gambit
Strategic opening move
A gambit is an opening move that sacrifices something to gain a later advantage.
The term comes from chess, where a gambit offers a pawn or piece to improve position.
More broadly, any calculated maneuver or strategic ploy: Her opening gambit was to question his credentials.
A conversational gambit is a remark intended to start or steer discussion.
Deliberate tactical movement
- tacticPlanned action for advantage
- stratagemDeceptive plan for advantage
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- feintDeceptive mock attack
scheme · trick · power play · bluff · machination · manipulation · intrigue · artifice
Gap or start
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- pawnUnwitting tool of another
- acceptedFormally agreed to
- declinedRefused or diminished
variation · theory · preparation · mainline · sideline · refutation · countergambit · compensation
Hazard taken deliberately
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- ventureRisky new undertaking
- wagerStake on uncertainty
- betRisked stake on outcome
dare · bold move · leap of faith · long shot · all-in · exposure · jeopardy
Exchange requiring sacrifice
- concessionYielding a point
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- forfeitLose through violation
- lossBeing without something
- conversation starterInitiates social exchange
- icebreakerTension-easing social activity
- lead-inPreliminary portion before main content
- approachWay of handling something
overture · introduction · pitch · proposition · bid · entreaty · advance
maneuver
Deliberate tactical movement
- tacticPlanned action for advantage
- stratagemDeceptive plan for advantage
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
feint · scheme · trick · power play · bluff · machination · manipulation · intrigue · artifice · wile
opening
Gap or start
declined · variation · theory · preparation · mainline · sideline · refutation · countergambit · compensation · initiative
calculated risk
Hazard taken deliberately
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- ventureRisky new undertaking
- wagerStake on uncertainty
bet · dare · bold move · leap of faith · long shot · all-in · exposure · jeopardy
trade-off
Exchange requiring sacrifice
- concessionYielding a point
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- forfeitLose through violation
loss · surrender · giving up · short-term loss · pawn sacrifice
first move
- conversation starterInitiates social exchange
- icebreakerTension-easing social activity
- lead-inPreliminary portion before main content
approach · overture · introduction · pitch · proposition · bid · entreaty · advance
- chesscheck, pawns, knights, rooks, pawn
- cunning tacticscunning, guile, ruse, ploy, stratagem
- game movesmove, dodge, play, pass, block
- openingsopening, aperture, gap, hole, slit
- risk phrasestake a chance, take a gamble, risk it all, go for broke, roll the dice
- tacticsmaneuver, counter-attack, ambush, counterstrike, flanking
gambitsure thing
Guaranteed outcome or agreement
playing it safe · risk aversion · defensive play · hedge · safeguard
gambitfrankness
Direct, unguarded honesty
directness · candor · plain dealing · straight talk · honesty
gambitcountergambit
Sacrifice answering opponent's sacrifice
counterplay · response · reaction · retreat · waiting game
- opening gambitInitial strategic maneuver
- queen's gambit
- The Queen's GambitPawn sacrifice opening move