Positions can be broadly categorised as  "open", ie full of open lines and piece play as opposed to "closed", eg blocked and full of manoevering. In open positions, tactics can dominate completely, and the value of formulating positional plans is less because it is very important simply to calculate all the necessary variations to stay alive!

The positional player protagonist could argue that they play positional openings and stay well clear of tactical complications. However what if the opponent influenced the game tactically by playing gambits, etc ? The positional player needs to be tactically aware even if they do build their own infrastructure in terms of openings for example, for supporting their playing style.

 

See this article. It is interesting

http://www.chesscorner.com/tutorial/Intermediate/adtactics/ability.htm

petrosian was a positional player. morphy was a tactical player. kasparov is more tactical. it is about STYLE, not about ability :)

I think that most chess players aren't either tactical or positional - it takes both to win. Although some players could, of course, focus on just one or the other.

I believe Fischer's demolition of Tigran Petrosian on his way to snatching the World Title from Spassky may have already answered that question. Being that Tigran Petrosian would have to rank somewhere in the top three greatest  positional players of ALL time, possibly even number one!!!!

We all know what Fischer did to him.--SIX

i started playing positional but still lose a lot of games... takes time...

Are not both skills needed to win a game?

It's hard for me trying to figure out what I am, people say I'm tactical but that only comes from a strong positon lol.

Is there a test I can take or something?

when are you a tactical or a positional player??

is there somebody who can give exaples or something?

 

you need much power to win in chess..chess is like thinking and analyzing or reading the game,,not just smart!

somewhat hard to pick a side...i know some people like me are a combination of both tactical and postional. after all, you usuallly need both to win a game.