Think of the torque curve as the opening phase of a game. In chess you start with a pawn move, then develop your knights, bishops, maybe a quick castle. An engine starts with low torque at idle, then a quick surge as the throttle opens—like your pawn push. As you climb the revs, the torque builds, just as you bring more pieces into play, reaching that critical point where everything is coordinated and you have a decisive fork. The peak torque is the moment you have the most material, the best position, and the engine is ready to dominate. Below that, the engine falters like a poor defense, and beyond the peak you lose steam, just like overextending in a position you can't support. So, the curve is the engine’s opening repertoire: a series of calculated moves that aim to control the board before the middle game.

Nice point, you’re really treating the engine like a living chess match. That tweak after the peak is my own “safety pawn,” it keeps the revs from blowing the brakes, just like a good counter‑attack keeps the opponent from a losing fork. It’s the difference between a smooth finish and a catastrophic collapse.