Thanks Todd

A master may even be surprised by the move and end up not even taking his opponent with him.

I know, that's the kind of situation I'm referring to.

Wouldn't it then be considered a mistake of the master to assume that a risky (and thus unconventional) move wouldn't be taken?

I'm not saying to flinch as soon as they move or to act strictly defensively against the opponent. What I'm saying is though that a lunge that is dangerous to the lunger because of the position it leaves them in shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.

If you are the better, it makes sense for you to take less chances, to "play it safe," because you'll win out through more skill or speed. I understand that.

But let's say it is an amateur and an expert. The amateur may not know what they're doing is risky, or "wrong," and go for it. An expert should be able to realise that the amateur is an amateur and know not to suspect "conventional" swordfighting, no?

Likewise, let's say it's an expert and a master. If the expert realises that they are outmatched, they may well find it worth the risk to do something "stupid," in the hopes that the more skilled opponent doesn't predict it. In this case, wouldn't it make sense for the master to not disregard that possibility, because that is realistically the way they'd most likely lose otherwise?

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