In chess, yes.

In war gaming, you have to anticipate how and where your opponent will move his forces, and how he will react to your own moves. Locke seems to be thinking militarily. He destroyed the Others communications equipment, so if the folks on the mainland reset their equipment they won't be able to re-establish communications.

Same for the submarine.

Locke is removing the assets which give the Others an advantage over the losties.

Ben is playing differently than Locke. Ben seems to like moves which exploit the psychological weaknesses of his opponents.

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charlie98210
"Whoa!" she said. "Cry 'Havoc!' And let loose the dogs of war!"
And, like Banquo's ghost, they just won't go away.