This new series takes the concepts I had previously introduced in my “Checkmate! Good Game!” article series and putting them into practice. Thus, for those who have not read the prior series, I strongly suggest you to do so – and as for those who have read it; I can promise that this new series, although short, will bring in new ideas and a deeper analysis of the game.




Many a times, teams on the Defensive side tend to have a setup – usually splitting the players across the map within groups or as individuals as though to cover up as much area as possible. Taking a map like de_dust2 for example, common setups would probably be having 2 players on catwalk, 1 at long A, 1 middle double doors and 1 at the B Bomb site – often known as the 3-1-1 setup. The purpose then of this setup is to obviously cover as much area as possible as well as to lock down specific bottleneck points to ensure that the Offense cannot enter their destination without a hard time. Likewise, there are setups on the very same map which are known as a 2-1-2, which obviously involves 2 guys at A usually covering only long A or catwalk, 1 guy at middle to make sure the centerboard is within grasp and 2 at B Bomb site to completely lock down any dangerous rush.

Now, what I propose to you is this: Why not have 4-1 setups or even 5-0 setups? Teams only use it on save rounds and their purpose is to obviously win the round – so why is it not used on gun rounds?

And this is where The Gambit comes into action. But before you continue to read on, I suggest you first to read my “Offense is the best Defense” article before you continue with this.




The Gambit is exactly what it is, a gamble – an act of risk taking with the outcome of the game at stake. The chances of winning the gamble are determined by two factors: luck and predictability.

Have you at times have a strong feeling the opponent is going to do a full rush into B bomb site? Or at least end up hitting that very same site? Most of the time you don't say it out loud because it's just an intuitive guess. But how many times are you actually correct? Probably more than 50% of the time.
The fact is, most of the time the opponent is very predictable in such that we unconsciously know it even without thinking too hard on the subject. Why then, even when knowing the opponent is going to rush a site, do we not stack 5 players in there to wait for them and instead place 2 players or even 1 in there and risk losing that round?

Of course stacking 5 players is a huge gamble and can allow the opponent to plant the bomb and setup to hold the site - but when the stack is done correctly, your chances of success increases as well.

There are times during a match where you only need that 1 or 2 rounds to win it. Often during these crucial rounds, your opponent would try all means to exploit your strategy and not let you claim the victory. I would suggest using the gambit at this point in time. I would suggest using the gambit any point in time when you feel that the usual conventional method of play isn't working. The sudden change in structure can often shift the momentum towards your team's favor simply because you've decided to take the more creative edge.