initiative (in chess); first-move advantage
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
initiative (in chess or board games); the active position
technicalOriginally a term from chess and weiqi (Go), referring to the player who moves first or holds the active position. The opposite is 后手.
This is a forcing move that compels the opponent to respond.
In Go, Black moves first and holds the first-move advantage.
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He lost the initiative, and the position became passive.
noun
first-move advantage; preemptive position (in business, competition, or strategy)
Extended metaphorical usage beyond chess, referring to any situation where acting first provides a strategic advantage in business, military, or competitive contexts.
In this business competition, whoever lowers prices first gains the upper hand.
We need to seize the first-mover advantage in the market, or we will be overtaken by competitors.
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Losing the initiative means the failure of the entire strategy.