risk [Updated October 2004]  

2004 WBC Report     

 2005 Status: pending 2005 GM commitment

Eric Wrobel, VA

2004 Champion

2nd: Rob Lightburn, VA

3rd: David Rynkowski, NY

4th: Matt Mason, FL

 5th: Tom Agostino, Germany

 6th: Alan Hayes, IL

Event History
1999    Rob Lightburn     30
2000    Craig Melton     14
2001    Steve Dickson     29
2002    Phil Rennert     45
2003    Rob Lightburn     33
2004    Eric Wrobel     35


Offsite links:

AREA Ratings

boardgamegeek

 Laurels
Rank Name

From

Last
Total
 1. Rob Lightburn

VA

04
78
 2. Phil Rennert

MD

02
40
 3.  Eric Wrobel

VA

04
30
 4. Steve Dickson

CA

01
30
 5. Craig Melton

VA

00
30
 6. Robert Paul

AZ

03
24
 7. James Long

PA

02
24
 8. Alan Hayes

IL

04
21
 9. Matt Mason

FL

04
18
10. Frank Easton

ONT

03
18
11. Ken Samuel

VA

01
18
12. William Place

PA

00
18
13. Tito Lightburn

VA

99
18
14. Scott Fenn

MD

02
16
15. David Rynkowski

NY

04
12
16. Matt Evinger

PA

01
12
17. Marion Hazel

SC

99
12
18. Bill O'Neal

NY

02
11
19.  Tom Agostino

CA

04
  9
20. Scott Bowling

IN

01
  9
21. Stephane Dorais

QUE

99
  9
22. Keith Butler

CA

03
  9
23. Greg Berry

VA

01
  6
24. John Rinko

VA

00
  6
25. Rod Morris

MD

99
  6
26. Tom Stokes

NJ

02
  4
27. Rebecca Hebner

CO

03
  3
28. Carl Olson

CT

99
  3

Past Winners

Robert Lightburn - VA
1999, 2003

Craig Melton - VA
2000

Steve Dickson - CA
2001

Phil Rennert - MD
2002
     
 


Almost Everyone's First Wargame ...

It is the sixth year for Risk at WBC. 35 players fill the field in the two preliminary Swiss heats. There is one four-player, five-five player, and three six-player games.

Eight finalists returned for another shot at the title: Tom Agostino, 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 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 finalists advance due to eliminating a minimum of three players in their preliminary win. The six that make it to the final are: Tom Agostino, Alan Hayes, Rob Lightburn, Matt Mason, David Rynkowski and Eric Wrobel.

Round 1

Alan is at odds with Tom for Australia right from the setup as both put a large number of forces there. Alan starts by attempting to attack a force in Indonesia from New Guinea, rolling poorly and losing several units. Rob, the defending champion, with several forces in North America, starts his negotiations early with David in South America, by suggesting a truce on the Central America, Venezuela border. But David with some helpful coaxing from other players refuses to cooperate. Rob settles for one position in North America to obtain a card. Eric has established a base in Europe and takes one territory there for a 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 weakly defended with his armies spread out in an attempt to cover Africa's many borders.

Round 2

Alan takes one territory for a card.

Rob tries to take a North American territory with a few opposing forces, but rolls poorly and loses most of his attack force. Unable to break the offending force of five armies, Rob settles for a territory held by only one army.

Eric successfully rampages through the rest of Europe, holding the borders with a few armies. He 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 swap varying strategy and negotiating opinions. David now shows Rob that he has no desire for a truce by moving his large force from Venezuela into Central America. Matt retaliates for Eric's incursion into Africa by taking one territory in Europe to deprive Eric of the Eoropean continent bonus.

Round 3

Alan, no longer in Australia, takes a 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 takes just one territory in Asia for a 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 with 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 Card, keeping his end of the bargain with Eric.

Round 5

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

Rob turns in the second set of cards for six armies, honkers down in Japan, and chooses not to attack anyone. Eric takes one territory for a card. Tom reinforces in Alaska, setting up a base to attack from other than Siam, since Asia has become a base of operations for two other players. David, undeterred by Tom's move, reinforces Ontario and takes two more territories in North America. Matt takes an Asian territory for a card.

Round 6

Alan again takes one territory in Asia for a card. Rob takes his basic three reinforcements in Japan and does not attack. Eric turns in a set of cards for eight armies and takes one territory in Asia. Tom turns his set in next for ten armies. Since Alan now has three cards, Tom decides to attempt to remove him from the game. Tom falls short on the final battle leaving Alan with a handful of forces. Tom fails to realize that he can remove Alan with his forces positioned in Siam. David turns in the next set of cards for twelve Armies.

David reinforces Venezuela and North Africa and takes Iceland to deprive Eric of his extra five armies for Europe. Matt receives 15 armies for the next set and unfortunately for Alan, is positioned in Asia to finish him off. He receives Alan's three cards, giving him six for the beginning of Round 7.

Round 7

Rob continues to take three reinforcements in Japan without attacking. His unusual strategy seems to be working well, since he is not a target with only one card.

Eric not in a position to take back Iceland, takes one Asian territory for his card.

Tom does likewise while his base in Siam grows stronger. David reinforces Iceland and takes Scandinavia. Matt has two sets of cards which yield 45 armies. Seeing Tom as both a threat and a prize with four cards to be gained, he sets up his reinforcements to take out Tom's power base in Siam and one side force in Alaska. Matt removes Tom with little consequence, receives his four cards and ends his turn with a rearmed hand of five cards.

Round 8

Rob again takes three reinforcements in Japan without attacking anyone. Eric turns a set into 30 armies. Rob talks him into attempting to remove Matt, since he is the bigger threat with five cards. Rob and Tom gladly assist Eric with some tactical movement advice. The battle is fierce with Eric losing much in the initial battles but he prevails in the end and relieves Matt of his five Cards. Now with six cards, Eric must immediately turn in a set for 35 armies.

Rob convinces Eric to attack David who has four Cards. Eric successfully attacks Greenland and stops there. Unfortunately for David, his four cards do not contain a set. He takes one territory and awaits what is to come.

Round 9

To the surprise of no one, Rob continues his hedgehog defense and slow buildup in Japan without an attack.

Eric's four cards yields another matched set for 40 armies. He receives a total of 59 armies due to the bonuses for all the continents he now holds. He rolls well and breaks through David's major force in Alaska. David begins to roll very well and takes out a large portion of Eric's forces, but he just does not have enough to fend off Eric for long. Eric collects David's five cards for a total of six. He can collect another 45 armies immediately. Rob's pitiful force in Japan doesn't stand a chance. He concedes.

Thanks to all the Risk players for making this tournament possible.

For a dedicated weekend of RISK play, check out the official RISK championships at http://www.risktoc.org

 GM      Keith Levy  [6th Year]   9 Augusta Wood Court, Reisterstown, MD 21136
    gcom@gamesclubofmd.org   410-833-4395

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