Meaning of 4D chess | Babel Free

Definitions

A sophisticated strategy that is far beyond the comprehension of others, especially one in which apparent blunders are simply indicators of yet-to-be-understood brilliance.

ironic, uncountable, usually

Examples

“Mr. STRATTON. Now, with respect⟳ to that theory - and all I have⟳ is the newspaper articles to go on, to attribute it to you and the Air Force⟳ - how can you build⟳ missiles to knock⟳ out Soviet sites if we don't know⟳ where the sites are? General WHITE. A very good question⟳. [Laughter.] This whole subject I would describe⟳ as a four-dimensional chess game. There are books and studies all over the country. Unfortunately, I am afraid the public as a whole doesn't read⟳ them. I think⟳ the first thing to bear⟳ in mind⟳ is that knowing where your enemy is is an age-old military game.”

“Steve Bannon, who once referred to Trump as a “blunt instrument” for his ideology, risks 4-D-chess-playing his way straight out of his position of influence⟳, as his president has reportedly become⟳ either annoyed or threatened by his attempts to cast⟳ himself as the real grandmaster.”

“He plays four-dimensional chess while his current analogue often seems to play⟳ Whac-a-Mole.”

“These are the actions of a club flailing around to make⟳ things work⟳, not the 4D chess moves of some Machiavellian puppet master.”

“Such speculations are often met with a retort that leans even harder into the stupidity allegation. No, Trump and his people are not playing four-dimensional chess, the response goes – we are simply witnessing the consequences of allowing a deranged man into the highest office, backed by a coterie of dim and unqualified cronies.”

CEFR level