Sun Tzu categorized terrain into six types: accessible, entangling, obstructive, narrow, precipitous, and distant.
Land that both sides can move freely across is accessible terrain. Seize high, sunny ground first and secure supply routes to gain advantage in battle.
Ground easy to enter but hard to retreat from is entangling terrain. Attack and win if the enemy is unprepared. If they stand ready and you fail to win, retreat will be difficult.
Ground where neither side benefits from attacking is obstructive terrain. Do not march out even if tempted by the enemy. Draw back and strike when half their troops have advanced.
For narrow passes, fully garrison the position if you occupy it first. If the enemy holds it with full defense, do not attack; if their defense is weak, move forward.
On precipitous ground, take high sunny positions to await the enemy. If the enemy seizes it first, withdraw and avoid combat.
On distant terrain, when both sides are evenly matched, do not provoke a fight, for battle will bring no gain.
These six rules govern the use of terrain. They are the supreme duty of a general and must be thoroughly studied.
Note
Sun Tzu divides battlefields into six terrain types and lays out targeted tactics for each. Generals must seize high ground, guard supply lines and avoid reckless assaults, as mastering terrain rules is their most vital military duty.
A great military strategist and thinker in ancient China, who lived in the late Spring and Autumn Period. He authored The Art of War, the world’s earliest and most influential military classic. His strategic thoughts have been widely applied in military, politics and management worldwide.
Six terrains
Six classic battlefield land forms with distinct tactics.
Secure supply routes
Key to holding accessible terrain.
Defend narrow passes
Core tactic for controlling strategic passes.
Terrain awareness
A fundamental responsibility of military commanders.
孫子曰：地形有通者，有挂者，有支者，有隘者，有險者，有遠者。我可以往，彼可以來，曰通；通形者，先居高陽，利糧道以戰，則利。可以往，難以返，曰挂；挂形者，敵無備，出而勝之，敵若有備，出而不勝，難以返，不利。我出而不利，彼出而不利，曰支；支形者，敵雖利我，我無出也；引而去之，令敵半出而擊之，利。隘形者，我先居之，必盈以待敵；若敵先居之，盈而勿從，不盈而從之。險形者，我先居之，必居高陽以待敵；若敵先居之，引而去之，勿從也。遠形者，勢均，難以挑戰，戰而不利。凡此六者，地之道也，將之至任，不可不察也。
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