Though most of my friends/fellow Risk enthusiasts/opponents boo-hoo my unabashed boasting, I continue to let them know about my overly ostentatious title every time we play the game. It could be a simple matter of intimidation to be sure, but something tells me that there is far more underlying symbolism in the game to take that claim too lightly.

Risk is a game that, while on the surface appears simple and juvenile, is deeper and more complex than most people recognize. I will even go so far as to say that playing Risk is parallel to manipulating the instruments of "success" in America. Finding material success has certainly become the ideal pursuit put forth in our society and in institutions of higher education.

Call me over-analytical. Call me a cynic. But the skills that this simple game entail enhance the (perhaps over-emphasized) qualities of what all good Americans know exist, but deny on account of the moral implications or ethical idealisms involved.

First of all, Risk looks like an easy game, and it is. In fact, when I teach people how to play, they learn all the basics in a matter of minutes. No problem, right? True, figuring out how to go through the motions can prove a simple task, just as following the "rules" to get a job in the "real world" is. English 202 tries to teach us how to form our résumés and abide by all the etiquette, protocol and procedure that ensure success in the job market. But as with the job market, the surface appearance of Risk is hardly the only component that goes into finding success.

So here's how I think Risk (oh yeah, and our planned success) works. It all comes down to this: good Risk play (or fill in the blank -- success in life) is 50 percent knowing the rules and making your own strategies for victory, and 50 percent political and diplomatic prowess. OK, I know most of you think that I'm crazy for analyzing a silly game to this level, but seriously, draw the parallels and I assure you you'll see the light of my argument and the minimalist beauty of Risk.

The first 50 percent is the easy part. Everyone that has enough ambition or aspirations in a field can do that. People who live by the first half of the plan alone can, of course, win the game (become successful). Those, however, who are skilled at the second set of skills of the game are the players who win more often and win with a higher degree of success.

The so-called "second half" of Risk strategies includes a relatively good side and a definite dark side. The better aspects of play involve compromising, wheeling and dealing, knowing when to quit, knowing when to fight, knowing how hard to fight, skillfully using diplomacy (treaties, truces, etc.) and competing.

Unfortunately, ruthlessness and underhandedness are essential as well. An oft-heard exclamation in a game of Risk is, "Don't trust him, man! He'll break the treaty on his next turn!"

I certainly don't subscribe to applying negative tactics in life. Is getting ahead more important than a good name? Will "getting ahead" make you that happy?

But, hey, that's the beauty of Risk -- it's only a game! And come to think of it, I'm the last person that will even play "the game" as it pertains to real life. Many an elder has lambasted me for my idealism about the "real world."

"You have to get a job," they all say. "What are you going to do with your life?"

To these naysayers, I say two things: one, let me be idealistic while I'm still young. And two, a person does not have to climb our preconceived latter of success to be really happy in life. Sure there are great things to be said for financial gain or respected achievement, but I can't believe this is the only reason we're at school. We're here to live, to love living and to learn about living.

But at any rate, while I sit up late-nights and ponder these questions in my last semester at Penn State, at least I can keep up on my "killer instincts" with my beloved game.

After all, I am the Risk champion.