best game plan?

what is better: tactics or strategy? I prefer tactics, with a sprinkling of strategy, but what is technically better? like proven the best?

You should use both in a chess game.

I know, just which one should I favor more?

At our level tactics usually decide the game.

But strategy shouldn't be ignored either, one of the causes for most tactical blunders around our level, stems from being in a positionally worse game, and not knowing how to turn it around leads us to making some tactical oversights.

Hi Tricklev, I think you're right. Right up to master levels really, tactical mishaps often decide the game. People seem to take this as meaning that people should study tactics above all else.

What seems neglected to me is this - you're much, *much* more likely to have a tactical mishap in bad or indifferent positions, or when you're very much on the defensive. So opening study and positional study is useful in that they can help you get on the front foot, help you get the initiative and put the pressure on - and then it's your opponent more likely to be having tactical oversights, not you.

Tactics only work in a won position, how you get there is strategy.

I know It's a overstatment, but it's for a reason.

You could win by better tractics skill in an even position, but you should be carefull, all it often does (think about tactics, when there is none) is forcing trades and simplifications. And even worse, ruining your own position.

You should build your position on strategy, solve the puzzles with tactics as they "pop's up"

absolutely right..

As a rule I never study tactics, I play my games in such a manner that strategy planning and positional ideas lead me to winning positions by themselves- getting the oponent with a python grip and dropping him in quick sand. The more you move the worse your position becomes until the position practically wins itself with little or no tactics at all. 

As you encounter stronger opponents, you'll find they will outplay you strategically because they have strong tactics to create strategically strong moves.

pskogli, I have to disagree. And I don't think it's just an overstatement, I think it's wrong. It happens all the time that in an otherwise equal position one side makes a move that is perfectly reasonable from a positional point of view, but losing tactically.

In fact, below master level it is rather common that the side with the advantage can completely blow it in one move for purely tactical reasons. So even if you are behind, you can win with tactics if your opponent slips up a little bit. I've been on both sides of this scenario.

You can disagree so much you want, I know you have to be good at both, tactics is just a tool to get your plan working.

You can win lost positions with tactics, but then your opponent need to do really bad moves, and make some poor planning (it often happens when you think you have allready won).

I've been on both sides of the board myself, tactics works best against weak opponents, I would state that tactics are easyer to spot than great plans!

If you only care about tactics and play shallow strategic games, you would be stuck on a low lewel.

I think the question is a bit stupid too, it's like asking:

"what's best, endgame or tactics?"

Then why are you "wasting" your time here with us dummies? this does not make sense.

Actually this question does make sense. StupidDrip's point in this question is whether you prefer a quiet slow, positional game or a minefield full of tactics which can change the game with a single move.                     -Joseph Marcopolus, a chess theologian

Strategy is deciding WHAT you need to do in a given position, tactics have a major say in HOW you need to do it. It doesn't make sense to think of it in terms of favouring one over the other.

You need to have a plan (strategy) and then find moves to implement that plan that are safe (making sure he doesn't have tactical tricks). Also, his moves might not be safe, and then you can show that using tactics.

But when both players are tactically alert and more or less the same level, it's strategy that decides the game.