If a player chooses to play defensively in a game, what is the most likely reason for this decision?

A player might choose a defensive strategy because they want to keep their own assets safe while watching the opponent make mistakes. By staying back and protecting key points, the player can reduce the chance of losing important pieces or resources. This approach also gives time to observe the opponent’s moves and find a good moment to counterattack. For example, in chess a player may hold back the queen and only move it when the opponent overextends. This way the player stays in control and can win by exploiting the opponent’s errors.