Katzbach 20 2009

Game number 10 in the Napoleonic 20 series (Germany 20 #2)

On the same day as the Battle of Dresden, Marshal MacDonald’s forces on the flank of Napoleon’s army stumbled upon a Russo-Prussian force of about equal size under Marshal von Blücher, and the accidental Battle of Katzbach ensued amidst a heavy thunderstorm. Both armies were surprised, but MacDonald struck first. His attack lost impetus in the rain and confusion, allowing Blücher to strike back. The Allies inflicted heavy losses on the French, weakening Napoleon’s position in Germany. The French defeats here, at Kulm (four days later), and Dennewitz (on 6 September) negated Napoleon’s victory at Dresden.

This game features only modest complexity and a focused scope employing low unit density on the map (20 pieces or less) and dramatic, fast playing turns. It is the addition of ‘story-driven’ random event cards and night game turns that provide the operational pauses and “friction of war” that give players a great feel for the parry-and-thrust of a Napoleonic grand battle as the armies close to bayonet-point to see which will break first!

Complexity: 4 on a 9 scale

Solitaire Suitability: 6 on a 9 scale

Scale: Each unit is 1 division, each hex is about 800 meters, and each turn is roughly 3 daylight hours (or 10 night hours).