battle of wits

• duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
• chessStrategic board game
• strategyPlanned approach to goals
• cunningSly, scheming cleverness
• outsmartDefeat through superior cunning

verbal · sparring · mind · game · riddle · clever · bluff · opponent · intellectual · challenge · showdown · tactics · checkmate · parry · thrust · wordplay · shrewd · contest

• combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
• The Princess BrideWestley, Buttercup, Inigo Montoya, inconceivable, as you wish
• competition metaphorslevel playing field, race to the bottom, win-win, rat race, front runner