[COUNTER- 3.] A move in opposition to another; a contrary move. A term of chess, transferred to war, diplomacy, etc.
1858. Froude, Hist. Eng., III. xvii. 446. His rival’s counter-move had checked him, but he waited his opportunity.
1885. T. H. Thornton, in Pall Mall Gaz., 31 March, 2/1. [It] was a mistake, and the advance of the Russian outposts a fair counter-move.
