Saturday morning was “the big one”…..the NICT (North American Society of Ancient and Medieval Wargamers Invitational 
Competitive Tournament…WHEW!!!). Many DBAers view it as “The National Tournament”, although many disagree. Whatever you believe, it’s open by invitation only to those who win tournaments sanctioned by NASAMW, so the caliber of players is normally a little higher than open tournaments.
From Bob Beattie’s post on Fanaticus:
There were some 65 players around the world in our qualification pool. We had 10 show up at Historicon, we added our two visiting Aussies as special guests. Two other very experienced players were added as we tried to reach at least 16 in order to have 4 pools of 4. With 14 players we went to 2 pools of 4 and one of 6. In the pools of 4 each played the others in the pool. In the pool of 6 we did a swiss chess format. High scoring players played each other, likewise low players.
The the pools were divided historically. Pool A consisted of Rich Gause (0-3), Dave Schlanger (2-1), Doug Austin (2-1), and winner with 3-0 Larry Chaban. Pool B contained Jim Dundorf ( 2-1), Dave McDonald (1-2), Dave Bostwick (0-3), and winner with 3-0 David Kuijt.
The six player pool had Frank Popeici (1-2), Tony Aguilar (1-2), Mark Barker (0-3), Rich Baier (2-1), Greg Kelleher (2-1), and winner Jason Bostwick (3-0). Greg and Rich were tied as the highest scoring non-winner with 69 points each. They did not play head to head, so we used countbacks to break the tie. Rich was at 116 while Greg had only 93. This happened because both played 2 of the same opponents, but Rich’s third player was the 4th place player while Greg beat the last place player.
As Bob said, I edged out Aussie Greg Kelleher on points. I actually lost the FIRST game in the NICT to Jason Bostwick, so figured “what the hell” and went on. To my surprise, I ended up in the semis. It’s like last year’s NICT where I beat Steve Smith in the first round and he ended up in the semis! Deja vù all over again!
My Cheater Anglo-Normans lose to Jason Bostwick's Later Crusaders
I used my ever-popular Cheater, Cheesy Anglo-Normans with warwagon accessory. It’s a versatile army, with knights that dismount to blades. I like archers, so the missile fire is there, too. The warwagon is a hit-or-miss thing. In my hands for some strange reason it does real well and I rarely lose it…go figure! It also un-nerves opponents who haven’t seen it in action (yeah, right!)
Anyway, at the end of the first round, we go to the next, with four contenders:
Larry Chaban (my Pgh compadre) versus Jason Bostwick, and David Kuijt versus the Diceman.
Jim Dundorf (last year's NICT winner vs Dave Bostwick
In a close game, I edged David’s Byzzies in a 4-2 contest. I think my feared archers <G> were the difference here as I got real lucky in several shots.
Now I wait to see who I get in the Finals….
Larry beat Jason in his game (Larry said that Jason’s dice went cold to give Larry the win)
Me against Larry! Pittsburgh has another winner no matter who comes through!
David Kuijt deploys his Byzzies
Larry and I start the Finals!
Larry is using Antigonid Successors (my fault…I mentioned it on the ride to Lancaster!). His Elly quick-kills my warwagon and knights but my knights quick-kill most of his elements, so a good match for me, I think rashly.
He wins the terrain roll and “craps up” the field with bad going. The center of the field is still open, if I can make it there! The problem is that half my army starts in bad going and the damn warwagon takes up too much table space! It also doesn’t help when pip rolls are low. Eventually we get to grips, but sly Larry got all the match-ups he wanted as his pips were much better than mine. He trampled my warwagon to splinters with his elly on the second try (Ack!! A bad sign for me!), but I retaliated with buttoxing his elly with a spear element. It went to 3-3 and time for one more for the win for either of us!
Knight versus Warband for the win!
Once more into the breach! Hey, there's someone on the flank!!
On my bound, I finally freed up a knight to charge his warband line. If I beat his die I win. I was using a dice cup, so my roll was covered when Larry rolled a 1!! The look on his face was precious!! The cup was lifted, and we both roared when we saw a ROO!!! (The Aussies gave us the Roo dice, and I used it through out the NICT). On Larry’s bound, he used his normal high pippage to disengage, draw my knight forward, then spring his flank attack. Now high die for EITHER of us wins the title. Same as before he rolls after my cup goes down. A SIX!! He chortles with glee ’cause he KNOWS I’m the Diceman…but, but…I ROLL A SIX!! “Cheater!!” he howls out in jest (as I’m always cheating if I roll a six)!
On my next move I have 1 pip, so the spear and bow move as a group to peel off the flanker. I win with the knights and roll high enough with the spears to avoid the quick-kill. Diceman rules!
Thanks to all for the good games, and especially to Larry for being a great opponent and friend….
The Semi-Finalists: David, Diceman, Larry, Bob and Jason
Last two NICT winners salute the 2009 winner! (Jim Dundorf, Diceman, and Jon Bostwick)
