The Wargamer

Introduction

I’ve often heard wargamers lament that some battles and campaigns are covered by an abundance of games while others are left undiscovered. For the most part, the Russian Revolution and Civil War have been one of those undiscovered topics. No design to date has succeeded at covering the entire scope of this incredible struggle and pulling it off within a familiar, accessible framework. Triumph of Chaos intends to change that.

It’s fitting that the card-driven style of board gaming made popular to many by the acclaimed World War I classic, Paths of Glory, should also be the foundation for what in many ways was a continuation of the Great War in the East. Readers who are not familiar with card-driven wargames such as We the People, For the People, Paths of Glory and Barbarossa to Berlin, among others, owe it to themselves to check out this sub-genre which has now spawned its own yearly convention and an increasing number of award-winning designs.

It’s fair to say that I enjoy card-driven games. I’ve played many of those released to date and enjoy the way that these designs constantly present players with choices, problems and not enough tools to solve everything. Wargaming is about decision-making and planning and this style of design has that in spades.

Last year I was strolling through the rooms and hallways of the World Boardgaming Championships when I came across a table aside from the other displays. Laid out upon it, unattended, was a map that stretched from Poland to the Urals and from Finland to the Black Sea. I admit I got pretty excited at this point and when I confirmed that the subject was the Russian Civil War, from 1918 – 1921, I realized I had found a game that I would have to add to my collection. 
My own personal interested in this period, apart from wargaming a fascinating and multi-dimensional conflict, stems from my family history. Both sides of my family arrived in the United States of America after fleeing from Latvia during World War II. I’m among the first generation of my family born in the United States and was raised with an appreciation of both new and old roots. All of my ancestors lived through these events and my connection to them has been reinforced by my interest in history. 

Latvia (then a collection of minor kingdoms) was conquered during one of the Northern Crusades during the 13th Century C.E. and remained under the control of foreign powers up until it declared its independence on November 18, 1918. There followed a long and harrowing struggle to actually cast off the influence of both Russia and Germany. Needless to say, the presence in Triumph of Chaos of a “Latvian Army” representing those fighting for independence was a big deal to me as my grandfather was actually one of those who fought and eventually succeeded in creating an independent Latvia during these years. That’s as brief a summary as I can manage of why I was inexorably drawn to learn more about this title.

For those without such a personal connection, the World War I and post-World War I period still has a lot to offer. Many wargamers are familiar with the personalities and events of World War II, but fewer realize how many of these same leaders and events were shaped by and originated in the World War I period. Echoes of World War I and the post-World War I period resonate even in the present day, one good example being the Middle East.

In this particular case, many wargamers may be unaware that the United States actually sent an expeditionary force to Siberia and entertained the idea of doing more. There are plenty of historical surprises here for the uninitiated and lots of good gaming for those who already know the period.

Getting back to the demo table, unfortunately the literature made it clear that the design was still a work in progress and might perhaps be released in 2005. I returned to that table several times over the course of the convention and finally met the designer of Triumph of Chaos, D. B. Dockter. He was extremely kind and, through the help of Jim Zabek at The Wargamer, I was sent a hand-made preview copy of Triumph of Chaos to playtest and preview. No doubt both had hoped that I would be a faster writer (as did I), but better late than never. 

Triumph of Chaos is currently out of development and available for pre-order from Clash of Arms Games and is now available.