Russian End of Game Statement
Eric Cairns Played Russia
It's a little difficult for me to add any actual insight into the game because I got knocked off so quick. :)
From my perspective I tried to cut non-aggresion deals with my immediate neighbors Turkey, Germany and Austria in the first year. I figured I'd get my natural expansions and see the lay of the land the next year and figure out who I could trust in the short-term and where to focus my units. All three of my neighbors stabbed me in the first year, and England made a strong push into Scandinavia as well.
After that it seemed like a blood-in-the-water feeding-frenzy on Russia, and then *poof*, Russia was gone. I like to believe it was just bad luck with everyone deciding they should stab Russia, but I honestly have no idea what was coordinated in the early game and what wasn't. Primary lesson learned was that I was waaay too laid back in communications with other players in the early round. Even with a timid first round strategy in terms of conflict, I should have been much more communicative with the other players.
Eric