Positional Play/Tactical Play

Submitted by Darkcloudy on Tue, 12/09/2008 at 4:21pm.

For years,Grandmasters have debated hotly over this topic.Which type of play is better?Positional,or tactical?

 

Most debate that you need both to be an excellent player,but both of these have their 'moments',as an individual.

 

Tell me what you think,maybe a game depicting the differences and the advantanges,etc.

 

 

Peace -Reginald

» posted in Darkcloudy's Blog
 

Comments:

by edsnotofthisworld - 4 months ago
Missouri United States
Member Since: Jul 2009
Member Points: 567

Well, keep in mind that grandmasters are virtuosos-they have mastered all aspects of the game.  Yet each player is entitled to his own personal style-there is nothing wrong with having a style.  In my case, I have an attachment to exciting tactics and vigorous aggression.  My openings are offbeat and dubious.  But I should know how to play position-without that firm, strategic foothold, tactics will never work.  So both should be used harminously, but of course there is nothing wrong with having your own personalized chess style-that's what makest the game fun.  The artistic side of chess is when two players of completely different backgrounds with different methods of training with completely different backgrounds, coaches, and personal lives are thrown together to play a chess game.

by Stealpawn - 11 months ago
Nassau Bahamas
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 89

Well when it comes to the debate over tactical or positional play the only answer that I have gathered over the years has been both. Without a good position and set up of one's pieces a chess player no, matter how good they are or how strong their tactical play, is able to successfully have a tactical games. And likewise without the aggressive and insightful tactics seen at all levels of play even the most positionally won game can still be lost. So it is in my belief that both of those types of play must be balanced depending on the strength of both players to have a good chess game.

I mean if yoru playing a novice you can throw away positional play and run a rampage on the board and win or you can do the opposite and crush them with pawn structure and piece position but as the quality of the games become better and the ratings of the players become closer and closer it becomes increasingly difficult to rely on just one of these weapons. 

 

Add your comment:

Join Chess.com for free to add your comment! Already a member? Then login now to comment.