The map immediately plunged me into dejection - I had managed to play it for about an hour, and it was clearly visible that the player was folding to the elf at the beginning (middle) of the second week. And without any options (unless the elf gets really unlucky with the start).
However, the opponent was busy with work and didn't study the map. To my surprise, I looted his sea, took excellent towns (the elven one and the native human village).
I built cavalry in the second week. In the third week, I sold my last shirt, but got Angels up.
Life is beautiful and amazing!
Then I decided to go for the throat - real life was calling, and with a clear advantage in troops I decided to take a risk and end the game by crippling the opponent's economy.
As I said - this assault was either victory or defeat. Alas, victory didn't happen. After a little analysis of the battle, I come to the conclusion that both of us blundered as best we could. So there's no point in me beating my chest (like "I didn't win"). On the contrary, I managed to almost win the battle =))) but blundered and eventually, after losing the bird and two cavalry, retreated. A very unpleasant surprise was Kyrre having Expert Earth and 6 Spell Power.
Overall, I then started gathering Wyverns (the opponent broke through to the center).
The advantage was still on my side in terms of building up; could have kept playing and playing...
But Vitaliy honestly earned the victory here. I can't say anything. Thanks for the game. Haven't played a match like that in ages. Until now, I only lost to biiiig masters of the hero business.
Actually, I've only played against the best in the country.
I congratulate Vitaliy on his victory. He showed himself in the best light. It's unpleasant even to think what would have happened if he had studied the map in advance.