I kept Tri in port and although Italy took the Alps per normal, I benefited slightly from Russia ceding me Gal:
Italy's aggression made me double back to cover, but my initial position in Gal caused Russia to cover War and kept the pressure off. Italy decided to gamble on Mun (and won) but my defensive moves would have kept me safe anyways. Turkey's decision to take Rum both emasculated Russia (always helpful) and left Greece still up for grabs and the fact that he took it with a fleet made Bud secure.
The following Spring I was able to grab Gre as Turkey played it conservatively by protecting Rum and get my fleet into action so that my new Hellenic prize could be protected in the Fall. Russia belatedly took Gal but he was a much less scary bear at that point and Italy helpfully headed West.
For the close of '02 I lucked out a bit in my guesses: 1) I used Alb to support Ser to Tri which successfully bounced Italy's belated attempt there (after he'd retreated to Tyr from Mun), 2) I guessed that neither Russia nor Italy (or else both!) would try for Vie, 3) I theorised that Russia might try for Bud and moved to block it but that proved unnecessary as he concentrated on retaking Rum and 4) I gambled that Turkey wouldn't go all-out for Gre as he'd see Russia as his primary foe and was right.
In 1903 Italy's Western adventure lured me into gambling with my fleet and I chose to chance leaving Tri open in the theory that I could retake it in the Fall (most likely) if necessary. Turkey's existential war with Russia meant my Eastern border wasn't under serious threat:
And we'll conclude the early game phase with a successful bounce in Tri keeping it open for a build (I chose not to go for a 2nd fleet yet though) and a waltz into Nap for my 3rd build - a solid Austrian opening.
