Diplomacy

**Diplomacy** is a 4pc Variant that allows the players to "team". Teaming, including teaming in chat, is not only \*allowed\* but \*expected\*. Arrows are public. Players can send private arrows and chat messages. Note: Private chat is not saved or moderated. Chat cannot be disabled (click the speaker for muting). Hold keys 1/2/3/4 pressed to draw arrows for Red/Blue/Green/Yellow only (and the spectators). Type /r (/b /y /g) and then your private message to Red/Blue/Yellow/Green (to multiple: /gb etc). If combined with anonymous, chat is not disabled, rather the players can chat as 'Anonymous' (in player's color)

**Introduction**

Four player chess variant ‘Diplomacy’ is based on the Avalon Hill game of the same name. It was initiated by VAOhlman, for two reasons:

1) Because there were innumerable reports of players ‘cheating’ by teaming and the more that VAOhlman analyzed the rules and the game play the more he became convinced that 4pc FFA would inevitably be plagued by these problems… as long as ‘teaming’ was considered cheating.

2) He liked to play the Avalon Hill game ‘Diplomacy’ which was predicated on the exact opposite premise: that ‘teaming’ was not only to be allowed, but to be encouraged.

**Concept**

In 4pc Diplomacy Variant players can, quite naturally, team up with other players; for one move, two moves, till a certain time, whatever.

In order to facilitate this the rules for teaming were obviously eliminated, and a system of ‘private’ chats and arrows were enabled. These ‘private’ chats and arrows are just that, no visible to anyone outside of the person you send them too. They are not moderated or kept in the archives.

In addition there are public chats and arrows. With the right settings even the spectators can join in and kibitz.

**Recommended Settings**

4pc allows for a huge range of settings. Some recommendations for these:

1) Solo play will produce a better effect for the type of game play that the diplomacy variant is meant to produce. No player should be shooting for ‘second place’.

2) Especially for weaker players a longer time frame should be used. The standard one minute doesn’t really allow for much discussion. This isn’t to say that quicker time frames, with the necessity for really quick diplomacy, might not be helpful.

3) Spectator chat allowed. Doing this will sort of allow the spectators to be part of the game, adding a fun element to the game.

**Teaming**

Teaming in the diplomacy variant can be simple or complex, one move or multiple. For example:

Pointing out moves:

Blue says to Red ‘xb3’

Red looks at the board and realizes that his bishop can take Green’s queen at b3. Why would Blue tell Red about it? Maybe cause Blue is busy attacking him? Maybe to distract Red. Red should know that Blue obviously thinks it would be good for Blue to have Red take the queen.B but that doesn’t mean that it is bad for Red!

Combination Moves

Blue says to Red ‘xb3 xc3’ (by means of private chat and arrows..)

Red looks a the board and realizes that if he takes b3, and Blue takes c3, they will have a mate on Yellow. Blue would get the mate, but Yellow is really bothering Red. So… do it, or not? Red has to decide.

Truce

Blue chats to Red, “Hey, let’s have a truce until we mate Yellow.”

Red thinks about that. Yellow is getting pretty strong..

Blue chats to Red, “Hey, let’s have a truce until it is just the two of us are left…”

You get the idea.

Full Blown Teaming

Two players discuss and team up in order to win.... until they don't (see 'Backstabbing') below.

**Backstabbing**

Backstabbing is a core idea of Diplomacy. But very, very dangerous. Teaming relies upon trust, and winning depends upon gaining advantage. Backstabbing (saying  or implying you are going to do one thing, and doing another) gains advantage, but destroys trust. So… your choice.

**Moderation**

VAOhlman is the moderator for the diplomacy variant. Questions, suggestions should be posted here. Complaints about player behavior should be sent by IM to him.