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Oct 3, 2001

This week's theme
Words from chess

This week's words
zugzwang
checkmate
gambit
stalemate
endgame

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gambit

noun:
1. An opening in which a minor piece is sacrificed to obtain a strategic advantage.
2. A maneuver used to secure an advantage.
3. A remark used to open or redirect a conversation.

[From Spanish gambito, from Italian gambetto (the act of tripping someone), from gamba (leg).]

"North Korea will no doubt try to gain maximum advantage by playing South Korea, America, and Japan off against each other. If it fails to get the result -- and the cash -- it wants from its new diplomatic gambit, it may simply abandon the enterprise."
The Two Koreas: Mr Kim, Meet Mr Kim; The Economist (London, UK); Apr 15, 2000.

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