Though not a full on Solitaire system, this is a fun way to play and gets pretty close. Mike Strand came up with this idea. It works on any Pub Battles game.
Basically, you don’t know if the Corps are actually there for the battle. Set up the game normally, except you only place the HQs on the map. You don’t know if that Command is actually there or not. Move them around as if they were until they are spotted by the enemy.
Then, simply roll a die to see if they are actually at the battle or not. 1-3, they are not present. Remove the HQ and chit from play. 4-6, they are present for the battle. Place their forces on the field at or behind the HQ.
You can play one side, and then randomly roll as you sight the enemy side to see if they are really there. It works for both offense or defense. You can even roll for your forces too! I would recommend rolling for each of your Corps first before the battle so that you actually know what you are working with. I’d wait to roll for the enemy Corps until you can sight them.
Won’t this radically throw the play balance out of whack? No. It still works fine. That’s because victory isn’t tied to the map, it’s tied to your baggage trains! End up badly outnumbered? So what? You can still easily win. Make the best of what you have to work with. Belt out significant losses on the enemy, then bug out. It is still possible to leave with a substantial point victory.
Test this out and let us know how it goes!
Awesome thank you for posting this!