Balkan Gamble

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Description

Balkan Gamble explores hypothetical invasions of the Balkans during WW2. This is not the same game published in Strategy and Tactics #298, Balkan Gambit, 1943-1945, though they share almost the same title (and the same designer). Instead, it uses the Summer Lightning / Winter Thunder system where formations are activated by chit-pull and combat is resolved with a mission matrix and minimal die rolls. Headquarter chits are randomly drawn, and HQs can activate units for movement and combat. After 12 turns, both sides total victory points, which are gained for occupying cities and for eliminating enemy units (depending on the scenario). Scenarios for 1943, 1944, 1945 are included, as well as a hypothetical 1950 scenario where the USSR and friends invade Yugoslavia to depose Tito. Only 40 physical copies of this game were produced by BTR Games. A print-and-play version is available on WargameVault. A very nicely printed Japanese language edition was in Banzai magazine #28 (early 2026). (source: designer)