Hello friends of Metaforge.
 
The tournament is moving along very well, we lack only 7 games in completing the 1st round of competition. We've even had a couple games played in the 2nd round. That's not bad at all. I've been lucky to be around for all but just a few of the played games and I must say that it's been very entertaining. I'd like to remind everyone that thanks to hard work of the Meta crew, we can go back and watch these great tournament games via the replay option. The 1st round match between #2 Bart505 and #15 Vermontmoon was awesome and is recommended.  
 
I'm not going to be around the computer tomorrow because I've booked some work, but I'll be thinking about you guys when I'm knee deep netting fish. I will be back in tomorrow evening and look forward to watching some replays of the days happenings. I spoke with several of the remaining players today and it seemed like we should have several games tomorrow. Technique said he and Heilco had some arrangements and it seems like Bengals said the same about his match. You guys feel free to monitor the games and cheer on your friends and favorites, and make sure to post some excitement for me to read tomorrow night.
 
We've had a few players go MIA when the tournament started, if you see any of them....remind them of the Madness. In particular  Brogi, TheTerminator, and Ricardo90.

madmax, I don't think TN was trying to point lotto on you.  What did happen was a lotto type move with your marshal (bringing it down my side 10 moves into the game).  That being said I did take a few pieces with a colonel that were unmoved but in pretty obvious spots that were lotto.  I was 7-1 vs you heading into the game so maybe that was why you brought the marshal down right away but either way it was a fun game.  That being said the flag was not yet obvious as you knew two bombs and one you did not know was not in that triangle.  Basically you took a 50/50 shot at my miner.  I guess that is what suprised TN and many others, that you took that shot.  If you hit it you win, if not you lose.  Again, you outplayed me this time and you are a good player, good luck in future rounds!

Well Metaforge fans, The first week of March Madness here at Metaforge is just a few short hours away from wrapping up. I apologize for being on the sidelines here for the past couple of days. I worked Thursday and have spent most of the time since with some nasty stomach bug. So, some of the past few games didn't get write ups. I hope if you were around, that you got to watch and enjoy.
 
We are now just over 6 hours away from the 1st round deadline of March 7th, 11:59pm est (NEW YORK USA). With that said, we only lack 3 games in having the first round completed. Ricardo and Dave have posted arrangements to play tomorrow and have been granted an extension.  
 
I'm not quite sure about the other two games. I've not seen anything out of Madridista30 or Mungobrush today, hopefully they will show up soon. Same goes for the Terminator and Valdomero.  I know we've had somewhat of a language barrier with Termi and Valdo, but XtraStar and Arrowhead have helped me (thanks guys) get word to Valdo.
 
Just for clarification and planning purposes. This tournament and it's deadlines and games should be scheduled by USA  (New York) Eastern Time Zone (GMT - 5:00). Please use this to schedule your games and it might help eliminate some possible problems.
 
Now for the good news....The second round officially begins tonight at Midnight (probably not a good time for all you Cinderella teams that made it to the second round to play your game). I know we've had some 2nd round games played all ready, but the rest of you who may have been waiting, feel free to get it on!  
 
I'm working again tomorrow and am starting to get more bookings, so it would be a good idea to post your results here to make them easy to find. Hielco slipped his win by me yesterday .  
 
Good luck players and make sure to let people know when your playing so others can enjoy!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3/8/09 1:13 PM  Classic  VermontMoon falls to XtraStar in 458 turns
 
XtraStar

Quote from ricardo90 on Mar 8^th, 2009, 12:52pm:

 
Well then, congrats on two wins Ricardo. And let m also give you a big way to go on knocking out two rounds in short order. Who you hoping for next round? Good luck, good players no matter who you face.
 
Dave, Man that's a tough draw to start off the tournament with, but look at it this way.....you went 1-1 in the tourney counting your play in game win.   Thanks for playing in the tournament.
 
 

As day 9 comes to a close we've finally seen the 1st round come to an end, although not the end we we're hoping for.
 
We've awarded the last two games of the first round to the more active and available players.
 
TheTerminator advances over Valdomero and Mungobrush advances over Madridista30. This was the last thing we wanted to do, but the time had come to make a call.  
 
On a brighter note, 3 more 2nd round games were played today.
 
In a very interesting story that keeps getting more intriguing, We have a huge Cinderella team emerging as #16 Manofwar emerged from his 2nd round game with a firm foothold in the Sweet 16. Who could forget his stunning first round upset of #1 NE_Pats, and now another upset over #8 seed K-N. Your keeping it exciting Manofwar and we'd like to wish you a long stay at the big dance. Thanks for playing with us K-N and congrats on a well played tournament.
 
Also, #3 Hielco keep his leg of the bracket running true to course as he triumphed over #6 ahaiceman. Congrats on another win Heilco and welcome to the Sweet 16. Thanks for playing with us Iceman, and congrats on your trip to the 2nd round.
 
In a close matchup of seedings, #5 Stone_Cold advances to the Sweet 16 after a tough fought battle with #4 Tecato. Congrats on your win S-C and welcome to the round of 16. Excellent job in the tourney Tecato and I'd like to thank you for participating. Your games were both fun to watch.
 
more to follow....

Well this update is starting out on a happy note.
 
I was informed this morning that TheTerminator and Valdomero were able to meet this early this morning, and although we called it last night, we really wanted to see the game played out. So we allowed the game to count. Unfortunately for Valdo, the results remained the same. But we're much happier with the game settled on the board. Congrats on moving on for the second time Termi.
 
Now for more of our second round updates. Termi wasted no time in getting his second round game complete. His second round match against Keyser_Soze took place shortly after Termi's first round game. Funny thing is one game was played in 529 moves, and the second was played in 528 moves. Keyser's attacks were enough to amass a small piece lead, but in the end, Termi pulled out a win and advanced into the Sweet 16. Congrats on moving on Termi, and congrats to you Keyser on a well played Tournament. See you win your ban is lifted.
 
Another much anticipated player was back in action today as Apollo pulled out a win in his second round game vs Mungobrush. Of course this game was postponed several days as a result of our only  forfeited game of the 1st round. We apologize to both of you players for the slow progress on the 1st round game that had to be tough for both of you. Congrats Apollo on making to the Sweet 16. Good luck. Thanks for playing with us Mungo.
 
Also appearing in action today was Exponential vs JJBuck. Lightwing reported it but I didn't have a chance to see any of it. Welcome to the Sweet 16 Expo. Congrats on your first round upset win JJ and thanks for playing with us.
 
Thinking he was on a roll, Expo asked for permission to play his Sweet 16 game vs PUNISH if he showed. I told him it was OK, and sure enough, they got it on this evening. In a long game that was virtually dead locked most of the game, PUNISH pulled out a tough win after having a slight piece advantage in lower ranks. Welcome to the Elite Eight PUNISH. Congrats on a well played tournament Expo, and we hope you enjoyed the MADNESS!
 
In a late breaking game, we watched another unlikely player reach the Sweet 16 as #14th seeded SuperSour pulled off another upset, this time against #11th seeded Arrowhead. Welcome to the Sweet 16 SS and good luck against XtraStar. Should be a good game. Congrats on a well played tournament Arrowhead, and thanks for playing with us.
 
More to follow...

Hello Stratego fans.
 
This report is a few hours late as all the hot action last night left me worn out and I ended up crashing before I could report. We're now down to just 2 more games in the second round. These games are still left to play: Lightwing vs Audi and Macken and Rumbleseat. I believe Macken and Rumbleseat have made arrangements to play tomorrow at 2:00PM est .  
 
I can recap a lot of the action from yesterday by simply saying "Underground". UG and Saucey danced around a little yesterday while trying to get scheduled. When everything finally lined up...we found ourselves with primetime seats to what would become a mini strategothon! UG slowly amassed a lead over Saucey, and eventually Saucey lost track of one of UG's power pieces. By this time it really didn't matter as UG had Saucey's last piece of power pinned to the wrong side of the board. Congrats on a well played tournament Saucey and thanks for playing with us.
 
Less than ten minutes after his win against Saucey, UG was back at it Sweet 16 action against Stone_Cold. Now a recap of this game would be very quick and short as was the actual game. I got up to fix a scotch and when I sat back down, UG was up a Colonel and a Major. A few short moves later it had escalated and now the lead had grown, to the point that S_C quickly bowed out. Several people came back and asked what had happened. It seems several peoples bathroom break was too long. A few rumors made the circuit alleging a points shaving scandal as it was heard before the game that Chip wanted S-C to take a dive to protect his "PICK'EM" brackets. I don't know if any of this is true.....but it was a quick game. Congrats on a well played tourney S-C and thanks for participating.
 
Another great second round game was played last night as #4 Brogi took on #12 Thunder. This is a game I looked forward to watching as I know both are formidable opponents. The game did not disappoint as it was filled with several ups and downs for both players. Then Brogi started to pull away, amassing piece advantages in sever ranks. But Thunder held strong and eventually eliminated all of Brogi's miners. The game seemed to be turning as Thunder began working a miner into Brogi's territory. It was looking like we might see another upset, when Brogi found an unbombed flag to end the threat. Great game guys. Congrats on a well played tournament Thunder, your one of those players whose rank truly doesn't reflect your skill. Good luck next round Brogi.
 
The highlight of the evening came late as the people of Meta were treated to a great battle. A tale of brackets gone good where the top seeds had advanced and the outcome was a #1 vs #2 matchup. In this match #1 Underground was poised to play his third tournament game of the night, his opponent was the always menacing and powerful PUNISH. The game began with UG losing 7 of his scouts while taking a lead in Lieutenants and Sergeants. PUNISH wasn't rolling over though, and he struck a big strike when he took a Colonel from UG. In fact, someone in the crowd laid down a classic Hamby "POW" when it happened. Then PUNISH added a Majr to his lead, then a Captain. Marshals were traded, as was two of the Colonels. Now the lead was stacked for PUNISH. UG's hands were tied and all he could really do to get back in the game was to strike unmoved pieces in hopes of finding goods. As luck would have it, he made several good guesses and eventually got a captain and some miners out of the deal. Another late game move put him in a fork position between two of PUNISH's pieces, and one of them was another Captain. Then the move that finished the game in my opinion was when PUNISH lost track of UG's General, costing him his Colonel advantage. With a huge lead in the lower ranks, UG was able to rally as PUNISH watched in disbelief.
 
What a great game that was. One of the greatest comebacks that I've personally seen. What would you expect though from two world class players? Great tournament PUNISH, thanks for playing and as always.....it was a very PUNISHING game for UG, although he picked up the win.
 
Congrats Underground on becoming our first player to reach the FINAL FOUR!
 
I just finished up my tournament in a loss to badmofo. Good game mofo, I could report more but it would just sound like sour grapes. . Good luck in the next round.  
 
I likely will not be online the rest of the day or tomorrow. I will be working but should be able to log in tomorrow night. Those two games that have yet to be played should be played ASAP as the deadline is tomorrow night at midnight (Saturday March 14th, 11:59 pm est (New York). Also, any games that can be played now, should progress ASAP.
 
Good luck to all in the rest of the tournament.

brogi won by crappity smacking scrubby lotto

USA USA USA BROGI BROGI BROGI