT 61 Rob Beyma, MD Jim Tracy, OH 6 Doug James, NC Ed O’Connor, NJ 40 Doug Richards, on 6 Art Lupinacci, on 40

Russia Besieged (RBS) Russian Campaign (TRC) ides were determined by bidding VPs with re- he 19th rendition of the tournament Splacement points as a tiebreaker. The VP bids Tset records in both players and total ranged from 16 to 20 with the average bid being games played, 93. Much of these impres- 19.2. The most frequent bid was 19 which was also sive numbers can be attributed to the format and the default number of VPs required. Play balance the consistent usage of the 5-turn tournament sce- was perfect with each side winning 11 games. nario, but it didn’t change the outcome as Doug The Final saw another Beyma family tree fa- James walked away with his sixth title—albeit not ther and son match. In a surprise ploy, Richard without some chinks in his armor after experi- dropped his bid from 20 to 18. His logic was that encing preliminary losses to Gary Dickson, Tom Rob usually struggles with the Germans the first Gregorio, and Jeff Martin. Gary and Bert Schoose time that he plays them in a tournament. Insider had strangleholds on the first two playoff slots as info was to no avail this time. Richard’s second they’d gone undefeated against serious competi- turn found the Russians faced with many threats tion. Doug James nailed down the third slot while and few units. The Russians defended the Luga, Tim Nielsen narrowly edged Jeff Martin and John the woods in front of Moscow, Bryansk, Khar- Ohlin for the last slot. kov, and Dnepropetrovsk. One of the armies in James’ Germans prevailed over Dickson in Odessa was successfully sea moved back to Sev- the semi-final while Bert remained unbeaten in astopol. The last turn was anti-climatic as the Ger- denying Tim. In the Final Bert consistently forced mans ended their turn with 27 VPs and no time. Doug to AV Russian units on first impulse in or- Rob had won his fourth Russia Besieged wood in der to keep advancing in the south. Particularly as many years. noteworthy was that Bert’s KMD setup encour- The game was much closer than the final VP aged the creation of a large pocket of Russians at tally would indicate. In fact, the Russians would Lwow. Bert’s pocketed units counterattacked and have had the edge going into Mar/Apr had Snow he used an AR to get a Russian unit into Warsaw been rolled. A Mud/Mud weather roll would on Turn 1. Doug used two of three stukas in July have resulted in a very close ending. No one will on attacksin Poland! Things really broke open in a be surprised if Richard wins it all next year—but clear S/O when the overrun of a 3-7 allowed Ger- that would still keep it all in the fam- man panzers to attack Kharkov at 4:1 ily. The apple doesn’t fall far from surrounded. the tree—especially when the apple Overall, data suggests that the Rus- grows up playing wargames against sians have a slight edge but that this father tree. disappears at the higher skill levels. Century Events 43

2009 Results 2009 Results Curt Collins II, PA K. Wojtaszczyk, NY Tom DeMarco, NJ Mike Shea, CT Arthur Field, SC Chris Palermo, NY Robert Cranshaw, RI O Tom Bissa, MI O L. Solomon, VA O Phillip White, MD O Amy Rule, MD O Grant LaDue, NY

Steven Quade, MD Rob Kircher, RI 115  2005-2009 44  2003-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Tom DeMarco, NJ 75 Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY 50 Arthur Field, SC 72 Rob Kircher, RI 44 Anne Norton, NJ 60 Bob Wicks, CT 32 Chris Robbins, UT 52 Bill Peeck, NY 28 Curt Collins II, PA 40 Chris Palermo, NY 22 Norman Herrick, NE 40 Phillip White, MD 22 Tom Browne, PA 38 Grant LaDue, NY 22 Peter Staab, PA 38 Tom Stokes, NJ 20 Curt Collins II, PA Tom McCorry, VA 30 Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY Andy Lewis, DE 20 Cary Morris, NC 24 Tom DeMarco 18

Saint Petersburg (SPB) Santa Fe Rails (SFR) he last board found Robert Cranshaw, Ar- ndy Lewis took top score with 204 in the Tthur Field, Tom DeMarco, and Curt Collins APreliminaries for the only 200+ game. Chad II in a sprint to a title. Round 1 came and went Gormly had top cash with 72 but that wasn’t without major incident except Tom was able to enough to win his game. get an Observatory on the table. By the end of In the semis, Mike Shea played the silent Round 2, Arthur had the other Observatory, Tom game, collected money and hit the LA lottery for a Mistress, Robert was working on an early build- 21 points to win by 10 over Grant LaDue. Tom ing strategy, and Curt seemed to be hanging on Bissa didn’t need much cash but played a double for the ride. Money problems stalked everyone LA for 42 points to have 28 more city points than which caused expensive but important cards to his closest opposition and beat Steve Shambeda by be hoarded for use later. five. Chris Palermo wanted to go back to bed and By Round 5, Robert had a clear lead on the finished his game in 20 minutes. A double El Paso building strategy, receiving twice as many build- and 21 cash was enough to get the job done as he ing points as anyone else but was falling behind beat Chad Gormly 41-34. In the last semi, our de- in nobles. He took one more building to trigger an fending champion, Kevin Wojtaszcyk, didn’t play early end to the game. Already money poor and a sign 7 city card but had the most cash to win any- with a fistful of cards, the players saw only three way over Phil White 207-184. nobles appear. Curt was able to buy the only af- The Final had our defending champion, Chris fordable one leaving the others to stew on their in- who was taking his third shot at the title, and a pair ability to acquire the judge and his ilk. Curt had of newcomers. Cash was pretty close but you had just enough cash to swipe a final judge to put him to earn what you got. Chris took the most cash, but into a tight lead for nobles. Poor remainder cash had two fewer city cards than Mike and Kevin. He caused some cards in hand not to be purchased. hit the lottery drawing two San Francisco cards Noble bonuses caused everyone to sprint to the with one of his 2X discards. The trains worked finish but some to fall back as a –5 point penalty their way to the Southwest and players pitched was applied to each card in hand not bought. their Seattle, Portland and Spokane cards. With A nervous finish found Curt with 53 points, four connections in Denver and Dal- Tom 50, Arthur 47, and Robert 37. las, Kevin became our first repeat Curt’s victory was all the more surpris- champion in seven years, beating ing for being the only alternate to make Mike 175-167. Nine of the ten city it into the semi-finals. Beware those cards played by Kevin had at least given a second chance. two connections. 44 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Rick Dutton, MD A. Henning, CT Charles Faella, RI Mark Smith, KY Matt Tolman, UT Shannon Keating, IN Daniel Ottney, PA Rachel Harley, VA Andrew Roosen, MD O Dan Dolan Jr, NJ Tom Dunning, NY O Sean Druelinger, MD

Joseph Maiz, NJ Sean McCulloch, OH 113  1999-2009 203  1993-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Rick Dutton, MD 114 Kaarin Engelmann, VA 66 Charles Faella, RI 96 Derek Landel, NJ 41 Tom Dunning, NY 87 Alexandra Henning, CT 40 Matt Tolman, UT 84 Ted Simmons, NJ 40 Brian Reynolds, MD 83 Greg Berry, VA 39 Roy Gibson, MD 66 Ken Gutermuth, NC 30 Tom Stokes, NJ 60 Jeff Cornett, FL 30 Rob Effinger, on 60 Doug Galullo, FL 30 Rick Dutton, MD Aran Warszawski, is 60 Alexandra Henning, CT Devin Flawd, PA 30 David Buchholz, MI 60 Mark Guttag, VA 30

Settlers of Catan (SET) Slapshot (SLS) here were 26 games played in the first round. nother record crowd on Saturday night in- TAttrition whittled that to 20 in the second, and Acluded the original GM, Joshua Gottesman, 18 in the third. Of the 16 to advance, only two back to see how much damage we’d done to his won all three games; the rest of the semi-finalists event. The chest-painted Rangers fans were back, had at least two wins. Tie-breakers were needed providing the male eye candy that this event sore- for the last slots. ly needs. Our world famous Reader of the Rules, All four semi-final games were close through- Keith Hunsinger, was sent to the penalty box for out with the winner prevailing by a single point. insulting Referee Mark Yoshikawa’s height. Final- Dan Ottey 10-9-8-8, defending champ Matt Tol- ly, the puck was dropped, and the games began. In man 10-9-8-5, Rick Dutton 10-9-8-7, and former all, 20 winners advanced to the annual “Massively champ Charles Faella 10-9-7-5 advanced. In such Unfair semi-final Round”, where the games are a large event where repeating is rare, three of the quick and painful. By the time the Zamboni left, four had nonetheless seen the Final before. six finalists made their way to the Final table. Charles and Dan took the favorable wood- The Final progressed with Alex jumping to brick tiles while Rick and Matt took the ore-sheep an early lead. Rachel mainly got her wins by beat- tiles to start the Final. In Round 8, Rick used a ing up on Sean five straight times. The sixth turn, development card and played his soldier, giving she decided to draft instead, telling him to “take a him the largest army for seven points. Charles breath”. Meanwhile, Shannon quietly moved up then got a needed ore and built a second city, giv- the ranks, separating herself from patsies Sean and ing him eight points. Dan took advantage of that Dan. The first game had involved a double-bruis- and built the longest road, taking the title from ing, but this left hardly any bruisers in play, making Charles, giving him seven points. Rick then was it hard for the weaker teams to catch up, and so Sean able to build a second settlement, giving him and Dan were quickly left behind, and Mark, Alex, eight points. By the start of Round 9, Charles re- Rachel, and Shannon made the playoffs easily. claimed the longest road title. With two players In the first round, Alex defeated Shannon, and on the brink of victory, the rolls were in order: 8-5- Mark topped Rachel. So Mark and Alex squared 8-8—giving Rick a total of six ore and nine sheep off for the wood. It took just five deals to put Mark collected by the end of Round 9. down. The two teams were remark- He was able to upgrade two settle- ably similar. Both teams had a 7, two ments to cities and declare victory. 6’s and a 4. But Alex had a 5 to Mark’s End game scores were: Rick 10, 3, as well as a better goalie, and that Charles 8, Matt 6, Dan 5. was enough. Century Events 45

2009 Results 2009 Results Doug Schulz, MD Phil Grasha, PA Lane Newbury, CA Bill Thomson, TX Bruce Rae, bc Pete Pollard, TN O Robert Kircher, RI A. Cummins, uk O Gerald Lientz, VA O Chuck Leonard, PA O D. Nicholson, NY O E. Filipkowski, MD

Doug Schulz, MD Bill Thomson, TX 31  1991-2009 21  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Scott Cornett, FL 162 Pete Pollard, CA 168 Kevin Keller, MD 95 Bill Thomson, TX 164 Doug Schulz, MD 86 David Bronkhorst, VA 86 Gerald Lientz, VA 81 Mike Pacheco, CA 78 Terry Schulz, PA 80 Andrew Cummins, uk 74 Jimmy Fleckenstein, VA 66 Eric Stranger, OH 67 Dennis Nicholson, NY 60 Phil Grasha, PA 50 John Welage, OH 56 Michael Hennessy, VA 30 Doug Schulz, MD Lance Ribeiro, NH 52 Phil Grasha, PA Chuck Leonard, PA 28 Lane Newbury, TX 36 Michael Day, AZ 27

Speed Circuit (SCT) Squad Leader (SQL) ualifying took place on the fast and simple otal matches played increased 53% despite a QHockenheim, the tighter and slower Mel- T16% decrease in number of players. The event borne, and the long and heavy braking Spa. Nearly was conducted primarily as a weekend tourna- half of the top drivers used a race-from-the-back ment with several rounds of early play permitted. strategy including Rob Kircher, Dennis Nicholson, Given the increasing number of schedule conflicts Lane Newbury, Franklin Haskell and Doug Schulz. and the growing number of former champions The Final devolved into a two-car race by participating, the 2010 event will transition to the end. For most of the race it was clear that Jim Grognard free form scheduling. Fleckenstein and Doug Schulz would duel for the Phil Grasha (PA) amassed a 4-1 record vs. op- wood at the end just as they had last year. In 2008 ponents populated almost exclusively by past both crashed in the last corner, this year only one champions to earn top honors. Due to Phil’s round would. Jim started from the front of the grid and robin field of opponents, no true Final proved nec- pushed early, extending a gap while using up most essary. Scott Bramley (NJ) and Bill Sosnicki (NJ) of his wear. Doug started mid-pack but used a high turned in the most matches played. start speed to get up to the back of the front run- Andrew Cummins’ Personal Leader Counter ners by corner #2. From there Doug ran a more quickly secured an impressive +18 Élan tally in his conservative race and conserved his wear for a late first match. At the end of four rounds, Sgt Cum- charge—outlasting the other front runners to be mins boasted a dominant +38 Élan to claim the 2009 Jim’s sole concern. By the last lap, they ran neck and Best PLC plaque. Sgt Eric Stranger led the remain- neck heading into the fifth corner. Jim went faster ing pack of surviving PLCs with +16 Élan. No one through the outside of that corner using his last claimed the Pollard Memorial Plaque for dispatch- wear and then performed a late brake to stay out of ing 2008 winner Sgt Thomson as this PLC survived the next corner, gaining the arrow. Doug then dove four rounds of combat. Accidentally leading the inside, used a wear and entered the next corner on American attack in Scenario 38 The Factory, Thom- the outside to stay ahead. This proved to be deci- son had several platoons of squads broken under sive as Doug was able to block Jim in the second to his command when this PLC was not leading the last corner and forced him into two naked chance routing by example, at the hands of Chuck Leon- rolls which culminated again in his crash in the last ard’s fire groups. Sgt Thomson spent most of the corner. Doug became the third tournament at double digit negative two-time Speed Circuit cham- élan, ending at –12. Sgt Cummins pion—joining Kevin Keller will be the target of opportunity in and Gerald Lientz. the 2010 event. 46 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Brian Sutton, MD Phil White, MD Andrew Wilson, NJ Haim Hochboim, is Tony Musella, VA Seth Gunar, NJ O Alex Bell, MD O Jim Bell, MD O Karl Henning, CT O John Weber, MD O Greg Zegalia, PA O Angelo Ricchiuto, PA

Buddy Sinigaglio, CO John McLaughlin, VA 41  2002-2009 53  1999-01; 05-09

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Larry Lingle, PA 79 Seth Gunar, NJ 78 Brian Sutton, MD 78 Phillip White, MD 42 Karl Henning, CT 57 Steve Caler, OH 36 Alex Bell, MD 39 Kevin Brown, GA 30 Buddy Sinigaglio, CO 34 Jean Younkin, VA 30 Nick Page, on 30 Devin Flawd, PA 30 William Sparks, MD 30 Tim Dolan, NJ 30 Phil Rennert, MD 27 Jim Bell, MD 27 Brian Sutton, MD Sean McCulloch, OH 25 Phil White, MD Haim Hochboim, is 18 Bill Morse, VA 24 Derek Miller, VA 18

Star Wars; Queen’s Gambit (QGB) Stock Car Championship (SCC) ttendance was down in an event whose long traffic-jamming 26 drivers earned their way Aterm prospects are hindered by a paucity of Ainto the grand oval title race this year, ensur- games for the long out-of-print title. The Naboo ing a full house as the race got underway. Ken won 22 of 41 Preliminary games. There is no Richards in the #10 Tide car took an early lead from time limit in the prelims and this slants things pole sitter Phil White in the #33 Old Spice car while towards the Naboo. In the time-limited playoffs, Virginia Melton (#57 Halloween Havoc) and John the Trade Federation wins if it is still standing Wellage (#21 Air Force) tried repeatedly to get to after two hours—reflecting the time-limited as- the front. Defending Champion Steve Caler (#19 pect of the battle in the theatre. In 2009, the Trade Dodge) had engine trouble from the start and tried Federation won nine of the 15 playoff games, so desperately to hold on to position but his repeat the final tally was Naboo 28, Darth Maul 28. chances looked grim. 16 players advanced to the playoffs, including The first big wreck happened on lap 36 as past champs Brian Sutton, Karl Henning, Wil- Melton #57 bounced off the retaining wall, collect- liam Sparks and the only two-time champ, Larry ing Steve Cameron (#37 Little Caesars) and Luke Lingle. Two previous champs, Buddy Sinigaglio Koleszare (#66 K-Mart) in her wake and sending all and Nick Page, did not get past the preliminaries. three back to their trailers trading “woman driver” Others making it into the playoff rounds included jokes. Caler took advantage of the resulting yellow Sean “Jar Jar Binks” McCulloch, Carolyn “Lady flag to clear up his engine problems. Ken Richards Lumiya” Strock, David “Tion Medon” Meyaard, pulled away from the pack on the restart, taking Daniel “Djas Puhr” Long, Aaron “Mustafarian two-time champ Seth Gunar (#42 Havoline) with Flea Rider” Fuegi, Gino “Vornskr” Sinigaglio and him. Anthony Ricchuito (#6 AAA) was first out of Andrew “Krayt Dragon” Sinigaglio. the pits and held on to the lead until lap 183 when In order to reach the Final, Brian “Bossk” Gunar followed Joseph Betz (#28 Texaco) to the Sutton eliminated veterans Tony Musella and front and passed him convincingly for the lead. He Rob Flowers as well as past champion “Sith lead until lap 249 when the lead draft ran into some Witch” Henning. On his way to the title game, slow traffic which ultimately allowed Jim Doughan Andrew “Wat Tambor” Wilson had to defeat (#29 Scooby Doo) to get to the front and Zuckuss Zegalia, Padawan Bell and past cham- lead them into the pits for the last time. pion “Wampa” Sparks. In the Fi- In the final lap, Doug Porterfield (#23 nal, Sutton bested Wilson in a hard John Deere) passed ten cars in a valiant fought contest that could have gone attempt to win but it was Phil White who either way. passed Gunar on the outside for the win. Century Events 47

2009 Results 2009 Results Rich Moyer, MN Raphael Lehrer, CA Terry Coleman, CA Joel Lytle, NY Harry Flawd, PA Rob Flowers, MD Doug Galullo, FL Joe Lux, NJ O Bill Ashbaugh, NY O Jason Ley, WA O Bill Beckman, SC O Rich Atwater, WA

Chris Palermo, NY Raphael Lehrer, CA 52  ‘91-’94, ‘96-’09 32  2008-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Rich Moyer, MN 110 Raphael Lehrer, CA 52 Harry Flawd, PA 82 Jason Ley, WA 48 Chris Palermo, NY 47 Joel Lytle, NY 24 Bill Beckman, SC 44 David Metzger, NY 24 Mark Giddings, NY 40 Rob Flowers, MD 16 Terry Coleman, CA 28 Eric Brosius, MA 16 Randy Cox, SC 28 Joe Lux, NJ 12 Ken Samuel, VA 28 David desJardins, CA 8 Rich Moyer, MN Devin Flawd, PA 22 Raphael Lehrer, CA Rich Atwater, WA 4 John Welage, OH 20 Aran Warszawski, is 4

Superstar Baseball (SSB) Through the Ages (AGE) he event continued its recent record growth; he highest scorer in the heats was Tom Tincreasing by nearly 24% with 227 games TCannon with 267 points, and the clos- played. The format was still free-form; but each est game was newbie Doug Gallulo’s upset day would reset, and each day’s heat would ad- of defending champion Jason Ley by two points vance its own winner, with second place finishers (who evidently taught the game to his opponent added, as needed to round the playoff field to six. too well.) Five double winners (Cannon, Rob Flow- The six playoff teams (sorted by winning percent- ers, Michael Rogozinski, Joel Lytle and Raphael age) were: 1. Rich Moyer ‘31 Philadelphia As; 2. Lehrer) led a total of 13 winners. In a reversal from Terry Coleman ‘27 NY Yankees; 3. Bill Beckman last year’s poorly attended semi-final, all of them ‘48 Cleveland Indians; 4. Bill Ashburgh ‘04 Ana- arrived for a round in which there were only 12 heim Angels; 5. Doug Galullo ‘61 NY Yankees; 6) slots. While Ley was #13, Brian Hanechak gener- Harry Flawd ‘86 Houston Astros. ously gave up his spot, allowing Jason to advance. Throughout the heats, the Indians and As ap- The semi-final was composed of four 3-player peared the most formidable teams, routinely scor- games. By luck of the draw, three of the five double ing double-digit runs. In the first playoff, Galullo’s winners were matched together with Raphael beat- Yankees upset Ashburgh’s Angels 7-5. Flawd’s As- ing John and Tom 236-169-127. The other two dou- tros followed with another upset taking out the #3 ble winners each won their respective tables—Joel seed Indians 1-0 on a 11-inning complete game by 204-159-134, and Rob over Jason in a tiebreak 157- Mike Scott. Moyer’s As backed up their #1 seed by 157-81. The fourth was won by Joe Lux 157-144-130. dominating the ‘61 Yanks 15-4. Coleman’s Yanks As is usually the case, the first two ages of the had a harder time in the other semi-final vs the Final were basically setup for Age III, where most overachieving Astros, winning 4-3. of the action took place. Raphael went stone-crazy, In the Final, any expectation of a slugfest be- sacrificing much of his army to gain the Wealthy tween the two teams was quickly put to rest, as only II colony and promptly replacing Napoleon with one team got that memo. The As rushed out to a 5-1 Ghandi to allow him to fall behind on the arms lead after three, behind eight hits, including a 2-run race. He put the stone advantage towards finish- homer by Mickey Cochrane and coasted to a 12-5 ing the Eiffel Tower and building three multimedia win. Rich Moyer, who since the refor- libraries—which led him to produce mat of the SSB tournament has made a powerful 20 culture/turn and 13 this his own personal playground, suc- science/turn before rebuilding his cessfully defended his title and won army. Final scores were Raphael 179, 2009 Consul honors in the process. Joel 151, Rob 144, and Joe 131. 48 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Andy Latto, MA Kyle Greenwood, HI Karl Henning, VT Jay Fox, NJ Sarah Beach, MD Steve Shambeda, PA O Daniel Eppolito, NV Kathy Kilroy, PA O Tom DeMarco, NJ Philip Shea, PA O Ivan Lawson, MD Alan Elkner, NJ

Andy Latto, MA Claire Brosius, MA 68  2006-2009 220  2004-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Andy Latto, MA 100 Virginia Colin, VA 64 Anne Norton, NJ 57 Kyle Greenwood, HI 60 Tom DeMarco, NJ 40 John Faella, RI 60 Rob Kircher, RI 34 Daniel Karp, MD 48 Raphael Lehrer, MD 32 Tom Dunning, NY 44 Rod Spade, MD 30 Steve Shambeda, PA 42 David Meyaard, CT 24 Brittany Bernard, PA 40 Cliff Ackman, PA 20 Eric Monte, NY 40 Andy Latto, MA Amy Rule, MD 20 Kyle Greenwood, HI Blair Morgen, NJ 40 Karl Henning, VT 18 Jay Fox, NJ 36

Thurn & Taxis (T&T) Ticket to Ride (TTR) he Final saw Sarah Beach and Daniel Ep- quarter-final round was added so that all win- Tpolito pursuing a long-route strategy, while Aners could advance but good intentions often Andy Latto and Karl Henning went for fast car- have unforseen consequences and even with 103 riages. Karl had a strong start, drawing Lodz and games played, that resulted in many non-winners Pilsen on Turn 1. But he couldn’t find Regensburg advancing equally during the wrapup as three or Nurnberg to extend the route to three. Daniel elimination rounds on Sunday ran afoul of travel could not find the cards he wanted, clearing three plans. Scores fluctuated wildly from the teens to times in the first four turns, and often thereafter. a whopping 205 in a 1910 game. Henry Dove had The Turn-4 clear showed him six useless cards, and the 205, making eight of nine tickets, getting most he would have had to discard his route, but a blind tickets bonus and longest train. draw from the deck produced the card he wanted. Our four finalists were Kathy Kilroy, Kyle On his second route, Daniel scored all eight Bavar- Greenwood, Jay Fox, and Steve Shambeda. Kyle ian cities in a single route. was originally “on the bubble” at number 100, Andy went straight for the 7 carriage, using the but he showed for the quarter-final, won that and cartwright on his second, third, and fourth routes. his semi to get into the Final. Going forward, the With four cards in his next route, Andy was set up quarter-final will be limited strictly to winners of to cartwright a fourth time and end the game on Preliminary games. Turn 15. Karl, who went 4th, saw that he would In the Final, the Northeast was locked up very need to gamble, and left himself with a 4-card route quickly blocking Kathy from making any of her and no cards in hand. Andy, who went first, used tickets and giving her a frustrating fourth. Steve the cartwright to get his 7 carriage and trigger the made four of six tickets and was third with 74. endgame, proving that Karl’s gamble was neces- Jay came in second with 112 making three of four sary. After Sarah’s turn, no card Karl could use tickets and getting longest route. Kyle Greenwood, was visible, so he was in danger of discarding his who got hot at the right time, became our champi- final route. But Daniel, who had completed a route on with a score of 154, making all five of his tickets the previous turn, elected to clear, leaving the card and getting the most tickets bonus. Kyle and run- Karl needed to complete his route, complete the ner-up Jay Fox hit paydirt after the fact when Days greens, and cartwright for the 7 carriage. But this of Wonder extended a qualifying invitation to the strong finish was not strong enough. Andy still out- American championships which, scored Karl 18 to 17, ending the if successful, will earn them a trip game and extending his winning to Paris to play in their World streak to three years. Championship. Century Events 49

2009 Results 2009 Results Mike Mishler, CA David Finberg, MA Jim Winslow, ME Jason Ley, WA Ray Freeman, CA Jonathan Barnes, CA O Mark Kolenski, MA Akihisa Tabei, jp O Bryan Eshleman, NC Arthur Wines, PA O Brad Jones, FL Rich Atwater, WA

Ray Freeman, CA Bruno Wolff, WI 16  2000-2009 42  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Ray Freeman, CA 178 Dave Finberg, MA 219 Jim Winslow, ME 90 Aaron Fuegi, MA 193 Bryan Eshleman, NC 86 Jason Ley, GA 141 Tom Thornsen, NY 82 David desJardines, CA 140 Mike Mishler, CA 66 Rich Atwater, WA 103 Rick Young, NC 61 Brian Sutton, MD 97 Brad Jones, FL 60 Steve Koleszar, VA 84 Robert Mull, CO 36 Kevin Hillock, VA 80 Mike Mishler, CA Murray Cowles, uk 32 David Finberg, MA Dan Strock, PA 72 John Ellsworth, IL 30 Ed Rothenheber, MD 70

Tigers in the Mist (TIM) Titan (TTN) he Germans won ten of 20 games with two onathan Barnes did a great David & Goliath im- Tdraws. Despite that, 12 of the 20 games had Jpersonation as he became the youngest player bids for the U.S. to make the Final at just 11 years of age—over- In the 4th and last Swiss round Mike Mishler coming three former finalists to make the Final. was paired with Jim Winslow while Ray Freeman Akihisa Tabei increased his reputation as an was left to deal with Mark Kolenski in the only aggressive player by attacking Finberg’s titan le- games with an effect on the outcome. This was gion on Turn 1 of the Final! This is the only Turn 1 a little unsettling. If Mark and Mike both won, attack that has occurred in an official WBC game, they would be tied for 1st with 3.5 points, and let alone a Final. Akihisa attacked knowing that since they had played to a draw in Round 2, they David had recruited a troll, but not that it con- would have to play a fifth game. tained his titan, with his titan legion which did not Mike took the US for a bid of 1.0. Jim got off to a have any ogres. He did not get lucky early and had good start, although the bridges stayed down until to commit his titan to try to get his angel in, forcing the 17th. Mike had to leave a hole at Martelange in David to risk his titan to end the battle before the order to get two units into Bastogne. Jim hit Bas- angel arrived. In the end David had the same le- togne on 17-3 with a 7-2 attack, but failed to clear it. gion contents he started with, 84 points and a more On 17-3, Mike threw the 10th Armor into Bastogne open board. However he was shaken by the attack and took few casualties, having seven SP survive. and it negatively impacted his play. Jim managed some nice gains elsewhere on the Jonathan was the next player out. David at- 18th, taking Neufchateau and Bararque on 18-1 and tacked him in the plains with a 13-4 titan, two releasing 2SS Pz on 18-2. However, Mike held bit- angels, two rangers, two trolls and an archangel terly on to Bastogne until 19-1 and managed to slow available to summon. David survived with a 15-4 the German drive sufficiently to prevent the loss of titan, archangel, two angels, a ranger and troll. Ja- any other VPs or a breakout across the Meuse. son Ley resigned once David had turned that troll In the other game, Ray got off to a horrible into a giant and Jason felt he couldn’t win even if start but on 19-1 the Germans found their dice he got to David’s titan legion, giving him no rea- hand and cleared every area attacked. When a sonable chance to even get lucky at that point. desperate counterattack at Houffalize was shot David had a pretty commanding po- to pieces, Mark resigned. Mike sition at the end, but up until the giant Mishler had become the new was recruited Jason thought that he champion with three US wins might have a small chance in a titan- and a draw. on-titan battle. 50 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results D. desJardins, CA Greg Crowe, MD Aaron Fuegi, MA Evan Hitchings, DE David Finberg, MA Rebecca Melton, VA O Sean McCulloch, OH O Greg Zegalia, PA O Bruno Wolff, WI O Devin Flawd, PA O David Platnick, VA O Rebecca Hebner, CA

Rich Atwater, WA Greg Crowe, MD 30  1994-2009 91  1997-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Aaron Fuegi, MA 136 Rebecca Hebner, CA 57 David desJardins, CA 131 Alan Witte, NJ 50 Brian Sutton, MD 69 Harry Flawd, PA 42 Dan Strock, PA 55 Joseph Sposito, NJ 40 Andrew Gross, WA 49 Devin Flawd, PA 38 David Finberg, MA 42 Bruce Monnin, OH 38 Sean McCulloch, OH 39 Dan Eshleman, NC 36 Jason Ley, WA 38 Kaarin Engelmann, VA 35 David desJardins, CA John Sharp III, FL 32 Greg Crowe, MD Robert Kircher, RI 33 Ed Rothenheber, MD 30 Greg Crowe, MD 30

Titan Two (TT2) Titan; The Arena (TTA) he first heat included an upset by Marc Beren- nly 20 qualifiers and three alternates partook Tbach of past champion Brian Sutton. In one Oof the semi-final round with two seats going unusual early development, all six warlocks were begging. There was no less than a 4-way tie for recruited by Turn 5 in the Sean McCulloch-David first in one semi, which gave Rebecca Hebner the Gubbay match, eventually won by Sean. In the consolation of at least getting 6th-place Laurels third round, there was a match decided by a zero- for coming in second on the tiebreaker. zero score as Dave Finberg topped Robert Barnes. With the GM playing at the Final table for In one semi-final match of past champions, the first time in seven years at the helm of this Aaron Fuegi squared off against Sean McCulloch. event, Rebecca also GM’d the Final. Also notable The final battle took place while both titans were was the presence of another Rebecca—Melton— still six-die, and six-hit titans. Sean had a single recently graduated from the WBC Juniors, who warlock and attempted to use the warlock’s range had rolled her three straight Junior TTA titles strike to off Aaron’s titan, getting four hits by into a seat at the big Final without breaking a range strike before Aaron was able to prevail. In sweat. Welcome to the bigs. the other semi-final, the last battle between David The Final started idyllically with each player Finberg with a ten-die titan and David desJardins augmenting their secret bet with a Round 1 wa- with a nine-die titan ended in a mutual, both ger, and the hydra being eliminated to no one’s titans reaching the hit limit on the same strike distress. The Round 2 elimination of the dragon phase. By tournament rule, the attacker rolls a also left all Round 1 bets intact, though Greg Z’s strike with nine dice, attempting to get five hits of Round 2 bet was lost. With the death of Evan’s uni- 4, 5, or 6 on a die, a fifty-fifty chance. The roll-off corn (and the bets of both Gregs), things got a little was won by David desJardins, advancing to the dicey. Rebecca’s ranger was next to go, ending her Final yet again. chances. In the last round, if any of the remain- The Final was quick, only six turns were ing creatures save the warlock died, Devin would needed. David recruited two warlocks then at- win, and his plays seemed to indicate he knew it tacked one of Aaron’s two stacks on Turn 3. The on some level. However, Evan and Greg C. both stack was Aaron’s angel, so his titan was still had nothing on the warlock, and conspired against alive after the angel stack died. Three turns later, it. Evan had to hope that Greg C.’s secret bet was David’s former angel stack, with the already dead, as Greg led Evan by a angel now available to summon, point on the table. As it turned out, caught up to Aaron’s titan and fin- Greg C.’s secret bet was on the surviv- ished the task. ing titan, giving him the win. Century Events 51

2009 Results 2009 Results Chris Withers, CA Jeff Spaner, MD Randy Pippus, on Herbert Gratz, aa Rick Young, NC Paul Wright, PA Stefan Mecay, TX O Kevin Emery, SC M. Wallschlaeger, WI O Ed Kendrick, uk O Dave Gerson, CA O John Emery, SC

George Young, VT Jim Burnett, TN 66  2006-2009 23  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Stefan Mecay, TX 293 John Emery, SC 161 Chris Withers, CA 101 Bruce Young, SC 141 Rick Young, NC 100 Ray Stakenas II, MI 106 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 70 Bruce Wigdor, NJ 68 Keith Wixson, NJ 66 Paul Wright, PA 52 Bill Edwards, VA 54 Ed Kendrick, uk 51 Bruce Monnin, OH 42 Ray Stakenas Sr, MI 46 Stuart Tucker, MD 31 Larry Davidson, CA 46 Chris Withers, CA Chris Byrd, CT 30 Jeff Spaner, MD Herbert Gratz, aa 34 Randy Pippus, on 30 Jeff Spaner, MD 30

Twilight Struggle (TWS) Up Front (UPF) e employed a new balancing rule with Ear- total of seven former champs were on hand Wly War scoring cards shuffled back in the Ato once again take the challenge. By the deck on Turn 4 rather than Turn 3, but the Rus- fourth round, all the 3-0’s were former cham- sians reacted with a 39-17 edge despite side bids pions with several other former winners at 2-1. of 3 or 4 for the Reds. The challenge for the larger Champs Emery, Kendrick, Gratz, and Wright field was to finally dethrone three-time champion had beaten the gauntlet once again and were Stefan Mecay. Stefan proceeded to mow down envisioning more wood vs titleless contenders the opposition as usual, but in the round of six, he Kevin Emery, William Kendrick, Wade Fowble, finally met his match. Chris Withers bid 4 for the and Jeff Spaner. The elimination rounds began Russians, then proceeded to defeat Stefan who coincidentally by matching the titled vs the ti- blew up the world as he was finally backed into tleless—a process that split the two groups with the same corner which he had painted so many Gratz and Wright holding course and young others into. Meanwhile, Rick Young, having fin- Emery and Spaner still breathing the rarified ished second several times, defeated Dave Ger- air of the semis. Once again champions were son, also in a Defcon 1 victory and Randy Pippus matched against newbies. Gratz’s Germans as- knocked off Mike Wallschlaeger. saulted Emery’s Russian fortification (Scenario With the field at three, Dave Gerson volun- C) and Wright’s American patrol met Spaner’s teered to play the spoiler to prevent a bye. As luck Germans (Scenario A) with the Wehrmacht would have it, he was matched with Rick again. squads victorious on both fronts. Dave bid 4 for the Russians, then proceeded to The City Fight Final pit Gratz’s Germans vs knock out Rick with an AV on Turn 7. That meant Spaner‘s Reds. The first deck ended with the Ger- that the other game between Randy and Chris was mans slightly ahead. But things changed when now for the title. Chris once again got the Russians Herbert’s squad leader caught a 6 check in Deck 2 with a 4 bid and jumped to an early lead, headlin- and his ASL attracted another 6 shot at the start of ing Vietnam Revolts and rolling a 6 on a coup of Deck 3—leaving him with a permanent disadvan- Iran while taking Thailand and South Korea. Rus- tage with a four-card hand despite advantageous sia’s positional advantage was enhanced by De- terrain. Eventually the Russian firepower superi- Stalinization into South America and ority made itself felt and enough Ger- three plays of Red Scare (Turns 3, 6 mans fell to break the German squad and 7) including a Blockade Combo with only a third of the deck to go. that ruined West Germany. The US Jeff Spaner became our 12th different and Randy never recovered. champion in 19 years. 52 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Eric Freeman, PA Michael Kaye, MD Nick Page, on Darren Kilfara, uk Scott Chupack, IL Andy Gardner, VA O Mike Kaltman, PA Ted Drozd, IL O William Herbst, NY Pat Richardson, FL O Andrew Gerb, MD Ed Paule, NJ

Eric Freeman, PA John Sharp, FL 67  2008-2009 37  1991-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Andrew Gerb, MD 33 Dan Henry, IL 272 Eric Freeman, PA 30 Andy Gardner, VA 258 Nick Page, on 18 Michael Kaye, MD 246 Sceadeau D’Tela, NC 18 Ed Menzel, CA 214 Scott Chupack, IL 12 Charlie Drozd, IL 152 Kevin Brown, GA 12 Darren Kilfara, uk 146 Mike Kaltman, PA 9 Alan Applebaum, MA 113 Robb Effinger, on 9 John Pack, CO 96 Eric Freeman, PA William Herbst, NY 6 Michael Kaye, MD Michael Ussery, MD 78 Chris Robbins, UT 6 Joe Dragan, MI 66

Vegas Showdown (VSD) Victory in the Pacific (VIP) lfred Smith was the only double winner in total of 73 games were played dur- Athe Preliminaries, while defending cham- Aing the event’s first format change, pion Andrew Gerb took a 1st and 2nd in his two going to 5/3 Swiss elim after 18 years of a heats. The closest game saw Tom Bissa sneak by seven-round Swiss. The bids jumped a half POC to Andrea Wicks, Lexi Shea and David Gagne, by a 4.4275 average. Undefeated Andy Gardner was one, two, and six points respectively. The biggest the top seed for the elimination rounds, followed win was by Nick Page, whose 88 points swamped by (in order of Swiss finish after tie-breakers) Mike his nearest rival by 33. Kaye (4-1), Darren Kilfara (4-1), Ted Drozd (4-1), Eric Freeman used an income strategy (10 pts Pat Richardson (3-2), Ed Paule (3-2), Mark Booth for highest revenue and population) to nip Gerb (3-2) and Ed Menzel (3-2). The #1 seed fell imme- by a point and Don Tatum by four in the closest diately to #8 after eight brutal turns. Kilfara #3 beat of the semis. Scott Chupack rode slots (4), fancy Paule #6 in eight. Kaye #2 downed Booth #7, while slots (3), plus eight points in diamond scoring #5 Pat took out #4 Ted in six turns. to win by seven. Nick Page used a “Fame” strat- Ed took the Allies and 4.5 POC against Dar- egy behind Lounges (3), Fancy Lounges (2), and ren’s IJN in an eight-turn SEASAW battle that ran a Theatre plus eight diamond points to win by a full eight turns, with Darren’s IJN finally win- nine. Mike Kaltman with a balanced strategy won ning because the IJN LBA held Hawaii! The other by six. William Herbst won the tightest grouped semi-final saw Mike’s IJN prevail with a 6.0 bid. semi by nine over last place. Early turns were nip and tuck, with Pat boring On Turn 5 Nick bought a bargain Nightclub for holes in the IJN perimeter as the POC mounted. Pat $15 to take an early lead in the Final. Eric and Mike snatched bases from the Japanese, making inroads followed with bargain buys of a $12 High Rollers against the IJN flags. The crowning point on Turn Room and Buffet a turn later. Turn 10 proved deci- 6 occurred as the Allies drove for Indonesia bases. sive as the Good Relations card (must outbid by 2) The IJN sank the Marine, the Allies missed Yokosu- came up along with the PR Scandal (No Publicity). ka, and the Philippines fell to the Yokosuka SNLF. By virtue of being early in the turn order, Eric and Losing that key base, the Allies conceded. Scott were able to get bargains on premier tiles ($15 In the Final, Mike bid 5.5 for the Japanese, and Fancy Restaurant and Fancy Lounge Darren lost four CV’s (one each to the respectively), while Mike and Nick mighty Hosho and the I-Boat) on Turn had to settle for base price slots and 2. On Turn 3, five of 6 Allied LBA were restaurant. The final scores were: lost in Hawaii without sinking a CV. Eric 77, Nick 69, Scott 67, Mike 59. The concession came on Turn 5. Century Events 53

2009 Results 2009 Results Pat Richardson, FL K. Wojtaszczyk, NY Andy Gardner, VA Chris Trimmer, TX Ewan McNay, NV Ty Hansen, DC Jon Lockwood, VA Michael Sosa, FL O Chuck Stapp, NJ O Mary E. Powers, VA O Mike Kaye, MD O Jacob Hebner, CO

Vince Meconi, DE Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY 43  1991-2009 23  2006-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Andy Gardner, VA 169 Chris Trimmer, TX 76 Pat Richardson, FL 150 Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY 74 Ray Freeman, CA 133 Phil Rennert, MD 30 Darren Kilfara, uk 94 Jason Levine, NY 24 Ed Menzel, CA 92 George Young, VT 24 Jonathan Lockwood, VA 91 Nick Anner, NY 17 Bruce Monnin, OH 78 Lyman Moquin, DC 16 Ewan McNay, CT 68 Andy Latto, MA 16 Pat Richardson, FL Dennis Nicholson, Ny 65 Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY Jacob Hebner, CO 15 Bruce Reiff, OH 59 Ty Hansen, DC 12

War At Sea (WAS) War of the Ring (WOR) layoff eligibility for most players came down sing the additional expansion rules, Pto Round 5 when five of the eight playoff Uthe Free People went 15-11. Three slots were set. Andy Gardner and Pat Richardson were FP military victories while 12 were led the way with identical 4-0-1 records. Chuck ring dunks. On the SP side, nine military and two Stapp (4-1) edged Ewan McNay (4-0) for the #3 corruption victories were earned. Even though seed. Mike Kaye was #5 at 4-1. Finishing at 3-2 the FP won more overall, both semi-finals were were Scott Beall, Ray Freeman, Jon Lockwood, Ed shadow military victories. Menzel, and Bruce Reiff. The latter three won the Ty Hansen’s FP held Chris Trimmer’s shadow strength of schedule tiebreaker to round out the at bay for most of the game, launching many of- elite eight. Kaye, Lockwood, McNay, and Menzel fenses against the SP forces but in the end Chris took all repeated from last year’s playoffs. over ten victory points to make the Final. The other Top seed Gardner prevailed over #8 Reiff with semi-final had Kevin Wojtaszczyk’s shadow roll lots an 8-POC Allied win after a 2-POC bid. To avoid of musters almost every turn and Michael Sosa try- a rematch, Richardson’s #2 seeded Allies edged ing to race the FSP before the shadow could execute Menzel’s #6 seed by just 0.5 POC after a 2.5 bid. their multi-pronged attack. What turned out to be Defending champ Lockwood’s #6 Allies upset the final turn, had the shadow sieging Dol Amoroth, #3 Stapp by 8 POC when the Axis lost four ships Erebor and Helms Deep, all with siege tower superi- on Turn 1 and never recovered. And finally, the ority setup from the previous turn. Michael tried for Allies made a clean sweep of it when #4 McNay a stab at a FP military victory, hoping the shadow crushed Kaye. Gardner continued the Allied hege- wouldn’t be able to grab all three strongholds, but mony against Lockwood with a 5.5 POC win in the Gondor was still one away from War which gave the semis. Richardson finally broke the Axis into the FP one fewer dice to try it and Kevin’s military suc- win column over McNay with a 1.5 POC win but cesses with just the right combat cards and die roll- only after deducting Ewan’s 2.5 POC bid. Final- ing 6’s managed to take out all three. ists Gardner and Richardson now reprised their The Final matched the past two champions in Round 3 tie. Turn 2 proved the defining moment a rematch. Chris had won a SP military victory in as the Axis sallied forth to the South Atlantic again, Round 1. Kevin got three Dwarven rings to play but lost a 225, 3x117, and the area— the Free Peoples again but at the end trapping the majority of their fleet. the FP were at 11 corruption and the Bidding for the Allies reached an SP were at 10 VPs when the ring was all-time high as did their winning % dunked to have the FP win this year’s at 66%. struggle for Middle Earth! 54 Century Events

2009 Results 2009 Results Richard Beyma, VA M. Birnbaum, NY Pat Mirk, FL Keith Wixson, NJ John Popiden, CA John Faella, RI O John Clarke, FL Brian Mountford, NY O Bruno Sinigaglio, AK O Henry Rice, NM O Tim Miller, GA O John Poniske, PA

Marty Musella, VA Keith Wixson, NJ 19  1991-2009 34  1994-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists Rob Beyma, MD 162 George Young, VT 220 Marty Musella, VA 140 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 209 John Clarke, FL 79 Brian Mountford, NY 179 Bruno Sinigaglio, AK 49 Paul Gaberson, PA 170 Richard Beyma, MD 47 James Pei, TX 118 Chuck Stapp, NJ 31 John Poniske, PA 91 Joe Beard, AZ 30 Keith Wixson, NJ 68 Mark Gutfreund, KY 30 Dan Leader, MA 60 Richard Beyma, VA Pat Mirk, FL 27 Marvin Birnbaum, NY Joe Collinson, MD 52 Bill Morse, VA 24 Chris Byrd, CT 40

Waterloo (WAT) We the People (WTP) laying time continued to de- arvin Birnbaum became our third three-time Pcrease with most games re- Mwinner. WTP was Birnbaum’s team game solved in under three hours! and his opponent, Keith Wixson, was his team- Semi-final #1 yielded one of the most unortho- mate. Birnbaum’s victory was the third title for the dox games ever seen. Pat Mirk’s French attacked team and almost won the team tournament, only on Turn 7 near Quatre Bras with two 1-2 attacks to fall to a tie-breaker in a three-way logjam at the against Prussian doubled units and several “nor- top of the standings. mal” attacks. Incredibly, Pat rolled “exchanges” With the anticipated publication of Washing- in almost all attacks. While losses were severe for ton’s War, this might have been WTP’s WBC swan both, John Clarke’s Prussians were decimated song. While WTP has had an illustrious run as the and his morale was shattered! granddaddy of the card driven wargames, chronic John Popiden’s French had early success in play balance issues just could never be overcome, the other semi with a 1-1 D Elim on the doubled and the results from this year’s tournament illus- 8-4 near Quatre Bras. Richard Beyma’s Prussians trate this problem well. In the 46 games played, the counterattacked and the battle raged. By early 17 American winning percentage was 74% in spite of June Richard defended behind the Genappe River. the use of bidding for sides (the average bid was At 11 AM John’s French focused their main effort 3.12 PC markers) and my introduction of a special against the heights west of Genappe. Richard’s rule which kept three of the best American events counterstroke destroyed three French divisions out of the draw pile for Turn 1. against a river “death” hex. Losses favored Rich- We both bid four PCs to play the Americans in ard, so John launched his Imperial Guard against the Final and Marvin won the rolloff. I placed the bid the same bloody heights in a desperate 1-1 attack. PCs in the South, as opposed to placing them in the But alas, history repeated itself and the Guard was North as a means to trapping Washington, and was destroyed drawing the Popiden concession. glad that I did because my initial hand was awful (no In the Final, the main battle was in the “cauldron 2s, 3s or Campaigns). When the Brits get a hand like of death” east of Quatre Bras. Pat’s attack required his that on the first turn against a good player it is usually French to penetrate the adjacent forests, and Richard fatal. As WTP vets know, long games al- seized the opportunity for a counterat- most always favor the Americans and this tack destroying three French divisions. one was no exception. The wheels finally By 7 PM 16 June, sensing the game came off for me in 1781 with the appear- slipping away, Pat’s launched many ance of the French, who quickly cleaned desperation attacks without success. out my last southern colony in Georgia. Century Events 55

2009 Results 2009 Results James Pei, VA Ted Drozd, IL Grant LaDue, NY Jason Levine, NY Riki Riekkinen, fn Ken Gutermuth, NC Keith Wixson, NJ O Raphael Lehrer, CA O Paul Gaberson, PA O D. Nicholson, NY O George Young, VT O Bruce Reiff, OH

Keith Wixson, NJ Jim Burnett, TN 23  2002-2009 25  1992-2009

Top Laurelists Top Laurelists James Pei, VA 284 Ken Gutermuth, NC 105 Keith Wixson, NJ 162 Dave Steiner, DE 72 Ron Fedin, PA 141 John Welage, OH 66 Paul Gaberson, PA 138 Bruce Reiff, OH 61 Peter Reese, VA 111 Jason Levine, NY 57 Tom Drueding, MA 98 Robert Drozd, IL 48 George Young, VT 95 Stuart Tucker, MD 47 John Buse, IL 75 Ted Drozd, IL 24 James Pei, VA Rob Winslow, NY 70 Ted Drozd, IL Jim Bell, MD 24 Bruce Wigdor, NJ 48 Jeff August, VA 24

Wilderness War (WNW) Win, Place & Show (WPS) op seed James “The Master” Pei defended even former champs representing 13 This 2008 title and became the first three-time Stitles were on hand for the first heat. winner in the event’s history. Pei defeated Scott After six races, perennials Bruce Reiff, Beall, Paul Gaberson and Bill Peeck in the prelim- Ken Gutermuth, and Jason Levine had won their inary rounds, Riku Riekkinen in the semi-finals boards to advance. Ted Drozd took the fourth and Grant LaDue in the Final. His only loss was board to represent the family’s interests. It took to Doug Smith in Round 2 of the preliminaries. only $100K to be competitive with several games LaDue was undefeated entering the Final, hav- won early as the dice were not kind to the favor- ing beaten Peeck, Bob Jamelli, Smith and George ites. Jason amassed the most cash with $188K. Young in the preliminary rounds and Keith Wix- The second heat drew three boards. For- son in the semi-finals. mer winners Dave Steiner and Dennis Nichol- This year I tried something new to address son were successful on their boards and were the yearly French dominance, instituting a new joined by a newbie, former Caesar Raphael rule whereby the British were allowed to retrieve Lehrer who was broadening his horizons at reinforcement cards from the discard pile at the the track for the first time. Dave was the big start of each turn. I also did away with bidding cash winner with $223K. This set the field at for sides in favor of random side selection (IMO just seven for the Final. bidding may have allowed players to become Usually, players hold back during the first “specialists” of one side or the other). My fear four races as they try to make small gains and then was that I had gone too far and that the new rule make their move in the last two races. However, a would lead to British dominance, but that was un- couple of players took chances in the middle of the founded as French dominance continued unabat- card and found fortune on their side. As a contrast, ed! This year the French won 65% (as compared Dave Steiner went the wrong way early and was to 67% last year, 61% in 2007, 52% in 2006, 56% in tapped out in the fourth race. This gave the early 2005, 71% in 2004 and 62% in 2003). winners good leads going into the last two races I will continue to strive to better balance the and left several of the former powers with long game, and have several ideas for next shots to win. The dice were not kind to the dogs year. I realize that attendance may though and conservative wagers won out. suffer from house-rule-hating purists Ted Drozd collected $216K staying away, but I feel that the current for the victory, followed by Jason imbalance is very bad for the game and Levine’s $180K in second and Ken hurts attendance itself. Gutermuth’s $153K in third. 56 Century Events

2009 Results Upcoming BPA Competition Kevin Milne, MN BPA members can revel in several Jon Hogen, CA opportunities to relive past glories or improve Paul Milne, MN on their best performances in the year ahead. Mike Crowe, VA Jerry Smolens, PA WBC Pre-Cons Ashley Johnson, VA Saturday, July 31st, 2010 Mike Crowe, VA So many games, so little time! Pre-Cons are the answer to schedule conflicts for “meaty” games 24  1992-00; 02-09 requiring your full attention. This year offering • Age of Renaissance • Axis & Allies Top Laurelists • 18XX • Hannibal and Grognardcon including Jason Moore, NY 156 • Afrika Korps • Anzio • Bulge ‘81 • Gettysburg Greg Wilson, NM 96 • Panzerblitz • Russian Campaign • Squad Leader Bill Moodey, PA 96 Herbert Gratz, aa 78 • Waterloo • Wooden Ships & Iron Men. Eric Thobaben, MI 72 Jon Hogen, CA 70 Sunday, August 1st, 2010 Kevin Milne, MN 66 • Paths of Glory • Through the Ages Bruce Harper, bc 61 • Victory in the Pacific • War of the Ring Kevin Milne, MN Paul Milne, MN 60 Chris Goldfarb, OR 60 August 2nd-8th, 2010 WBC 2010 World At War (WAW) Lancaster Host Resort, Lancaster, PA ive full campaign games were played this year Fin what is WBC’s most unusual event. Three November 4-7, 2010 new players joined the playtest that never ends for the first time. One game was an Allied deci- EuroQuest VIII sive victory (against a Russia first strategy), one Hilton Pikesville, Pikesville, MD an Axis decisive (successful invasion of Britain), A dozen Euro tournaments, open gaming and three were Axis victories of varying degrees galore, and the debut of the latest Euros in traditional Barbarossa campaigns. Axis success from Essen. was aided by a new set of strategic warfare rules that in retrospect were a bit too harsh on Britain. January 27-30, 2011 The German U-boats inverted fewer transports, but sunk more, especially in the critical 1940-42 Winter Activation Meeting (WAM) IX period. Last year we had three ties, two Axis vic- Holiday Inn, Timonium, MD tories, and one Allied victory. Four tournaments for Card Driven Wargames Several other new rules were also used for the week before the Super Bowl. the first time. These included reduced effects of atomic attacks on triggering Axis surrender and PBeM Tournaments limiting German base growth based on German Year ‘round play keeps skills sharp and conquests. The latter prevents large German base provides daily vicarious thrills at your increases during the 1944 and ‘45 year start se- quences. Two changes came out of this year’s con- convenience. Ongoing events include: vention. The SW rules have been amended with • Battles of the American Revolution a “Cash and Carry” provision, which lets Britain • Washington’s War • Russian Campaign build transports in US shipyards before the US • Breakout Normandy • Hammer of the Scots enters the war, using British BRPs. Also, the West- • Afrika Korps • Bitter Woods • Here I Stand ern Allies cannot reinforce newly captured areas • Age of Renaissance • Shifting Sands during the redeployment phase • Gettysburg • War At Sea • Squad Leader using transports (destroyers are re- quired). • Victory in the Pacific • Adel Verpflichtet Mike Crowe will be replaced • Amun-Re • Paths of Glory • March Madness as GM in 2010 after 11 years at the • Wilderness War • Great Campaigns helm by Paul Milne. • Stone Age. 2009 Trial Events 57

To read after-action reports, visit www.boardgamers.org/yearbook09

1776 (776) Ace of Aces (AOA) 16  1993-2009 32  2004-2009  Rod Coffee, MD  Richard Irving, CA O Steve Packwood, MN O Grant LaDue, NY O Robert Jamelli, PA O Michael Schoose, IL O Greg Tanner, AZ O Joseph Belyeu, AL O Robert Frisby, VA O Bill Ashbaugh, NY O Bruno Sinigaglio, AK O Craig Yope, MI Matthew Burkins, MD Doug Porterfield, VA

ASL Starter Kit (ASK) Battleline (BAT) 14  2004-2009 40  2001-2009  Greg Schmittgens, KS  Bruce Reiff, OH O Nathan Hill, MD O Arthur Field, SC O Scott Sirianna, NY O Chris Yaure, PA O Jonathan Squibb, PA O Aaron Fuegi, MA O Warren Bender, NY O Kate Taillon, SC O Chris Senhouse, MA O Joe Yaure, PA Perry Cocke, MD Bruce Reiff, OH

Chicago Express (CHX) Conflict of Heroes (COH) 56  2009 16  2009  Grant LaDue, NY  Steven Pleva, CT O Deniz Bucak, PA O J. R. Tracy, NY O Cody Sandifer, MD O Jason Roach, MD O Peter Staab, PA O Mark Kolenski, MA O Phillip Shea, FL O Bill Ashbaugh, NY O Pierre Paquet, qc O David Middleton, MD John Bohrer, PA Uwe Eickert, OH

Conquest of Paradise (CQP) Crusader Rex (CRX) 32  2008-2009 22  2007-2009  Nick Smith, uk  Phil Rennert, MD O Charles Drozd, IL O Michael Dauer, TX O Scott de Brestian, OH O Scott Moll, VA O David Cross, VA O Fred Bauer, VA O Mark McCandless, LA O Joe Pabis, VA O Brian Keller, VA O David Rennert, MD Kevin McPartland, MD Ric Manns, IN 58 2009 Trial Events

To read after-action reports, visit www.boardgamers.org/yearbook09

Die Macher (DIM) Dominion (DOM) 18  2003-2009 236  2009  Jim Castonguay, PA  Arthur Field, SC O Jeff Cierniak, NY O Edward Fu, NY O Steve Simmons, NJ O John Fanjoy, VA O Greg Thatcher, CA O Lee Nguyen, PA O Roberto Sanchez, NY O Andy Latto, MA O Luke Winters, PA O John Ostrander, NY Steve Simmons, NJ Tom Browne, PA

Eisenbach Gap (EBG) Elchfest (ELC) 20  2009 64  2001-2009  Ted Drozd, IL  Brandon Bernard, PA O J. R. Tracy, NY O Josh Githens, SC O Mark Polelle, OH O Dave Meyaard, CT O John Keating, IN O Andy Maly, MD O Mark Kolenski, MA O Alexandra Henning, CT O Nick Drochak, jp O Dan Dolan Sr, NJ Jeff Schulte, NJ Dan Dolan Sr, NJ

Empire of the Sun (EOS) Galaxy (GXY) 8  2005-2009 44  2000-2009  Dennis Culhane, PA  Joe Burch, MD O Paul Gaberson, PA O Rob Kircher, RI O Mark Herman, MD O Rob Winslow, NY O NA O Mark Mitchell, VA O NA O Rob Buccheri, MD O NA O Tim Evinger, PA Mark Herman, MD Mark Mitchell, VA

Kaiser’s Pirates (KPR) Kingmaker (KGM) 41  2007-2009 23  1991-2009  John Emery, SC  Warren Bender, NY O Eric Ritter, PA O Mike Wallschlaeger, WI O Tim Rogers, SC O David Huss, NY O Roberto Sanchez, NY O Justin Thompson, VA O David Rohde, NC O Nick Benedict, CA O Joel Tamburo, IL O Henry Russell, PA Jim Day, MD Justin Thompson, VA 2009 Trial Events 59

To read after-action reports, visit www.boardgamers.org/yearbook09

Kutuzov (KZV) Monty’s Gamble (MGM) 20  2009 10  2003-2009  Dorian Key, DC  David Long, NC O Phil Pendleton, PA O Andrew Cummins, uk O Pat Duffy, VA O Tod Whitehurst, VA O Melvin Casselberry, PA O Michael Kaye, MD O Harry Theodore, NY O Nathan Trent, VA O Darren Kilfara, uk O NA Fred Schachter Nels Thompson, NY

Mystery of the Abbey (MOA) Naval War (NVW) 40  2003-2009 30  1992-2009  Allyson Field, SC  James Fleckenstein, VA O Brandon Bernard, PA O Chad Gormly, RI O Bob Larkins, PA O Dale Long, NJ O David Travis, NJ O Mike Ussery, MD O Meghan Friedmann, MA O Michael Mitchell, GA O Helen Byrens, CA O Alan Arvold, IL Ellen Hoam, OH Jon Lockwood, VA

Notre Dame (NTD) Nuclear War (NUC) 36  2008-2009 24  2008-2009  Doug Faust, NJ  Rob Hassard, NJ O Cary Morris, NC O Greg Smith, PA O Nick Page, on O Mike Lam, CA O Beth Zhao, TX O Scott Beall, OR O Anne Norton, NJ O Bill Peeck, NY O Daniel Epppolito, NV O Jack Beckman, MI Jim Vroom, PA Rick Loomis, AZ

Panzergruppe Guderian (PGG) Pursuit of Glory (PUG) 16  1991-1996, 1998-2009 15  2009  Robert Frisby, VA  Chris Byrd, CT O Jim Tracy, OH O Jeromey Martin, GA O John Popiden, CA O Steven Brooks, FL O Michael Pustilnik, NY O Andy Friedmann, MA O John Clarke, FL O Bob Heinzmann, FL O Lance Cresswell, VA O Rick Byrens, CA Robert Frisby, VA Jeromey Martin, GA 60 2009 Trial Events

To read after-action reports, visit www.boardgamers.org/yearbook09

Republic of Rome (ROR) Royal Palace (RYP) 14  1991-2009 23  2009  Chris Greenfield, NY  Raphael Lehrer, CA O Sean Larsen, NJ O Robb Effinger, WA O John Squibb, PA O David Gagne, qc O Llew Bardecki, nz O David Burkey, PA O Dennis Mishler, GA O Richard Irving, CA O Kevin Barry, PA O Bill Crenshaw, VA Sean Larsen, NJ Jim Vroom, PA

San Juan (SJN) Stone Age (STA) 74  2004-2009 124  2009  Tom Browne, PA  Christopher Ellis, FL O Nick Page, on O Cary Morris, NC O Bruce Reiff, OH O Lexi Shea, CT O Jeff Mullet, OH O Jeffrey Senley, PA O Peggy Pfeifer, FL O Henry Dove, MD O Richard Irving, CA O Marty Hoff, TX Jeff Mullet, OH Rodney Bacigalupo, MD

Storm Over Stalingrad (SOS) Street Soccer (STS) 14  2009 12  2006-2007, 2009  Jack Stalica, on  Harrison Anderson, PA O Jim Mehl, VA O Phil Rennert, MD O Tom Drueding, MA O Jordan Flawd, PA O Rob Schoenen, PA O Beth Zhao, TX O Dave Deitch, PA O Brandon Bernard, PA O David Harrod, TX O Derek Whipple, WA Nick Richardson, NY Dan Dolan Sr, NJ

Successors (SUC) Texas Glory (TXG) 23  1998-2009 8  2009  Henry Rice, NM  Fred Bauer, VA O Stan Buck, MD O Michael Dauer, TX O Ralph Gleaton, SC O Larry Luongo, NJ O Seth Gunar, NJ O Malcolm Smith, VA O Dorian Key, DC O NA O Rob Seulowitz, NY O NA Robert Seulowitz, NY Carl Wilner, MD 2009 Trial Events 61

To read after-action reports, visit www.boardgamers.org/yearbook09

Tikal (TKL) TransAmerica (TAM) 41  2000-2009 55  2004-2009  Jack Jaeger, VA  Roni Breza, VA O Daniel Broh-Kahn, MD O Ken Gutermuth, NC O Arthur Field, SC O Edward Fu, NY O Virginia Colin, VA O Eric Monte, NY O Barb Flaxington, NJ O Norman Rule, MD O Rob Flowers, MD O Ben Gardner, VA Daniel Broh-Kahn, MD Lisa Gutermuth, NC

Twilight Imperium (TWI) Tyranno Ex (TYX) 25  2009 29  1992-2006, 2009  Dan Raspler, NY  Tom DeMarco, NJ O Joe Harrison, KY O Christine Hancock, OH O Will Kenyon, GA O Pete Gathman, NJ O Michael Buccheri, MD O Virginia Harley, VA O Michael Rogozinski, NY O Verity Hitchings, DE O Ryan Myslinski, NJ O Tamara Houde, VA Michael Buccheri, MD Tom DeMarco, NJ

Union Pacific (UNP) War of 1812 (812) 64  2000-2009 16  1999-2009  Curt Collins II, PA  David Metzger, NY O Rod Davidson, AZ O Rob Doane, MA O Jeff Senley, PA O Jim Mehl, VA O Jeff Mullet, OH O John Haba, CT O Bruce Bernard, PA O Jeff Cornett, FL O Fred Minard, PA O Tom Knapp, PA Bruce Reiff, OH Frank Cunliffe, PA

Warriors of God (WOG) Wellington (WLL) 8  2009 22  2006-2009  Jason White, VA  Peter Reese, VA O Jonathan Squibb, PA O Ed Rothenheber, MD O Chris Valk, NJ O Francis Czawlytko, MD O Matthew Beach, MD O Dorian Key, DC O NA O Melvin Casselbury, PA O NA O Phil Pendleton, PA Nick Richardson, NY Mark McLaughlin, CT 62 2009 Trial Events

To read after-action reports, visit www.boardgamers.org/yearbook09

Wooden Ships (WSM) Yspahan (YSP) 19  1991-2009 49  2008-2009  Derek Whipple, WA  Cally Perry, MA O Tim Hitchings, DE O Rob Flowers, MD O Evan Hitchings, DE O Daniel Eppolito, NV O Ron Glass, FL O Davyd Field, SC O Mark Sciera, NY O Rob Kircher, RI O Brian Wool, DE O Eugene Hourany, CA Tim Hitchings, DE Jeff Mullet, OH

WBC 2010 Logistics ll WBC events take place at the Lancaster Host Resort, 2300 Lincoln AHighway East (Route 30), Lancaster, PA (lancasterhost.com). $99/ night, plus 11% tax. One night’s deposit, $109.89, which will be credited to the guest’s last scheduled night of stay, is required with each reserva- tion. It is possible to cancel 30 days prior to arrival at no penalty, but any reservations canceled after 30 days prior to arrival will forfeit one night’s deposit. The Host always sells out but Pre-Con and early week rooms are usually available and cancellations do occur. In addition, there are a number of convenient hotels at every price range within walking distance. BPA has negotiated favorable group rates with the Continental Inn which offers especially good value for the budget conscious with free breakfast packages. However, WBC oc- curs during the tourist season and sellouts are common so make your reservations early. Cancellation policies are more lenient than at the Host. The walk to the Host is short, but it crosses a busy highway. We suggest you drive from the Continental’s parking lot to the corner red light to enter Route 30 and then move into the turn lane to cross into the Host parking lot. Use your car as your base for your games and reverse your course to drive back to the Continental Inn when returning to your room to avoid crossing the highway on foot. The Continental Inn is directly across the street from the Host. The amenities include indoor and outdoor pools and jacuzzi, remote, color cable TV, free wireless internet, refrigerators, coffee makers, and more. A complimentary hot breakfast is included to start your day. The special WBC rate is $94 per day plus 11% tax per single thru quad occuancy with 1 King or 2 Double Beds. Rollaway beds, if requested, $7 additional. A three-night minimum stay is required for this special group rate. One night’s deposit will be required upon booking. The deposit is refundable up until 48 hours prior to arrival. Phone 717-299-0421 to make your reservation or email [email protected] for a callback by the reservationist. Alternatively, you may book on line at continentalinn.com at the regular rates and identify yourself in the comments as claiming the WBC rate, providing you are booking the three-night minimum stay. This offer is valid until July 11 or our room block sells out, whichever occurs first. Old Mill Stream Campground – Only 1/2-mile from the convention facilities. Site Rental: $27+/night 2249 Route 30 East, Lancaster, PA 17602 Phone: 717-299-2314 or 1-866-FUNatDW; Fax: 717-290-6047 [email protected] Old Mill Stream Campground offers more than 160 private camping sites (primitive to full hook- ups), modern shower and restroom facilities, cable TV and modem hook-up, gameroom, rental cars, two laundromats, a country store with LP gas, ice, firewood and other conveniences. Accessible for campers with disabilities. Pets are permitted on leash. Mastercard, Visa, Discover, MAC and per- sonal checks accepted. Cancellation 24 hours prior to arrival at no penalty. Cancellation within 24 hours of arrival will be charged one night. PBeMTeam Champions Champions 6363

~ 3 Men & a Canadian ~

Bill Dyer, IL Brad Johnson, IL Joe Abrams, CT Glenn McMaster, on Formula De • 4 Robo Rally • 9 Merchant of Venus • 3 Dune • 7 record 104 teams toed the line for the 19th The year’s biggest over-achievers were the A“run for the slivers” at the 2009 WBC and 92nd-ranked Chicken Bunches who overcame when the cavalry charge had ended, three re- 460 -1 odds to finish 13th behind 10 points from mained deadlocked at the top of the heap with Robert Renaud’s successful defense of his Race 23 points each thanks to three bonus points For the Galaxy title. Also thumbing their noses awarded to those who had not won their event at the Happy Handicapper were the Possum previously. The 3rd-rated ‘99 champions Me & Gamers who ignored 236-1 odds to improve Three Stiffs were originally alone in the lead from a 69th ranking to finish 9th. However, before the 6th-ranked James Gang and 3 Men overall, it was an up year for the Happy Handi- & a Canadian were boistered by one and two capper. Despite the record field of 104 teams, 15 bonus points respectively to knot the score at of his top 25 picks (60%) made the Top 25 cut— 23-all. Thus deadlocked, the title would be de- up 8% from 2007 and 4% from last year. cided by the total entrant tie-breaker where the Mark Love proved his equal with a win- 17th-ranked 3 Men & a Canadian squad enjoyed ning % of 60% in our initial “Pick the Top Ten” a clear advantage with an average entrant size Team Tournament contest. Mark won a free 2010 of 50.75 to 31.25 for Me & 3 Stiffs and 28.75 for membership by correctly selecting all four of the The James Gang. Finishing 4th were the pro- top four teams with his first five picks and then hibitive favorites, three-time champion Nest of added Sweep the Leg and Fields of Glory to Spies who fell victim to cannibalism when Ste- round out his entry with six correct selections. fan Mecay downed teammate David Dockter in Despite the much enlarged field, only 29 teams the POG Final to prevent a fourth title for the pe- were shutout—down nearly 6% from 2008. The rennial champs. However, they joined the 2009 highest ranked squad to post nothing but goose champions in being the only two teams to score eggs and thereby earn the 2009 title for Most with every team member—proving once again Overrated was Koleszar-Lientz-Plat at 53-1 why they are the team to beat—year after year. which had been the 16th ranked team. However, Every Team Tournament has dozens of the fourth-ranked Da Boys squad was the high- “shoulda, woulda, coulda” stories replete with est ranked team to fall out of the Top 25. tales of had only we zigged when we zagged. My The Chicken Bunches team won the Misery favorite this year emanates from the Greenville Loves Company title with 586 entrants for an Mafia, a bastion of expertise where no less than average of 146 entrants per event. On the oppo- eight Up Front shields reside, whose four teams site end of the scale, claiming the Big Fish in the are often picked with more of an eye towards al- Small Pond title was Reese’s Pieces whose 104 lowing multiple members to play the same fa- total entrants averaged 26 players per event. vorite games than to maximize team scores. Sure All in all, our 416 players selected 129 differ- enough, three Greenville teams fielded an Up ent events. The most frequently named choices Front player, but the only Up Front laurels to be for the Team Tournament were Atlantic Storm and carried back to Greenville this year were earned Twilight Struggle with ten each. Other top choices by the fourth team where young Kevin Emery were Dominion at nine, Ticket to Ride at eight and earned his first ever spurs. It’s hard to determine Robo Rally at seven. Dominion yielded the most who was prouder…young Kevin or the shutout laurels to its adherents (17) while Ticket to Ride paternal head of the family who now has a rival proved the most difficult to predict (0). In all, 38 for family bragging rights. Team participants won their selected events. 64 PBeM Champions

lay-by-e-mail tournaments are the answer to many players’ most common com- Pplaints—lack of time and inability to find skilled opposition. BPA does not run PBeM tournaments; rather, we provide support for hobbyists willing to host events. E-mail tournaments are counted the same as face-to-face action in BPA’s prestigious Caesar com- petition, with Laurels based solely on size of the field and the average face-to-face playing time. Entry in these tournaments is free to current BPA members. For anyone who is not already a member, an Associate membership costs only $10 to cover the costs of this program. (Players have no obligation to keep their memberships current once the tournament begins.) For informa- tion about running a PBeM tournament, contact the BPA PBeM coordinator Hank Burkhalter at [email protected] or check out his webpage at www.abovethefields.com/top_pbem.

Event Results Previous Winners  Stefan Mecay, TX 2001 Stefan Mecay, TX 40 O Chris Byrd, CT 2005 S. Valkyser, de 68 O Peter Reese, VA 2006 T. Drueding, MA 64 O Rob Hassard, NJ O Mauro Gasbarroni, it 2010 Tournament in progress O Marvin Birnbaum, NY

Peter Reese, VA 89

Event Results Previous Winners  Joe Dragan, MI 1999 N. Markevich, CA 20 O Ed Paule, NJ 2001 Ed Menzel, CA 32 O Larry Meyers, AZ 2004 Rob Flowers, MD 32 O Nathan Zietlaw, IA 2007 Charles Drozd, IL 35 O Michael Day, AZ 2010 Tournament in progress O Robert Drozd, IL

John Pack, CO 42

Event Results Previous Winners  Aran Warszawski, is 2004 Peter Staab, PA 30 O Marshall Collins, CT 2005 Jim Gutt, TX 30 O Bruce Monnin, OH 2006 Bruce Monnin, OH 32 O Derek Landel, NJ 2007 Jeffrey Martin, CT 40 O B. Passacantando, CT 2008 Bruce Monnin, OH 32 O Bob Hamel, CT 2010 Tournament in progress

Bruce Monnin, OH 38

Event Results Previous Winners  Curt Collins II, PA 2008 K. Gutermuth, NC 34 O Alex Bove, PA O John Pack, CO O Tom DeMarco, NJ 2010 Tournament in progress O Keith Layton, NJ O Anthony Daw, UT

John Pack, CO 40 PBeM Champions 65

Event Results Previous Winners  Jim Eliason, IA 2006 T. Whitehurst, VA 31 O Tod Whitehurst, VA 2007 T. Whitehurst, VA 29 O Anthony Daw, UT O Peter Phelps, au No event underway O Mark Gutfreund, KY O A. Cummings, uk

Tod Whitehurst, VA 24

Event Results Previous Winners  Greg Thatcher, CA 2008 K. Wojtaszczyk, NY 30 O Haim Hochboim, is O Chris Trimmer, TX 2010 Tournament in progress O Aran Warszawski, is O Arthur Field, SC O Eric Freeman, PA

Kevin Wojtaszczyk, NY 30

Event Results Previous Winners  Justin Nordstrom, PA None O Stefan Mecay, TX O Michael Pacheco, CA O Bob Jamelli, PA No Event Underway O George Young, VT O Anthony Daw, UT

Max Jamelli, PA 16

Event Results Previous Winners  Stefan Mecay, TX 2007 Tom Taaffe, VA 36 O Derek Landel, NJ 2008 Bill Edwards, VA 35 O Carl Damcke, IL O Harald Henning, CT No Event Underway O Bill Edwards, VA O Mark Neale, RI

Bill Crenshaw, VA 36

Event Results Previous Winners  Ed Beach, MD 2001 Ed Beach, MD 17 O Rob Doane, MA O Mark Booth, VA 2010 Tournament in progress O Patrick Pence, FL O Michael Pacheco, CA O Justin Rice, VA

Great Campaigns Jusin Rice, VA 51 66 EuroQuest VII

espite the worst economy anyone could Drecall, the seventh rendition of Euro- quest managed to gain attendance with € SRO conditions on Friday and Saturday as 37 the Holiday Inn was bursting at the seams with gamers. Top individual honors for the weekend went to Sceadeau D’Tela. The North Carolinian who made his first ap- Sceadeau D’Tela • NC pearance at WBC in 2008 won the Harold Siegelman Award as the top gamer of the convention with 27 points, besting WBC regular Eric Bro- sius by four points. €52 Scadeau won 18 games overall spread over five events while winning Ag- ricola and Dominion Sceadeau D’Tela • NC outright. Eric won 16 games while partici- pating in eight events Sceadeau D’Tela but failed to win a Harold L. Siegelman tournament, falling Award Winner € four points short of 55 first place. Robert Kircher (the 2007 Siegelman winner), and Alex Bove (the reigning BPA Caesar) tied for third with 21 points each. Kevin Garber • VA Rob had a convention-best 19 wins (an all- time Euroquest record) spread over five events without a tourney win while Alex won nine games but tied Brosius with the most events entered at eight apiece. Bill Zurn finished fifth with 19 points on ten €35 wins. There was a three-way tie for sixth at 18 points between Tom DeMarco, Cliff Ackman, and Richard Shay. Overall, tournament participation was up 15%. Brian Reynold’s victory in Settlers L. Dan Hoffman • MD

€39 €37

Richard Shay • MA Kirk Harris • NJ EuroQuest VII 67 made him the first three-time winner of a Euroquest tournament. However, the big- gest winner of the weekend may have been Greenville Mafia’s Josh Githens who won € Ticket To Ride in a Euroquest record 68-play- 149 er field and thereby qualified for Days of Wonder’s 2010 North American tournament and a chance to travel to Paris for the World Championship contest. Eric Freeman • PA The winners and laurelists for all events will be listed on their respective event AAR pages on the BPA website, as well as the page devoted to EuroQuest. Wild Card specialist Eric Freeman be- came the first four-time Euroquest Champ €68 in the same event but Eric’s margin of vic- tory was much closer this year. He was hard pressed by BPA 2008 Caesar Raphael Lehrer, and indeed, had to win his last game (Goa) in a head-to-head confrontation with Raphael Josh Githins • SC and Robert Kircher to pull out the win. Each of the three had had the lead in the stand- ings at some point on Saturday and the is- sue was not decided until the final game in which they all participated. The final wild € card standings were: 1. Eric Freeman 334; 2. 47 Raphael Lehrer 304; 3. Robert Kircher 275; 4. Sceadeau D’Tela 157; 5. Patrick Barringer 152; and 6. Eugene Yee 137. As usual, the highlight of the conven- Cliff Ackman • PA tion was the return from Euope of globe trotting Tom McCorry with copies of the new Essen releases. Open Gaming re- mained busy throughout with enthusiasts trying the latest Euros. Congratulations to GCOM Convention €55 Directors John Weber and Michele Mazzola for a fine weekend and to GCOM President Keith Levy for his valuable assistance as Euro Quest VIII moves to bigger quarters at the Pikesville Hilton in 2010. Brian Reynolds • MD

€44 €46

t r he fo G e a ac la R xy

Doug Faust • NJ Ted Bohaczuk • PA 68 WAM VIII

VIII in Timonium, MD was a Combat Commander (CBC). As opposed to the WAMblast as usual. Despite the reces- former laid back, catch-as-catch-can approach, sion and the threat of a major snow storm which attendees entered each tournament just prior turned out to be pretty minor compared to Balti- to the start of Round 1 and at the start of each more’s three 20”+ blizzards this year, we drew 37 successive round attendance was called off of stalwarts. The transformation of the facility from that list. Each evening we displayed a detailed a Days Hotel to a Holiday Inn has been complet- schedule of the next day’s events on an easel. ed and the place is much nicer as a result. The significant changes that we made for this This year’s four formal tournaments with year, Open First Rounds on Thursday (because scheduled rounds were: Hannibal (HRC), Paths it is a travel day) and all Round 5s (if required) of Glory (POG), Twilight Struggle (TWS); and being scheduled on Sunday morning, worked very well. Only TWS had a Round 5 this year, and par- €16 ticipation was light since  Tom Drueding, MA people were anxious to beat O Charlie Hickok, PA the weather. O David Dockter, MN Between tournament O Jay Meyers, CA games there was much open O Johnny Hasay, PA gaming which ran non-stop O Tim Hall, UT from 0800 in the morning to as late as 0300 in the wee hours. On Sunday Volko Ruhnke stopped by to dem- €21 onstrate his new CDG Laby- rinth: The War on Terror, which  Chris Byrd, CT is being published by GMT O Stefan Mecay, TX later this year. It looks very O Bill Edwards, VA interesting and reminds me a O Steven Brooks, FL little of TWS. I would not be O Keith Wixson, NJ O Michael Mitchell, GA surprised to see a WAM tour- nament for it in the future. We will again conduct a poll of all of this year’s at- €14 tendees by email this sum- mer to determine the line-  Keith Wixson, NJ up for next year. I anticipate O Randall MacInnis, NJ that Mark Herman’s Wash- O Martin Sample, NH ington’s War will be added O Michael Mitchell, GA in place of either HRC or O Terry Coleman, CA CBC, but that remains to be O Peter Putnam, PA seen. Any new game will have to be published by the time of WBC to be included €19 in the poll. If you contem- plate joining us for winter  Bob Heinzmann, FL fun in the week before next O Bob Jamelli, PA year’s Super Bowl, drop us O John Wetherell, PA a line at CD@boardgamers. O Stan Buck, MD org to register the games O Chris Byrd, CT you’d like to see contested O Chris Bauch, LA at WAM 2011. Enlightenment XIII 69

nlightenment XIII marked out the weekend to win by Ethe end of the longest run- default. Usually, six or more ning BPA mini-con. 25 play- players have a chance to win ers made an appearance for on Sunday, but this year at least one game of Age of Re- only defending champ Ken naissance. Those players are Gutermuth retained a math- to be congratulated for their ematical shot to catch the support of this fading favor- runaway leader. With their ite. Even in its final year in a lowest score dropped, and terrible economy, they man- both players at the winners’ aged to draw the requisite 25 players for a quality table for the 4th round, both realized Terry could tournament. Rising costs and the lack of sufficient ignore his own position and play solely to disrupt pre-registration commitment brought about the Ken’s try for a needed third win. Ken thus conced- decision to pull the plug on ed defeat and opted for anoth- this dedicated play weekend. er round of Manifest Destiny Although we did manage suf- Past Winners instead at the confluence of ficient participation to keep the 1998 – Bill Crenshaw, VA the two events—managing to conference going another year, 1999 – James Pei, TX finish 4th in both. Meanwhile, it was decided that the event 2000 – Tom Taffe, VA Mark Smith and Tom Browne had been “on the bubble” too 2001 – Bill Crenshaw, VA scored their second wins of the long and that it was better to go 2002 – John Coussis, IL weekend in the lame duck ses- out on a good note rather than 2003 – Chris Byrd, CT sion to pull ahead of the absent risk drawing players back for 2004 – Jeff Mullet, OH Ken to claim second and third. another try only to have them 2005 – Bill Crenshaw, VA In Round 3, Terry’s disappointed by a poor turn- 2006 – Jeff Mullet, OH breakout performance be- out. Pre-registration is vital as 2007 – Ken Gutermuth, TX came official as he over- costs are directly proportional 2008 – AOR Steve Simmons, NJ came a deficit in advances to the number of players who MFD Ewan McNay, CT and misery at the winner’s book within a room block. 2009 – AOR Ken Gutermuth, NC table with a late Spice run Those who “walk on” at the MFD Bill Crenshaw, VA leaving him with the largest last moment, though welcome single game cash total of the additions, do not contribute tournament. to the lowering of costs by booking rooms after Eighteen games were played with 5-player the deadline and do not count ftowards satisfy- contests predominating. Paris led the way with ing a roomblock commitment. Then too, BPA seven wins followed by Barcelona with five. is committed to providing quality boardgame Genoa had three while Venice managed only tournaments and that means two and London but one. Six promising the public a high Players managed to buy likelihood that their travel all the Advances with will be rewarded with two doing so in losses. participation worth the For the second straight trip. When pre-regis- year, no one reached tration totals fall below the CHAOS space of the requirements, dis- the misery track. cretion becomes, if not Kevin Sudy came the better part of valor, on strong in the Mani- at least the more respon- fest Destiny portion of sible part. the weekend by winning Nevertheless, the his last two games to last Enlightenment 2010 AOR Results 2010 MFD Results overcome early lead- was a memorable one  Terry Coleman, CA  Kevin Sudy, VA er Eric Wrobel, who for Terry Coleman, & Mark Smith, KY & Jeff Mullet, OH had won his first two the then 44th ranked matches and faded & Tom Browne, PA & Eric Wrobel, VA laurelist, who de- to a third place fin- fied the odds makers & Ken Gutermuth, NC & Ken Gutermuth, NC ish. Jeff Mullet won by winning his first & Greg Stripes, VA & Greg Stripes, VA his first and his last three games—and re- & Bill Crenshaw, VA & Bill Crenshaw, VA game, beating Eric mained seated at the 25  1998-2010 14  2008-2010 and thereby overtak- victor’s table through- ing him for second. 70 Caesar Award

tefan Mecay, in only his fourth year of Rounding out the top six BPA competitors SWBC competition, won laurels in no less for 2009 were James Pei, Ken Gutermuth, John than eight tournaments to claim the Caesar Emery, defending Caesar Alex Bove, and Curt title with a staggering 295 Laurels in the Collins II in that order, with laurel totals 2009 season—nearly doubling the ranging from 157 to 130. score of runner-up and past Cae- Only seven of last year’s Top sar, James Pei who trailed him 25 players managed to retain by 138 laurels. In so doing, he that ranking in 2009 led by set a new yearly record for lau- ex-Caesar James Pei who rose rels, besting Pei’s 2004 total of from 13th in 2008 to second in 293. Mecay ran up a huge lead 2009. during the year before WBC Ken Gutermuth, Alex began by winning two large Bove, 2007 Caesar Raphael email tournaments (Paths of Lehrer, Chris Byrd, Kevin Glory and Twilight Struggle) in Wojtaszczyk and Ewan Mc- the Card Driven games that are Nay also managed to retain his specialty, padded that lead their Top 25 status another year further with two wins at the WAM while 18 new names graced the mini-con, and for good measure took leader board. a fourth at the Enlightenment weekend. In truth, it would have taken a record- The recently concluded audit of the BPA setting WBC perfor- database made possible projecting who “coul- mance to overtake da been Caesar” in the first three years of him even if he did WBC had the Award been in existence then, not come to WBC. as shown in italics below: But he picked up another 60 laurels by winning the Past Caesars Paths of Glory Pre- Con and then coast- 1999 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 135 2000 Ewan McNay, CT 120 ed to his fitting at 2001 Nick Benedict, CA 138 the toga emporium 2002 Marvin Birnbaum, NY 146 with just 33 laurels at WBC proper earned by 2003 Nick Benedict, CA 113 a 2nd in 1960 and a 4th in Twilight Struggle as 2004 James Pei, VA 293 he failed to win that tournament for the first 2005 Arthur Field, SC 224 time in its 4-year WBC run. Despite his over- 2006 Jeff Mullet, OH 166 whelming total, Stefan couldn’t lay claim to 2007 Raphael Lehrer, MD 170 complete dominance however since he fin- 2008 Alex Bove, PA 159 ished well down the list for Consul with lau- 2009 Stefan Mecay, TX 295 rels scored exclusively during WBC week.

James Pei, VA Ken Gutermuth, NC John Emery, SC Alex Bove, PA Curt Collins II, PA

157 139 135 132 130

- The 2009 Caesar Line of Succession - Consul Award 71

onsul is given to the player who scores Both can be thankful that Pre-Con events Cthe most laurels during WBC and ex- don’t count towards Consul totals or we cludes email tournaments, mini-cons and would be hailing Kyle Greenwood whose pre-cons. The Consul award is not giv- second place in Hannibal during his en every year since the Caesar and very first WBC would have put Consul winners are often one and him over the top as our Consul the same. So, in years when one with 116 laurels. As it was, Kyle player doesn’t dominate both, finished in a four-way tie for there are two players recog- sixth at 80 laurels with Steve nized as the BPA’s best, just Pleva, Richard Beyma and as the Roman Republic had John Elliott. Pleva took sixth duo Consuls every year. on the second tie-breaker— With 14 multiple event most wins. winners at WBC 2009, the The other top Consul race for Consul was the closest competitors were Jim Cas- ever. In fact, it was so close, we tonguay, Chris Withers and had to resort to the tie-breaker 2005 Caesar, Arthur Field who rules to decide between Curt Col- scored 96, 92 and 88 laurels re- lins II and Richard Moyer who both spectively during WBC. hit the Century mark with exactly 100 laurels earned during WBC. The recently concluded audit of the BPA Both our co-leaders won two events, but database yielded this “Coulda been Consul” because Richard won the largest single event list had the Award been in place from the by laurel count he took the initial tie-breaker. start of WBC and if the Caesar totals were His wins in B-17 and Superstar Baseball—both ignored: of which set attendance records in 2009— trumped Curt’s victories in Saint Petersburg and Union Pacific despite Curt also register- ing a trio of 4th’s in Amun-Re, El Grande and Coulda Been Consuls Robo Rally. 1999 Bruce Reiff, OH 84 2000 John Coussis, IL 88 2001 Rebecca Hebner, CO 100 2002 Peter Reese, VA 123 Past Consuls 2003 Arthur Field, SC 95 2004 Devin Flawd, PA 111 2004 Devin Flawd, PA 111 2005 None - 2005 Dennis Nicholson, NY 94 2006 Jeff Cornett, FL 134 2006 Jeff Cornett, FL 134 2007 None - 2007 Bert Schoose, IL 124 2008 Andy Latto, CT 129 2008 Andy Latto, MA 129 2009 Rich Moyer, MN 100 2009 Rich Moyer, MN 100

Curt Collins II, PA Jim Castonguay, PA Chris Withers, CA Arthur Field, SC Steve Pleva, CT

100 96 92 88 80

- The 2009 Consul Line of Succession - 72 GM of the Year

s is our custom, every year we select round out each heat’s total entrants with even Aone GM to single out as WBC’s GM of multiples of four players. In addition, he has the Year. This GM is awarded a free room for provided additional prizes such as books at WBC week. Using the current selection pro- his own expense and has the engraving up- cess, GMs may score a maximum of 96 dated for the traditional silver tray do- points and a minimum of 12. nated by original GM Scott Pfeiffer. We are pleased to award the Above all he is calm, clear and Best GM honor for 2009 to Jim not easily ruffled—command- Jordan who bested the Here ing and getting the respect of I Stand GM, Ed Beach, by a his participants. He also was single point, 72-71, despite instrumental in welcoming getting no first place votes to game designer Lou Pulsipher Ed’s three. His winning score to WBC and making him a of 72 was based on a strong regular part of the Britannia overall performance in the WBC community with the re- view of all eight voters with sult that the newly published three 2nds, two fourths, a 5th, 2nd edition of Britannia was a 6th and a 7th. Overall, scores designed with comments from ranged from Jim’s 72 to a low of WBC players playing a major role. 13. This was Jim’s fourth Top Six GM Through Jim’s good offices the game performance. He has long been active at was playtested at WBC—having an effect WBC as a GM and has served eleven straight on the hobby beyond the boundaries of our years as the Britannia GM. own WBC enjoyment. Jim’s recognition as GM of the Year prob- The Board’s eight 1st votes were split ably has more to do with a among five nominees. long history of consistency Past Winners Finishing second in the than anything new he did voting to take his third differently in 2009. As he 1991 – Russ Gifford, NE – ASL Top Six nomination with has done nearly every year, 1992 – Jim Burnett, TN – WPS three of those 1st place Jim has always been punc- 1993 – Glenn Petroski, WI – VIP votes was Ed Beach, who tual, neat and complete 1994 – John Ellmann, MD – MMS garnered a score of 71 for 1995 – Ken Lee, PA – GCA with paperwork require- hosting Here I Stand with 1996 – David Terry, MD – B-17 ments. He is one of a very extra consideration for 1997 – Will Wible, VA – ROR few GMs to submit his his work in the Juniors 1998 – Bruce Monnin, OH – WAS schedule requests in carte room and the Great Cam- 1999 – Bruno Wolff, WI – TTN blanche format, allowing 2000 – Vince Meconi, DE – WAS paigns event. Tom Gre- the Convention Director 2001 – David Terry, MD – B17 gorio garnered his first to schedule the event as 2002 – John Jacoby, VA – CMS Top Six honors to finish facilities allow in accor- 2003 – Chuck Foster, TX – EPB third with 62 points for dance with other events 2004 – John Coussis, IL – ACS hosting The Russian Cam- at the cost of his own per- 2005 – John Sharp, FL – VIP paign. Rounding out the sonal convenience. He also 2006 – Don Chappell, TX – WTP remainder of our Top Six always contributes “Best 2007 – Ivan Lawson, MD – LST GMs were Richard Irving Side” awards for players 2008 – Tom McCorry, VA – CAR (Merchant of Venus) with a scoring best with each of 2009 – Jim Jordan, MD – BRI score of 61, Stuart Tucker the game’s four colors as (Hannibal) at 58, and Eric well as an award for the lowest score (Ethel- Brosius (Princes of Florence) with a score of 56. red the Unready). And as was recognized ear- Well done all. lier when he won the Sportsmanship Award, Our sincere thanks to you and all others he continues to put his own playing opportu- like you who try to make WBC a little more nities last by playing only when necessary to special every year. Sportsmanship 73

he second leg of the BPA Triple Crown of All 25 nominees received votes but win- TAnnual End of Year Honors is the Sports- ning handily with 17% of the record 323 votes manship Award. Paired with GM of the Year, caste was Mark Yoshikawa. The California na- Jim Jordan, and 2009 Caesar Stefan Mecay, tive and everyone’s favorite Slapshot referee the Sportsmanship winner completes was nominated in both Slapshot and our trio of virtual Hall of Fame en- B-17—events in which he has a long tries for 2009. record of service. A B-17 assistant The Sportsmanship Award GM, he created a database of is especially feted since it is his own design to provide re- something we should all as- sults and statistics of the B-17 pire to and is within our reach missions as play progresses regardless of how many which adds much color to hours we spend honing our the competition and the Af- boardgame skills. It reminds ter Action meeting of this us that there is no fun to be unique event. And who hasn’t had with these games with- laughed at his uniformed en- out an affable opponent with forcement of the “No Whin- which to cross vicarious swords. ing” rule as he escorts offenders Who among us has not had a mo- to the penalty box in the annual ment when we Saturday night craziness? As if that were too caught wasn’t enough, Mark is always among up in the quest Past Winners the volunteers in the Junior room. for “wood”? Chuck Stapp, NJ – 1992 For being such a good sport, Mark Our Sportsman Tiger Von Pagel, FL – 1993 will be our guest with a free room at of the Year sub- Rob Kilroy, PA – 1994 WBC 2010. scribes to a high- Ian Lange, AE – 1995 Finishing second with a respectable er standard and Jim Matt, MI – 1996 12% of the vote was Ben Knight. He was Ed Connery, NJ – 1997 offers a shin- followed by Jason Levine 11%, Bryan Frank Sinigaglio, NJ – 1999 ing example of Robert Sacks, NY – 2000 Collars 10%, John Ohlin 9% and Mark sportsmanship Bret Hildebran, OH – 2001 Gutfreund at 8%. that we should Kaarin Engelmann, VA – 2002 all do our best to James Jordan, MD – 2003 emulate. Steve Okonski, MD – 2004 Our winner Bruno Sinigaglio, AK – 2005 was selected Phil Barcafer, PA – 2006 from among Rebecca Hebner, CO – 2007 Kaarin Engelmann, VA – 2008 many nominees Mark Yoshikawa, CA – 2009 put forth by our GMs and other interested commentators whose recom- mendations were considered and reduced to a field of 25 worthies added to our an- nual Membership Drive ballot for selection by the membership at large. You don’t have to be a GM or Board member to nominate someone. Anyone who takes the time to email the Convention Director in the weeks following WBC can make a “citizen’s ar- rest” and report an act of sportsmanship with their critique of the convention; good and bad. 74 Hobby Service

PA exists solely on the basis of its mem- weren’t so much Bbers’ willingness to give of themselves Past Winners on automatic pi- for the greater good and their voluntary ef- lot and contro- 2005 forts to support the boardgaming hobby. versy was more Stuart Tucker Consequently, we have chosen to honor that Kathy Stroh commonplace in spirit of volunteerism by singling out those Steve Okonski the fledgling days who have done the most to improve the Vince Meconi of the organiza- World Boardgaming Championships. Mark McLaughlin tion. He also sup- In all, twelve nominees are selected by Ken Whitesell ported BPA finan- the Conference Director for the Board’s con- 2006 cially both from sideration. Although service as a GM is the Keith Wixson his own pocket most common qualifier, it is not the only 2007 and with pro bono factor with consideration given to other be- Bruno Sinigaglio legal work from hind-the-scenes volun- 2008 his lawfirm which teer tasks. This year’s Debbie Gutermuth enabled us to get nominees included our trademarks. 2009 several who have Alan Applebaum His advice and never GM’ed an calming manner event at WBC but during sometimes who have helped raucous Board meetings was invaluable, behind the and he was often the first to sacrifice his own scenes in other position in favor of a workable compromise. ways. The Board He never took things personally, got upset, votes by secret or had to have things his own way. Alan ballot, weigh- was a consumate professional whose absence ing their votes ac- from the Board has been dearly missed. How- cording to their own ever, he remains ac- particular values as to tive in the hobby and what constitutes the great- those who play in the est contribution, by rank- Victory in the Pacific ing each nominee from 12 or War At Sea tourna- (strongest) to 1 (weakest). ments benefit from The result is a good cross his largesse every section of the nominees year while employ- with no nominee usu- ing the chess clocks ally receiving more than he donated to those two first or two last place events. Alan exacted votes—although it is hard his last revenge on to single out anyone as me by finishing dead- least deserving. We repeat locked at 72 points the process each year, add- for the award, rather ing one new volunteer to than winning it out- our Honor Roll. BPA ap- right. Consequently, plauds the efforts of these the tie breaker vote members and the shining fell to the CD. example they provide for the spirit of volun- I’m sure Alan would have enjoyed the iro- teerism that drives WBC. ny of my being required to vote and watch- For 2009, the WBC honors Alan Apple- ing me squirm while making the choice be- baum. Alan was the BPA’s first Chairman of tween two deserving recipients. Well, the the Board and did yeoman’s work keeping joke is on him. I chose him. He who laughs the email meetings humming back when we last, laughs best. Boardmasters 75

Most Championships in One Event

new crop of champions is crowned each year at WBC, but recogni- A tion of gaming prowess need not end there. There are higher hon- ors to be earned. Just as the different colored belts of jujitsu display different levels of achievement, we have multi-colored boards to mea- sure the ultimate masters of their craft. Those who have taken on all comers at WBC and emerged triumphant in the same event not once, Steve Packwood, MN - 12 not twice—but many times—truly merit respect.

Great Campaigns

Mike Sincavage, VA - 9 James, Pei, VA - 9 Bruce Reiff, OH - 8 Chris Withers, CA - 8

Phil Rennert, MD - 6 Harry Flawd, PA - 6 Rob Beyma, MD - 6 Bill Rohrbeck, NH - 6

Tim Dolan, NJ - 6 Brad Johnson, MI - 6 Doug James, NC - 6 Dave Metzger, NY - 6

Devin Flawd, PA - 5 Mark Miklos, GA - 5 Doug Smith - PA - 5 Vince Meconi, DE - 5

John Emery, SC - 5 Steve Likevich, OH - 5 Bruce Beard, MD - 5 Robert Frisby, VA - 5

George Seary, NY - 4 Bruce Reiff, OH - 4 Jim Doughan, PA - 4 Peter Pollard, TN - 4 76 Boardmasters

Most Championships in One Event

Ray Pfeifer, MD - 4 Bruce Reiff, OH - 4 Paul Risner, FL - 4 Ewan McNay, NY - 4

Bruno Sinigaglio, AK - 4 Brad Frisby, VA - 4 Kevin McCarthy, OH - 4 Steve Koleszar, VA - 4

Bruce Reiff, OH - 4 Ed Menzel, CA - 4 Rob Beyma, MD - 4 Tom Gregorio, PA - 4

Terry Coleman, CA - 4 Dave Long, NC - 4 Jim Castonguay, PA - 3 Ewan McNay, NY - 3

Mike Lam, CA - 3 Scott Pfeiffer, SC - 3 Doug Galullo, FL - 3 James, Pei, VA - 3

Marvin Birnbaum, NY - 3 Steve Cuccaro, MD - 3 Marvin Birnbaum, NY - 3 Rob Lightburn, VA - 3

Gary Dickson, CA - 3 Tom Gregorio, PA - 3 Brian Sutton, MD - 3 Stefan Mecay, TX - 3 Boardmasters 77

Most Championships in One Event

Bruce Young, SC - 3 Dan Henry, IL - 3 Bruce Monnin, OH - 3 Ray Freeman, CA - 3

Bruce Reiff, OH - 3 Andy Latto, MD - 3 Joe Gundersen, IN - 3 Vince Meconi, DE - 3

Martin Sasseville, qu - 3 Tom Oleson, WA - 3 Bill Edwards, VA - 3 Nels Thompson, NY - 3

Phil Evans, fr - 3 Dennis Culhane, PA - 3 Jason Levine, NY - 3 James Fleckenstein, VA - 3

Justin Thompson, VA - 3 David Finberg, MA - 3 David desJardins, CA - 3

Congratulations to our friends and Team Members: Jim Jordan GM of the Year 2009 Mark Yoshikawa Sportsmanship Award 2009 From Paul Risner, Keith Hunsinger and Bruce Monnin Team ALwr2Eng&Minwlkn2abar and all of the players of the B-17, Slapshot and Britannia. 78 Patrons

BPA 2009 Patrons BPA gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the following Sponsor, Charter, and Tribune members. 2010 Patrons will be listed next year. Sponsors ($500 contribution in 2010): David desJardins, James Doughan, Ken Gutermuth, Rio Grande Games, and Jerald R. Tracy. Charter Tribunes (maintained Charter status since 1999 and purchased a $100 membership in 2009): Alan Applebaum, Alan Arvold, Matthew Bacho, Paul Bean, Jeremy Billones, Mark Booth, Daniel Broh-Kahn, David Brooks, Terry Coleman, Gregory Courter, John Coussis, Bill Crenshaw, Mike Crowe, Tom DeMarco, Roger Eastep, William Edwards, Jim Eliason, Kaarin Engelmann, Eric Eshleman, Matt Evinger, Tim Evinger, Matt Fagan, Daniel Farrow IV, Paul Fletcher, Ray Freeman, Paul Gaberson, Mark Geary, Fred Gosnell, Herbert Gratz, Don Greenwood, Tom Gregorio, Johnny Hasay, Mark Herman, Charles Hickok, Marc Houde, John Jacoby, Robert Jamelli, James Jordan, Allen Kaplan, Michael Kaye, Kevin Keller, Pierre LeBoeuf, Roderick Lee, Jason Levine, Keith Levy, Jonathan Lockwood, Mark Love, Michael Mahady, James Marousek, Dan Mathias, Thomas McCorry, Vince Meconi, David Metzger, Tim Miller, Bruce Monnin, Michael A. Mullins, Martin Musella, Bill Navolis, Steve Okonski, John Pack, Tom Pavy, Peter Pollard, Joseph Powell, Bruce Reiff, Paul Risner, Chris Roginsky, William Rohrbeck, Robert Ryan, Gregory Schmittgens, John Sharp, Bruno Sinigaglio, Peter Staab, Ray Stakenas, Mike Stanley, Peter Stein, Kathy Stroh, Joel Tamburo, Roger Taylor, Bill Thomson, Stuart Tucker, Sean Vessey, Jim Vroom, Ken Whitesell, Bruno Wolff, George Young. Charter Members (purchased $100 Charter membership in 1999 and maintained at least a Sustaining Membership since): Cliff Ackman, Barry Barnes, Ed Beach, Rob Beyma, Steve Cameron, Rod Coffey, David Cross, Pat Duffy, Robert Dwyer, Bill Dyer, Harry Flawd III, Mark Guttag, Randy Heller, Tim Hitchings, Chris Janiec, Brad Johnson, Edward Kendrick, Ben Knight, Sean Larsen, Andy Lewis, Carrie Lewis, Larry Lingle, Andrew Maly, Ric Manns, Kevin McCarthy, Michael Mitchell, Brian Mountford, Theodore Mullally, Bill O’ Neal, Forrest Pafenberg, Bruno Passacantando, Jeff Paull, James Pei, Peter Perla, Scott Pfeiffer, John Poniske Sr., Shantanu Saha, George Sauer III, Robert Seulowitz, Jerry Smolens, Robert Sohn, Francis Spencer, David Terry, Justin Thompson, James Tyne, Paul Weintraub, David Yoon, Bruce Young, David Zimmerman. Tribunes ($100 BPA membership in 2009): Joseph Abrams, Josh Adelson, Dawn Amburgey, Steve Andriakos, Sam Atabaki, Matthew Bacho, Rodney Bacigalupo, Mike Backstrom, Bill Banks, Phillip Barcafer, Bob Bassin, Fred Bauer, Scott Beall, Joseph Beard, Barrington Beavis, Bill Beckman, Marc Berenbach, Richard Beyma, Jesse Boomer, James Boyle, Claire Brosius, Eric Brosius, Sam Brosius, Thomas Browne, Jeff Burdett, Matthew Burkins, Chris Byrd, Rick Byrens, Tom Cannon, Melvin Casselberry, Charles Catania, Don Chappell, John Clarke, Robert Cranshaw, Greg Crowe, Steve Cuccaro, Andrew Cummins, Michael Dauer, Debbie Davidson, Rod Davidson, James Day, Gary Dickson, David Dockter, Nick Drochak, Charles Drozd, Robert Drozd, Ted Drozd, Tom Drueding, Rick Dutton, Mike Dwyer, David Earle, Peter Eldridge, Christopher Ellis, Charles Ellsworth, Ruth Evinger, Brian Farrelly, Scott Fenn, Arthur Field, Barb Flaxington, Andy Friedmann, Carol Gans, Pete Gathman, Roy Gibson, Josh Githens, Lori Greene, Chris Greenfield, Kyle Greenwood, Mark Gutfreund, John Haba, Robert Hamel, Chris Hancock, Brian Hanechak, Victor Harpley, Kirk Harris, Kenichi Hasegawa, Patrick Havert, Bronwen Heap, Bob Heinzmann, Bruce Hodgins, Keith Hunsnger, Richard Irving, Doug James, Darren Kilfara, Rick Kirchner, Nick Klercker, Paul Konka, Malinda Kyrkos, Grant LaDue, Michael Lam, Andy Latto, Daniel Leader, Raphael Patrons 79

Lehrer, Kevin Leith, Eric Lenhart, William Lentz, Chuck Leonard, Jason Ley, Gary Libby, Kathleen Lockwood, Larry Luongo, Randall Mac Innis, Scott Marcotte, Robert McCracken, Robert McFadden, Paul McGuane, Stefan Mecay, Tom Meier, Ed Menzel, Doug Mercer, Richard Meyer, Pat Mirk, Christian Moffa, Craig Moffit, Scott Moll, Lyman Moquin, Matthew Morgal, Cary Morris, Bill Morse, Jeff Mullet, Anthony Musella, Lane Newbury, Tim Nielsen, Richard Northey, Steve Parrish, Jeff Pattison, Linda Pattison, Bill Peeck, Roy Pettis, Peggy Pfeifer, Richard Phares, Randy Pippus, Doug Porterfield, Michael Pustilnik, Craig Reece, Pete Reese, Henry Rice, Riku Reikkinen, Lance Roberts, Paul Rubin, Henry Russell, Martin Sample, Philip Sauer, Bert Schoose, Keith Schoose, Michael Scott, David Schubert, Chris Senhouse, Richard Shipley, Barry Shoults, Barry Shutt, Buddy Sinigaglio, Frank Sinigaglio, Paul Skrabut, Gregory Smith, Mark Smith, Nick Smith, Erica Snarski, Allen Stanicus, Chuck Stapp, Gordon Stewart, Carl Sykes, Akihisa Tabei, Jamie Tang, Don Tatum, James Terry, Zack Terry, Nels Thompson, James R Tracy II, Todd Treadway, Chris Trimmer, Michael Ussery, Lauren Vessey, Patrick Walker, Andy Waller, Bill Watkins, John Weber, Stephanie Welch, John Wetherell, Bruce Wigdor, Jim Winslow, Keith Wixson, Kevin Wojtaszczyk, David Wong, Christopher Yaure, Joe Yaure, Philip Yaure, Mark Yoshikawa. Vendors: GMT Games, Rio Grande Games, Lost Battalion Games, Multi-Man Publishing, Decision Games, Against The Odds, Columbia Games, Z-Man Games, Mayfair Games, Flying Buffalo, Worthington Games, L2 Design Group, Lock’n Load Publishing, Our Game Table, Valley Games, Harmony House Hobbies, Academy Games, Clash of Arms, Collins Epic Wargames, Canton Games, Warparty, GAMeBIT.

Terms and Conditions of Membership: Membership in the BPA secures voting rights. Also, different levels of membership provide the specified number of votes. Membership is required for participation in Play-By-e-Mail (PBeM) tournaments. Certain levels of membership provide admission to the World Boardgaming Championships and a listing in the annual BPA Yearbook. Multi-day General Admission to WBC grants Associate Membership in the BPA. Those who attend via Guest Pass are not BPA members. • Associate status is granted with all WBC Admissions, except Guest Passes. Associate status or higher is required for participation in BPA-sponsored PBeM tournaments and grants one vote. WBC Admission is not included. • General status is extended to those who will not be attending the full week of WBC but would like to have membership in the Association. This level of membership includes WBC admission for only those days purchased and grants 1 vote. It is only available on the WBC Pre-Registration Form. • Charter status is applied to anyone who supported the BPA via a membership at the Charter, Team or Sponsor membership levels during the critical start up year of 1999. Such early supporters can maintain their Charter status by continuing their BPA membership at the Sustaining or higher level. Charter status is listed on the BPA Patrons page in the Yearbook. This level grants 3 votes. • Sustaining members receive admission to the entire World Boardgaming Championships (Mon-Sun). Yearbook and t-shirt are included ONLY if paid by Dec. 31. This level grants 2 votes. • Tribune members receive all Sustaining-level benefits, plus admission to all Pre-Cons. Tribune members may transfer and/or accumulate unused admissions to WBC. In addition, they receive a listing on the BPA Patrons page in the BPA Yearbook. Yearbook and t-shirt are included for payment by April 30. This level grants 3 votes. • Sponsor members receive all Tribune-level benefits. In addition, a Sponsor may introduce a new Trial event, provided a Game Master volunteers to run that event by the deadline. This level grants 3 votes. • Vendor status is applied to all Vendors at WBC. They receive two admissions to WBC per space purchased. These memberships are not transferrable. Yearbook and t-shirt are NOT included. This level grants 2 votes per space.

These terms and conditions may be changed by the Board of Directors at any time, provided that the Company shall honor the benefits of any membership which were in effect at the time such membership was issued. Members are accepted at the discretion of the Board of Directors pursuant to the by-laws of the Company. 80 Board of Directors

ll Boardgame Players Association (BPA) be elected. All members are urged to vote. Amembers of record as of June 1, 2010, are Failure to generate sufficient votes will invali- hereby notified of their right to vote for up to date the election and force the organization to three members to serve on the BPA Board of hold another with consequent expenses which Directors. Any BPA member may run for elec- will be borne by the membership. tion as a Director. These individuals give their Note that all paying attendees of WBC— time without recompense to ensure that WBC other than one-day guests—are BPA members continues on an even keel, representing all in- with voting rights. Ballots will be available terests fairly. only on the BPA website. The ballot includes a All members have a vested interest in brief statement by each nominee. Alternately, the operation of BPA which can be exercised members may e-mail their vote(s) to election@ through their vote for members to serve on boardgamers.org from an e-mail address the Board in rotating three-year terms. When on file with BPA as their official e-mail contemplating their vote, members are urged address. An electronic ballot is available at to consider that the BPA conducts most of its boardgamers.org/forms/boardballot.shtml. business by email and needs Board members All members are invited to attend the who are able and willing to offer their time Annual Meeting of the BPA at 3 pm on Tues., and skills to the organization in a timely man- ner. Board members should be considered Aug. 2, 2010, in the Lancaster Showroom at the more for their ability to contribute to the run- Lancaster Host Resort in Lancaster, Pa. NOTE: ning of a successful company than for their This meeting will take place during a break interest in any particular game or group. in the auction. At that meeting, members will You may vote for up to three candidates, meet the new Board and may make inquiries but only once per candidate. No votes will and suggestions regarding the activities of the be taken during the convention. This election association. This is your chance to influence will be completed by mail and e-mail by July the decision-making process that drives WBC. 15, so that the newly-elected Board may con- The Board would like to publicly thank vene to conduct business during WBC. The retiring board members Keith Levy and Bruno three candidates receiving the most votes will Passacantando for their six years of service.

2010 - 2012 2010 - 2012 2010 - 2012 2008 - 2010 2008 - 2010 Andy Lewis, DE D. Greenwood, MD Ken Whitesell, PA B. Passacantando, CT Keith Levy, MD

2008 - 2010 2009 - 2011 2009 - 2011 2009 - 2011 Bruce Reiff, OH Bruce Monnin, OH Ken Gutermuth, NC K. Engelmann, VA