I owe you recap of the event that took place last Saturday -
Polish Carcassonne Championships 2017It was long and intensive day for me. Fortunately, this year I planned whole weekend in Cracow, I arrived day early, and for the first time, I was reasonably well-rested on big day.
Event was held in Centre of Modern Art "Solvay" and was scheduled to start at noon. I came just in time, and quickly realized that building was full of hardcore Carcassonne fans! I was astonished to hear that
86 from over 200 qualified came to participate! Bard, the publisher was prepared to such a feat, they reserved more space for games, as 22 tables were needed for first round of gameplay.
It took some time to break participants into 4-players tables, but finally we started. I always state how uncomfortable I feel at 4-players game, and nothing changed, especially after my blow out from last year. And first game is tricky, because participants are divided randomly, you can easily find yourself in death table. But it turned out that I had biggest experience at the table, I was also puzzled by one of my opponents who apparently suffered from hangover (or maybe he only posed like he did)... I knew that it was important to start well, and somehow I delivered! 1st place, 3 big points, 81 small points. I was relieved, but pressure was still on, 3 big points meant that I will play 2nd game at the table with players who won their game as well.
And it turned out to be my most challenging game! Things happened that you don't want to happen when playing 4-players... I was sidetracked, my opponents finished city without me. I lost on farm. 4th place, 0 big points (I lost 11 points to tied 1st place, and 3 to the 3rd). Did I mentioned that 3rd place took some 9/10 year old? My self-confidence went down.
I went down in ranking, next game I played at 10th table, which meant, I was well below qualifying 16. However during that round, it was decided that due to large attendance, there would be FINAL 32! It meant huge relief but I quickly realized, that I needed to take grip on myself, and score good places. I don't remember third game that well. I thought I was going well, but I ended with 2nd place, and 2 big points, 64 small.
Fourth game, things got closer to the end. I advanced to 8th table, and I met my dear foe/friend Tomasz Preuss. He was in similar situation, things got complicated for us more than we would have wanted... But game was successful for us, we played and I felt we had understanding to cooperate to some degree. In this manner we finished rather big city, which gave us lead. Then we played separately. I had lots of luck picking cloisters, but in the end Tomek won. 2nd place, 2 big points, 83 small.
Fifth game, nothing was set, I needed to score some points to advance, I didn't know how many, 1, 2, 3? I played on 7th table - on the edge of success and failure. We started and that game ended up as my calmest. I had lead from the beginning, I scored things. I won, 1st place, 3 big points, 61 small.
I didn't need to check any fixtures, 10 big points guaranteed me FINAL 32. Place was unimportant... It was best moment for me whole day, I overcame my stress and hurdle that cost me that much last year! In the end, I was 14th! Quite safely in 32, but not necessarily... it turned out that 9 points were also enough for Q, and 1 person with 8 points qualified as well (most small points). Crazy how close it is to say goodbye to the tournament... And Tomek Preuss (3-time Champion) was 29th with 9 points... Carcassonne is a tricky game.
It took nearly 5 hours to advance to the Play-offs, Last 32. We took 30 minutes break for dinner. And we returned to play most important games of the evening.
Last 32 match was easy task, I took lead, and drove away... I do that sometimes, and it's the best feeling, when pressure is off, game shapes well, and control is yours. It was that game. 135-98.
Last 16 match was sort of flashback, I played guy, I won with in Warsaw qualis final last year. He remembered me clearly, and stated that this time, it's going to be different thing... It wasn't! I was in total control, and I blocked 2 of his meeples early, he was vulnerable, and then I didn't leave him any chances. That's the game... 127-73.
Quater-finals... Remember that quy from my first game? The one with hangover? He waited for me here! I was puzzled by him, but he was clearly different Carcassonne player. He played hazardously and it paid off. I played my game but he kept coming back with big completed features, I could do nothing about. In the end he risked all on picking CCCC, he had large city, and he decided to lock it by himself, and wait for the one tile. I knew I had problems, that city would give him 24 points. 50-50 situation. Tile was nowhere to be seen, I could play my best game, but that tile was hanging there. I acquired small lead, when tile has come up... He picked it. OH MY... I thought tournament ended for me. I had under 20 tiles to fix it, and I DID IT. I don't know how but some farms and cloisters probably helped. 121-115.
Semis... Another flashback, veterans practically dominated Play-offs. I played with Joanna Owczarek from Warsaw, we played 2 years ago in quallies final. I won there. This game was a hurdle from the beginning, she blocked my 2 meeples (8 points cloister and road)... Game was full challenge from that point, I fought hard, but she was ahead, she kept closing things, she had advantage. But I closed some of that gap, and luckily took farm with last tile of the game. We didn't know who won... Counting points revealed, she won... with 1 POINT. What can I say, Carcassonne is tricky. I was really close, and still, not enough to clinch final. 102-103.
3rd place game. I still had this game, I wanted to end this day on high note! It was clearly different game to play. It was totally head to head game. None of could grab considerable lead. I blocked him once, but it didn't slow him. In the end game was decided by farms, we splitted them, but if he merged them, he would take it all. Cloisters played well to my advantage and I won. 89-85. I won my last game of the day and it matters for me a lot!
I took 3 hours, but event was over... We could cherish our victories, and mourn failures. But in Poland winner is apparently one,
Tomek Preuss. He apparently quite easily dispatched Joanna in final. She made some mistake, Tomek took advantage and blocked 2 of hers meeples, later he could safely control the game. Well done, Tomasz, I applaud!
We were decorated with diplomas and more than satisfactory prizes, Tomek took another trophy. It was after 8pm. Eight hours of gameplay! Longest finals ever! I was so happy I had planned another day in Cracow, and was in no rush... Tomek, Joanna Nitka (Tomek's partner and also great Carcassonne player, 4th after 4-player), Kuba, Łukasz and me decided to use the night and have fun in beautiful city of Cracow. We were tired, hungry, so we drank and dined, and celebrated our victories. After all, in the mix, because of Carcassonne you get to know each other and make friends.
Video from the event:
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/CarcassonnePL/photos/?tab=album&album_id=696838130513646https://www.facebook.com/pg/CarcassonnePL/photos/?tab=album&album_id=696840517180074