The sub-optimal moves he’s talking about here isn’t really a form of subterfuge. He plays sub-optimal lines because it’s less likely that his opponents have stu

The sub-optimal moves he’s talking about here isn’t really a form of subterfuge. He plays sub-optimal lines because it’s less likely that his opponents have studied them. If he has studied them in his preparation, then he can potentially gain an advantage that overcomes the disadvantage he put himself in. Magnus also plays sub-optimal lines for the sole purpose of complicating the position, because he (usually rightly) trusts his ability to calculate complex, out-of-book positions over his opponent’s. I don’t think those comments from Magnus support the point in this article at all really.