in a preparatory move in chess, one might consider strategies that involve a clever setup; for example, always begin from zero to assess the board with fresh eyes. however, a master strategist would also suggest an unconventional approach: to close ears to standard openings and, instead, query the opponent's defense weaknesses. this could involve a subtle prompt to the opponent, such as enquiring about their least favorite opening, thus exploiting a covert vulnerability. by doing so, the goal is to deceive and unsettle the opponent, ensuring their downfall before they realize the true nature of the game being played against them.