[shovah]

but chances are as ryleh you wont be the fastest expander and there-fore not look too aggressive. also consider this: you expand 1 provine per turn while researching while your opponent expands 2 per turn. it dosnt sound like much but he is on average gaining twice as much income as you each turn: 1 turn he is 20-50 income ahead, 2 turns 40-100, 5 turns he should be hundreds of income ahead of you, allowing him to recruit more and probably out-research you aswell (although being very aggressive may make people team up on you)