maharaja [Updated August 2000]

MAH   
   19-24
  19-24      
  19-24    

   Valley

Will Wible, VA

2000 Champion

2nd: Henry Rice, NM

3rd: Steve Simmons, NJ

4th: Kirk Harris, NH

5th: Richard Jones, UK

6th: Brent Besler, MI
Event History
1991    None      -
1992    None      -
1993    None      -
1994    None      -
1995    David Gantt      16
1996    David Gantt      20
1997    Henry Rice      19
1998    Scott Pfiffer      25
1999    Steve Simmons     10
2000    Will Wible     15
AREA Ratings
 1    William Wible      5291
 2    Steve Simmons      5235
 3    Kirk Harris      5097
 4    Brad Jones      5053
 5    Henry Rice III      5050
 6    Duane Wagner      5049
 7    Richard Jones      4963
 8    Judy Krauss      4955
 9    Louis Giannobile      4955
10    Jim Lawler      4951

Fast Forward through the sub-continent ...

Maharaja attendance increased by half in 2000 but that still left it short of a return to the Century). Two heats and six boards later, the top three players met to determine the Maharajadhiraja!

The format for the tournament has been solidified as the three-player version of the game. This was met with acclaim from all sides. Without a doubt, the three-player set up is much more balanced and enjoyable than the four-player. Also, it is hoped that, as this continues each year, more and more Britannia players will also play Maharaja. Hopefully they will recognize that their first (four-player) experience was not necessarily the best format and that Maharaja has much more to offer! In addition, it is valuable to have a three-player favorite along with the four-player favorite (Britannia), so that gamers at home have an option when faced with an odd number of participants.

Favorites from previous years put in a good showing again at WBC 2000. Henry Rice and Steve Simmons were leading into the Final, with a whopping 40 percentile each from their qualifying heat. The GM was convinced to play this year to fill out an even game for Heat 2, and as a result qualified as the third Finalist with a 37% win.

Custom, framed prints were offered again this year by the GM. A second board was added simultaneous with the Final, with one of these framed gifts as prize. This allowed another three players to have a secondary final match and duke it oit for 4th thru 6th. Long-time stalwarts Richard Jones, Kirk Harris, and Brent Besler all made this board and had a shot with something to play for. Kirk came out on top, taking home the framed Maharaja print.

The Final was hotly contested. Wild swings in early fortune arose from racial sniping and border fortification. Several races died out early, or were wiped down to bare subsistence. This resulted in the conquerors surviving for much longer than they otherwise might have, and in some cases in a third race receiving the benefit. It also resulted in the conquerors being attacked by an ally of a defeated race, seeking vengeance. This proved to be a decisive metagame factor, showing how negotiation can have a definite factor on any multiplayer game.

With some embarrassment, the GM won the plaque. Salving his conscience by giving the second framed print to Henry (who was a very close second), he is grateful to everyone for allowing (in fact insisting) that he play in the Final. (In previous years the GM has bowed out, even though qualifying for the Final.) While letting someone else advance is perhaps more noble, playing is much more fun.

The GM would like to thank everyone over the years for their encouragement and continued support. 2001 is likely to be his last year (when many of you will read this). It's time to move on to other things. Never fear a suitable replacement GM will be brought up and hopefully will be able to carry the tournament forward with some new and exciting ideas.


Several rules questions arose during the tournament. After research, the answers have been finalized and included here. Questions and debate on these points are always welcome.

6.0 Overpopulation is checked at the end of each phase of a major invasion.
8.5 A defending army may not retreat to an empty area which is adjacent to a third area in which an unresolved battle has yet to be rolled (because that area is occupied by the attacking nation).
10.6 Chola turn-9 reinforcements must appear as increase population before any other options are considered. This means that the armies must be placed one-per-territory, as long as stacking is not exceeded. Any remaining armies may enter at any vacant areas in South India.
11.1 A nation which gains points for "occupying at any time during the turn" does get these points for moving through the territory of a submitted nation. This applies if these nations (Afgans, Greeks, Mughals) attack the territory, there is an immediate submission, and the attacking armies are relocated. The attacking nation does not, however, gain end-of-turn victory points.
11.2 The British may attack an area occupied by an enemy factory as well as allied Indian armies. The Indian armies must permit the British to destroy the factory, after which the British armies must leave (since they may not end their turn in the same area as the Indian armies).

 GM      Will "Sandy" Wible  [3rd Year]   253 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23510
    sandyw@decipher.com   NA

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