The Difference Between Chess Strategy and Tactics
Tactics and Strategy are often confused by chess beginners and novices. Here is an explanation of the two.
Tactics
A tactic is a short sequence of moves, usually involving an attack or capture, that attempts to make an immediate tangible gain. Tactics are the first thing you look for when considering any move. The common tactics have been given names to distinguish them. Some of the most common ones are:
- Forks
- Pins
- Skewers
- Discovered Attacks
- Removing the Guard
Strategy
When you aren't able to take advantage of a tactic, you turn to strategy. A strategy is a long term plan or idea. It is usually based on positional considerations, rather than attacks and captures. Some of the common positional elements that form the basis for strategy are:
- Piece Mobility
- Piece Safety
- King Safety
- Pawn Structure
Tactics and strategy are intertwined with one another. Strategic moves often have the objective of setting up future tactical maneuvers, and vise versa.
For the novice player, tactics is by far the more important consideration. Almost all games below the master level are won and lost through tactical mistakes. This thought should guide the study of the improving player. If you want to improve fast, study tactics!