moving first; first move
Refers to acting before an opponent or counterpart, often in competitive or strategic contexts. Can also refer to the person who makes the first move.
Take the initiative and attack first.
forestalling; seizing the initiative
Emphasizes preempting an opponent's action to gain an advantage. Often used in phrases like 先手を打つ (to take preemptive measures).
See also: 後手
We preempted our rival company and announced the new product first.
sente (Go/shogi); initiative-forcing move
In Go and shogi, a move that demands a response from the opponent, allowing the player to keep the initiative. Contrasts with 後手 (gote).
See also: 後手
This move becomes a big sente.
Because I let my guard down, my opponent seized the initiative.
Attacking while holding the initiative is the key to winning.
先手 is the concrete first move or the resulting advantage, while 機先 refers more abstractly to seizing a tactical or psychological edge, as in 機先を制する.
先手 stresses making the first move or seizing the initiative in a contest, whereas 先取 stresses actually securing or earning something (like points) first.
Compound of 先 (before, ahead) and 手 (hand, move). The term originally comes from board games like Go and shogi, where it refers to the first move or a move that keeps the initiative. Its meaning has extended to general strategic contexts.