Playing Italy:
Early relations with Austria

Last Updated: March 1, 2002

Venice and Trieste are the only opposed adjacent home supply centres on the board and you don't need me to tell you that this simple fact is enough to guarantee considerable mistrust between the two powers for most of the game. For Italy, attacking Austria in 1901 can seem a viable solution to this problem, but in my opinion it is a dangerous mistake to make. Even though options such as the Tyrolian attack A(Ven) - Tyr, A(Rom) - Ven; can be very effective if Austria allows the moves to succeed, my main problem with attacking Austria is that you are being presumptuous in the extreme. You are assuming three dangerous things. One, that there isn't a R/T juggernaut heading your way. Two, that Austria hasn't seen you coming. And three, that Germany won't intervene. Let's look at them one at a time.

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

Juggernaut's are a nightmare. Unless of course, you are playing Russia, or to a lesser degree Turkey. They invariably do well unless quickly opposed by a strong A/I alliance. So, tell me why do you expect Austria to work with you against the juggernaut, if you have attacked him as well? And how do you know there isn't a juggernaut planned when you write your spring 1901 orders? Simply, you don't. Even after the spring 1901 adjudication you will probably be unsure, as most juggernauts start with a Black Sea stand-off. If you are lucky, and a juggernaut isn't on the cards in spring 1901, then the sight of Italian armies in Tyrolia/Venice or Trieste/Venice can throw them quickly together as they move to exploit the Austrian weakness. It would indeed be surprising if Turkey and Russia didn't immediately settle any differences they might have and head for Austria as well. Turkey can usually be persuaded, by Russia, to build fleets and head west and push to contest the Ionian early, whilst Russia builds armies and attacks the Italian gains in Austria.

Gotcha!

The popularity of Hedgehog openings means trouble for any Italian bent upon attacking Austria in spring 1901. F(Tri) - Ven, alone insures that Trieste won't be lost. Whilst A(Vie) - Gal, allows Vienna to be covered against an army in Tyrolia. The main drawback for Austria of these defences is of course only gaining one build and the reduction of their influence on events in Greece and Rumania. One thing is sure however, if you do attack and fail, you will have annoyed the Austrian and by keeping him away from Greece have indirectly helped Turkey.

Germany Calling

Any Germany worth his salt will know that when Austria collapses early that they have a problem coming their way. The problem being Russia. Often in 1903/4, Russia is responsible for attacking and therefore creating a two front conflict for Germany, which Germany can't cope with. And it is a wise Germany who strives to delay this assault or avoid it all together. In practice the best way to keep the Russian armies away from Silesia is to keep them busy in the Balkans. Which in turn means keeping Austria alive and active. If that means sending an army South into Tyrolia to deal with meddlesome Italians, then if one is free, then so be it. Further more, German players will frequently take a very dim view of an uninvited Italian army in Tyrolia in spring 1901, especially if it is coupled with a French A(Bur), a combination which stifles German growth. So, why annoy two of your neighbours when the prospects of success are small.

Alternatives

An attack on France or an attack on Turkey are possibilities. Well, any attack on France will be slow and tedious, unless both England and Germany are also attacking. Even then, your gains will probably come later than the other players and you may, in the long run, find yourself shut out completely. Better to attack France later when they are distracted with England or when you can overwhelm him after you no longer have Turkish fleets to contain in the east.

So, if it's not France it must be Turkey then. Well, maybe yes maybe no. Admittedly I would sooner attack Turkey as Italy than I would France, but be warned the famed Lepanto isn't all it's cracked up to be. For one it over extends the Italian forces and needs a very supportive Austrian to succeed. The most dangerous moment of the attack comes just as you convoy into Syria. At that point, if the Austrian strikes at Venice or France moves on Tunis, or horror of horrors both happen, then you are probably doomed.

So, what am I suggesting? Surely I can't be suggesting that Italy do nothing. Well, not quite, but I am suggesting you keep you options open and make your decision in 1902. In Spring 1902 you will be better able to judge the true state of play and you will have made a good friend of Austria. For example, if Turkey has built two fleets or moved F(Ank) - Con, you can use Austria to occupy him on land whilst you deal with his naval strength. Alternatively, if Turkey looks friendly you can attack Austria now with his help, whilst playing Russia and Turkey off against one another and that's only two options, there will be plenty of others too. Sounds simple doesn't it, well it isn't and nothing is guaranteed. Nothing that is, except after supporting Austria during 1901 everybody will want you as a friend in 1902.

Opening suggestions

OK. If I'm ruling out attacking Austria then I think the friendlier the opening the better. And in my book you can't beat what I refer to as the care-bear opening.

• F(Nap) - ION, A(Ven) - Apu, A(Rom) - Ven.

If Austria trusts you and orders F(Tri) - Alb, all well and good, you can convoy to Tunis and build F(Nap). If he's played a hedgehog and ordered F(Tri) - Ven, you can still convoy to Tunis and tell him you will order A(Rom) - Ven in the autumn and he will probably take the opportunity to get a head start on Greece and order F(Tri) - Alb. If he has turned out to be treacherous, which is most unlikely, the two armies can still both cover Venice in the autumn, should the need arise.

If that's just too friendly for you, then F(Nap) - ION, A(Rom) - Apu, A(Ven) Stands should suffice, but a sensible Austrian will still be forced to cover Trieste in the autumn. This can work out well for you and if for example A(Vie) - Gal succeeded then you have the option to pinch Trieste, if you wish.

Carpe Diem (but not quite)

Italy is a difficult country to play in Diplomacy. Most players would agree that it's central location should give the country good win prospects, but the statistics available don't bear that out. So, what's the problem. In my opinion it's a problem of direction. Italy must seize the initiative to win, but must avoid over reaching and seizing it too early. Trying to grab it in 1901 is all well and good, but as that would almost certainly involve attacking Austria, which is risky unless you are sure either Russia or Turkey will side with you afterwards, then my recommendation is wait.

But... there's always a but

There is simply no best strategy in Diplomacy, and that's the charm of it, isn't it? Far too much depends upon the individuals concerned and how they interact with one another. Diplomacy is almost always the key to any situation and at the start of a game it is always the key. The Diplomacy you conduct should take precedence over any strategy articles you read. All I'm suggesting is, the next time you find yourself commanding the green pieces, with Russia and Turkey encouraging you to attack Austria, just bear what I've written in mind.

Pot, this is kettle, you are black!

Oddly enough at OxCon 97 I opened with a Tyrolian attack as Italy, which is what prompted me to write this article. I was faced with a very inexperienced Austria who wanted to work with me by opening F(Tri) stand, but no further than that. It was obvious that Turkey and Russia didn't trust each other, but they would make rapid progress against the Austrian clown anyway. So, A(Ven) - Tyr, A(Rom) - Ven, went down on my order sheet, against my better judgement. It wasn't long before I proved myself right, as Austria ordered F(Tri) stand, A(Bud) - Rum, A(Vie) - Bud, both of which succeeded, leaving him doomed. In A1901 I try supporting myself to Trieste, but A(Bud) supports F(Tri), Russia pinches Rum and Vie, whilst Turkey grabs Serbia and builds two fleets. OK I should be doomed, but I hang on at around 5/6 centres by getting Germany to prop me up until Turkey and Russia inevitably fall out. By which time, initiative long gone, I've lost all hope of making any major gains and grimly await the arrival of a rampant France. One day I'll take my own advice, one day.