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Subject: Learn strategy from ZiZhi TongJian(The Chinese Book)
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Great AlanUser is Offline


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02 Mar 2008 4:43 AM  

Now watch these Chinese story first!

Story I:Alliance beated the ruler of Zhi

In long time ago,Dukedom of Jin is one of the powerful country.However,it gradually fell and four powerful noble family took control of the country(Thus Dukedom of Jin just had the name).They're particularly Zhi,Zhao,Wei and Han.And Zhi was the strongest in four.

One Zhi Ruler was very arrogant.He always bullied the other three countries.When Zhao refused to cede the terrtories to him.He brought his grand troops and his 'allies' Han and Wei to attack Zhao.Zhao's force was then sieged in the well-fortified JinYang.But Han and Wei was worried......

The duke of Zhao decided to break this perilous situation by diplomacy.He sent his minister to secretly negotiate with Han and Wei.The Zhao minister said to them,'Now Zhi led his and your troops to attack Zhao.When Zhao fall,Han and Wei will be the second.'Finally,Han and Wei changed the side and attacked Zhi with Zhao.Zhi was utterly defeated in the battle.

What strategy Zhao used?The duke of Zhao is smart and careful.He carefully chose the battlefield(JinYang).And he destroyed the emeny alliance and caused the opponent's 'allies' come to his side.

How to utilize in Risk?1.Alliance is the only effective way to counter the strong opponent.     2.If possible,destroy the opponent's alliance and even bring them to your side.     3.Carefully choose the battle place

Story 2:Siege Wei rescue Zhao

This is one of the most famous strategic story.You may have heard it.But I still post it.In the Chinese Warring Period,the strong kingdom of Wei attacked Zhao,sieged its capital Handan.Zhao required Qi to rescue it.The king of Qi ordered Tian Ji to lead the troops to relieve Zhao,and called Sun Bin(The descendant of the famous Sun Tze) to accomplied the army.

Tian Ji wanted to rescue Zhao directly(march to Handan).But Sun Bin said,'Now Wei is attacking Zhao.Its strong army is at the outside,and its weak army is at the inside.We should directly march to the Wei capital,capture the strategic place.Then we can achieve two objective at one:Relieve Zhao(Force Wei to turn back to defend its homeland) and weaken Wei.'

The Wei army was defeated at Guiling later when the Wei army returned.

How to utilize in Risk?If you or your 'ally' is facing the heavy pressure of the powerful opponent.And you want to rescue him.Then you should try to assault the emeny homeland if possible.This not only relieve you or your ally,also weaken your powerful emeny,too.

Story 3:Siege Wei rescue Han

The strong Wei invaded Han this time.The king of Qi gathered the ministers to decide whether rescue Han or not.Cheng Hou suggested not.Tian Ji thought that Qi should rescue Han immediately.But Sun Bin recommended to rescue Han later.He explained,'If Han and Wei is not exhausted yet when we go to rescue Han,we will replace Han to suffer Wei's strong assault.If we rescue later,we can gain the great benefit and respect.'

The Wei army was defeated at Maling later when the Wei army was ambushed.

How to utilize in Risk?Before rescue your ally,you should consider how to rescue first.Otherwise,you may end up by losing too much troops to support your ally.The result is your ally will gain the great benefit and you gain no benefit.

Please give some comments about this article.I'm eager to hear your opinion.

Great AlanUser is Offline


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02 Mar 2008 7:13 AM  
Forgot to mention that Zizhi TongJian is the historical book written by the Chinese Song Dynasty(960-1027) minister Sima Guang.Guang wrote this book to the emperor,hope the emperor can learn how to rule the country from the history and pay attention to military.Thus the content of Zizhi TongJien is mainly contains politics and military.
Great AlanUser is Offline


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02 Mar 2008 7:14 AM  
(960-1027) <----- It is (960-1127)
Dan12User is Offline


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02 Mar 2008 4:19 PM  
This is a very good article Great Alan. I love this sort of stuff. I think Chinese history is full of this kind of wisdom on military strategy (or just strategy in general).

All three strategies are applicable to Risk, in particular when you play over a board game. My favourite is the last one. Because most people ignore the timing element altogether. So just a bit of a delay can be incredibly powerful.

I like to know if there are any more of these strategies. Do you know any more? Are these from a book, like Sun Tzu's?
Ehsan HonaryUser is Offline


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03 Mar 2008 1:22 AM  
That's excellent Alan. As you might have guessed I am always interested to borrow strategies from history and the more you search the more you can learn. You have selected a good set of them. The analogies with Risk work very well. Any others?

Dan12, these strategies are from "The Thirty Six Strategies" which are discussed in the articles section on this site as well.

Ehsan Honary
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