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DictionarygambitStrategic move
noun

gambit

GAM-bit/ˈɡæmbɪt/

An opening move calculated to secure an advantage.

White's opening gambit offers a pawn to gain a strategic advantage.

A chessboard showing the King's Gambit: an opening position with White's f-pawn offered to Black's e-pawn while almost all pieces remain on their starting squares.
Etymology
gambitItaliana tripping up

Gambetto named a wrestling trick that tripped an opponent. In chess it became an opening sacrifice made for later advantage, then broadened to a calculated opening strategy.

In context

New Rockstars24:24
a trick designed as a distraction as cobb runs the mr charles gambit on fisher turning him against his own subconscious
INCEPTION BREAKDOWN! Ending Explained, Easter Eggs & Deeper Meaning!

More examples

  • Her opening gambit in the negotiations is a generous offer.
  • He uses a compliment as a gambit to start the conversation.
  • The candidates try different gambits to win over the audience early.

Forms

gambit · gambits

Similar words

ploy
Often suggests trickery and need not be an opening move.
tactic
Can serve a strategy at any stage, not just the opening.
maneuver
Emphasizes skillful positioning rather than specifically an opening move.