Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
In this episode of the Umpire Chat Show, LaFondiose welcomes Lake Tzarina, a veteran umpire and scenario designer in the International Kriegsspiel Society. The two discuss Lake’s journey from early sandbox solo play to leading complex multi-player campaigns. They explore scenario design, solo play methods, the role of operational context in campaign-level wargames, and how inspiration often begins with obscure historical “what ifs.” Lake reflects on learning to improvise, staying balanced as an umpire, and the long-term vision of building tools to make wargame facilitation easier. For new and veteran umpires alike, this is a wide-ranging conversation rich with lessons, humor, and perspective.
In this episode of the Umpire Chat Show, LaFondiose welcomes Lake Tzarina, a veteran umpire and scenario designer in the International Kriegsspiel Society. The two discuss Lake’s journey from early sandbox solo play to leading complex multi-player campaigns. They explore scenario design, solo play methods, the role of operational context in campaign-level wargames, and how inspiration often begins with obscure historical “what ifs.” Lake reflects on learning to improvise, staying balanced as an umpire, and the long-term vision of building tools to make wargame facilitation easier. For new and veteran umpires alike, this is a wide-ranging conversation rich with lessons, humor, and perspective.
