Kirk is better at chess than Spock
You are correct and you should say it.
Spock is a logical thinker and that helps, but Kirk is an expert tactition and understands people. He's playing head games the whole time and if there's one thing Spock doesn't know how to navigate, it's head games.
Throughout their relationship, we see two brilliant people finally being challenged for the first time by someone more brilliant than them (in some areas). And they both love it, because gosh it's boring to be the smartest person in the room.
"As you wish."
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