My style of play seems to be changing

So I find this strange, but when I play lately I find my self going for more immediate, short term attacks, and less for position.  This seems to be working out well against players rated about 1250 and higher, but it doesn't work as well against lower rated players.

I guess I've just been trying to figure out why this is happening.  Part of it could be that I'm mostly playing 5 min blitz games, so thinking through positions may not be as useful as attacks.  I may also be analyzing my own gameplay incorrectly, I'm not a high ranked player by any means so what I consider attacking vs positional play may be incorrect.

One thing is for sure though is that whatever I have been doing differently doesn't work as well against lower rated players.

When something you do doesn't work so well against a lower rated player, it's usually one of two things:

- You're taking way too many risks and getting tangled in complications which essentially give the weaker player chances to hurt you. Stronger players always play simple chess against lower-rated players and often enjoy dragging them to an endgame, kicking and screaming. 

- You're possibly assuming your opponent will not play the best moves each time, even though this is the biggest sin a chess player can ever make.  Even a beginner can play a GM-quality move at a critical moment, whether he thought it through or not.  Underestimating an opponent is often fatal.

If you're doing none of the above, then, call me crazy, but perhaps this whole "attacking instead of thinking through the position" might be where your problems are at.  :)

At any level it's characteristic of risky tactical play to produce both wins against stronger players, and unexpected losses against weaker players -- this is a style of play up to the highest levels.  What you're describing as "short term attack with no positional value" is the 1200 version of the double edged wild complications play GMs like Shirov are noted for.  One day you'll destroy a stronger player in under 30 moves, the next you'll lose to a weaker player, both results due to this double edged play.

Another way to describe it is this style of play greatly reduces the chances of a draw, e.g. it's all or nothing.  It's not fair to say it works less well against weaker players, from your games I see you've crushed some 1000 and under players in 15-25 moves.

Of course like Shivsky notes you'll eventually have to shore up some weaknesses in your play (even Tal knew how to make defensive moves, consider his opponent's best reply, etc).  In my opinion 1200 is a bit early to devote yourself to this kind of play, but if that's what's enjoyable and you're not worried about making it to master, then study tons of tactics and look at games by players like Shirov and Tal and have fun

Thanks OrangeHonda, I like that post. 

I think that for now I will continue to play this way and I will do so for as long as it works.  Eventually I will run into stronger opponents where it won't be effective and they will force me to play more effectively.

I want to have every tool in my arsenal as a chess player, whether it be flashy tactics or just unbeatable positions.  I think it's fine if I concentrate on one over the other from time to time, as long as I don't get stuck.

When I stopped hoping my opponents would fall for my traps and instead of setting one played a more solid move, assuming my opponent would make good moves, my rating must have jumped about 150 points and I got more satisfaction out of my games too. It's funny because lately I have started to slip back into this a little and been lucky a few times where really I shouldn't have been, but it's not a good habit.

As Shivsky said, it's the cardinal sin of a chess player, and beginners may well shock you in this way. Just playing strong, simple moves throughout the game and slowly acquiring an advantage, if your opponent is a lower rated player they are bound to make serious mistakes, will win you these games far more consistently.

Waller, perhaps after your current phase of getting lucky you will play better moves once again and your rating will jump another 150 points.

When I first began playing chess, I learned from a book called killer chess tactics, and I was so amazed at what tactics were.  After awhile I learned people could defend against them.  I am once again seeing tactics all over the place, but the difference this time is that other people are not noticing them, so I'm getting away with it.

I'm beginning to believe that I am simply improving at chess.  My rating has improved, my games feel more satisfying and impressive.  It's strange how improvement in chess feels, the board looks differently.