This opening article was scribed by a local Diplomacy player from the Vancouver area, whom I know quite well. He has recently become active on the international scene, having played in a couple PBEM World Championships, and has started attending some Face-to-Face tourneys. He is a "thinker", so look for more of his arcane wisdom in the future!
I dont know exactly why this name came to mind for this opening. Bear, obviously for the Russian involvement, but it is actually an Austrian opening. Perhaps its the "AW" in Claw (as in Aw-stria); maybe its the fact that Austria, typically defensive and wary in Spring 01, makes a clearly offensive move in every direction like a spreading claw. Either way, it hinges on a strong Austrian/Russian alliance from the word get go.
The opening is F Tri-Ven, A Vie-Boh and A Bud-Ser. Its a very risky opening and involves a lot of discussion with all of Austrias neighbours. In essence, it is an early game alliance between Austria and Russia (with a side deal with Italy), with the lynchpin being Russia. If Russia gives even a hint that she wont play ball, then Austria had better save this opening for another day. The early targets are Germany and Turkey, but, if done right, neither should catch wind of it.
There are three parts to the Austrian plan:
1. F Tri-Ven:
This is done with Italys full knowledge. Italy opens Ven-Pie and Rom-Ven, after negotiating a DMZ in Pie with France. Italy feigns shock that Austria attacked, apologizes to France and then promises to withdraw from Pie and attack dirty rotten Austria. In Fall 01, Italy promptly tries for Marseilles, while keeping Austria honest with Rom-Ven. If Italy takes Mar, he is well on his way and committed to a western attack and thats good news for Austria.
Its important that Austria tells Italy he is moving Tri-Ven , even if Italy doesnt want to open Ven-Pie. It shows Italy that neither Ven-Trl/Rom-Ven nor Ven-Tri will work. It also eases his worry that Austria is being aggressive.
2. A Vie-Boh:
This is done with Russias agreement to open War-Sil. Forgoing the standard bounce over Gal is risky to Russia but even riskier to Austria. If you, as Austria, are playing with a newbie Russia, he may not realize the threat posed by Vie-Gal and may agree to a War-Sil opening. On the other hand, an experienced Russia may see the advantages to immediately pressing Germany who is, of course, the intended target. Germany is faced with protecting his home centres or going for builds. In the game I opened with the Bear Claw, England saw the German weakness immediately and attacked too. Russia let Germany slip into Swe by moving Bot-Bal. England took Den and Austria took Mun while Germany bounced Russia over Ber. But the damage was done and, despite a build, Germany was actually eliminated in Fall 02.
3. Bud-Ser:
Bud-Ser without Tri-Alb is usually considered pro-Turkish. The idea here is that Austria makes a deal with Turkey to let him have Greece and seals it with his attack on Italy. Turkey does the obvious, bounces Russia in Bla and orders Con-Bul, Smy-Con. In Fall 01, the plan is for Turkey to order Bul-Gre and Con-Bul. Austrias real alliance is with Russia, however, who has opened with Mos-Ukr and Sev-Bla. In Fall 01, Austria orders Tri-Alb and Ser-Bul, bouncing Turkey out of Bul and isolating the Turkish army in Greece. Meanwhile, Russia grabs Rum and bounces Turkey in Bla again. From this point on, a concerted effort by Austria and Russia should be enough to take out Turkey but a little help from an Italian fleet might speed things up. It may mean giving Italy an eastern centre but it saves a lot of time.
The Bear Claw is definitely not a gunboat opening. To successfully employ it, Austria must talk it up with all his neighbours before Spring 01. Germany should not expect the A/R attack but it never hurts to agree on some DMZs (which are quickly ignored by Austria). Russia must understand the importance of Mos-Ukr and bouncing in Bla, as well as the War-Sil attack. Turkey must be promised Gre so that not moving Tri-Alb appears to demonstrate Austrias commitment to an A/T alliance. And Italy must be pre-warned of the Tri-Ven opening.
I have used the Bear Claw once very successfully but I suspect it could fail very easily if all the groundwork has not been laid. Its important that Austria have everyone on board before attempting it. And if anyone fails to keep their word, the entire plan should be reconsidered. Austria must be very active in nurturing an A/T alliance before Spring 01 because that will always remain the fallback plan. If Russia fails to order StP-Bot, War-Sil, Mos-Ukr and Sev-Bla in Spring 01, then Austrias best tactic is to forget the Claw and keep the alliance with Turkey. If Italy stays in Venice, that makes the Fall Tri-Alb move pretty risky too. Austria can still keep the Russian alliance but also has the choice of working with Turkey, depending upon who Austria feels he can work with best.
Turkey needs an ally in the early game. Given the choice of Russia who bounces Turkey in Bla and aggressively moves south with Mos-Ukr or Austria, who forgoes a chance to grab Greece and offers it to Turkey, most Turkeys would choose to ally with Austria. This becomes Austrias fallback plan. If Italy or Russia dont do as they promise in Spring 01, then theres still hope for Austria in a Turkish alliance. This is what I like about the opening. It offers hope, even if the original plan fails.
In the one game where I used the Bear Claw, I had a close alliance with both Italy and Russia. The early game saw Italy move west against France while Russia and I began the process of eating up the Balkans and Turkey and challenging England in the north.. By Fall 04, Germany and Turkey were out, France was down to 1 and it looked like our eastern 3 way (AIR) was ready to challenge England, the board leader with 10 scs. I made the only gain in Fall 05, taking 2 of Englands German centres, and becoming the new board leader. In 1906, I promised a nervous Italy I would turn on Russia and I promised a nervous Russia I would turn on Italy. For once I kept my promises and I attacked both, picking up 5 new scs in Fall 1906. Russia and Italy immediately joined with England but their position was all wrong and I ended up at 18 scs in Fall 1907. That was in WorldMasters 2000, and it was just barely enough to give me Best Austria honours.
I remember well how roundly I was criticized by the German player for using an opening that did not even appear on any of the standard opening move lists. Maybe I fluked out, but I did prove that the Bear Claw can work as an Austrian opening. Id be interested in knowing if others have any success with it too. And if you can think of a better name, please pass it on.
