BPA April News
From: Donald Greenwood CD (cdboardgamers.org)
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2015 08:22:56 -0700 (PDT)
WBC 2015 EVENT PREVIEWS: Ah ... spring. It's that time of year again when the 
birds sing, the flowers bloom and tournaments are previewed as only WBC does 
them at http://boardgamers.org/yearbkex15/. Check out the formats for your 
favorite events and get an early look at the WBC schedule before we unveil the 
full slate of both our usual and new scheduling aides coming in May. 

PRE-CON ATTRACTIONS: The complete list of events available during the 2015 
Pre-Con weekend is noted at http://boardgamers.org/yearbkex15/precon.htm. 
Please note that unlike last year, due to the presence of another group at the 
Host that weekend, we will NOT have extra space for Open Gaming until Monday so 
do not expect to Open Game until then. To avoid extra cost for At the Door 
admission be sure to update any Sustaining membership to Tribune status before 
July if you wish to attend Pre-Con. 

LAST CHANCE FOR FREEBIES: Only days remain to get a free Yearbook and souvenir 
T-shirt or hat for an early Tribune membership commitment. The free premiums 
end on April 30th. Thereafter, such items will only be available for separate 
purchase. Tribune membership entitles you to free admission to all of WBC week 
plus the Pre-Cons - nine days in all. Submit your membership now at 
http://www.boardgamers.org/forms/MemberForm.shtml to qualify. 

WBC EVENT GM ASSIGNMENTS:  The membership is to be congratulated for again 
stepping forward (even if somewhat belatedly) to save all eligible qualifying 
events from the Orphans List (http://boardgamers.org/wbc/orphans.htm) and in so 
doing setting a record for number of tournaments at WBC with 165 (109 
Century/Legacy, 25 Continuing Trials, 31 Sponsored Trials) plus 20 Juniors 
events. Unfortunately, in so doing, many GMs are again doing double and triple 
duty so more volunteers are needed. If you don't see yourself as a GM type, at 
least give some consideration to helping out next time by volunteering to 
assist a GM as a demonstrator or clerical assistant. The slate of 20 free 
Juniors events plus the usual array of Scheduling devices and Pre-Registration 
information will be announced in our May newsletter.

ELECTION TIME: It is once again time to elect three members to three-year terms 
on the BPA Board of Directors. This year's election features three incumbents 
and as many challengers vying for three seats. Get all the information at 
http://boardgamers.org/election2015.htm. As usual, voting is effortless and 
takes only a moment thanks to the electronic ballot at 
http://boardgamers.org/forms/BoardBallot.shtml.  Voting will remain open until 
July 15th. All members (any paid attendee of  WBC for more than one day is 
considered a member) are urged to vote  since validation requires sufficient 
membership participation. 

SCHEDULED OPEN GAMING RETURNS: A successful if somewhat limited response to 
this feature introduced last year has earned another shot with emphasis on 
individual demos and scheduled Open Gaming opportunities all week long. If 
you've ever bemoaned the difficulty of finding like-minded gamers to play what 
YOU want to play in Open Gaming, this is your chance. Merely commit to 
providing the game in question and playing at a specified time in the 
designated Demo area in Paradise assembly and we will reserve your table plus 
advertise your game on the printed, web, android and rotating schedules for all 
to see and even provide signage for your "game event". The catch? You must 
commit to it in a timely fashion; i.e., now. 

Requirements:
        • Must be a Sustaining or Tribune member by June 1st.
        • Must submit details to CD [at] boardgamers.org by June 1st to include:
                • Name of published game (limit one game); non-published games 
must be handled as Commercial Demos
                • Start Time and length of game (even hours only; no half-hour 
starts; i.e., 7 PM, not 7:15 or 7:30)
                • Type of table; 8' rectangular or 6' round (or if either is 
acceptable, indicate so)
                • Rate your game as A (expert), B (played previously or read 
rules) or C (will coach) insofar as experience level of players sought
                • The table must be surrendered promptly to the next user 
before the next reserved timeslot

Limits:
        • Multi-player games only - must accommodate a minimum of three players
        • One reservation slot per person. Second requests will be honored on a 
space available basis only after all other primary requests have been fulfilled.
        • All requests are based on availability. First come, first served. 

Suggestions:
        • Submit multiple start times in case your first choice is unavailable
        • A willingness to use either round or rectangular tables will increase 
your chances of getting a slot
        • The longer your requested time slot, the less your chances of getting 
a reservation. 
        • Avoid high usage time slots.  Slots on Tuesday evening have little 
chance of acceptance.

PUBLISHER/DESIGNER RENDEZVOUS:  WBC always attracts a number of aspiring game 
designers of varying levels of experience and genre interests. Whether they 
come to playtest new designs or show them to interested parties to widen their 
kickstarter/P500 appeal, the opportunity to make connections with publishers is 
not to be missed. Eight such publishers who will be in attendance this year 
(GMT, ATO, PKG, Academy Games, Stronghold Games, MMP, Funto11 and Decision 
Games) have agreed to review a list of those attending for this purpose. They 
will peruse what you have to offer - and should it fall within the realm of 
their publishing interests, will arrange to meet with you to discuss the 
possibilities. To be added to this list, submit a Commercial Demo as outlined 
below.  

COMMERCIAL DEMOS: In an effort to alleviate crowding in the Open Gaming 
theatre, exhibit tables will NOT be allowed in the Showroom. Monitors will be 
tasked with stricter policing of commercial efforts including prospective game 
designers who set up displays to troll for P500 backing. While you are free to 
Open Game anything you like, you will NOT be allowed to monopolize tables with 
displays that are not being actively played. Instead, designers/publishers are 
urged to register for FREE scheduled demos in the Paradise Assembly 
demonstration area. To be included in the schedule, you must be a current 
Sustaining level or higher member and register your demo no later than June 
1st. Demonstrations are limited to one-hour duration unless longer periods are 
requested in advance. Multiple or longer demonstrations are allowed on a space 
available basis. Contact  CD [at] boardgamers.org for additional information. 
Include alternate times and type of table desired (either 6' rounds or 8' x 30" 
rectangulars) as well as boxart files containing the title of the game for 
display signage. Reservations will be made on a first come, first served basis. 
 Submit requests to http://boardgamers.org/forms/DemoForm.htm. 

MURRAY COWLES: We sadly report the passing of longtime friend and member, 
Murray Cowles, one of our original British guests. Murray died on his 83rd 
birthday on March 21st from a fall in his nursing home. He had been a regular 
at Avaloncon, last attending WBC in 2008 when advancement of his Parkinson's 
Disease brought an end to his extensive travels. While most of his gaming 
exploits predated laurels, he nevertheless managed to laurel in Tigers in the 
Mist on three different occasions. Murray lived a remarkable life filled with 
both accomplishment and adventure. He was a merchant seaman in his youth; going 
to sea in the old sailing vessels when he was 14 and passed his mate's ticket 
at 17, joining the Elder Dempster Line. He rose to First Mate and Navigating 
Officer in the Merchant Marine, retiring at 30. He remained in the Royal Naval 
Reserve until 42 when he retired as a Lieutenant Commander.

He then trained for business and passed exams in Insurance and Accountancy and 
formed Murray Cowles Associates and The Fleet Friendly Society. He retired at 
60 and became a New Business Adviser, helping many start their businesses and 
providing expert financial advice while continuing with voluntary work in the 
local community. An ardent wargamer and train gamer, Murray also enjoyed rock 
climbing until a bad fall encouraged less arduous pursuits. He visited gaming 
cons in both America and Italy. It was his everlasting regret that his illness 
stopped those visits. During one of his visits I had the pleasure of his 
company for a five-hour game of Breakout Normandy that remains one of my 
fondest memories; he was easily the most entertaining and gracious opponent 
with whom I've ever shared a board. Murray was a fixture at the UK cons 
organized by AHIKS and more recently by The Weekend Gaming Group. He had many 
friends both in Britain and among the American gaming community and will be 
sorely missed. Rememberances of Murray and other recently departed members can 
be found at http://boardgamers.org/memorial.htm.

WBC VENDOR/EXHIBITOR LINKS: BPA welcomes Funto11, Mayfair Games, Northstar 
Games,  and Wargame Zone as our newest vendors to join our returning favorites 
with a presence at WBC 2015. You can find prominent links to them on our 
homepage.

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP STATUS: Those wishing to check their current membership 
levels may do so at http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc15/prereg.htm. Note that only 
Sustaining level members and above are listed until General memberships become 
available with the appearance of the Pre-Reg form in May.  

2016 RESERVATIONS: Several early birds have already attempted to make 
reservations for 2016 at Seven Springs. Please be advised that the resort is 
not accepting reservations more than a year in advance for WBC 2016 and that 
such attempts will not be eligible for the much reduced group rate in any case. 
We anticipate no problems in securing reservations once reservations are opened 
in August and will advise everyone in plenty of time to secure lodging. The 
greater capacity at Seven Springs was a major reason for our selecting that 
site, so we urge you to wait for the official announcement of the opening of 
reservations. 

APP PREPARATIONS: Kevin Broh-Kahn's WBC APP for the android platform was a big 
hit last year. This year Michael Kiefte is doing the iOS version. They will be 
coordinating to share similar features and interfaces, but be tailored to each 
platform. Those interested in testing, making comments about last year's 
version or requesting new features should contact dev [at] boardgamers.org. 


PBeM NEWS:

DIPLOMACY: Christopher Lee dominated the 2015 PBeM Diplomacy field of 35 
players with two 2-way wins (France and Germany) and a Solo (England) for first 
place at 35 points. Steven Le Winter had a Solo, a 2-way win, and a 3-way win 
at 31 points to take second place overall. Jesus Zamora had two Solo wins as 
France and Russia for 30 points. Kevin Youells came in fourth with a Solo and 
2-way win for 28 points. David Sherwood took fifth with two 2-way wins and a 
3-way for 26 points. Rich Prast, the top ranked AREA player, came in sixth with 
a Solo and a 2-way win for 26 points. Rich, David, and Kevin also placed in the 
top six players in the 2014 PBeM Tournament. Half of the games were Solo 
victories, a third were 2-way wins, and the rest were 3-way wins. The best 
countries in order of victory points were: France, England, Turkey, Russia, 
Germany, Italy, and Austria.  Updated laurel totals are posted at 
http://boardgamers.org/yearbook15/DIPpge.htm#pbem. 

MARCH MADNESS: We have reached the point where all the spots in our 2015 Sweet 
16 have been filled.  Four of our Elite Eight have been determined, including 
both #1 seeds, Marvin Birnbaum with Houston 1968 and Oliver Searles with Kansas 
1957, as well as Jeremy Billones’ 20 seeded Kansas 2008 and Aran Warszawski’s 
34 seeded Arizona 1997. Eight other teams are alive and vying for the remaining 
four spots in the Elite Eight. Of note is that Oliver Searles also has his 
second team still alive for one of these spots, while Debbie Gutermuth is still 
competing to reach the Elite Eight in both halves of the bracket. Track the 
progress of the event at http://www.nktelco.net/bdmonnin/mm-brack-2015.htm.

PRO GOLF:  The best score in the clubhouse is a smoking round of 7 under par by 
Jessica Finkeldey using John Daly.  It is a good thing for the rest of us that 
she bogeyed the last hole. The cut line is currently at 2 strokes over par, 
with your beloved GM carding a round of 3 over par with just two holes 
remaining.  C’mon Sergio Garcia, get hot on those final two holes!  Like 
myself, many players have been finding the water on the two par fives on the 
back nine as the eighteenth hole has been causing a lot of damage. 31 golfers 
have already completed their round, 13 others are currently on the course, and 
eight players are still taking practice swings on the driving range. To track 
the progress, go to: http://www.nktelco.net/bdmonnin/PBeM_Scoresheet.htm

GREAT CAMPAIGNS: The preliminary rounds of the GCACW PBeM tournament are now 
complete and we are ready to begin the playoffs. 28 participants played 51 
games through the first four rounds, and after the smoke cleared, Mark Booth, 
Scott Spurgeon, John Cissel, Rob Doane, Mike Metcalf, Jay Meyers, Bruno 
Passacantando, and Patrick Pence earned the top eight spots to advance to the 
playoffs. Special congratulations goes to Mark Booth for going 4-0 and earning 
the top seed by taking on and defeating a murderer's row of top rated 
opponents! His victims included Mike Pacheco, Bruno Passacantando, Ed Beach, 
and Jay Meyers. 

TZOLKIN:  The semifinal rounds have begun after the field was narrowed to eight 
players.   Eric Freeman posted the highest performance from the preliminary 
rounds, with five wins and a second place finish.  Joining him are Andrew 
Emerick, Jon Senn, Keith Dent, Cary Morris, Sceadeau D'Tela, Robb Effinger, and 
Jeff Meyer, who edged out his dad for the eighth spot.  Results from the 
preliminary rounds can be viewed at 
https://epworthian.wordpress.com/current-standings/

BITTER WOODS: For the third time, Bill Morse and Bruno Sinigaglio will square 
off in a BPA Bitterwoods tournament Final as the 8th PBeM tournament draws to a 
close. Both players are riding streaks with Bruno trying to take his fourth 
straight BPA PBeM title while Bill has won his last three live play tournaments 
in the game. Bill and Bruno have an interesting rivalry. Bruno taught his 
Grognard intern Bill how to play Bitterwoods by killing his units and then 
explaining the unsuspected rules to him after the units were dead. Bill 
reciprocated by suckering Bruno into giving up Noville in the six turn scenario 
the first year it was played at Doncon. Bill has certainly progressed from 
intern status, displaying a great deal of wargame prowess. In fact, Bill now 
has his own Grognard intern in the person of Alex Gregorio.


Bill advanced to the final by outflanking Marty Musella’s Americans in the 
six-turn scenario. The game went to the wire, as most do, when matched 
opponents play DBW. Marty could have won at the end, but Bill made sure Marty’s 
counteroffensive would be a Hail Mary! In the other semifinal, Steve Lapierre 
demonstrated that he is a force to be reckoned with. Steve killed 20+ US units, 
lost only one mech, and captured Bastogne - a rare feat against Bruno. The game 
was wide open early, but a few unfortunate late die rolls thwarted Steve’s 
effort to defeat the highest rated player. It was touch and go for Bruno - the 
game ended with Steve adjacent to Neufchateau, Parker’s Crossroad, Trois Ponts, 
the Franc Dump, Spa and Eupen. In addition, Steve was adjacent to all three 
bridgeheads on the Ourthe, which even included units on the west bank. 

BATTLES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: The sixth and last open round of the 
tournament featured play of Newtown, which is an exceptional excursion into 
conventional pre-Napoleonic warfare laced with the asymmetric warfare practiced 
by American Indians. The winners of the eight games played were: Andy Maly, 
Marginal Victory as the Indians; Jeff Lange, Decisive Victory as the USMC; Rod 
Coffey, Substantial Victory as the Indians; Rob Doane, Marginal Victory as 
Cornplanter; Jim Tracy ii, Marginal Victory as the Indians; Chris Easter, 
Marginal Victory as Handsome Luke; Mark Miklos, Marginal Victory as Joseph 
Brant and Bruno Sinigaglio, Decisive Victory vs the Cattle Herd. Based on 
performance during the six open rounds, 12 players (miklos, Doane, Stiffler, 
Sinigaglio, Coffey, Vinal, Lange, Deverell, Tracy. Easter, Maly and Miller) 
from the field of 31 advanced to the playoffs. The first playoff is 3-player 
Savannah. Eight will advance into the next round. Follow the progress at 
http://www.ohiovalleygamers.org/boarpbem.html.

Remember ... all of the above PBeM fun is free to current BPA members. Others 
may qualify with a $10 Email membership in the year the event starts. All 
multi-day paid attendees to WBC are current BPA members for the balance of that 
calendar year. You need not keep your membership current in order to finish a 
PBeM event. Players may join the BPA throughout the year. See the BPA Terms 
page for details.

=================================

BPA members who would like to see an email tournament for their favorite game 
are encouraged to step forward as the GM of such an event. BPA does not run 
tournaments. Rather, we are an organization of gamers lending support to one 
another so such events can happen. No one cares as much about your hobby as you 
do. Get involved. See the requirements to host a BPA email tournament 
athttp://www.abovethefields.com/top_pbem/

Visit the BPA website at http://www.boardgamers.org

If you are not already receiving our monthly newsletters, please subscribe by 
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SOCIAL NETWORKING: Keep up with WBC electronically by joining the World 
Boardgaming Championships (WBC) Facebook group and the BPA_WBC Twitter Page. 
You can also easily find us in the Boardgame Geek Forums  under Gaming Related, 
Conventions, WBC.
        • BGG: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/forum/970241/boardgamegeek/wbc
        • Twitter: https://twitter.com/BPA_WBC
        • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2381468400/
        • Consimworld: http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX/?14@@.1dd15816

  • BPA April news Donald greenwood, April 11 2008
    • BPA April News Donald Greenwood CD, April 27 2012
    • BPA April News Donald Greenwood CD, April 27 2015

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