Anytime you're pitted against an opponent of unknown skill, you need to be cautious. If there is one thing that life teaches us, it's that there is always somebody better just waiting to show up the best.
That's not to say that victory against a stronger opponent is impossible; it just becomes unfathomably tougher if you choose to underestimate your opponent. Even if you think you're hot stuff, being overconfident or arrogant leads to rookie mistakes.
When facing the unknown, rely on your own skills to see you through. Assume that your opponent is just as good as you are, and concentrate on playing your best.
After playing them for a short while, it should be possible to gauge their ability against your own. If you outclass them, simply remain cautious and use whatever skills or style that you think you are best at. If you are outclassed, however, relying solely on your skills will almost certainly lead to defeat.
At this point, the best way to overcome is to become unpredictable. If you always play a certain way, or even if a certain style is the standard, do anything but that. Level the playing field. Skill is only as good as the knowledge behind it. If neither of you know what you're doing, their advantage is greatly weakened.
Surprise is the master's greatest weakness. Spending their time studying and perfecting their craft, they have tried to develop their skills to the point where they can interpret and react to any strategy that their adversaries throw at them. Turn this mastery against them. Identify your greatest strength and utilize it in outlandish ways.
If you have great aim, modify your range of attack on an seemingly random basis. This keeps you playing to your strength, while limiting any predictability in your strategy.
If you know a plethora of attacks, switch to a defensive posture. With your knowledge, you can determine the best way to overcome such a defense, and then counter it.
Just because you've brought a knife to a gun fight, doesn't mean you can't try throwing the knife.
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