playing against a 2400 rated player

If a 2400 rated chess player were to play against a 2000 rated chess player, the 2400 player is expected to win the game. 

What does a 2400 "see" during a game that the lower rated player does not see?  Or if a 2400 plays a 2200 rated player, how come the 2400 rated player will win the game? 

They say that chess is 99% tactics.  So it just come down to tactical ability? 

thanks,

This is a good question, but it has been asked and discussed a lot on the forums here.

The most accurate answer would be, "a little more of everything." That means openings, tactics, positional play, middlegame plans, endgame strategy and technique.

Of course, that is just a generalization, and it will be a bit different when looking at any specific set of players. For example, it is possible that a certain 2000 and 2400 are about the same level in tactics (although not likely), and the 2400 simply outplays the 2000 in the endgame. But in general, when you get to a level like 2400, you are solid enough in every aspect of the game that an unbalanced 2000 or below player will not be able to compete 99% of the time.

It is highly unlikely that a 2000 player is better at ANY aspect of the game than the 2400 player. The two exceptions I can see here are: 1) a young 2000 player who is improving rapidly and shows a great disposition to chess, and 2) any level player might be a more "creative" or more "clever" person than any given higher rated player -- but, contrary to popular belief, those traits alone do not make you a better chess player.

Things he has already seen before.  The more the weaker player can create original problems, the better the chances of an upset.

#composed

In theory yes, but in chess a weak player won't be able to create complex tactical problems. That's why they're a weak player, because they can't calculate well, they don't know the patterns, and they don't know the game well in general.

how can you know a game well.  that is so abstract.

i don't know how to play The Game of Life very well but I could still have a very good outcome:

#lifeanddeath

I wonder how many 2400 players, who could answer this question, hang out here ...

Or even 2000s...

Depends on the players.  You'll get some 2000s who are very strong tactically but are pretty mediocre positionally.  These kind of players generally don't progress much beyond this level however.

Good at finding short combinations up to maybe 5 or 6 moves, not good at evaluating a position based on long term factors and implementing strategic ideas also based on long term factors.