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Positional or tactical?


  • 2 years ago · Quote · #1

    E_Check

    What openings are more positional and which are more tactical? What GMs are good tactically and which are good positionally? Who are known for these? Mainly i ask this question because i think i am better positionally but i dont know whether to play E4 or D4.

     

    Help!

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #2

    orangehonda

    Both can go either way, but with 1.d4 you have more control over keeping it closed (more positional) while with 1.e4 you can't always stop an open position (more tactical).

    I don't know the top 10 players too well really, but Kramnik and Gelfand come to mind as positional players while Topalov and Ivanchuk are on the attacking wild side.  Classically you have positional players like Karpov, Smyslov, and Petrosian, on these forums Reb mentioned Spassky as a strong positional player... and for attackers you have Tal and Alekhine, I'm sure there other others... Shirov was never world champ but worth mentioning as an attacker/tactician.

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #3

    PrawnEatsPrawn

    In general:

    1. e4 more tactical

    2. d4 more positional

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #4

    E_Check

    orangehonda wrote:

    Both can go either way, but with 1.d4 you have more control over keeping it closed (more positional) while with 1.e4 you can't always stop an open position (more tactical).

    I don't know the top 10 players too well really, but Kramnik and Gelfand come to mind as positional players while Topalov and Ivanchuk are on the attacking wild side.  Classically you have positional players like Karpov, Smyslov, and Petrosian, on these forums Reb mentioned Spassky as a strong positional player... and for attackers you have Tal and Alekhine, I'm sure there other others... Shirov was never world champ but worth mentioning as an attacker/tactician.


     I have been looking at games by Kramnik and a little of Gelfand. TY for the clarification btw, it was a big help. At Scholastic matches im going to stick with D4 now, since i have a very good end game.

  • 2 years ago · Quote · #5

    Fiveofswords

    endgames are very tactical, and 1.e4 is great for a good endgame player. Of course, sure, you must survive to the endgame, But dont play 1d4 only because you play endgames well imo


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