Pre-GameBefore this game had started I had a fairly good idea of what was plausible for Russia. Because I'm relatively landlocked, ie. I can't build two fleet in connected ocean spaces, it seems extremely hard to exist as a naval power. So, rather than that I decided that going full-army would give me the best chance of hanging on. Also, just from looking it was clear (especially as a land power) that I needed to kill either Poland or Ukraine, to have an avenue to grow.
Early Diplomacy: The Big DecisionKnowing that I would have to deal with Poland or Ukraine my first move was to reach out to both of them, offering support for an immediate assault against the other. My great fear here was that if I didn't get to them first they might start to coordinate against me - an onslaught I wouldn't have survived for long. To my surprise, both Poland and Ukraine accepted and I began coordinating with both to destroy the other one. I also then reached out to Germany and Turkey to see if I could secure some insurance. Germany was recalcitrant about moving on Poland immediately, but Turkey was pretty gung-ho to move out early (especially since I promised to give Turkey Rostov in exchange for the lion's share of the Ukrainian centers).
In the end, I had to decide whether to betray Poland or Ukraine in the opening move sets. It was a hard decision! Both of them seemed like able diplomacists but neither were huge talkers to didn't have a lot to go on. I asked a lot of friends and discussed the decision with everyone (to their annoyance I'm sure) and basically everyone said I should attack Ukraine because Poland always gets screwed in history. However, during my discussions with Ukraine about how best to kill Poland, Ukraine told me that Poland had requested a first turn bounce in Podolia. This was exactly contrary to what I had worked out with Poland - I needed him to sneak into Podolia, not bounce Ukraine.
It was this proposed bounce that made my decision. I followed through with my plan with Ukraine and sided against Poland. From there it didn't take too long for us to weaken Poland enough that Germany could jump in to strike the finishing blow.
The Betrayer is Betrayed: Northern CampaignThe main problem with siding against Poland (i.e. with Ukraine) is that I then had to find a way to appease Turkey, whom I'd promised Rostov to. I couldn't afford to give up Rostov without losing my offensive capability in the region/hurting my SC count unless I was currently eating Ukraine - but of course at the moment I need the Ukraine to help finish Poland. It was then, in the middle of Poland's demise that the UK decided to take a pot-shot and steal Sweden from me. At the time that was pretty frustrating (since it seemed so senseless), but in the end it was one of the best things that happened to me.
The UK"s attack on me gave Germany a perfect excuse to invite me into an anti-UK campaign and, with my gains against Poland, I could afford to throw a few armies northward. While, ultimately I gained no SCs out of the campaign against the UK it did two key things. First, Germany felt like I had "earned" SCs by supporting him, which we negotiated into a split of a German Scandinavia and a Russian Poland. Secondly, it gave me a chance to work closely with Germany and build up a tactical rapport that would lead to some decisions a little later.
The Way of the Little FishAs the Northern campaign began in earnest, I realized that I was unlikely to get any SCs out of Scandinavia. And, because I was actively working with Germany it seemed like I would be able to negotiate the surrender of Krakow to me, so there was no incentive to take it by force. For a land-oriented Russia there was really only one remaining target: Ukraine. I coordinate with Turkey to finally begin our long-discussed assault. Turkey made some aggressive moves and I suggested to the Ukraine that I would be willing to help out. However, Ukraine didn't take the bait and I moved out of the immediate region.
While Ukraine had earned a reprieve, the very next spring (1997) I sprung. Between my armies and Turkey's pressure there really wasn't much that the Ukraine could have done - though the fact that they held on until 1999 is a testament to their tenacity.
Both my betrayal of Poland and Ukraine felt a little pre-ordained. I just have a hard time imagining a game on this map where Russia is able to stay friends with one or both of Poland/Ukraine and still stays competitive through the midgame.
The Final Stab/The Big WhoopsThe last big move I made this game was in the spring of 1998. Turkey and I had clearly decimated Ukraine and they clearly wouldn't be able to bounce back and become a threat. Unfortunately, this was the turn that I had promised to finally make good on my opening-game promise to Turkey to give them Rostov. My analysis of the situation was that if I followed through, I would be effectively ending any possibility of soloing- without being able to open up a front in the south, to get to 33 I would have to eat more of Germany and Italy than was practicable. Additionally, as I mentioned above I had a good working relationship with Germany and our border seemed both stable and maintainable - this contributed a lot towards my disinclination to move westward.
So, when I put in my preliminary orders I ordered a betrayal of Turkey. During the course of the next few days, I realized that I was unlikely to solo regardless. I also decided that ColesD was a strong enough player (both in terms of game-advantage and tactically) that a betrayal of Turkey would be foolhardy without Italy. I reached out to Italy about assistance against Turkey and was gently rebuffed. That being the case, I decided to stick with Turkey. Then I woke up in the morning and discovered that the deadline had resolved.
Turkey was understandably pissed - why had I betrayed for such a little gain? Obviously I couldn't 'undo' that move so I had to stick to my guns. It was debatably a good move (in that I was able to continue to slowly grow without having to go toe to toe with Germany or Italy) but it also opened the door to an Italian solo.
Italy Explodes & Game End After a year or so of my fight with Turkey I was able to convince Italy to join the assault. This was important - in that it would have allowed me to make serious gains but also catastrophic in that Italy was almost guaranteed to eat 80% of Turkey. I knew Italy was planning to play for the solo, so I just had to make the best of a bad situation. And, as I read in the "Corner Alliance" thread Turkey was pissed enough at me that they were willing to throw their SCs to Italy, if Italy chose to betray them. It seemed like a perfect storm.
Then - the squall ceased and a glimmer of light shone through the clouds. Italy causally proposed a draw. I was still expecting it to be vetoed by Turkey, who had made their feels towards me/Italy pretty clear, but I accepted and crossed my fingers. I was surprised to find out it was accepted, but really I can't complain!
I think this game would have been fun to play out to the end, both Italy and I had expressed an interest in "racing for the solo" but considering Italy's immensely powerful position, Germany and I would likely have dug in our heels to some extent - leading to the same overall result.
Dramatis Personae ThorondorNL (Poland)- I'm really sorry that I attacked you so early. I still don't know for sure whether you actually proposed that bounce with Ukraine, but if it's any consolation everyone I asked said I should stick with you - the bounce was really the only thing that made up my mind. You were a good communicator and, if we had been different powers, I would have loved to go a lot further with you than year 1.
Antigonos (Germany)- It was fun playing with you! I think we could have had a more exciting game, if you, Italy, and I had been balanced at the end. I don't know what would have happened, but there may have been fireworks - which would have been pretty exciting! You were extremely reliable and followed through on everything you promised - thank you for that!
Ningi626 (Ukraine)- I think we actually made really good allies! I'm sorry to have soiled that with betrayal, but it is the nature of the game. You had excellent instincts (i.e. not taking my help in fighting off Turkey) and were a good tactician. Your anti-Poland plan was effective and well-designed! I would love to play with you again, ideally on a map where we don't feel obliged to fight each other.
Asudevil (Italy)- Congrats! This game was basically your to win and the fact that you had to do a draw is unfortunate (for you!), but I understand why you felt the need to propose it. Your stab was one of the most beautiful turns I've ever seen in this game and I really look forward to playing with you another time!
ColesD (Turkey)- Betraying you was not my finest moment and I think this game would have been much, much more interesting if I had not. It would have been exciting to pull a 'juggernaught' on a map like this, where Germany and Italy were so far away. You were one of the best communicator's in this game and I really enjoyed playing with you - I hope we get the chance to play again.
Gnaah (Egypt)- I'm sorry I wasn't there for you earlier. Like France and Spain, we were just a little too far apart for me to have an immediate impact. I appreciate your offer of support against Turkey at the end - though it didn't have a particularly big impact on the game.
Intellectubility (Spain)- We had some nice chats, but we were just too far apart to really organize anything together. By the time we could have coordinate against Germany or Italy they were both too strong for me to risk open warfare without the other's support.
Haroonriaz (France)- I'm not sure we really spoke! By the time I bordered one of your neighbors you were pretty much out of the game. Sorry!
Sleepyjim / Locksmithvic (UK)- Locksmithvic, I'm sorry I didn't really engage with you once you'd joined. Your predecessor's move (taking Sweden) had basically guaranteed I wouldn't be a force of consequence in the north, so I didn't really see any point in changing tack once you'd joined.