How to win Carcassonne: Advanced strategy (ELO 1700 - 2000) - game 2
Game #2 - Advanced
This game I was lucky my opponent was unable to complete his/her large city (with shield points too)! The outcome would not have been good for me otherwise.
I decided that the open field in the centre would be worth owning early on. So placed a farmer down at the start of the game. Not always a great tactic as I’m sacrificing a follower early that cannot score future points - but, I expected there would be at least 3 cities in it by the end of the game.
Later in the game I protect this field with a second follower/meeple.
You will see I choose to complete three to four small new cities in this field rather than finish my own already existing cities outside of the field. This tactic ultimately allows me to boost my end-of-game score to narrowly win.
Owning a large field containing several cities can often win you games that already look lost on the current point score, as you pip your opponent at the finishing line.