TURKISH TOE STUFFING/LEPANTO
Of all the countries to get at in an opening, the hardest is Turkey. The biggest opening advantage comes from a Russian successful move into the Black Sea. This is an uncommon occasion in Tournament play. More common is the bounce in the Black Sea. However, if Russia is either in the Black Sea or has Fleet in Rumania, there is always the possibility of an Austrian-Russian combination to move on Bulgaria in the Fall of 01 to cripple the Turks. This move is occasionally done when the Turks have been terrorized by the prospect of an Italian Lepanto and are opening with Fleet Ankara going to Constantinople for the move to the Aegean in the Fall of 01. This leaves Bulgaria open to a supported attack. If successful it also means that Russia will have a shot at controlling the Black Sea and threatening Armenia in the Spring of 01.