Red Winter: The Soviet Attack at Tolvajärvi, Finland – 8-12 December 1939

Brace yourself for the winter of 1939! The Soviet Union has invaded Finland, and in an epic David vs. Goliath clash, the Finns, with their bravery and guerrilla tactics in the snowy forests and frozen lakes, attempt to halt the overwhelming advance of the Red Army. In Red Winter, you take command of one side in this historical battle at Tolvajärvi, a crucial region for the defense of the Mannerheim Line.

This two-player wargame puts you in the shoes of commanders who must manage company-sized units, such as ski infantry, heavy machine guns, mortars, tanks, and anti-tank guns. The scale is impressive, with each turn representing 90 minutes of intense combat and the map covering an area of approximately 425 yards per hex. The fight is desperate, waged across a bleak landscape of forests, swamps, and frozen lakes, where extreme cold is also an enemy to be fought.

Red Winter combines classic wargame mechanics with innovative systems for ranged attacks, unit recovery, night raids, and the impact of harsh weather. The design focuses on agile gameplay: concise rules, low counter density, and generously sized components (5/8-inch counters and large hexes) ensure your turn is quick, allowing the full 40-turn campaign to be played in a single afternoon. It's an invitation to relive a crucial moment of the Winter War with depth and accessibility.