BORSCHT AND GOULASH. CBW PLAYTEST (RUSSIANS VS HUNGARIANS)

 

The Hungaran (Honved) Army at Start: Ready to Deploy

For those who may be following along, I am pleased to report that the momentum for playtesting and proofing the Chocolate Box Wars (CBW) system continues. This most recent playtest took the next step, going to multi-player.  One thing I wanted to do was expand the size of the game to add players, but not so much that more table space would be needed (maintaining a roughly 4'x6' size), or that play would bog down. I provided a mirrored starting force for each side, but had options that allowed each to customize their approach. I also decided to put an exotic combination on the table: Russians vs Hungarians. Now, these armies did clash near the end of the Hungarian Revolt (in 1849)--when, for a brief time, there was a separate Hungarian (Honved) Army.  That Russian Army, though, was in the Crimean uniform. This Russian Army happens to be modelled on the later (Kepi Wearing) Russian Army of the Russo Turkish War--but the Chocolate Box Wars is all about the broader era, so for the purist out there, please avert your eyes. For others who may enjoy a bit of eye candy, read on: when are you ever going to see something like Hungarians and Russians on a table other than in these parts? Here is how the playtest was designed and run (with a few notes).  As usual, you may clix pix for BIG PIX in this post. 

Each side had a deployment area. Some figures were placed in them at start, but this was just to differentiate the commands. Once assigned, these could be redeployed anywhere in the zones. 

This was a four player game. For each side, there were two player commands and a set of units that would be divided and allocated between them. This was a "tournament style" game with the object being to exhaust the other force.

Each player command was roughly a reinforced brigade, with three infantry battalions, a half battalion of light infantry, and a cavalry regiment.

A closeup of the Russian (left) and Hungarian Infantry (right). This would be the debut of my Russian army on the table. The other Hungarian Infantry brigade were in shakos as opposed to this brigade's more colorful mix of kepis and fur caps. 

Each side had a set of special units and HQs that would be allocated to the players. One player would take the Army HQ and the other the Chief of Staff, and two of the four units each.

Each side had one veteran CBW player and one new to the game. (Left) Mark D (CBW veteran) and Byron (arms crossed) took up the Russians. (Right) For the Hungarians were AJ (CBW veteran, also of AJ's Wargaming Blog) and Ralph (baseball cap). Mark D took the Army HQ, and the Romanian and Bulgarian Legions, while Byron took the Chief of Staff, the Russian Guard and the Artillery. Ralph was assigned the Army HQ, the German Legion and the Hungarian Grenadiers, while AJ took the Chief of Staff, the Polish Legion, and the Artillery. 

Both sides took a balanced advance, shaking out into lines as they approached. 

(Left) The view from the end of the Russian right wing and from behind the Hungarian line facing it. I was busy facilitating the game, so don't have a detailed battle report. 

The center of the Russian position as things develop. The Russian rifles have occupied the town and the Bulgarian Legion are in line extending from it. A very solid unit and strong position (you would think...). At the top of the picture, Byron has pushed a Russian line battalion out front while the white-capped Russian Guard can be seen moving up in support. 

The obligatory shot of my antique pfennig activation markers in use behind the Honved "White Caps." 

The Russian Chief of Staff watching the action on the Russian left while the Russian Guard takes up position behind the guns. 

The scene from the right end of the Hungarian line. AJ would push the infantry columns forward and press the Russian center to good effect. 

Before the game, everyone is still a winner: above, the Russian Army at start ready to deploy. As I hinted, General Dice turned against Mark D (in particular), and despite what I saw as equal play, the Russians would get the worst of it in this game.  Nevertheless, the playtest turned out well--exercising the system and finding no "holes" in the rules or other things that would need changing (although I am thinking of one or two minor adjustments). 

I was finally able to get my Russian Army on the table for the first time, which was gratifying to see.  And the "first time curse" certainly came true for their debut. Best to get it over with before I bring this to the club game night next week, though!  Thanks to Mark D, Byron, AJ, and Ralph for helping with the playtesting--and being fine company. It was another good day playing with toy soldiers. Our new motto is, "It's all good in Chocolate Box Wars!"

Excelsior!