Great War at Sea: 1904-1905, The Russo-Japanese War

About this board game

Great War at Sea: 1904-1905, The Russo-Japanese War is a naval strategy and tactical combat board game for 2-4 players, with a listed play time of 30 minutes. It recreates the naval side of the conflict between Japan and Russia at the turn of the century.

The game opens against the backdrop of Japan’s rapid modernization and expanding colonial ambitions. After Japan defeated China in 1894, Japanese and Russian interests collided in Korea, eventually leading to war. The conflict began with Japan’s surprise attack on the Russian Pacific Fleet at Port Arthur in northern China.

Players can explore 19 scenarios, including the climactic Battle of Tsushima, or undertake a campaign game covering the entire naval war. Russia fields a mixed fleet of modern battleships and older ironclads, with forces at Port Arthur and a cruiser squadron in Vladivostok. Japan has a smaller but stronger fleet, including powerful armored cruisers and more numerous, effective torpedo boats.

The strategic map covers the Japanese home islands and surrounding seas, divided into zones roughly 31 nautical miles across. Fleets search for one another until contact shifts play to a tactical map, where ships maneuver and fight. Special overlays for Port Arthur and Chemulpo represent the terrain of these important coastal zones.

• 19 scenarios plus a campaign game
• Strategic fleet searching and tactical ship combat
• Special tactical overlays for Port Arthur and Chemulpo
• Original 1999 edition with 210 counters, two maps, a rulebook, and a scenario book

Great War at Sea: 1904-1905 offers a focused way to examine the difficult Russian strategic position and Japan’s naval advantages during this pivotal conflict.