Gamesmanship
Etymology
Coined by British humorist Stephen Potter in his 1947 book "The Theory and Practice of Gamesmanship (or the Art of Winning Games without Actually Cheating)." Potter catalogued sly ploys for unsettling opponents. The word now names any competitive tactic that exploits etiquette and psychology rather than skill.
noun · /GAYMZ-man-ship/
The art of winning by rattling or manipulating an opponent through methods that stop just short of cheating.
What it names
The grey zone between fair play and fraud — tactics of pressure and distraction that break the rules’ spirit but not their letter.
Example
Scheduling the crucial vote for a holiday week was pure gamesmanship.
Related idea
Gamesmanship bends the spirit of the rules while keeping the letter, whereas sportsmanship honors both.
See also