DESTALINIZATION
A 1953 Variant for KREMLIN
by Ed Ericson III
from THE GENERAL, 31, #2, p 55

     In 1953, a 74-year-old Stalin died of apparently natural causes (although many have suspected foul play). The death of the Soviet dictator started a power struggle that led to the demise of heir presumptive Malenkov within ten days. The power struggle lasted for another five years, ending in complete consolidation of victory by Khrushchev.
     With a few modifications to the basic KREMLIN game and the Revolution variant (which deals with the 1923 party congress), you can try your hand at sorting out the political mess left in the wake of Stalin's departure.
     Use the rules from the normal game and the character cards from the Revolution variant. Use the nonhistorical side (the regular game's cast of characters) except for the following people who should have the ages in parentheses put on them: Muranov (79), Stassova (78), Stalin (74), Voroshilov (67), Molotov (65), Khrushchev (55), Mikoyan (55), Bulganin (53), Beria (52) and Malenkov (50). For historical flavor, these should be among the initial twelve politburo members and candidates, but for play variety a completely random deal of all politicians may be used (remember to add the correct ages to the above character when they enter the "people" pool.
     In addition to the basic and advanced rules the following special rules should be in force. First, factions may put points on Party Chief Stalin at the beginning, but he has two crosses. As with Lenin in the Revolution game, he cannot recover nor go to the sanitarium (he was hatching the doctor's plot at the time and wouldn't trust himself to any physician).
     Second, if Beria is head of KGB, he may purge using the Revolution rules instead of normal game rules. On the other hand, any purges carried out against Beria use the Revolution rules as well. Beria worked closely with Ezhov in the purges of the 1930's and then ran the show himself in the 1940's and early 1950's. His bid for power was an all-or-nothing affair. If he had succeeded Stalin, he would have executed most of the competing leadership. As it was, the other leaders banded together to arrest and execute Beria.
     Third, add five new cards (described below) to reflect the political situation of the 1950's--or any others that may seem appropriate.
     There you have it. With a few minor changes, you can try out yet another round of historical intrigue in the Kremlin.

68. STALIN DENOUNCED:
Stalin’s excesses are denounced at the Party Congress. Everyone with a strength on KGB ages 1 SP. Not playable when Stalin is alive.

69. SPUTNIK:
The launch of Sputnik enhances the international image of the Soviet Union. The defense minister may not be purged this turn.

70. HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION:
Hungarian Marxists seek to redefine revolution. Soviet tanks correct their thinking. The Defense Minister ages 1 SP. The first purge attempt must be versus the Foreign Minister at -2 to the die roll.

71. SIBERIAN EXPERIMENT:
The opening up of Siberian steppes to wheat production creates dust bowl. The first purge must be versus the Economy Minister at -2 to the die roll.

72. OPENNESS TO THE WEST:
New openness allows Solzhenitsyn to publish works exposing the horrors of the Gulag. The first purge attempt must be versus the KGB head by the head of Ideology at a -2 to the die roll.

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