Slitherine

My 2x3 BG charged an enemy 3X2 BG so that my right hand file made full frontal contact with his right hand file. Thus, I had one 3 deep file extending out to my left while he had two 2 deep files extending out to his left. The Impact melee was a tie. Now, in my Maneuver Phase, I can not expand one file to my right because another BG of my troops is in the way.

Can I instead expand one file to my left even though this file would not count as an overlap at the moment of expansion? My enemy can then shift one file from his far left where it is unengaged to the right of his line which would engage my second file and turn my expanding file into an overlap.

The rule on page 72 says, "A battle group that is already in contact with enemy can expand its frontage by one file......" Note, the rule does not say "can expand into an overlap position".

Can I expand into a non-overlap position in anticipation of my opponent's own expansion?

Terry G.

Never been asked but I suspect we would all agree its no s its a seciton on getting more bases into contact.

Si

FWIW came up at the Challenge and got ruled against.

Paul

While it seems harsh to not allow the phantom overlap I have always played that they are not allowed and as a result cost myself overlaps in a number of combats

While the rule I quoted does not specifically disallow the phantom overlap, as Si points out, it is in a section headed "FEEDING MORE BASES INTO AN EXISTING MELEE". That heading could certainly be interpreted to disallow the move and that's good enough for me. It seemed a bit cheesy at the time, even though I was making the move.

Terry G.