Yes, you are of course, quite right... I strongly suspect that I am once again starting to slip into overuse of reductio ad absurdum arguments to grasp at random contrarian positions in an futile effort to distract myself, ever so briefly, from an insipid funding proposal that hides, incompete and uncared for, under this chess.com forum window...
Been there, done that. 
You have my sympathy.
Realizing that chess is not 99% tactic has been as huge step in my chess improvement. I have learnt that, expecially for a beginner, is much more importart to build a position without weaknesses, that is to learn the positional play... and that often this is the only difference between a beginner and a more experienced player.
There are some rules to follow but I think the positional istinct grow up with the experience.
At a master level, the positional side of the game is somewhat obvious for both players; for this reason I think the tactics makes the difference, but this doesn't mean that chess is 99% tactics.
While I certainly feel that chess isn't 99% tactics, I find that if I make positionally sensible moves, my opponents will blunder tactically before I do 
I agree with that, I think being a positionally sound and tactically sound player is what makes you a GREAT player. I just wonder where the line is. If it is clear that chess isn't 99% tactics, then what percentage would it be?
-bankoscarpa
strategy is purpose: yeh, say tactics is 99% all you want.. at the end of the day you are simply saying your purpose is to employ one of those three thousand tactics you spent 100 000 hours learning! 
** Cheers big ears!!
Eh, although I love positional play over wild tactical play, I'm inclined to say chess is 99% tactics.
Tactics are the language of the game. If you have the most beautifully positional move in the world set up, but it hangs a piece, you can't play it. Tactics dictate what plans you can and cannot enact. Note you embark on plans to increase your odds of tactics occurring. Meh, just my two cents.
Chess is at least 99% tactics
I've got it: it's like being able to throw semi perfect darts but not being able to hit that double to finish!
Wait, Wait, like having to throw a triple 60 but you haven't left room for that third dart because you didn't think ahead..oh- strategy is Rhythm!!
@whitegs
| Course | Lessons | Rating | % Done | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
61 | 1597 | 73.77% |
or |
|
58 | 1631 | 5.17% |
or |
|
51 | 1759 | 3.92% |
or |
|
118 | 1464 | 85.59% |
or |
|
300 | 2067 | 93.67% |
or |
|
93.2 % is the correct percentage. Richard Teichmann was a poor statistician.
"Tactics involve calculations that can tax the human brain, but when you boil them down, they are actually the simplest part of chess and are almost trivial compared to strategy." - Garry Kasparov
Great quote. Can you share the source?
Rats. I was hoping that you had a credible citation. These sites that gather quotes are usually filled with many that cannot be verified.
It really depends who's playing.
For beginners and chess engines it's probably true. Less so for stronger human players.
I agree. I feel like there can be many tactical ideas in high level games but they tend to play positionally sound.
-bankoscarpa
Found it:
Garry Kasparov, How Life Imitates Chess (2007), p. 20.
Great book: I like the bit where he talks about the second law of thermodynamics... I never realised it actually said that a more organised army will lose less energy in manouvre than a less organised army! ..well, the one who reads has the advantage I suppose!!
"Tactics involve calculations that can tax the human brain, but when you boil them down, they are actually the simplest part of chess and are almost trivial compared to strategy." - Garry Kasparov
Great quote. Can you share the source?
also, (but I still don't know if this is actually true), FARNSWORTHS PREDATOR AT THE CHESS BOARD says there are essentially only five tactics!
"Tactics involve calculations that can tax the human brain, but when you boil them down, they are actually the simplest part of chess and are almost trivial compared to strategy." - Garry Kasparov
Great quote. Can you share the source?
also, (but I still don't know if this is actually true), FARNSWORTHS PREDATOR AT THE CHESS BOARD says there are essentially only five tactics!
Yuri Averbakh, Chess Tactics for Advanced Players says there is one: the double attack. Nonetheless, he lists at least a dozen motifs or themes--different sorts of double attack. See http://chessskill.blogspot.com/2012/04/tactical-motifs-list.html
I am not sure of the percentage, but I am pretty sure chess is NOT 99% tactics. What percentage do you think it is and why?
-Bankoscarpa
I like the title! It's nice.