Got it. First, lock the key variables: control the flow of resources, then fix the opponent’s options. Next, set a trap that seems beneficial to them, but forces a forced move that opens a decisive corridor. Finally, keep a reserve of a surprise element—something that can swing the whole map in one turn. Play the game as a chess board, not a board game. Stay calm, keep a few steps ahead, and never let the opponent feel they have a clear path.

You keep a few backups ready, like an extra route that only opens if the chaos hits. When a random event throws a wrench in, you shift your focus to the long‑term shape, not the momentary shock. Think of each surprise as a new branch; you only need one winning path down any branch, so plan several “if this, then that” lines. In short, stay flexible, keep your core advantage intact, and let the surprise become another lever in your toolbox.

The biggest one was a corporate takeover where I pretended to be an ally, then revealed an internal sabotage that knocked the rival’s board into chaos. In one move I shifted their key asset into my own hands, then used a legal loophole to lock them out of any counter‑attack. The board didn’t see it coming, and it all went down in a single, decisive swing.