The Arduous Beginning

Published 2009

When the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa on 22 June 1941, their greatest concentration of troops was found in Army Group Center, tasked with driving eastward toward Moscow. The initial shock of the attack sent the Soviets reeling and Minsk quickly fell to the invaders. However, the Axis timetable demanded complete success during the initial months of the invasion, for only with the Red Army destroyed and Byelorussia occupied could the Soviet Union, fresh from Stalin’s purges, collapse; but anything less than total victory would mean a long and protracted war. The stakes could not be higher as the German panzers and infantry engaged Soviet armies and mechanized corps along Russia’s western frontier. The Arduous Beginning is the first new historical board game in some 15 years from renowned game designer Frank Chadwick. It is a new iteration on his classic Battle for Moscow game system that combines ease of learning and design elegance with the kind of dramatic gameplay that Frank has long been famous for. Complexity: 2.5 on a 9 scale Solitaire Suitability: 8 on a 9 scale Scale: Each unit is one German corps or Soviet army or corps, and each turn is approximately eight days.

The Arduous Beginning

Game Info

Players
1-2 Players
Time
2 hours
Weight
Light-Medium — 1.79/5
Year
2009
BGG Rating
7.05
BGG Rank
#12819
Min Age
12+

Frequently Asked Questions

The Arduous Beginning supports 1 to 2 players.
A typical game of The Arduous Beginning takes about 120 minutes.
The Arduous Beginning has a complexity rating of 1.79/5.00 on BoardGameGeek, placing it in the 'Light' category. It is very accessible and great for new gamers.
The recommended minimum age for The Arduous Beginning is 12+.
The Arduous Beginning has a rating of 7.05/10 on BoardGameGeek, based on 86 ratings. It is ranked #12819 overall.
The Arduous Beginning was designed by Frank Chadwick. It was published in 2009.