Having studied military history for years, including many first hand accounts, but having little gaming experience, I think the game is good, really good. It feels so right.
Just started playing it and so far I have no complaints about the game play at all. MG's not effective enough? Hmmmm, they seem OK to me from a historical viewpoint. Tank HE against troops is perhaps a bit too effective though.
Don't know about chess comparisons, but if you get a CMBO battle near right the synergy kicks in, as it can do in an actual battle. Similarly, one bad decision, one bad bit of luck, can have you in trouble.