The Six Principles of Earth Combat

When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temperizing ground. Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to reoccupy is called entangling. With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy. When in general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, the result must be route.