Tactics and Strategy

Chess tactics are ways to make an immediate gain during plays, such as forks, pins, discovered check, and the skewer.  A tactic may involve only a few moves, usually a combination of 2 to 4 moves.  Strategy is the overall game plan.  A strategy may start at the opening move and end at the last, or somewhere in between. A strategy usually leads to a massive material advantage or a checkmate.

It is often in the middle game that planning becomes very important.  It is usually in this stage when a move becomes critical and may lead to either a win or a loss. Choose moves that fit the game plan.

The following game clearly shows that White has a plan, and Black has none.

L. STEINER vs. SZABAY
Postal Game, 1922
Sicilian Defense

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, Nf6

With the same provocative idea as the Alekhine's Defense.  But White refuses to advance the e pawn.

3. Nc3, d5
4. exd5, Nxd5
5. Ne5, Nxc3
6. bxc3, Qd5
7. Bb5+, Nd7

White can save his threatened Pawn by 8. Nxd7 Bxd7, 9. Bxd7 Qxd7.  But this far-reaching simplification is neither attractive nor powerful, so he prefers something more adventurous.

8. Qe2!, Qxg2?

Black had a much safer alternative in 8. ..... a6, forcing some liquidation.

9. Qd3 .....

Black doesn't bother to defend his threatened Rook.

9. ..... Qxh1
10. Ke2, e6
11. Bxd7+, Ke7

Forced.

12. Bxc8, Rxc8
13. Qd7+, Kf6

Black hopes for 14. Qxc8 Qe4+ -- which gives him a perpetual check.  But of course nothing could be further from White's mind.

14. Qxf7+, Kxe5
15 d4+  .....

A charming situation.  On 15. ..... cxd4 or 15. .....Kd6 White wins the Black Queen with 16. Bf4+ while 15. .....Ke4 allows 16. Qxe6 mate.

15. ..... Kd5
16. Qxb7+, Rc6

Black does not fancy 16. .....Kc4, 17. Qb3 mate.

17. c4+, Resigns

For after 17. .....Kxc4, 18. Qb3+ Kxd4 White wins the Black Queen with 19. Bb2+ or 19. Be3+.  Black's lack of a plan led directly to a lost game.