How to get better as the Soviets?

[Searry]

I always seem to have my troops encircled if I try any methods of defence. This results the enemy being in moscow in AUGUST!!!
I can't figure out how to beat a very good German player.
I would like some tips.
Should I just pull back everything to Moscow since holding the front before the winter seems impossible?

[Stelteck]

Maybe playing german a bit could help you better understand the enemy capability and problems.

[Stelteck]

ORIGINAL: Searry
Should I just pull back everything to Moscow since holding the front before the winter seems impossible?

No you have to keep a balance between fighting and withdrawing or you will loose all major town even quicker, but with no place to do a fighting withdrawal.

[tyronec]

With the provision that I don't know how to play well as Soviet, would suggest:
A fighting withdrawal is a must, it is a delicate balance between retreating too far and not enough. You need to gain an understanding of what encirclements Axis can threaten and retreat before a major one strikes. It is OK to lose the occasional batch of a few units but if Axis are continuing to catch 10+ after T1 then after a while STAVKA will collapse. So set up good defences but be prepared to abandon them if they are at too much risk, if you can make Axis waste HQBuildups it is a success. Making best use of entrenchments and terrain is a must.
Axis have to make good use of all their offensive strength to get a good result in '41 so if you can persuade them to waste their forces in an overkill in one area or a failed offensive in another you are doing well.
There are some good recent AARs that I think illustrate these principles.
However above all IMO the present patch is loaded for Axis and no Soviet player has a chance against good Axis play in '41.
Also beware of '42, I have lost a game as STAVKA from a reasonable position after the blizzard and got all my good corps surrounded at the beginning of '42 by not retreating enough.

[thedoctorking]

I guess I've got to have a better idea of how the Germans do well. I've been playing both sides and the Germans haven't gotten far at all.

The Soviets need to run, like tyronec says, but not too fast.

[caliJP]

Having played both sides several times, I do find I learned a lot about one side from playing the other.
I actually learned a fair amount by playing both sides of same game a couple of times. It allowed me to experiment and see what works and what doesn't
Read AARs is good for sure, gives you ideas
A good German player is hard to beat. You can slow him down some in 1941, but with a focused Panzer offensive in 1942 it's a pocket frenzy