conceptual / principal moves versus calculation


Good Positional Chess, Planning & Strategy Books for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/introduction-to-positional-chess-planning-strategy
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell
General principles/concepts help you find candidate moves, calculation helps you determine if it’s good or not. Many players, especially as they get stronger, are calculating subconsciously without even realizing they are doing so. It’s rare to make a move and actually never calculate it at all, even on a subconscious level, once you’re an experienced player.
-Jordan
Blitz (5+0 is my favorite) is 80% principles and 20% calculation. You do want to calculate something in critical positions, or spend time devising a plan when you lack one.
Classical is 80% calculation and 20% principles. Complex tactics take a lot of brain power to verify. However, it should be mentioned that the final evaluation of calculated lines are always based on conceptual thinking.
Speaking as a humble 2100 OTB player. At higher levels it’s probably a different picture.