How does one recognize chess tactics more often? This subject has been dealt with in many works, and the foremost solution is to solve chess puzzles for a set amount of time per day. Even though some of these puzzles might seem mundane, i.e. an obvious fork or skewer, what about an obvious fork or skewer, that through an exact combination, will occur in 6 moves? Even though at first this is difficult, with tactics training, one will become proficient at spotting such tactics.

Tactics are the operations through which strategic measures are executed. Many pawn advances are geared around a tactical nature. However, you must be on the lookout when playing these pawn ‘breaks’, or pawn advances (usually by a center pawn). Sometimes your opponent will have an intermezzo, or an “in-between move”, which can throw you off. Also, you must make sure that in every line, you will have benefited strategically. For example, if you lay a neat trap for your opponent, but they don’t fall for it, your position should be better anyway. If not, you are playing poor chess. Don’t play “hope-chess”, as the term has been coined. Play sound chess.

Also, tactics are the basis of playing strategic moves. Many a move has a “tactical point” behind it, or a tactical reason why that move is sound. You must be alert for tactical points on both sides of the board. You will make many strong moves if you can identify tactical points behind your moves, however mundane they may be. For instance, maybe your opponent can’t take your pawn with his queen because of a discovered attack. If you study chess tactics every day, then your tactical vision will improve, and you will be able to recognize tactical points. If you can incorporate tactical points into your game, then your strategic game will become better, and your unwary opponents might fall victim to your traps.