The first "hit" wargame
The Panzers Keep Rolling
The PanzerBlitz tournament followed a similar format
to last year's event with two notable exceptions: 1. Competitors
could play either Panzerblitz or Panzer Leader in
the preliminary rounds in order to build points to qualify for
the single elimination round and, 2. Tournament play began during
the Pre-Con. The location of the event, close to where most of
the "classic wargames" were being played, allowed players
to participate in numerous "iron-man" events and generated
many opportunities to play while avoiding the need to seek out
an opponent or awaiting the completion of the "next round."
Gamemaster Tom Cooper's recent employment change and subsequent
thousand-mile relocation in July made it impossible for him to
attend the session but Bill Scott, veteran GM of yore, temporarily
came out of retirement to fill in through Wednesday, when he
was forced to head home because of familial obligations. Bruno
Sinigaglio, surely one of the most experienced Gamemasters in
the history of gaming, then took over for a day before passing
the reins to Chuck Leonard, one of Tom's originally scheduled
assistant Gamemasters.
Through the Grognard Pre-Con and the WBC, 19 players completed
36 games that included both veterans and newcomers. 34 of the
36 games were Panzerblitz. Two-time champion Marty Musella
beat Bert Schoose in one Semi to get to the Final for the fifth
time while WBC rookie Greg Tanner from Arizona defeated Rick
Northey to gain the other seat. Both games were closely contested.
In the Final, Scenario 14 from the PanzerBlitz Wargamer's
Guide was the game of choice. This situation had a German Recce
Bn commanded by Greg Tanner, assaulting a Russian Command Post
with a large relief force coming to the CP's rescue. Greg's Germans
immediately assaulted and killed the CP complex in Bednost while
his fast armored car units delayed the onrushing Russians and
denied the key firing hilltop on Board #1.
Marty anticipated the immediate withdrawal of Greg's Germans
onto Board 3, so he tried to turn both flanks and trap the escaping
Germans. However, correctly diagnosing the impending trap, Greg
withdrew the bulk of his forces to the opposite side of Board
2 and skillfully used his fast armor to delay the Russian tank
platoons. This tactical maneuver took Marty by complete surprise
and, while Marty's Russian infantry and assault gun mopped up
the residual German platoons remaining in Bednost, Greg successfully
united his dispersed forces on nearby hill 129, picking off several
Russian units in the process.
At this stage accumulated victory points were even, but Greg
subsequently eliminated two units and Marty's Russian tanks could
not concentrate quickly enough. On the last turn, despite the
Germans being pocketed against the edge of the Board, Greg expertly
placed his units where it was impossible for Marty to score the
kills needed to win. A very close Final all the way to the end!
It was a week of excellent gaming with a group of great guys
all with fun on their minds. Our only disappointment was that
Tom could not come and Bill had to leave before the end. We are
looking forward to next year.
Submitted by Chuck Leonard, with the assistance of Bill Scott,
Bruno Sinigaglio and Marty Musella
2005 PBeM Tournament Results
Eduardo de Nucci of Argentina defeated Peter Bertram of Georgia
in the fourth and final round of the First BPA PBeM tournament
to claim the championship of the Single Elimination event over
18 other entrants. Both players bid for sides using S-4b: Panzer
Attack (http://www.panzerblitz.org/?form=situation_1&situation=pbSits/PB%20S-4b.sit).
Peter bid 7 turns to cross the board with 25 units for the Germans.
Other laurelists were Joe Avinger (GA), Randy McInnis (NJ), Fred
Schwarz (MI) and John Sharp (FL) who claimed third through sixth
respectively.
|