The big news this issue are the two Cons. The WBC at Baltimore and VerCon at Verona.
Baltimore was bigger than ever this year. Over 1000 paying players through the door. The organisation was as good as ever. The tournaments, just as many. We did very well this year. The AHIKS team of Tom Oleson, Andrew Cummins, Barri Beavis and Herbert Gratz put up a very good performance. Herbert won the Advanced Third Reich, Barri retained his 18xx title, Andrew came third in Breakout Normandy, so we made a powerful showing and a good starting point for another year.
Then off to Verona where Nicholas Frydas and I were entertained by Paolo Cariolato. Nicholas full report is elsewhere. Enough for me to say that everyone had a very good convention. This is the third Verona Convention I have attended, all organised by Nando Ferrari, and they have all run very smoothly. A lot of Magic, Pokémon, Warhammer, Role Players and D & D, but a noticeable number of board game players also. Indeed, several of the Magic players came in for the boardgames between tourneys.
I took a copy of the Reiner Knizia, GMT game of Battle Line for Paolo. It is a short card game, 30 to 45 minutes, and most of the three days it was in continuous use. Paolo estimated that more than 50 games were played. Not surprising as it is a really good "filler in " game. Simple rules but makes you concentrate and think hard.
End of September and it will be the Modena Convention. It is proper that AHIKS Europe be represented at these regular tournaments that attract 200 gamers of all types. So once again I must shoulder my responsibilities as your Leader. I'll give you a report in the next issue.
Ciao! Murray