Strategic Compression
As play progresses, the space of reachable non-terminal states necessarily decreases, forcing convergence toward terminal states.
Derived Properties
Derived Properties are not rules, preferences, or design choices. They are structural consequences that arise necessarily when the axioms are satisfied and the game is played optimally.
A finite, deterministic system with forced termination must converge.
Irreversible Commitment
In games with irreversible actions, optimal play requires committing to lines of play that cannot be fully undone.
Sacrifice Necessity
Optimal play may require entering locally inferior states to avoid globally losing positions.
Zugzwang Emergence
There exist game states in which the obligation to act constitutes a disadvantage.
Local Tactics vs Global Strategy
Short-term tactical gains and long-term strategic positioning exist in constant tension and must be balanced.
Phase Transitions
Games naturally divide into opening, midgame, and endgame phases without explicit rules enforcing them.
Tempo as a Resource
The right to act, and the timing of actions, function as a consumable strategic resource.
Structural Inevitability
In any finite, deterministic, perfect-information game with forced termination, optimal play produces:
- Compression
- Commitment
- Tension
- Temporal Structure
These are not features. They are consequences.