Finally, after many years, I think I understand the difference between strategy and tactics. A strategy answers the question "What..." a tactic answers the question "How...".

For instance my strategy in a chess game might be to hedge my opponents bishops in so that they are ineffective during the game. This is "what I'm going to do". My tactic would be to capture in a way to block the bishop's access to the diagonal and would involve the plan for how I'm going to block the bishop. 

Seems basic to most of you, but I feel enlightend.