Anyways, I played as Strider could not post screenies, and did the exact same moves as he did. It seems we got a river complex to the Southwest of Dancing Banana. We also lost 10 % on the slider (23-20 turns, loss of 3 turns for Iron Working, reestimated at a loss of 3 % research effectiveness with an index reduction from 100-97, I suggest to look closely on the happy faces in each city and adjust slider painstakingly accordingly to maximize output).
I will not let the slider slide again, and keep the slider at the optimal max from now on. Except for the slider, everything went by the book, and Strider was wise to climb that mountain for maximizing intelligence gains.
About the early and many workers. Trait industrious suggests that we we can build more and better roads and make the Immortals transit where and when at our whim. Immortals require a strong road system to make us win, so we can choose timing, setting and allocation for battles. In fact, a intelligent and thoughtful road system shall win us the way, as well as better tile improvements, we got a 33 % stronger efficiency on workers, let us maximize it.
We are also one population down to Team Doughnut, which also suggests our strategies parted. They know we made workers, but will never suspect we can make two settlers that fast with limber subsidies, so I have good hopes in spite of the very marginal slider loss.
Also, we got more units than anyone else with that worker, and we got the smallest population. Yet, we got the strongest economic growth, as you will see turns 15-20. Be certain we will lead by turn 30.