Assess the Positional Elements

Before diving into the calculation of variations, one must assess the static elements of the situation.

While this tactics-focused paper primarily deals with dynamic play, assessing the positional (static) foundation usually precedes tactical calculation. There are two major factors to consider when prioritizing positional assessment versus tactical assessment:

1. A Player's Style

Positional play and planning should be given equal, if not higher, priority in a chess player's arsenal. If one wants to lean towards a Botvinnik or Karpovian style of play—highly positional—then having crystal clear logical plans and managing the static elements of the position will feature heavily in the thought process.

On the other hand, if one has fallen in love with the attacking games of Mikhail Tal and wants to be a highly combinative player preferring sharp, aggressive openings, there may be less priority on abstract positional reasoning and significantly more on the concrete calculation of variations.

Instructive Note: Mikhail Botvinnik was well aware of Tal's style during their World Championship matches. He eventually reclaimed his crown by steering games into solid, "boring" structures (like the Caro-Kann Defense). These systems favored Botvinnik's positional mastery and denied Tal the chaotic, combinative positions he thrived in.

2. The Type of Position

Positional and tactical reasoning must be appropriate to the specific position on the board. There is little point in calculating reams of computer-like variations if the position requires a slow maneuver to improve a knight.

These two types of reasoning must be integrated to support each other:

Closed Positions: Generally contain fewer immediate tactics. This provides justification for thinking positionally—finding nice squares for pieces, improving pawn structure, and maneuvering.
Open Positions: Require urgent tactical alertness.

However, a word of caution: even in many "quiet" closed positions, there are often latent dynamic tactical possibilities that need to be analyzed. It is always reassuring to look for dynamic resources, even when the game appears static.