The examples I gave were only a few examples. You could likely find similar examples from every season. And most, if not all, of the winners benefited from luck or foolish play.

Season 1 Richard was playing against a bunch of players who mostly had no strategy and was able to rely on a tribemates predictible voting strategy at a crucial moment.

Season 2 Tina was on what appeared to be the weaker tribe, with the distinct possibility of being pagonged off the show, until Mike fell in the fire and then Jeff and Co. forgot to count a previous vote against him. And then Colby decided to take the player who had a shot at beating him to the final rather than the person who didn't.

Season 3 Tuned out half-way through so no examples.

Season 4 Veceipia benefited from a plot to blindside the Rotu 4 that did not appear to be her idea. Also benefited from a purple rock taking out a potential threat to win.

Season 5 Brian's tribesmates came to him to be his ally. He didn't need great strategy; just needed to keep each ally believing they were part of his final II till he no longer needed them. (And to win some key challenges against a not particularly physically strong field.)

Amazon Jenna won challenges when needed, but was she carrying out a particularly strong strategy.

Sandra "I'll vote for anyone but me."

Tom whose tribe was so dominant he hardly faced a strategic threat except from within his own tribe. Wasn't it Ian's idea that swung the vote their way.

Etc., etc. up to Bob being chosen by Sugar as the most deserving winner and JT, who should have been voted out immediately by Coach and Co. being courted instead.

I would still argue that most of the winners showed more of an aptitude for making people want to work with them, be their ally, than for great strategy. Yul had that same quality of being someone around which a group could coalesce. And I don't buy that most of the players were there to "represent" their ethnicity not to win. Perhaps Becky was willing to stick with Yul because she knew she'd be gone quickly without his support.

Just out of curiosity, who do you think was the best strategist among players who have won and why?