Tannenberg 1914

The Game

Tannenberg 1914™( # 105-1 ), is a boardgame covering the battle of Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes in August 1914 between Germany and Russia.

The Scene:

The battle for Tannenberg and the Masurian lakes is one of the most famous battles in history. Even though the battle was insignificant in numbers of forces engaged compared to other battles fought during WW I, it represent a master- piece of exercising modern military strategy. One of the most astonishing victories ever was scored in a classical battle of local superiority and maneuver.

The Game Design

The game mechanics includes a chit-pull procedure. The low density of units provides a fast-pace battle where every move is vital for victory.

The game is taught in 30 minutes and is easy to digest yet a challenge even for the more experienced players. Players having played our previous titles “Plan West” and “Königsberg 45” will recognize themselves in the general game mechanics.

Game scale

Each turn represents 2 days in time. Units are brigades and divisions

Game Design, Development and Rules:

Magnus Nordlöf

Illustrations and Art:

Magnus Nordlöf,

Stefan Ekström

The game components:

- 50 x 70cm-size map

- 126 die-cut counters

- 1 six-sided die

- Rules

- Box

(clickable to view

larger picture)A Game proudly produced in Sweden.Tannenberg 1914

The game covers the battles of Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes during mid August through mid September. Two ill prepared, yet superior in numbers, Imperial Russian armies attack East Prussia in August 1914 in order to honor the Franco-Russian Alliance of 1894.

Even though the Russian attack turned out to a disaster, it played an important role on the Western Front. German reserves were pulled from the West to East Prussia, that otherwise would have been used in the crucial battle of the Marne north of Paris.

More on the

Game Design

The game addresses

the players on the

classical elements

20th century warfare.

·Command and Control

·Lines of Supply

·Importance of finding local superiority

·Balancing between attack and defense

·Timing of maneuver and decisive blowsThe German player has to work with small means and time his strategies in order to succeed and keep the Russian player from pressing far in to East Prussia. The Russian player must press on to force out the reinforcements from the western front and use his superiority in order to come out as victor. All is set for yet another classical engagement!