[zzo38computer]

> I think of "choosing a dwarf makes you a lesser wizard" as being a pretty core part of D&D.

I agree that you should be able to make suboptimal choices if you wish, but I think that shouldn't be the issue.

Your character will be more than just a dwarf and a wizard (otherwise the game will be too simple), in addition to those things, so if a dwarf will be more likely to have an advantage at something else that is independent of classes, then you can have that, and still be a wizard, even if a "greater wizard" lacks what your character will have.

(There might also be the possibility, that if dwarf wizards are not very common (for whatever reason; there are many possibilities, depending on the story), then someone might not expect you to be a wizard so might be possible for some surprise if you are disguised by mundane means.)