2019 · World War I

Brave Little Belgium

A simulation of the German invasion of Belgium in August 1914. Players take the roles of either the Germans or the Allies (Belgian, French and British) and contest the opening weeks of the western front from August 4–27, 1914. The game uses a point-to-point map and a chit-pull activation system. Each turn equals three days; drawing a chit activates the corresponding army or general, permitting movement and combat. Random event chits introduce historical contingencies that can aid or hinder either side. The German player tries to force a rapid breakthrough and eliminate the key forts at Liège and Namur; the Allied player seeks to delay and halt the German advance. Victory depends on the speed and effectiveness of the German campaign relative to historical timing.

groupPlayers

2

schedulePlaying time

30–60 min

psychologyComplexity

2 / 5