Can I play Chess if I don't know Strategy? Article for Beginners!

Introduction
Every beginner chess player comes across two distinct concepts when he or she gets interested in the complicated game of chess. These are tactics and strategy. Also, it is common for many chess fans to separate players in either tactical or strategic. So what does this mean?

What are Tactics?
Tactics refer to all the tricks, traps and simple or deep combinations. For example the move of the knight that attacks two pieces, so that it wins one of them is a basic tactic. It is called a "fork" and it is maybe the first tactic that most beginners look for. But we can also have combinative tactics that are based on multiple threats, like threatening checkmate in order to win material or surrender material (sacrifice) in order to achieve checkmate.

What is Strategy?
Strategy refers to the long-term planning. Deciding if you want to attack on the kingside or on the queenside in order to organize your units accordingly, is a strategic decision. Advanced strategy is more about weak or strong squares. Instead of targetting pieces that move around the board, the strategist targets critical squares and studies pawn structures.

Comparison
Tactical vision is the first and foremost ability that a player should gain. If you come up with a nice strategic plan that fails tactically, the game is lost. Some say that chess is 90% tactics or that strategy is tactics in a nutshell. Tactics alone can win a game and many times they do, while strategic vision needs time and guidance. It is said that if you meet a young player who talks about "weak squares" maybe you have a future master before your eyes.

Loose Pieces
When a piece is not protected by a friendly piece it is "loose". The existence of one or more loose pieces in a position is a very good sign that there are combinational tactics to be found. This is because tactics are based on double attacks (like the fork) that expose loose pieces. The main difference between a beginner and an intermediate player is the frequency that they "fall" for such tactics.

Checks, Captures and Threats
So how can you train your tactical ability? The simple and correct way is to search for a move in a game position with 3 steps. First consider every possible check, secondly consider every possible capture even if it looks "silly". This research will give you information about the threats that may appear in the given position, so that you can achieve or duck a combination.

What openings are tactical?
If you like tactical games you should probably start with the King's Pawn 1.e4 as it usually results in open attacking games. In contrast the Queen's Pawn 1.d4 is more slow, solid and controlled. With the Black pieces the Scandinavian 1.e4 d5 is a good choice because it tends to open up the center. If you are willing to sacrifice a Pawn to get a direct attack you may have a look at aggressive gambits like the Blackmar Diemer Gambit.

Thanks for reading! Stay Safe!