Part 5/7:
The question remains: who would win in a battle between Gandalf and Smaug? In open combat, the clear answer seems to favor Smaug. As a flying adversary capable of devastating fiery attacks, he would present an almost insurmountable challenge for Gandalf. However, one must consider Gandalf's intellect and cunning.
Throughout the lore, Gandalf is presented as the wisest of the Maiar. If he were to draw Smaug into a deceptive trap or exploit the dragon's weaknesses, he could shift the scales in his favor. This idea draws parallels to how Gandalf dealt with Sauron by orchestrating a complex strategy involving multiple players.