Friday, October 16, 2026

Huang by Phalanx Games

 

This was the 3rd and last Kickstarter by Phalanx games that I backed.

Pledged March 2023, Anticipated delivery October 2023, Delivered June 2024, so not a bad delay, and delivered 2 years before the earlier pledged games (Coalitions and Bretwalda)!


This is a game designed by Reiner Knizia, and the reason that is was ready in a reasonably timely fashion is that it is essentially a reskin of her earlier Yellow and Yangze, itself essentially a variant of her first design inthe series, Tigris and Euphrates.

Various markers

Player aid cars which also act as screens for tile drafting and retention

As we've seen with the other two Phalanx games, the artwork and overall thematic design is very strong.

The other side of the board for an alternate set up.

The rules are fairly short and seem straightforward. 

Each player has 5 leaders, one each red  Governor, Soldier, Farmer, Trader, and Artsian

The Golden Pagoda, a KS backer special

Extra set of Leaders for a 5th player, also a KS special. 

Cardboard versions of the same; not really needed with the miniature versions. 

All in all a different style of game on a theme I don't have;  I look forward to playing, and the cost was pretty reasonable as well. 

A you-tube review



A couple of additional links:  

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/phalanx/reiner-knizias-secret-project

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/371688/huang

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Springtime for Nappy: Poland 1807 Campaign in a Day, part 3 - Early Game

Ney arrives east of Heilsburg, as does Soult from the south, and Docktorov arrives to join Essen


Fighting starts almost immediately at Heilsberg, with Marshals Ney  (Mark M) and Soult (Rob P) for the French, and Prince Essen (Shiloh S) and General Dochtourov (Russ L) already on the scene!

Marshal Davout (Karl N) at Allenstein, with Assistant GM Mark T making game notes. 

Grouchy's cavalry have crossed the bridge northeast of Allenstein, while Davout begins the crossing of his troops to follow behind as they all head north towards Rastenburg.

Russian C-in-C General Bennigsen (Sean S) arrives on Table D (Friedland). 

Bernadotte makes it to Braunsberg ahead of the allies, starts to array his lines and artillery, while the commands of Uvarov and L'Estoq approach from the northeast and east respectively.


Over at Table F (Braunsberg/Frauenburg), Marshal Bernadotte (James S) finds both L'Estoq''s Prussians (Steve C) and Uvarov's Russan Cavalry (Dan B) advancing on his positions; he writes a message to Napoleon, doubtless requesting reinforcements!

Only a sand timer remans on Table I (Insterburg)

Marshal Lannes (Michael K) and Murat's Cavalry (Mitch A) find some of Prince Galitsyn's Cavalry Corps (Nathan S)  scouting on Table M (Morag - Bischofsburg).

General Sacken (Brian C) moves his Russian Division through Eylau.

Marshal Massena (Chris B) at Rastenburg (Table R).

Close up of the initial encounter between Massena and Prince Golitsyn's Cavalry Corps at Rastenburg

The last of Gortchakov's Russians are departing from Friedland (Table D). 

Battle is well and truly joined at Heilsberg,

Gotchakov's command, after chasing a garrison force left behind by Ney into the woods west of Bartenstien, and heads northwest, as Bagration' troops arrive from the east.


All quiet at French HQ in Marienburg...

and at the Allied Supply center in Konigsburg. 

With so many roads leading out from Bischofsburg in directions where the enemy might be, Murat's cavalry deploys accordingly, as Lannes moves forward in support from Morag. 

Davout confers with new arrival Marechal Lefebvre (Eric B, who flew in for the Carolinas for the game) and his Bavarian Corps (arrived in the game following a 40 minute delay after the end of Turn 2) at Niederburg. .

With Murat having moved north, Davout is currently guarding this eastern flank of the French as the Bavarians move through Neidenburg.

A long line of Russian infantry and artillery under Sacken moving through Eylau to the front.

Sacken arrives at Braunsberg, and now Bernadotte is significantly out numbered trying to hold out against the Allies attacking him 

More arrivals at Braunsberg - compensating somewhat for General Sacken joining the the Allies,  Marechal Mortier's Hessian Corps (Ken H) appears for the French.

Marechal Murat (Mitch A)and his Cavalry Corps strung out along the road through Bischofsberg to Morag on Table M.

A few Russian infantry on Table S (Eylau). 

Bagration arrives behind Ney at Heilsburg, and so begins the game between Ney, the "mouse", and the Russian "cats" that will attempt to catch him between their two lines to the east of the town. Meanwhile, Soult sends some cavalry across the bridge to the south with his infantry following close behind in an attempt to open a line for Ney to link with the rest of the French.

Massena holds Rastenburg, and is happy to see General Grouchy's Dragoon Corps arrive in support. Meanwhile General Tolstoy (MIke S) is on the scene for the Russians, with C-in-C Bennigsen assessing the situation. 

Russian General Lobanov (Bob R) approaches Tayiau along the River Pregel. 

Russian General Gortchacov at Bartenstein. 

A small Russian garrison at Gumbinem (Table G). 

The newly created Duc d'Danzig and the Duc d' Auerstadt arrive at a plan. 

Gortchakov's men coming or going from Table D (Friedland).

3 Allied versus 2 French commands at Braunsberg.

Prince Bagratian (HMGS BoD member Kevin C,) arrives behind Marshal Ney at Heilsberg, attempting to make a Croque Monsieur. 

The Transit Table

Marechal Ney scouts his former line of communications to Bartenstein, and finds Gortchakov firmly in possession of the place!

Peace and quiet at Tayiau again. 

There's a command for almost every road at Rastenberg/Goldap. 

Lannes and Murat marching through Morag and Bischofsberg. 

Lobanov tyaking a 1 minute break while marching across the River Pregel near Insterburg

Ney is nearly surrounded at Heilsberg. 

Massena, Grouchy, and Prince Golitsyn around Rsasenberg. 

And now at Bartenstein ... the French still in the woods, and some Russians in the town. 

A River runs through it - French at Rastenburg, Russians at Goldap. 

It is now about 12:15 PM real time.