The game played over the Christmas break

And so the action began, and it was the Russians who got a head start. Their relief column began to  issue from the town. 

The Prussians advanced their cavalry into the plain to the right of the big hill - they looked determined, even scary, but it would not be their day.

Then the Prussian infantry began their assault on the hill. 

The fighting was fierce, and several units of Prussian infantry went down under repeated volleys of musketry and Secret Howitzer canister fire. 

But gradually, they made the summit. The Russians found themselves outflanked and resistance crumbled.

The Prussian cavalry make very heavy going against minimal resistance.

All the while, the Russian reserves are coming into the field.

The Prussians get themselves organised. They are seeking to go on the defencive until their artillery can be brought up.

This gives the Russians time to assemble for a counter attack.

The Prussians look immovable, and soon their artillery is making itself felt (with an extra reload card from the characterisation deck, plus a Brilliant leader card they are firing four times each turn) - the effect is going to be devastating, and the Prussians use all of their initiative to cycle through their deck shooting at every opportunity.

The Russians bring their cavalry over. The Russians are outnumbered and outflanked but the Prussian cavalry has not had its Wheetabix. The cavalry fights itself to a standstill. It opens up the flank of the Prussians on the hill.

The Prussians are out of morale chips. The Russians are running out of infantry. Both sides attack. The Russians are quicker off the mark and the Prussians, being outflanked, throw in the towel. There are too few Russians to pursue. It was a very close run thing.

The game was a good one - thank you Mr. Grant - and we will re-run it again over the next few weeks.

We will change a few things. The lake will be removed and replaced with some broken ground. A few new units will be added to the mix. A new sequence card will be introduced - Shock Cavalry Melee Resolution.