This game is a simulation of a real-world event. It is played on a mapboard that depicts the cities and provinces where the conflict was fought. The map is divided into a number of regions and provinces to which the units move.
The pieces in the game represent the actual military units and the political and military leaders who took part in the historical conflict. The large numbers on the pieces indicate the relative strengths of these units. Each Player maneuvers his pieces on the map to engage those of the enemy. The total relative strengths of the involved units are compared. The attacking Player consults a simple probability table (the Combat Results Table) to determine the outcome of each battle. Then each of the other Players (the game is best suited for 3-6 Players) moves his units and conducts attacks. The game proceeds this way (for a specified number of turns) as the Players try to achieve the historical objectives set forth in the rules. Setting this game apart is its political orientation, which pits one Player against all of his opponents. The inter-Player political conflict permits Players to form alliances and use their combined power to attempt to "purge" or assassinate Leaders controlled by the other Players. The final outcome of the game can be very different from the actual historical result. No prior knowledge of history or military tactics is required to play the game--just a little imagination and common sense.