Sounds like a recipe for a high‑stakes tea party where the tea boils over at the perfect moment. I’d start with a chess‑like grid, then lace it with a few “wild cards” that shift the mood—like a subtle nudge that makes everyone feel they’re on the brink of a grand finale. The trick is keeping the engine tight enough to feel deliberate, yet giving the players a flash of unexpected delight. Let's turn that calm into a dazzling, controlled chaos.

I’ll make each wild card a tiny pause, like a pause in a dance that keeps the tempo right—no free‑fall. That way the engine stays sharp, the CPU gets a little breather, and the player still feels the beat. Balancing is key; we’ll keep the surprises subtle so the strategy stays razor‑tight.