This game seemed,  at the start,  like it was going to be a struggle.  Planets were spread out so there was no main frontline or centre to fortify,  and there were few bonus tiles on my planets.

  (Metaverse game;  Galaxy:  gigantic;  Races: 9;  Minor races:  about 8 I think;  difficulty:  Painful;  My race:  Altarian Resistance,  Super Organizer;  My party:  Pacifists).

 I used the "Military" graph to ensure that I kept up with the other races.  I noticed that all races were surprisingly friendly,  even with different ethical alignments.  I had made alliances with the two strongest races.  The galaxy was quiet but for all the races kept attacking the Yor and making peace again - so I planned for the political victory,  and ally with the Yor last (so that I wouldn't have to honour an alliance with them).

 I had a good economy and bought or traded many techs. 

  The next stage of my 10-race alliance,  I allied with the Terran,  Drath,  Drengin,  Torian,  Yor (all except Iconian and Korx were now in my club - their relations with other races were stable so no threat of having to honour alliances). 

  Korx were the remaining problem,  while Iconian could be wiped out easily (but not as quickly as a political victory).  I sent 2 more freighters to Korx planets (I had 12 trade routes) which changed relations from "Trading+" to "Trading++".

  Finally,  Korx and Iconian went to war and became "Close";  the foreign relations screen was all set for the 10-way alliance.

  Final score:  18,700;  game time:  6 years;  my alignment:  neutral.