虚きょ々きょ実じつ々じつの戦たたかい

expression, noun

match between equally shrewd opponents

Describes a contest or battle where both sides use deception and genuine tactics, and neither can easily outwit the other. Often used in strategic contexts like games, business, or warfare.

• 将しょう棋ぎの名めい人じん戦せんはまさに虚々きょきょ実々じつじつの戦たたかいだった。

  The Meijin title match was truly a battle of wits between equally shrewd players.

• 両りょう社しゃの交こう渉しょうは虚々きょきょ実々じつじつの戦たたかいで、なかなか決けっ着ちゃくがつかなかった。

  The negotiations between the two companies were a match of equal cunning, and they couldn't reach a settlement easily.