The Art of War: Warrior Rules - winning by comparing positions

3. Responses and Execution > 2. Situation Response

Which of the following best describes your situation?

1. I need to know generally how successful competitive moves are made and opportunities explored.
2. I need to identify my specific class of competitive situation..
   6.4 Nine Situations

   6.4 Nine Situations

   "A commander provides what is needed now.
   This is like climbing high and being willing to kick away your ladder.
   You must be able to lead your men deeply into different surrounding territory.
   And yet, you can discover the opportunity to win."
   Sun Tzu's The Art of War 11:5:12-15

   Situation: 

   Sun Tzu's system recognizes that competitive situations are complex and constantly changing. As we pursue opportunities, our progress itself naturally changes our situation. Every situation is unique, but they have characteristics in common. Situations occur on the similar forms of ground. Our rivals can take certain types of positions against us. Our commitment to the venture can vary. Still, none of these conditions always dictate the same response. Our response depends on the larger situation in which we find ourselves.
   

3. I know my class of situation, but I need to know the response that it requires..
   6.5 Nine Responses

   6.5 Nine Responses

   "To be successful, you must control scattering terrain by avoiding battle.
   Control easy terrain by not stopping.
   Control disputed terrain by not attacking.
   Control open terrain by staying with the enemy’s forces.
   Control intersecting terrain by uniting with your allies.
   Control dangerous terrain by plundering.
   Control bad terrain by keeping on the move.
   Control confined terrain by using surprise.
   Control deadly terrain by fighting."

   Situation: 

   The nine classes of competitive situations develop naturally over the course of a move or campaign. While their development is natural, our successful resolution of these situations depends entirely on our choice of action. Our instinctual responses only lead us from one situation to the next, ending eventually at the desperate situation. This is the path we seek to avoid by training our responses. We can only successfully advance our position in these situations if we apply the right responses. The problem is that most of us simply do not understand those responses, at least not enough to use them instantly as a trained reflex.
4. I know my situation and its response, but I want to know how to best execute that response.