I bought Smuta from a Russian museum as my ‘souvenir’ for my visit to participate in the re-enactment of the bicentenary of the Battle of Borodino in 2012.
I make it a point to play all the games I buy. Playing Smuta solitaire seemed a daunting task being a multi-player game but I persisted and learned the rules. The mustering, movement and combat rules were straight forward as were the rules pertaining to control of cities and the Tsar.
I make it a point to play all the games I buy. Playing Smuta solitaire seemed a daunting task being a multi-player game but I persisted and learned the rules. The mustering, movement and combat rules were straight forward as were the rules pertaining to control of cities and the Tsar.
The problem from the solitaire point of view was how to incorporate the deck of playing cards into a solitaire version of the game? My solution was to locate when cards were played during a turn. I then divided the cards into eight decks, one Politics, one Combat, one Cancel and five Party decks.
The Playing Cards
It would have been an impossible task to check the English translation sheets to read an explanation for each playing card drawn (they are in Russian) so I designed sets of colour-coded labels for the decks. For each card, place a label above the Russian explanation and slip both into a plastic card sleeve.
I solved the problem of having three decks on the table (I had to move round to play) by placing the Politics, Combat and Cancel decks as shown in the photograph (details hidden). To draw a card, take one from the front of the appropriate deck. To discard a card, place it at the back of the appropriate deck (details showing). Note the pincers to pick up cards...plastic on plastic is murder!
The above card idea could be used to play other card-driven games solitaire. I would like to try it out with Thirty Years War by GMT Games which I own.
I solved the problem of having three decks on the table (I had to move round to play) by placing the Politics, Combat and Cancel decks as shown in the photograph (details hidden). To draw a card, take one from the front of the appropriate deck. To discard a card, place it at the back of the appropriate deck (details showing). Note the pincers to pick up cards...plastic on plastic is murder!
The above card idea could be used to play other card-driven games solitaire. I would like to try it out with Thirty Years War by GMT Games which I own.
| Smuta Playing Card Labels.pdf |
War!
The game turned out to be a fascinating, though lengthy, affair. I now have a much better knowledge of the events that unfolded in Russia and the personalities who lived and died in them between 1605 and 1612.
The troop types available to the generals involved deserve special mention. Armies consist of mainly arquebusiers and cavalry so it must have been a huge headache for a general to plan his battle line! Cossacks (both mounted and foot), Noble Cavalry, City Streltzy, German Infantry (some pikes), Reiters, Polish Winged Hussars, Moscow Streltzy and Artillery are all represented.
I played all parties using the AI system but had a soft-spot for the Shuiskii Party due to their alliance with the Sweden of the likes of Jacob de la Gardie and Evert Horn. The Shuiskii Party actually won the game in the fall of 1611 having accumulated thirty victory points! They had previously announced their heir to the throne, Prince Ivan Michailovich Vorotinsky as Tsar.
Victory Points (at game end): Shuiskii 30, Polish 16, Rebellion 11, Noble 10 and Moscow 5.
Legitimacy Points (at game end): Polish 9, Moscow 9, Rebellion 7, Shuiskii 6 and Noble 4.
The troop types available to the generals involved deserve special mention. Armies consist of mainly arquebusiers and cavalry so it must have been a huge headache for a general to plan his battle line! Cossacks (both mounted and foot), Noble Cavalry, City Streltzy, German Infantry (some pikes), Reiters, Polish Winged Hussars, Moscow Streltzy and Artillery are all represented.
I played all parties using the AI system but had a soft-spot for the Shuiskii Party due to their alliance with the Sweden of the likes of Jacob de la Gardie and Evert Horn. The Shuiskii Party actually won the game in the fall of 1611 having accumulated thirty victory points! They had previously announced their heir to the throne, Prince Ivan Michailovich Vorotinsky as Tsar.
Victory Points (at game end): Shuiskii 30, Polish 16, Rebellion 11, Noble 10 and Moscow 5.
Legitimacy Points (at game end): Polish 9, Moscow 9, Rebellion 7, Shuiskii 6 and Noble 4.
| Smuta Solitaire Rules.pdf |
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