Chess is NOT 99% tactics

"Chess is 99% tactics" - Teichmann 

I don't believe that anymore. Reviewing my games, there are so many decisions that go into each move, i.e.,  pawn play  "do I capture, not capture, or advance". It's little things like this, adding up over time that create a won or lost position. Tactical blows followed by checkmate or resignation finally decides the game,  but the position was lost long ago. 

What do you think about tactics? 

The tactics may not always be playable, but tactical considerations are almost always there, to be navigated towards or avoid.

I don't think the quote was ever meant to be taken literally. I'm sure many games aren't 99% tactics but they are a major consideration. Tactics includes the threat of tactics and therefore all the moves that are rejected. Ever play Nd7 rather than Nf6 to avoid a pin on the knight? That's the threat of tactics influencing a move. Ever play a quieter positional line to avoid tactical complications? The threat of tactics again, driving the game.

Thanks. I’ll keep playing the Strat

your right, chess is not 99% tactics, chess is 100% tactics. Strategic play is based on tactics.

https://www.amazon.com/New-Ideas-Chess-Larry-Evans/dp/1580422748

A great book for the beginner.

i agree with both, but i think tactics aree the 60% of chess, others being, of course, logic and simple knowledge.

Teichmann said it once flippantly, it was hyperbole. No good player would ever say serious chess is 99% tactics. 

In My 60 Memorable Games (Game 1) Fischer said “tactics flow from a positionally superior position.” So, to be a really good chess player you need to be sound in both positional and tactical play. In this recent game I achieved a position with tremendous pressure in the c-file and thereby dominated the queenside. Based on my positional advantage, I knew a tactical shot had to be there. Thus, 21…Bxa3 was not hard to find.