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In a perfect information, turn-based game like Chess, there are no secrets. You know where all the pieces are, who moves what when, and the goal each person has. Direct subterfuge is simply not possible. Chess masters use unpredictability, but in a perfect information, turn based game, unpredictability is indistinguishable from other traits like adaptability or position. Furthermore, their "tricks" are aimed at achieving proximal goals -- capturing a pawn, splitting a bishop pair, a better position. These proximal goals are then leveraged for victory. This speaks more about chess (or other, perfect information, deterministic, turn based, head to head games) than about mastery in general. In a game where much information is hidden and victory can be sudden and swift, optimal strategies will take absolutely take advantage of deception, aggression, and risk taking. I'm hating on your analogy, but I agree with your message. In most games, predictable things are predictable because they are among the most beneficial and safest courses of action. Doing something unpredictable carries with it the implicit cost of doing something that is materially worse, and hoping you will come out ahead because of side effects such as your opponent's confusion. You're probably much better off focusing on executing those simple, obvious, and predictable things well while your opposition bleeds to death while attempting a never ending cycle of net-negative cunning deceptions. |