Variety of chess games

What are the different varieties of chess games in your opinion.

In play like a grandmaster kotov observes that there can be games in which initially it's all quiet and then suddenly the position bursts open with tactical possibilities. And then there are games which are initially very tactical with the king getting pushed around but eventually settle into a quiet game.

In your experience what are the varieties of chess games?

Well, i'm thinking it would be possible to categorize games based on the decisive move.

"Computer, show all games where Bf5 was decisive for white."

"Now show all games where Na5 was decisive for black."

**What kinds of patterns would we see?**

I guess it's all about piece formations...groups of piece formations within the larger set of pieces on the board, and identifying potential static/dynamic strengths and weaknesses. You know...the capacity for various piece formations (and transformations) to flexibly accumulate advantages.

Now if I could just figure out where that pawn's going to be a few moves from now, I'd be golden.

good one, bhomastrown.

now i was wondering along more general lines like ..

games in the sicilian where the c-file proves decisive for black or control of the c4 square.

french defense where the rook lift or bishop sac on g6 is decisive.

ruy lopez where f4 is decisive for white or f5 break is decisive for black or knight outpost at f5 for white or f4 for black is decisive.

i need to organize this game into patterns that i can see.

What would make the move decisive? Is it something like "If the move increases the evaluation by more than a pawn"?

Mate in 0, 1, 2 etc

The move wins or threatens to win enemy material: Q, R, B, N, P.

Puts opponent in zugzwang.

OR is decisively a bad move.