Introduction

Winning the award for the most unpronounceable name ever, Gzhatsk 20 is the bonus game that comes with the Napoleonic 20 expansion kit, and concerns a hypothetical battle fought between the armies of Napoleon and those of Russia. As such, the game also completes what is sometimes termed the “Russia 20” sub-series of games (consisting of Borodino 20 and its two expansions: Smolensk 20 and this one). Before the game proper begins, the Russian player also has the opportunity to build fieldworks, so I’m starting this replay ‘early’ (and also only using the ‘vanilla’ rules for ease of play: i.e. none of the expansion rules):

Initial deployment

Russians roll a ‘3’, allowing them to place 2 redoubts and 1 fort, or 4 redoubts and choose the latter option (4 redoubts). These are all placed just inside the release line, with one at either end of the ridgeline outside Stopchishche, one to the east of Basakova and the last west of Stopchishche. All corps are then placed in their starting locations, as per the Exclusive rules for the game.

Situation at start of game


Turn 1: September 2, Afternoon (French morale 7, Russian morale 8)

The French start the battle of Gzhatsk with a surprise attack on the Russian Cossack cavalry south of Basakova, with the I cavalry corps to the south of the Cossacks and the II cavalry corps north-west. Meanwhile, both the III and IV infantry corps move onto the road that leads through Stopchishche, with the IV corps also crossing the bridge. Finally, the V corps is held off map to arrive at area A next turn (rather than area B this turn).

Cossacks disengage from the attacking cavalry (the only unit type able to do so), moving to the north-east.

(random event = “Make Haste!” May force-march one Russian unit without paying morale cost)
Even though it is early in the battle, General Kutuzov is on the ball: 2 corps are released from the Kutuzov Defense Release (roll of 6), and the Russian player chooses to release the II and IV corps. Both of these corps move into the nearby redoubts, with the IV corps making use of the ‘free’ force march to get their in time. Cossack Cavalry occupy Basakova as VIII corps moves into redoubt to the south-east of Stopchicshche, and as Bagration’s cavalry corps takes this opportunity to advance.

Situation at end of turn 1


Turn 2: September 2, Dusk (French morale 7, Russian morale 8)

(random event = “Command Confusion”. Russian player places routed marker on French III corps as it is the only one that meets the criteria!)
Once again, I and II cavalry corps move to attack the Cossack cavalry as V corps arrives in play near, and heads towards, their location in Basakova. IV corps moves north-east to attack Russian III corps, as the weak link in their line along that ridge and III cavalry corps arrives in play then overtakes the (currently routed) III corps along the Moscow-Smolensk Highway.

Cossack Cavalry opt to hold their ground rather than disengage (Cossacks may not counter-charge)

I and II cavalry corps combine to attack the Cossack cavalry, forcing them to withdraw out of Basakova and II cavalry corps advances after combat into that location. IV corps attacks (uphill against) Russian III corps who commit their reserves (-1 Russian morale) and force their attackers to rout 5 hexes (-1 French morale) which involves a hazardous retreat across the bridge, which they promptly fail and so break instead! (+1 Russian morale)

(random event = “Even Blind in one eye, I can see all his schemes!” +1 to release roll)
General Kutuzov gets a bit too cocky: no corps are released this turn (roll of 1, +1), and only Bagration’s cavalry corps actually moves!

II cavalry corps counter-charges the Cossacks, forcing them to once more withdraw and again being forced to ‘take ground’ (which puts them in a dangerous position!).

Cossacks and II corps combine to attack the II cavalry corps and force them to withdraw back into Basakova. Cossacks ‘take ground’ (back where they started!)

Situation at end of turn 2


Turn 3: September 2, Evening (French morale 6, Russian morale 8)

(random event = “Poniatowski Leads!” French V corps gains +1 movement and Combat strength this turn)
The French decide to force march all the troops (-1 French morale). I cavalry corps swings around the west of Basakova to the north of that city, as Poniatowski urges his men over the (minor) river to the south-east of that location. III cavalry and III infantry corps both move to engage Bagration’s cavalry corps, and both the IV cavalry corps and VIII corps arrive in play and move along the Moscow-Smolensk Highway.

Cossack cavalry disengage, and Bagration’s cavalry corps counter-charges the French III cavalry corps, forcing them to withdraw (north) and ’taking ground’.

The French III cavalry and infantry corps then combine to attack Bagrations cavalry corps, who commit their reserves (-1 Russian morale). This forces an ‘exchange’, so both Bagration’s and the III cavalry corps are broken. The remaining III corps opts to ‘stand fast’. Poniatowski’s V corps then attacks the Russian II corps in the north-most redoubt, but are forced to withdraw. II corps remains in the redoubt, rather than advance after combat.

(random event = “That idiot, Kutusov!” Effectively a non-event this early in the game)
General Kutuzov ‘releases’ Barclays cavalry corps, who move on to then along the road south of their initial location. Cossacks move north one hex, and that’s it for this phase (and turn)!

Situation at end of turn 3


Turn 4: September 2, Night (French morale 5, Russian morale 7)

(random event = “Murat: le Beau Sabreur”. French Reserve cavalry receives +1 movement and combat strength)
Under cover of Darkness, the French shift the axis of their advance slightly northwards, with the I and II cavalry corps and the V corps all moving 1 hex that direction while, further south, the IV cavalry corps and both the III and VIII corps move north-west. Murat’s Reserve cavalry corps thunders along the road to the north of Tsarevo-Zaymishche, and the I corps arrives south of that road.

III cavalry corps remains broken, as does the IV infantry corps. French then gain a single morale point from rest.

(random event = “Rally a Command”. Bagration’s cavalry corps fails roll, and is eliminated for good)
As if that was not enough, General Kutuzov also fails to release any units! Barclay’s cavalry corps moves along the Moscow-Smolensk Highway to the north-west of Stopchishche, and that’s it for this phase: all other corps either choose not to (or are unable to) move.
The Russians then gain a single morale point from rest.

Situation at end of turn 4


Advance to day 2: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/3911174

Great start to another of your great AARs!

Particularly liked the event "Even blind in one eye..." coupled with the failure to release any units. That Kutusov, what a kidder.

By the way, the "Idiot" event is about Kutaysov, the commander of the Russian artillery reserve (not Kutuzov, the leader of their army). At the battle of Borodino the Russians on two occasions had problems shifting their artillery or committing them to the fight because Kutaysov, the only officer specifically authorized to release batteries from the reserve, had wandered off to participate in a "glorious" cavalry charge elsewhere. It was just too much fun not to include this oblivious moron as an event.