Want to Play Impressive Chess? Become a Universal Player
Almost every chess player, including me, wants to uncork amazing combinations and scintillating sacrifices that dazzle opponents and spectators alike. But because so many club players crave these flashy moments, they often disregard more mundane, positional play—even when the position demands it.
I’ll be the first to admit: I started out as a full-fledged, crazy attacking player. I had almost no risk aversion—honestly, I didn’t even think about risk. I just knew my attack would work. This hyper-aggressive approach can be incredibly effective, especially against players who aren’t well-prepared to face it. And it worked for me for a long time, helping me climb to around the 1900 rating level.
Puzzle #1: What hyper-aggressive combination did I miss? (puzzle below)
When you put consistent pressure on non-titled opponents, they tend to crumble under it. A well-timed attack can force errors and make them play far below their actual strength. But here’s the catch: this style has its limits, and it’s not the only way to succeed—certainly not the best way to reach master level and beyond.
Hyper-Aggression: A Double-Edged Sword
Aggressive play is exhilarating. It puts your opponent on the defensive and can turn even ordinary positions into tactical minefields.
Puzzle #2: How did the legendary IM Jack Peters inflict major harm to my position (puzzle below)
However, it’s also a narrow tool—one that only works when the position allows it. The moment your opponent recognizes the attack and neutralizes it, the game shifts. And if your style is all attack, all the time, you’ll find yourself in trouble against stronger players who know how to defend calmly.
That’s exactly what happened to me. I relied on aggressive play, which led to brilliant wins, but also some frustrating losses when my attacks fizzled out. I eventually realized that the path to becoming a better player required something more: adaptability.
Play What the Board Demands
It’s great to have confidence in your abilities and to know how to attack. In fact, if I had to choose between being overconfident and underconfident, I’d pick overconfidence every time. But what’s even better than either of those extremes is becoming a player who is confident in their ability to assess the position on the board. You should feel comfortable switching gears when needed, whether that means launching an attack, simplifying into a favorable endgame, or making quiet, positional moves that slowly strangle your opponent.
Puzzle #3: I was playing an IM in the last round of the 2012 Southern California Championship. This IM is particularly known to be a lover of crazy positions but is a little weaker when they are being attacked. My strategy was to play the Dragodorf because the best way (IMO) to play against the Dragodorf is to play positionally. Can you find moves that made me give up the Dragodorf?
The best players—those who reach titles and go beyond—aren’t one-dimensional. They excel at reading the board and understanding what it requires in the moment. They know when to attack, when to defend, when to trade pieces, and when to build up pressure quietly. The beauty of chess lies in its infinite variety. You can’t force every game into the same mold.
Rounding Out Your Game
If you want to play impressive chess, the key is not just in launching brilliancies. It’s in becoming a well-rounded player who can adjust to any position, whether it’s sharp and tactical or quiet and strategic. Study not just tactical patterns but also endgames, pawn structures, and positional nuances. Learn to appreciate the beauty of small, quiet moves—those that seem mundane but lay the groundwork for a future victory.
Puzzle #4: Can you find White's next few moves which justify their pawn sacrifice in this very famous game? (puzzle below)
Of course, don’t abandon your strengths. If you love attacking, keep honing that skill—but make sure you also develop other aspects of your game. Add tools to your chess toolbox so that when the position calls for subtlety or patience, you can meet it with confidence.
Conclusion
The goal isn’t to suppress your attacking instinct but to temper it with wisdom and flexibility. Being a well-rounded player means you can trust yourself—not just to attack when it’s right, but to play any move the board demands. That’s real confidence: knowing you’re prepared for anything, no matter how the game unfolds.
In the end, the most impressive chess isn’t always about breathtaking sacrifices—it’s about mastering the art of playing the position. And when you can do that, you’ll start seeing the kind of brilliance that comes naturally—without forcing it.
Feel free to comment any game snippets where you attacked when you should’ve played more positionally or vice versa—or a game that you’re proud of the fact that you played according to the board, rather than what you wanted.
And, as always…stay impressive!
NM Craig C.
