battle of wits; psychological battle
Refers to a contest or conflict where intelligence, strategy, and mental acuity are the primary weapons, rather than physical force.
This game isn't just luck; it's a battle of wits.
The negotiation was truly a psychological battle.
心理戦 focuses specifically on psychological tactics and manipulation, whereas 頭脳戦 has a broader scope including intellectual strategy and reasoning.
Compound of 頭脳 (brain, intellect) and 戦 (war, battle). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word follows a common pattern for describing types of conflict.