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Strozzi by R.Knitzia
Gamesnight, 3rd September 2009
Kendall arrives to find Dicken rooting around for tonight’s game, Strozzi. This is slightly unusual as this is Kendall’s house, but the explanation involves music rehearsals and is far too involved to warrant further space here. More importantly, Paul and Liz have telephoned to say they are running late and won’t be arriving ‘til 8.30. This gives plenty of time to set-up and chew the fat over forthcoming Ragnar events including a bash at Spiller’s and the launch of Brief History of the World at Essen 2009.
Paul and Liz duly arrive at 8.35 and speedily find a dark corner in which baby Zoe is allowed to continue her sleep. Paul has a carrier bag containing eight cans of Stella, which find a dark corner in Kendall’s freezer; they need to chill. Liz requests a cup of tea, perhaps a pre-cursor for the rest of the evening.
While Kendall makes said cup of tea, it is suggested that Dicken explain the rules of the game. When tea is served, conversation has moved no further than a discussion of ‘Inglorious Basterds’. Dicken and Kendall had recently spent / wasted an evening seeing the film together; Paul was more enthusiastic. ‘Slow’ for Kendall was ‘quite-liked’ by Paul. Seamlessly the merits of ‘Great Escape’ are alluded to, a film that Paul has reputedly seen eighteen times….
Liz interrupts, with a somewhat unusual request to learn some rules.
Strozzi is a new game from Herr Knitzia. Its theme is trading in 16th Century Italy. Players auction for ships, which arrive at one of three ports and may carry various goods or have other benefits. The speed of ships, the amount of wares and (at game end) the number of ‘promotion tiles’ a player has will all earn money, depending on who has most of each (this may be an alternative translation of ‘sponsorship’, as ‘promotion’ doesn’t sit well with our English). It’s all very neat and tidy, not least being the use of just three flags per player that provide all that’s needed for an interesting and entertaining auction system.
With enough understanding and enough kettle chips and houmus, the game is underway. Liz turns the first ship card and its merits are pointed out; medium speed of 4 and carrying three cloth and two grain. Liz is smitten and places her ‘wares’ flag on the ship. The wares flag will give an extra ware of the type chosen. It’s her ship, unless someone else uses their pirate flag to steal it; Dicken can’t resist. The boat sails into the cloth port of Naples and Dicken records three cloths for himself. Liz turns the next card ….
Finely tuned, with well-written rules, the game purrs along. Enough ships for three each and then money is collected. Fastest ship generates 15 ducats, second fastest 10 ducats, third fastest 5 ducats. Most cloth generates 15 ducats, second most 10 ducats … Most gold 15 ducats etc…. Promotion tiles are not scored ‘til game end.
And so, after some fifteen minutes, the first of three rounds is completed. Paul comments that this is one of the most straight-forward games he has encountered in all the years he has been playing – echoes of the Great Escape conversation. Dicken suggests that a second play-through might be possible this very evening.
Round two sees Kendall and Paul both pressing for extra wares in order to receive bonuses (15 ducats, 10 ducats etc.) when reaching the top of the cloth and treasure ladders respectively. Liz and Dicken are acquiring broader portfolios. All players are beginning to jostle for position with promotion tile collection. Dicken is still having some difficulty fathoming the rules regarding this – the person with most points (each token is worth either 1 or 2 points) in a particular set (arts, science and architecture) is the winner. Couldn’t be much simpler.
Round two ends. Round three starts. Round three ends.
Ships, goods and then promotion tiles generate money for all. The winner of each set of tokens receives 30 ducats, second 20 ducats, third 10 ducats. As with all other elements of the game, everyone seems to get a share.
Final scores Dicken 240 ducats, Liz 240 ducats, Kendall 230 ducats, Paul… 185 ducats?? It’s a win for Dicken as he has most points in the prestigious tie-breaker city of Florence.
All done by 9.45.
Liz is very pleased; she’s ready to go home.
Paul is aghast. He’s only had three cans of Stella.
Just time for Paul to be introduced to Mancala, a game which Liz (back-seat driving) takes to like a duck to water. Paul is less assured and runs out loser for the second time in the evening.
It’s only a brief reprieve. Paul goes rooting in Kendall’s freezer while Liz collects the still sleeping Zoe. They have a thirty-minute drive ahead, but should be home by 10.30.
Plenty of time for more fat chewing of the Ragnar variety.
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