Russia (Christian) began by chasing Lehwaldt in East Prussia. Lehwaldt made the runaway-Lehwaldt, but could eventually be battled in turn 4 and was sent off-map. It was about the same turn, when Russia started her attacks in the Kammin area. Fermor and Apraxin rolled wave after wave with high troops superiority (+11) against Dohna. But Dohna withstood, although it costed him a lot of clubs.

France (Martin) conquered Diepholz and Minden very fast, but in the South Cumberland succeeded, by using a reserve, to slip away. From now on, Cumberland was able to retreat constantly by −1, since he had 3 troops against Soubise's 4. By that, Jose had laid the basis for the triangle-defense.

Austria (Peter) moved Lacy westwards to protect the Empire's flank. The mass of the Austrians concentrated in Silesian clubs. Very soon Peter analysed that simply lacked diamonds to defeat the Prussian defense in Saxony, and started to work on a new plan: Victory by the Imperial Army! Jose reacted by stacking 3 Prussian generals in Central Saxony, relying deeply on his hand full of diamonds. He even dared to move into very risky positions. For Peter, this meant that he had to hunt down the Prussian supply trains, in order to throw the Prussians out of Saxony.

During all the time, Silesia was protected by a single Prussian general near Breslau. Only few Silesian objectives were ever conquered by the Austrians.

In the meantime, Christian moved a 3rd Russian general to the Kammin area, so that his attacks in clubs would be even more attritional. Also, Sweden made some conquests and was closing up to Stettin to support the Russians. In turn 6, Jose made a preemptive strike against the Russians (before they had concentrated). However, he failed to inflict heavy losses on them.

Against France,Jose's defense started to crumble at Diepholz. Ferdinand retreated to Magdeburg to await together with the Prussians the French attacks. France only needed Magdeburg and Halberstadt. But, would their hearts be enough to defeat both Prussia and Hanover?

In order to hunt the Prussian supply trains, 2 Austrian generals moved to the Berlin spades area. (Shortly thereafter a third one followed.) This was at turn 7. And in that same turn, the Fate spoke "Lord Bute" and one turn later again "Poems"! Prussia was now down to 4 TCs per turn.

France was able to conquer Halberstadt, and also Russia lacked only objective. And in turn 9, the Austrians eliminated the Prussian supply train for Saxony. Suddenly, Jose's main army with 3 generals and ca. 20 troops at Elsterwerda was in big trouble. And it was that same turn 9, when Fate spoke again, with an event which quite often does not mean much, but here it meant a catastrophe: "Austrian hussars caputure a Prussian supply train." — This allowed Peter to turn one Prussian stack in Saxony/Austria facedown. Of course he chose the 3-generals stack at Elsterwerda, which had now only 1 turn to re-supply!

What to do now, Jose is wondering. The enclave Cottbus is out of reach. A recruited supply train won't help either since Laudon and Lacy are blocking the supply routes. Of course the Prussians could try to clear these routes by combat, but the Austrians are superior in spades, so that's not an option. The only home country city is Jüterbog, but it has a severe disadvantage: Austria can fight here with spades against Prussian diamonds. Jose is afraid that his diamonds could be drained. And so, he seperates his stack: 2 generals move south to make an o.o.s.-suicide attack against Karl, while Friedrich moves to Jüterbog, where hopes to manage a fast retreat should the Austrians attack.

After the game, there were a lot of discussions whether it wouldn't have been wiser for Jose to move his complete stack to Jüterbog. The Austrian try to drain his diamonds with Austrian spades should have been welcomed, because the opposite was true as well: He drained the Austrians spades with his diamonds! Since Prussia still controlled huge parts of Silesia, a superiority in spades would have meant a sure position there. And also the re-entry site of Berlin would have been safe. — But now, Jose has to compensate the loss of ca. 14 Prussian troops!

Now, the Empire's hour has come: Protected by the Austrians Hildi conquerst Meißen, Dresden and Pirna until turn 12 and turn towards Torgau.

Russia continued her clubs attacks, and in turn 12, Prussia was almost defeated (only 1 clubs left), and then the Tsarina died. At least this front is closed now, and Jose takes a big breath.

From now on, every fatecard could result in the exit of Sweden, and so in the Empire switching over to Christian. Should Peter stick to his plan?? — Of course! Peter does not hesitate for even a second. Everything is now pointing towards a big showdown in hearts: If the An Imperial conquest of Torgau would give the Empire control over all first order objectives, and by this Prussia would lose the game anyway (unless Jose is able to reconquer something).

This showdown takes place in turn 14: Prussia strikes preemptively, in the hope to use her troops superiority. After having played 80 oints in hearts, Austria breaks off combat. But only to reorganzie, recruit and stack 3 generals for her attack. And, indeed, the Austrians win, clear the way for Hildi (who then conquers Torgau) and retreat the Prussian towards Madgeburg, 2 cities away from it. (Peter would have loved to retreat the Prussians directly onto Magdeburg, but the combat result did not allow for that:) — For the big victory, the Empires lacks Bitterfeld anr Rochlitz.

This is Martin's opportunity! Prussia's hearts seem to be gone! He only has to win by +2. France attacks, starting with −4, and Martin plays a hearts-2 on −2 ... und suddenly he backpedals! What if the Prussians are still holding a reserve? Martins has a hearts-13. With that the result would be +11, and with a reserve Prussia could retreat by 1 and still hold Magdeburg! What to do? Martins plays masterfully: reserve=1, hearts-13, new result +12.

However, it turns out that Jose is holding neither any hearts nor any reserves, and so Martin wins! He is the 2016 Friedrich World Champion!