Strategic wins always operate through constraining the opponent’s choice.

Evidence

It remains true that one wins when he gets to the turnstile first only through the other’s cooperation, only by constraining the other player’s choice of strategy. He does not win legally or physically by going through the turnstile; he wins strategically. He makes the other player choose in his favor. It is a tactic in a game of strategy, even though the use of it may depend on skill or locational advantage. — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 637

Categorization

• DEFINE: Sharply distinguishes a ‘game of strategy’ win (by constraint/cooperation) from a legal or physical win.
• XREF: connects to: Strategic moves work by constraining one’s own behavior to shape an opponent’s expectations. — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 361; Threats only matter when players can irreversibly change the game — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 299; Worsening one’s own outcomes can be strategically advantageous in mixed-motive games. — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 358 (+1 more)

Related

• Strategic moves work by constraining one’s own behavior to shape an opponent’s expectations. (similarity 0.85)

Broader Connections

• Strategic moves work by constraining one’s own behavior to shape an opponent’s expectations. #qualifies (0.85) — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 361
• Worsening one’s own outcomes can be strategically advantageous in mixed-motive games. #expands (0.80) — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 358
• Threats only matter when players can irreversibly change the game #expands (0.75) — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 299
• Deterrence works only when fighters can reliably predict battle outcomes #qualifies (0.72)