I'm choosing column 1 because it creates a subtle but powerful setup. By placing my piece here, I'll have O pieces at positions (4,1), (4,3), and (4,4) with a gap at (4,2). This creates a potential winning threat that my opponent might overlook. If they don't block by playing in column 2 on their next turn, I can win by completing my horizontal line. This is strategically better than playing in column 2, which would create an obvious three-in-a-row that my opponent would certainly block.