Bonaparte Overruns Piedmont: War of the First Coalition – Part I

About this board game

Bonaparte Overruns Piedmont: War of the First Coalition – Part I is a 2023 board game for 2–4 players, with a playing time of approximately 120 minutes. It recreates Bonaparte’s first offensive in April 1796 during the War of the First Coalition.

With his commission order from Paris, Bonaparte established his headquarters at Nice and took command of a front-line force of 35,168 men from the Army of Italy. He ordered them across the mountains toward Montenotte, beginning a campaign against the forces opposing France.

After Beaulieu’s 26,697 men of the Army of Italy escaped toward Acqui, the Piedmontese Army became Bonaparte’s next target. Players can explore the key engagements of this opening phase through a series of linked historical battles.

• Montenotte
• Dego
• San Michele
• Ceva
• Mondovi

The game includes the battles of Montenotte, Dego, San Michele, Ceva, and Mondovi. Ceva is included in the game even though it is not listed on the box cover.

For a broader experience, Bonaparte Overruns Piedmont also supports a campaign game linking the battles. This allows the engagements to be played as part of a connected account of Bonaparte’s advance rather than as isolated encounters.

Recognized with the Charles S. Roberts Award in the Napoleonic category for 2023, this game focuses on the dramatic opening of Bonaparte’s Italian campaign and the pivotal battles that shaped his first offensive.