In "The Gathering Storm" by Robert Jordan, the character Rand poses a profound question about confronting a more intelligent opponent. He emphasizes that the key strategy is to create an illusion of being engaged in their game, making them believe they have the upper hand. This deceptive tactic serves as a way to outsmart the opponent by lulling them into a false sense of security.

Ultimately, Rand advocates for a sudden and decisive strike against the adversary once they've underestimated him. By presenting oneself as compliant and willing to play along, he reveals that sometimes the most effective form of resistance is to catch the opponent off-guard when they least expect it.