Bloody Monday: Napoleon at the Gates of Moscow

Bloody Monday: Napoleon at the Gates of Moscow is a VentoNuovo block wargame on the Battle of Borodino, fought on 7 September 1812 during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia.

The French Grande Armée has captured the Shevardino Redoubt and is ready to launch its great assault. Napoleon commands a multinational army of French, Polish, Italian, and German troops, seeking to smash Kutuzov’s Russian army before Moscow and force the Tsar to negotiate. The Russian player must hold a difficult defensive line, make use of earthworks and terrain, and counterpunch when the French overextend.

Using ideas from VentoNuovo’s Moscow ’41 system, Bloody Monday uses large wooden blocks and colorful PVC stickers to combine strength tracking, unit identity, and fog of war. Both players face constant decisions over timing, attacks, reserves, and command friction, while the game remains playable in a few hours rather than becoming a full campaign monster.

This is a strong fit for players interested in Borodino, Napoleonic warfare, and block games that turn a huge historical battle into a focused, playable contest.

Format: Boxed block wargame.

Contents include: one laminated 84 x 62 cm heavy-stock mapboard, 115 wooden blocks, 117 PVC stickers, 24 wooden markers, one 24-page rules manual, two player aids, and 10 gem dice.