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Avatar of Lights_Out

When yall are playing chess, how do you spot tactics? Do you set them up? Also, I'm a postional players and lately I've been reading books on attacking trying to have a rounded game. ( attacking style of chess) It just hasn't worked out to my likely thus far; do you think I should just stick to postional style of chess or try another approach?

Avatar of DavidMertz1

Playing positional chess is fine, but you still need to watch out for tactics.  Mostly, it's recognizing elements of the position like hanging peices, a vulnerable king, or an overloaded defender.

As for setting them up... sometimes, and sometimes the opponent just makes an inferior move that makes the tactic possible.  Setting traps is usually not the way to go, unless the move results in a good position even if the opponent sees through it.  But often I run into a situation where I think to myself something like, "I could do that knight fork if only his bishop wasn't defending that square", and then try to look for a way to make his bishop move.

Avatar of GIex

All pins / skewers / forks / discovered attacks / interpolations / decoys / batteries / overloading (exploiting overworked pieces) / undermining (capturing defenders) / interference (placing a piece between a defended piece and its defender - rook, bishop or queen) are tactics, as well as all forcing moves. If a possibility for such a move is present at the board, there is a chance it can be used in a tactical combination that will favor one of the players.

If it's your turn, if there are tactics you can play, you should check them along with strategical moves. Also, when choosing your move, you should look for what tactics will be available to your opponent after you play. That's because tactics usually lead to limited replay options to the opponent.

I think you should keep playing in your style, if you are better strategically. You should try to improve your tactical play (it's easier to improve if you work on reducing your weaknesses than on increasing your strengths). But you shouldn't abandon the style you are good at, because it may turn out you won't become as good in the new style. Or at least not until that happens.

Good luck! Laughing