Introduction by Congress of Vienna (CoV)’s Editor, Fred Schachter – To familiarize the InsideGMT audience of what designer Frank Esparrago accomplished with his fun and exciting Congress of Vienna game, now a GMT P-500 offering which has “Made the Cut” and then some (thank you patrons, thank you so very much!) kindly reference previous InsideGMT articles covering a wide range of CoV topics. These can serve as useful background for appreciating this article. Use the following link to access this material: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-850-congress-of-vienna.aspx

The CoV play test team, now mostly using VASSAL due to being geographically disparate, have enjoyed many exciting Congress of Vienna games. I have become something of a “VASSAL Voyeur” observing a game from time to time with its fun, excitement, and often hilarious banter between the players (e.g. “that’s one heck of a maniacal chuckle, my friend… just what are you planning, you sly fox, you?!?”)

The team has held many an interesting debate considering how to best play each of Congress of Vienna’s Major Powers. This article wraps this “strategies” series up by reflecting on their most recent musings concerning Russia as described by game designer Frank Esparrago. It follows preceding InsideGMT articles for France, Austria, and Britain.

We have indicated in italics game Issue markers the players vie for. The terms “track” and “front” are synonymous. Game rules will unfortunately need to be implicit: a restriction an article format such as this compels which readers will hopefully appreciate. That said, take it away Frank (and readers, please appreciate Frank’s somewhat tongue in cheek humor within certain parts of this piece)!

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