Bonaparte at Marengo (Simmons Games) : Basics

Quickstart and Basic Concept of

Bonaparte at Marengo

Bonaparte at Marengo is a fast playing game.
The rules are quite simple compared to other wargames.
The following pictures illustrate the basic design concepts.

(1) The map is divided into polygons called locales. The faces of the polygons are called approaches. Pieces can be either in the center of a locale (in reserve) or on one of the approaches (blocking). Pieces can only block an approach if the opposite locale is enemy-occupied.

(2) During its turn, a piece may move to a different locale if that locale is adjacent and does not contain any enemy pieces. A piece may move to block an approach in the locale it occupies if the locale opposite that approach is enemy occupied.

(3) If an adjacent locale is occupied by enemy pieces but the approach is not blocked, an attempt may be made to take the locale by making a maneuver attack. The enemy pieces must choose whether to block (and risk a later assault) or retreat (and give up the locale and take a 1-strength loss).

(4) Artillery blocking an approach may bombard enemy pieces in the opposite locale. One of the enemy pieces must take a step loss equal to the strength of the artillery. Bombarding artillery does not take losses. Defending pieces do not have to retreat after a bombardment.

(5) If enemy pieces are blocking an approach, pieces may attempt to drive them back by assault. In an assault, the terrain-adjusted stronger side wins. The winner takes a loss of one step, The loser loses one plus the strength advantage of the winner.

(6) If pieces in a locale retreat from a maneuver attack or are defeated by an assault, all pieces in the locale must retreat from the locale, even those not involved. Each group of retreating pieces takes a one-step loss (exception: cavalry retreating from reserve does not take losses).

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(1) The map is divided into polygons called locales. The faces of the polygons are called approaches. Pieces can be either in the center of a locale (in reserve) or on one of the approaches (blocking). Pieces can only block an approach if the opposite locale is enemy-occupied.		(2) During its turn, a piece may move to a different locale if that locale is adjacent and does not contain any enemy pieces. A piece may move to block an approach in the locale it occupies if the locale opposite that approach is enemy occupied.
(3) If an adjacent locale is occupied by enemy pieces but the approach is not blocked, an attempt may be made to take the locale by making a maneuver attack. The enemy pieces must choose whether to block (and risk a later assault) or retreat (and give up the locale and take a 1-strength loss).		(4) Artillery blocking an approach may bombard enemy pieces in the opposite locale. One of the enemy pieces must take a step loss equal to the strength of the artillery. Bombarding artillery does not take losses. Defending pieces do not have to retreat after a bombardment.
(5) If enemy pieces are blocking an approach, pieces may attempt to drive them back by assault. In an assault, the terrain-adjusted stronger side wins. The winner takes a loss of one step, The loser loses one plus the strength advantage of the winner.		(6) If pieces in a locale retreat from a maneuver attack or are defeated by an assault, all pieces in the locale must retreat from the locale, even those not involved. Each group of retreating pieces takes a one-step loss (exception: cavalry retreating from reserve does not take losses).