The will to survive is what makes Ender to be a formidable adversary and commander. Though many may think that Ender is successful solely because he is oblivious to the Adult's real plan, it is his genius that leads him to victory throughout the novel. Fights occur during the book, some of them organized by the adults, others created by the personal malice towards Ender for a personal interest or gain; but every time Ender is the victor.
The first time ender fights to survive is right after he gets his monitor removed. He's at school and some kids are mocking him. Now that that he no longer has the monitor, Ender knows that no backup or protection will come to save him if he's in trouble. Ender plays mind games to trick Stilson, Enders enemy, into calling off his cronies to even the fight, "You mean it takes that many of you to fight one Third?"(7) "This would not be a happy ending. So Ender decided that he"d rather not be the unhappiest at the end- (6) "I have to win this now, and for all time- (7) Then Ender proceeds to crush (literally) Stilson in a quickly ended fight. This event shows that Ender can overcome obstacles no matter the odds, not by brute force alone, but by using great intellect to his advantage.
Another time when Ender has to defend himself against multiple opponents is at battle school. During Enders extra practice sessions, some older, stronger, bigger, and overall superior people in all physical means, attack him in null-g, also known as no gravity. Ender, being much smarter than most, quickly analyzes the situation and is able to prepare for what is to come; he quickly devises a strategy that will insure victory. "Ender was startled to see Stilson's face among them. Then he [shudders] and realizes he had been wrong. Still, it was the same situation, and this time they wouldn't sit still for a single combat settlement." ".There was no leader, as far as ender knew, and these boys were a lot bigger than him.
