Tannenberg and the Opening Battles in the East 1914 (1978)

About this game

Subtitled "The Opening Guns, August 1914" Opening moves between Germany and Russia on the east front feature von Hindenburg, Ludendorff and the amazing von Hoffman vs. the two Russian generals Rennenkampf and the tragic Samsonov, who, hating each other, in the 3-player variant are famously not permitted to talk to one another during the game! Somewhat controversial for its "iron maiden" victory conditions rules which simulation fans loved and gamers hated. Published in Strategy & Tactics magazine #69 (Jul-Aug) using the same system as the Great War in the East quad. Contents: 34"x22" map, 200 playing pieces. Game scale: 8 miles/hex, 12.87 km/hex; 72 hours (3 days) per turn; units are brigades, divisions and Russian corps.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 1 to 3. It has a designed solo mode.
• Rules load. At 3.0/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 10 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.