Machinations

In the morning, I have to beat a super woman at her game.
I have analysed all her plays so far. I know how she thinks. I just have to play her and I will get her.

Today is the game day. My research will be funded if I win the game. If we tie, there will be a tie breaker.
In my previous move, I calculate her next move. I am the dead end in her maze hope. The more I frustrate her, the less she will move. I have to falter once in a while, so she keeps going just enough to think she is winning.

I thought she would move the piece to A20. She always does in this scenario. In the 252 games with this situation, she has always made that move. Is she messing with me? I have to recalibrate my model. Since my model is one step behind her next move, we might never get out of this room unless this competition has a time limit.

I am a machine. I am not supposed to imagine with an unknown outcome. I am to know the thens for all the 'what ifs'.