letters in a chess match

I’m told that chess, like most games of strategy, are as much about manipulating your opponent’s psychology as they are about planning for contingencies-- protecting your most valuable pieces, controlling the center of the board, etc. When Linda Brent sends the letters ostensibly from New York and Boston to Dr. Flint, she adds another level to the game of wills the two have been playing. She’s become a kind of general with a network of people and resources in a war on the mind of Dr. Flint. Even with the downgrade in her standard of living, her active mind and daring allows us to see her becoming more of the free individual she wants to be. 
The letters I think are an interesting opening move. I could see Linda overplaying her hand here, not because I think Dr. Flint will find out of his own accord that the letters are false-- I think she knows how his arrogance leads him to underestimate her-- but because I don’t know how well she takes into account the pressure this puts on her troops, particularly her commanding officer-- Aunt Martha. Aunt Martha who has long been a member of the “accept what you get and hope for the best” school is now on the front lines in this scenario-- having to field the animosity of Dr. Flint’s inquiries and process the anxiety of Linda’s captivity in her home. Linda can’t share the burden in that way any longer, and I wonder if she has the presence of mind to notice when Aunt Martha reaches the breaking point, and to stop it before her collapse jeopardizes everything they’ve both worked for?