It has been a while since I’ve written an article – partially due to a completely saturated summer schedule and also due to the occasional “Writer’s block” that writers get when their minds are off in another world. But, with the constant encouragement and curiosity of my faithful readers that are kind enough to request another issue, I now announce the continuation of this series.

But, a new start requires a new introduction. In this issue, we’ll sidetrack from the agenda and tackle the postulates of “gaming." We will ask ourselves – what is the difference between strategy and tactics?

However, let’s first re-introduce the purpose of this series:

Counter-Strike, like chess, is more than just the taking of opponent’s pieces (taking down the offense or defense), reading the situations (in-game communication), and experience.

Although these attributes are key essentials to being relatively ‘good’ at the game, what makes some teams and/or individuals better than others is the use of mind games as well as understanding the philosophy behind the different variations and openings (Offensive and Defensive setups).

This series is not just aimed at amateur and intermediate Counter-Strike teams. In fact, this article specifically aims at higher-tier teams that are in the ‘Invite’ levels. These teams often display talented players and outstanding communication. Their individual thinking and team play reflects experience and excellent game sense. However, as explained earlier, that is insufficient; most of these teams have strategies that only mimic the shadows of smart-playing. Their game lacks awareness in the psychology and philosophy of thinking smart.

Then again, this series is not only opinion-based but also completely subjective. It simply amplifies the relations between counter-strike and chess, but does not provide proof and factual evidence. All in all, it is just another perspective we can use when playing the game.

With all that set aside, it is time to explain what to expect from this journey. This series consists of an uncertain number of sections, as time goes by, ideas form and my fingers type. The sections are neither ordered in relations of importance nor chronologically ordered. They are all just faculties within themselves that contribute to the whole picture. What I can reveal however, are the current topics that are actively involved in my head and in this series.

Below are some of these topics, with a little description as a teaser.

The Ultimate Weapon - ‘Predicting’ Part 1 – … the ability to predict is a powerful weapon that more than often will determine the outcome of the game…

Mind Sets: Offense is the Best Defense – You start off with the leet krew model. Are you now the offense or the defense? Think carefully before you answer this...

The Art of Probability – Probability is an art, like other aesthetics it does not provide answers but simply an image or map that allows it to be analyzed and acted upon…

Tactics vs. Strategy – This article

Game Theory – John Nash? Charles Darwin? Prisoner’s Dilemma? What have all these have to do with the game?

Mind Sets: Estimation – They say don’t underestimate your enemy? I say don't overestimate them!

Openings & Variations – The opening move in chess determines your style of play, the pistol round in counter-strike determines your opponents mind set of your style of play… manipulate them to think what you want them to think…

The Ultimate Weapon - ‘Predicting’ Part 2 – Back to step one! Time to upgrade our weapon with everything we now know.

Ok! Let us move on…