Adjusting contact question

[landmeister]

This is another situation raised in my last game. Please look at the diagram.



Elements 1 and 2 moved into combat this bound and destroyed a Cv element before Cv element B. At the end of the bound element 1 must adjust its contact to the flank of B. In doing so it enters into element A's TZ, so it can't. Firstly I thought element B should move forward to adjust but on page 33 is read that the element moving into combat is the one who must do it.

How can we solve this? 

[Tim Child]

It's a problem, isn't it?

P.33 EMTLU  "An element ... in contact but not already lined up as specified above **must** [rules emphasis, not even just mine!] ... immediately move (expending no PIPs) the minimum extra up to 80p needed to end up lined up with an enemy edge ... by (a) a sideways shift and/or (b) wheel or pivot ..."

P.32 TZ  "Any move (or extra move to line up) that will enter, or starts in, an enemy TZ must be completed once started. It must either:

• Line up in **front edge-to-front edge combat** with the contacted element most directly in front
• Line up as soon as possible opposite the TZ-ing element most directly in front
• [other options not relevant]

"

I think that the only ways to work both these two options are:-

(1) to say that 1 must EMTLU, but the EMTLU move must comply with the TZ rules, and the only way to do that is for 1 to turn 90 degree and line up with A.  HOWEVER, a move to A's TZ and then pivot to line up with A will be more than 80p, so in this case this doesn't work (it would work if 1 was already in or at A's TZ (e.g. if A had moved up to TZ 1 when 1 was already in contact with the flank of the Cv in front of B).

(2) to move 1 to line up in front edge-to-front edge combat with B (as B is the contacted element most directly in front - first bullet-point above).  However, this is also a move of more than 80p and therefore cannot be done.

Therefore, in my view, since no 80p move to EMTLU is legal in this case, 1 does not line up.  This is on the basis that the EMTLU rule is that 1 MUST line up by a move of no more than 80p that also complies with the TZ rules.  Since 1 cannot line up by a move of no more than 80p that complies with the TZ this is impossible and an element cannot make an impossible move.

This also, I think, makes sense in the context of the game.  BY EMTLUing, 1 would be seeking to initiate close combat with the flank of B.  A is there protecting the flank.  Therefore the troops in 1 cannot initiate close combat with the flank of B because they are worried about being charged themselves by A, and that logic applies whether it is a PIP-driven move or an EMTLU.

Tim Child

[landmeister]

I agree with your analysis, Tim. Thank you very much. 

[Valentinian Victor]

This situation happens all the time, most of us just leave the flanking element exactly where it is under the circumstances described. What the next move is interesting for the enemy element as all it can do really is move directly into contact with element 2, or backwards as its in the TZ of the element facing it, but is not in close combat with the flanking element, allowing it to move.