Risk WBC 2004 Tournament Write Up

It is the sixth year for Risk at WBC. Thirty Five players fill the field in the two preliminary Swiss heats. There is one four player game, five five player games and three six player games.

Eight finalists that return from for another shot at the title are: Tom Augustino, Alan Hayes, Rob Lightburn, Matt Mason, Bill O?Neal, Rob Paul, Phil Rennert, and Ken Samuel. Only two entrants that won in the first heat, made an attempt in the second heat for another win. Although unsuccessful in doing so, both Matt Mason and Alan Hayes improve their chances of advancing by obtaining a non last finish in the second heat. The remaining finalist, advance due to eliminating a minimum of three players in their preliminary heat game. The six that make it to the final are: Tom Augustino, Alan Hayes, Rob Lightburn, Matt Mason, David Rynkowski and Eric Wrobel.

Round 1
Alan is at odds with Tom for Australia right from the game set up as both put a large number of forces there. Alan starts off the Final by attempting to attack a force in Indonesia from New Guinea. Alan rolls poorly and losses several units. Rob with several forces in North America, starts his negotiation tactics off early with David in South America, by suggesting a truce on the Central America, Venezuela border. But David with some helpful coxing from some other players refuses to cooperate. Rob takes one position in North America in order to obtain a Risk card. Eric has established a force base in Europe and take one territory there for a Risk card.

Tom takes Eastern Australia with ease as it only has one army defending.

David easily takes over the South American continent. Matt takes over the African continent, but his borders are weekly defended as his armies are spread out in an attempt to cover Africa?s many borders.

Round 2
Alan takes one territory for a Risk card.

Rob tries to take a territory in North America with a few opposing forces, but rolls poorly and loses a large part of his forces. Unable to break the opposing force of five or so armies, Rob settles for conquering a territory with just one army to defend.

Eric successfully rampages thought the rest of Europe, and holds the borders with a few armies.

Eric also moves into Egypt to deprive Matt of three extra forces for holding Africa. Tom negotiates tactical movements with Alan and takes Australia. Tom and Rob have a discussion of varying opinions about game strategy and negotiating. David now shows Rob that he has no desire of keeping a truce with him by moving his large force from Venezuela into Central America. To retaliate, Matt takes one territory in Europe to deprive Eric of the extra five armies for holding the continent.

Round 3
Alan no longer in Australia, takes one territory in Asia. Rob with only a bare minimum of forces left in North America, decides to place his reinforcements in the less contested Asian continent, by placing them in Kamchatka. Eric takes one territory in North America.

Tom moves his large force into Siam. David takes over the Eastern US and Matt takes back Africa promising a treaty with Eric in Europe once Eric takes it back.

Round 4
Alan again just takes one territory in Asia for a Risk Card. Rob continues to focus on his new Asian home and takes one territory there. Eric takes back the European continent and keeps the proposed treaty by Matt, his African neighbor. David continues to grow in North America by taking another territory there and Matt takes one territory in Asia for a Risk Card, keeping his end of the treaty with Eric.

Round 5
Alan turns in the first set of Risk cards and receives four extra armies. He continues his Asian territory conquering to gain another Risk card and to avoid being in the path of his opponents.

Rob turns a set of Risk cards for six armies, honkers down in Japan, and chooses not to attack anyone. Eric takes one territory for a Risk card.