Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance – St. Louis Semi Regular Retirees Game 55 Days at Peking and Chariot Race. 

Our Thursday group came together at Miniature Market Cave Springs on this day of yet another heat warning in our area to enjoy some cool air conditioning, cool drinks, friends and two tables of hot gaming action. 

In a bit of a reverse order we had enough folks come by to pop out our reserve game of Chariot Race in it’s enlarged and enhanced version. This one was a bit of a learning game for our players (Pat L, Bill D) hosted by Kevin F. 

Pat got off to an early lead and just never gave it up as his blue chariot flew down the track, cornered well and despite catching a few spears from the other players and running over his previously dropped caltrop took the game home to victory. 

Bill driving the red wagon got away second and traded that position a few times with Kevin (black). Bill seemed more likely to take the initial roll of the dice and went for managing the effects given to him. In the end he did end up running around the corner a bit too fast and combined with a caltrop the driver’s career was ended on the last turn. Kevin with the black rig played a bit more cautiously (likely too cautiously) and ended up surviving but coming in third place. 

55 Days at Peking was our main billed game for the day and 

DJ was kind enough to take time away from the game table to send in a few photos and a super report on the Peking game so we will turn the description of that over to him. …..

“Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance – St. Louis Semi Regular Retirees Game 55 Days at Peking Revisited.“

“In our continuing prep and testing of The 55 Days at Peking, the semi-retired group play tested it again at the Miniature Market at Cave Springs location.  The goal was once again ironing out any difficulties before the presentation at Mark William’s History class at St. Charles Community College in October.“

“I won’t get into of the mechanics of this game as Jay covered it most efficiently in a previous post“(https://bmhga.com/2026/09/11/big-muddy-historical-gaming-alliance-st-louis-semi-regular-retirees-game-55-days-at-peking/).

“This will be a very condensed description of how the game progressed this time after learning some key rules and victory goals from the last game.“

“Jay and Greg once again played the legation forces while Steve Lowry and Steve <?> played the Boxer rebels.  Jay and Greg’s setup was much different from last game since it was painfully learned that the Boxers need only ‘control’ eight legation points to win which includes vacant legation!”

“The Boxers equally setup quite differently assembly their full force on an Eastern flank attack.“

“First blood was drawn by the Austrian machine gun located at the Austrian legation, killing a Boxer.“

“The Boxers make their push on the flank and stall as the French repell them at range attacking the Italian legation.  The British, U.S. and Russian forces felt no pressure since all of the action was playing out on the Eastern front.  They quietly watched the Northern and Western fronts.  It was decided for a U.S. and Germany unit to move and protect the wall in the south.  If the Boxers decided to attack the wall and control it, it would count as the one of the eight legations needed to win.“

“The Boxers decided not to attempt the wall so the Foreign forces that were positioned there probably played poker and read letters from home….as the sounds of war raged to their right.“

“The Foreign forces were tying up boxers with disordered units slowing the Chinese Boxers to stall. This also complicated any forced retreat actions by the boxers that would result in elimination instead. !” 

“Several turns later an impressive Chinese swarm comes and Jay pulls a fantastic card to move 9 attack 7 times. Just in time to repel the hoarde.“

“Jokes and sighs were heard as Jay rolled 3 1’s in a roll mostly involving the Austrian MG attacks. Bad timing since Steve Lowry’s Boxer forces were desperately trying to knock it out. “

“A LOT of churn has happened and we realized that it is only turn 4!  The Imperial  card has not been drawn and the Boxers are starting to thin out, losing momentum.  The Imperial card by the way would summon a much needed reinforcement force to the Boxer cause.“

“Allies draw their one and only resurrection card and decide to bring back an Austrian and place up northern front. This frustrates the Boxers trying to secure that Austrian area.“

“The Boxers draw a card that makes inroads to the houses district, which is in the middle of the Foreign forces. They use this behind enemy lines position to pressure the Italian artillery, which was stalling the Eastern advancement.”

“Very bad luck ensues the Boxer cause as they get pushed back and ranks reduced. 7 dead Boxer units and no cards being drawn to spawn them back into battle. ”

“But, with only three cards left looks like they will not show up before the imperial army arrives (The card that summons them is apparently in the last three cards. That card was desperately needed to turn up much sooner in the draw).“

“It’s now turn 7 and the Foreign forces has lost only one Japanese unit.” 

“Fate shows up in time for the Boxers to eliminate the terrifying Austrian MG.  But it seemed too late to gather any momentum after that.“

“The game reached a point in time where the gaming group decided to stop.  The Imperial card was the last card in the deck!  Kevin was accused of arranging that shuffle.“

“Steve said that they were doing well, and Greg finished the sentence with ‘…Until you didn’t’ much to the chagrin of Steve. “

“Post game talk of shuffling the imperial card earlier in the deck or even having them arrive in turn 4 might force a quicker more aggressive game.“

“The takeaway from the session is that it will provide a fun and entertaining game to the students while providing plenty of historical information behind the scenes…which is one of the primary goals for the existence of the Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance ” 

Thanks to DJ for his great report and to all the players who came out to enjoy a nice evening of gaming. We would also like to add our ongoing appreciation to Miniature Market Cave Springs for their continued support. 

Remember to shop local! 

Big Muddy Historical Game Alliance of Greater St. Louis

Our public educational demonstrations including rules and game evaluation sessions use historical miniature and historical board gaming to explore military history, historical decision-making, and the people, places, and events of the past.

Historical Gaming in Action is a public educational program presented by the Big Muddy Historical Game Alliance of Greater St. Louis.

Using miniature figures, terrain, maps, historical research, and guided play, our games explore military history through the decisions faced by commanders, soldiers, and communities. Visitors can examine the table, ask questions, learn about the historical setting, and—when space and time permit—join the game.

Our scenarios are based on historical sources. While game rules simplify some details for practical play, each event is designed to encourage discussion of historical events, geography, leadership, logistics, strategy, and the human experience of conflict.

Historical gaming can be both enjoyable and educational. Big Muddy provides public educational demonstrations, seminars, and convention programming that promote historical miniature gaming and military history.