In a recent survey, just six percent of British respondents said that they would fight for their country. The majority said they were unable to but thanked the interviewer for asking. Well no such equivacation from this Saturday’s attendees at “ To the Smallest” wargames tournament held in Cardiff’s Firestorm Games. Twenty of the Principality’s top wargamers did battle without the need of a safety net or medical assistance.

If you haven’t come across “ To the Strongest” wargames rules then where have you been? Playing cards not dice control the action and no measuring is involved! Nevermind millimetres, these veteran gamers play on a gridded mat. No measuring angles, you move into the next square and that’s it.

As with all TtS competitions, the quality of the painting is very high, no forty year old Airfix horrors here. And, they even allow in those damned attractive Wofun miniatures.

But, the laughter stopped for me as Sid called me forward in round four to face the hot favourite, Rob. My opponent was high in the rankings and Mr Miller remembered he had a train to catch. Against an opponent who actually read the scenarios and practised against numerous opponents; it wasn’t going to end well ( and it didn’t)

It had been a great day, not withstanding the last annihilation. 160 points of troops gets one a good sized game and the larger table provides more room to manoeuvre. I’m definitely inspired to get back into tournaments after a break of too many years. All our thanks to Sid the spreadsheet king!!!