Aramaic Peshitta
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The Final (?) Showdown
The stage was set. A massive 11x11dot grid, 100 glorious squares.
In a game as large as this, the opening is a random line-throwing exercise.
By mid-game, one can already start seeing how the game is going, and the first to really start using tactics, will either win, or recognise that the opponent is close to winning...
By mid-game, Chris could see that Matt had a clear-cut road to the championship. By following a certain path, executing certain tactics in a certain order (the grid was split intentionally by both players into 4 smaller grids), Matt would have a guaranteed victory.
Oh darn.
Oh yes, if you despise the champ...
Chris was sweating. He doesn't like to lose.
Not showing the same respect Matty would show Chris in un-winnable situations, Chris chose not to resign. Game on.
The late middle-game became a constant "Lancastrian". 2-square rectangles were given up left, right and centre. The fact that there were so many opportunities to pull a "Lancastrian", meant that one little slip would turn a sure-win into a sure loss...
After close examination of the game-board, Matt figured there were 4 possibilities for a "Lancastrian". Long before, Chris spotted 5.
And kept his mouth shut.
Shocking I know. I mean he really kept his mouth shut!
So after using "Lancastrian" number 4 (taking the 2 boxes), Matt, not realising there was another opportunity to set up a "Lancastrian" for Chris to take, was "forced" into putting a line in one of the 4 main grids/paths.
Chris took the whole grid, going in the lead. Then, to Matt's horror, Chris set up the 5th and final "Lancastrian".
The End of the End
Matty was expecting Chris to be forced into giving Matty one of the remaining 3 paths/grids. Instead, all he got was the 2 boxes inside "Lancastrian" number 5. He then was forced to place a line inside another grid, which Chris took. Chris now owned half the board.
Note: Even had Matt found the 5th "Lancastrian", Chris could have still won the game with his new "Cross tactic" (which in a complicated series of moves, switches player position, utilising a 3by4dot mini-grid; when a player is sure to win or lose, the importance of switching player position obviously needs not be discussed).
The End of the End - for real this time
With two paths/mini-grids up for grabs, Chris could have just taken the 3rd, and given the 4th to Matty, with victory assured. Instead, wanting to humiliate the former champ, Chris took most of the 3rd path, then employed his new "Cross tactic", giving Matt the minority of the 3rd path, with the entire 4th path going to Chris.
Game over man! Game over! Yeah? Then why don't you put her in charge?! Hey Vasquez, have you even been confused for a man? No, have you? You want some of this, arrrrggghhh!!!
Christopher Lancaster d. Matthew Mills, 26/03/2004, 8:25am, 85:15, WC
(game started: 22/03/04. Matt resigned again when outcome assured)
Chris is a jerk. His ruthless play in this 5-day marathon virtually ruined Matty's career - again - and destroyed the game of D&D. All sponsors withdrew, and the sport faded into obscurity.
Purists of the game however, will remember this match as something for the ages. Holland's wins against West Germany and the Soviet Union in the 1988 UEFA Cup for Nations? Pffftt. This was where it was at. Many D&D critics claim that the whole professional stint of D&D and the sublime dominance of it's main player, was all worthwhile, just because it resulted in this game. Even though Goliath won, and the fairytale ending was denied, this match will be remembered for all time, for all the right reasons.
To Chris' credit, for all his dirty play and semi-rigged games over the years, he pulled out the big guns when they were needed most, even coming up with new plays. He gave his all, knowing that victory against the much-loved Matty would ruin the sport - and his income. These two gladiators played not for fame or fortune, or even the legions of chicks. They played for love of the game.
Note: I may scan this game in so you can see what a REAL D&D game looks like. Despite all the obvious silliness and over-dramatisation of this page, these games were real, and we enjoyed playing them. Sure beat the heck out of listening to some of our most boring lectures. Don't worry, my study habits are much better now. Just in time, seeing that Medical School is only a few months away for me, and possibly a year away for Matty!
All the best with your upcoming GAMSAT ulet!!!