As CD of WBC and its predecessor for the last 24 years I have had the privilige of watching many dedicated GMs strive to keep their event robust and relevant in the ebb and flow of the convention's evolution as the following of old classics erode and fall victim to the cult of the new. All bring different levels of competence and devotion to the task before eventually surrendering to the inevitable. Many are motivated by self interest and maintaining the relevancy of their favorite game while maintaining a platform for their own achievements. Others are more altruistic and seek only to preserve the tournament for others. Those who love Doplomacy tend to be in the latter camp as Diplomacy tournament directors rarely play in their own events to ensure their objctivity - aside from an occasional role as an eliminator replacement to fill boards out of necessity. Thus it is refreshing to have watched the degree of dedication Thomas Haver brings to this event as a non-playing GM. Not only does he sacrifice his time without the gratification of playing the game, but he funds significant prizes and refrshments for his players out of is own pocket. Once upon a time, WBC regularly hosted one of the largest Diplomacy tournaments anywhere and in 2000 hosted a World Dip Con which is still one of the largest such events of all time. Those days are long gone, but Thomas is to be congratulated for his efforts. No one has ever made more of an effort to support such a classic game's relevance.

The Diplomacy tournament has returned to its status as a regular fixture at the WBC after being absent for many years. This year's tournament was a best two rounds out of three event held over Friday and Saturday of the final weekend. No two Diplomacy tournaments are run the same, but the Carnage scoring system has become commonplace among the larger convention events. Carnage relies on board ranking rather than draw size, and while some feel very strongly about draw-based systems, the rank-based system fits the timing constraints of WBC. Quick timed-rounds and order writing periods ensure the game moves along at a brisk pace, helping WBC players keep their schedules. In addition to the plaques provided by the WBC, we had seven best country awards to give away as well as board game prizes donatd by the GM. We had 24 players this year and many returning faces from prior years.

Round 1 began with two boards in Kinderhook. Gone are the hanging-lights of last year that brought the room to sauna-like temperatures. Board 1 featured defending champion David Rynkowski. Coincidentally, David drew England in this game, the same power he piloted to a solo victory last year that won him the championship. From the outset, the board seemed to jump on Germany, quickly putting Tom Good in a bind. Despite his best efforts, a multi-national alliance had formed to pincer him from three sides. In the East, the Austro-Russo-Turk trio evenly split the Balkans. However, the peace was not to last. Austria, played by Carter Su, established a steady game-long collaboration with England against their common neighbors. Germany was eliminated in 1903 and Russia was taken from 6 supply centers down to 3 to 1 and finally 0 in successive years. We also had two newcomers on the board in Trevor Schoenen (France) and Fletcher Chapin (Italy). Unlike most new tournament players, both were active initiators in negotiations. The game ended with a two-way tie for board top between England and Austria at 12 centers.

Over on Board 2, the 2012 Champion Christian Pedone had drawn Italy. Unfortunately for him, Jay Boring (Russia) and Rex Martin (Turkey) had a strong Russia-Turkey alliance from the outset, often termed "Juggernaut" in the Diplomacy community. Lack of cooperation around the board allowed the Juggernaut to roll through Austria and Italy. By 1905 both powers were eliminated from the board. The West was in disarray, and the game ended with another two-way tie for board top - Russia and Turkey shared the lead with 11 centers each.

Round 2 began with our annual tradition of coffee and doughnuts to make up for the early start time on Saturday. The caffeine elixir proved all the help three competitors needed on Board 1, with a Western Triple (England-France-Germany) racing across the board. As with all Western Triples, it's inevitable two things will happen: Germany gets cut out and Turkey picks up centers from behind the line. Sure enough, England and France stabbed Germany for everything he had. Over a longer time period, Turkey built himself up slowly to a strong position and 10 centers. This board lasted longer (in game years) than any other for the weekend. The tenuous alliance of England-France-Turkey methodically eliminated every other power on the board. The game ended with England and France tied for board top with 12 centers, and Turkey in third place with 10 centers.

Not to be outdone by game-long alliances and tied board tops, Board 2 featured a strong alliance between Jay Boring (Austria) and John Stevens (Russia) that began in opposition, as Russia did not get a build in 1901. The dynamic soon changed thanks primarily to the machinations of Rex Martin (Italy). The trio quickly pounced on Turkey, which led to a 1903 elimination. Much like Board 1, the sometimes unsteady alliance managed to plow through the other western powers, eliminating England and France last in 1908. The game ended with Austria and Russia tied for board top with 12 centers, and Italy in third place with 10. The rank-based system was seeing quite a bit of alliance play and tied board tops.

Going into the final round, Jay Boring held a lead over the other players with two tied board tops. However, a number of players with solid scores in the opening rounds still had hopes of claiming another board top (alone!) to overcome Jay's lead. Round 3 is also where the full "meta" kicks in, as players know exactly what they need to win, or at least grab a coveted Best Country award. Board 1 ended up being a slog with shifting alliances throughout the game because we had a few new tournament players. Adam Sigal topped the board with 8 centers at Turkey after a back-and-forth affair. The true challenge was on Board 2, where three players with a strong chance of winning were duking it out. Russia and Austria opened early against Turkey at the same time England and Germany attacked France. Both alliances held until the Turks and French were defeated. Once clear of the chaff, the A-T began a deliberate push west into Germany and Italy. Once again, it was David Rynkowski as Russia who managed to make significant gains late in the game. The game time was called as Germany was pushed to the brink of destruction, and Russia stood alone at board top with 13 centers. The second board top netted David just enough points to best Jay Boring for the championship, as points are not split if you hold a rank by yourself. Congratulations to David, our 2014 champion who cn now claim the only back to back titles in the history of the event.!

The WBC 2014 Best Country Awards went to:

Carter Su & Jay Boring	David Rynkowski & Adam Sigal	Christian Pedone	Matt Calkins & Bill Riggs	Rex Martin	David Rynkowski	Rex Martin
Austria	England	France	Germany	Italy	Russia	Turkey

As always, a picture is worth a thousand words, so 142 pictures would be worth ....

 Play By Email 2014

Scott Nedza won the first BPA PBeM Diplomacy Tournament by one supply center over David Sherwood. Both players had a pair of two-way wins over the 28-player field which generated ten two-way wns and a pair of three-way wins in 12 games. Kevin Youells took third with a two-wayand a three-way win. Also earning laurels were Warren and Bob Day and Richard Prast. Russia earned the most victory points over the course of the tournament followed in order by France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Turkey and England.