Positional vs. Tactical play - Which to choose?
An Overview
In chess, there are two main playstyles. One can opt for a tactical playstyle, relying solely on opponent mistakes and subsequently capitalizing on aforementioned mistakes.
On the contrary, a player can opt for a positional game, creating long term strategies that ultimately result in a war of attrition rather than quick single-digit combinations.
Correlation to playing Levels
Tactics and quick combinations can easily skyrocket your rating to the 1500s (USCF-ELO) and even further. However, as you push into the 1200s positional play becomes increasingly necessary. You cannot make moves simply to "pass your turn". If there are no tactics avaliable, you must forge your own tactics by complicating the position. This is positional play. Positional play sets the scene for tactics and enabled them to happen.
Does this mean tactics become obsolete?
NO NO NO NO NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT. Tactics are always a fundamental part of the game. If you are dominating your opponent positionally, you may spot an opportunity to win a piece or a pawn. Positional play eventually becomes tactical play.
How do I play positionally?
The positional game is commonly taught with strategies. In the opening, you move your pawns to the center, you develop your pieces, you get your king safe, etc. In the middlegame, you tend to focus on pawn breaks, open files, open diagonals, holes, etc. The endgame, I would argue, would require the most positional skill. The endgame is typically less tactic-heavy since there are lesser pieces to consider on the board. When we have king-pawn endings, you have to outplay your opponent by having a better and faster strategy. These are all elements of good positional play and are ubiquitous in essentially all games.
What is the ultimate goal of positional play?
Positional play alone is not meant to win you a game. Good positional play allows you to control more squares and make tactics. It's a lot easier to set up a tactic when you're in control of the position.
Take the above position, for example. As you can see, the material is essentially equal. However, white has control of the open file, and will likely play h5 next to further open the exposed black king. While there are no present tactics available, white's superior control of the position allows him to slowly ruin black's position. After more moves, black will likely succumb to a tactic. Meanwhile, in the eyes of Black, there are no tactics to assist him, and he is playing an extremely defensive and passive game. Good positional play gives you the initiative, which allows you to mold the position and further increase your lead. Molding the position also allows you to make your own tactics.
How do I train for positional play?
Unlike tactics, positional play is more elongated and thus more boring, though it is more important. Recognizing motifs in a position will help you. A quick exercise I always did was to look at a closed position and see how I could create a favorable break in such position. I would also look at the game from my opponent's perspective and see what his plan was. This mixture of executing my plan and stopping my opponent's will allow me to have a better position. Chess 960 is an extremely valuable resource. Instead of memorizing openings, you can see the board and make your own plans and openings. There is a reason we play e4 and d4 (and some outliers play c4) primarily. Our openings are shaped to give us the best position possible. In Chess 960, you have to form your plan to develop your pieces as quickly as possible.
Can we see an example?
Yes you may. I play black below.
