--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The tactician must know what to do…" description: "\"The tactician must know what to do whenever something needs doing; the strategist must know what to do when nothing needs doing\" — Savielly Tartakower" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/savielly-tartakower-19903_chess_the-tactician-must-know-what-to-do-whene_1161815.png" --- # The tactician must know what to do whenever something… ![“The tactician must know what to do whenever something needs doing; the strategist must know what to do when nothing needs doing” quote by Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/savielly-tartakower-19903_chess_the-tactician-must-know-what-to-do-whene_1161815.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/savielly-tartakower-19903_chess_the-tactician-must-know-what-to-do-whene_1161815.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/savielly-tartakower-19903_chess_the-tactician-must-know-what-to-do-whene_1161815.png) > “The tactician must know what to do whenever something needs doing; the strategist must know what to do when nothing needs doing” [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote distinguishes the roles of a tactician, who acts when tasks arise, and a strategist, who plans for inaction, highlighting the need for both responsive and proactive thinking. **In simple terms:** Tacticians act on tasks; strategists plan for when nothing needs doing. Key Takeaway Balance reactive action with proactive planning. Themes strategy decision making leadership planning Mood analytical pragmatic Type advisory inspirational When to use this quote - business management - military planning - personal productivity - project management Key Concepts tactics strategy anticipation Questions to Reflect On - When should you act versus when to wait? - How do you integrate tactical and strategic thinking? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on planning can stall action; overemphasis on reaction can miss opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess/) [Doing Strategist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-strategist-3329281/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Strategist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategist/) [Strategist Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategist-know-3329282/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Tactician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tactician-3329284/) [Tactician Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tactician-know-3329283/) ## Related quotes > [The tactician knows what to do when there is something to do; whereas the strategian knows what to do when there is nothing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-abrahams/the-tactician-knows-what-to-do-when-there-is-something-to-do-whereas/) [Gerald Abrahams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-abrahams/) > [Steve Bannon is a brilliant tactician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellyanne-conway/steve-bannon-is-a-brilliant-tactician/) [Kellyanne Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellyanne-conway/) > [The infallible criterion by which to distinguish the true from the would-be strategist is the degree of originality of his conceptions. It makes little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-alekhine/the-infallible-criterion-by-which-to-distinguish-the-true-from-the/) [Alexander Alekhine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-alekhine/) > [Unless strategy evaluation is performed seriously and systematically, and unless strategists are willing to act on the results, energy will be used up defending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/unless-strategy-evaluation-is-performed-seriously-and-systematically/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [American strategists have calculated the proportion of civilians killed in this century's major wars. In the First World War, 5 percent of those killed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-ward/american-strategists-have-calculated-the-proportion-of-civilians/) [Colin Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-ward/) > [The military profession, especially is the long-established great powers, is deeply pessimistic about the likelihood that people and countries will behave well under stress.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwynne-dyer/the-military-profession-especially-is-the-long-established-great/) [Gwynne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwynne-dyer/) > [Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy... use the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/bring-war-material-with-you-from-home-but-forage-on-the-enemy-use-the/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [A strategist is one who helps people relax into their creative skills. People won't rally unless an idea is beautiful... Everyone is hanging on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pier-giorgio-di-cicco/a-strategist-is-one-who-helps-people-relax-into-their-creative-skills/) [Pier Giorgio Di Cicco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pier-giorgio-di-cicco/) > [In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-all-fighting-the-direct-method-may-be-used-for-joining-battle-but-2/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [ They \[spies\] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/they-spies-cannot-be-properly-managed-without-benevolence-and/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [One of the reasons a strategist never sits in a stadium and gets caught up in the crowds - and never sits watching a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-rollins/one-of-the-reasons-a-strategist-never-sits-in-a-stadium-and-gets/) [Ed Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-rollins/) > [The Soviet transition to a new political structure shows that the Soviet strategists are thinking, planning and acting in broad terms, way beyond the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatoliy-golitsyn/the-soviet-transition-to-a-new-political-structure-shows-that-the/) [Anatoliy Golitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatoliy-golitsyn/) > [In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-all-fighting-the-direct-method-may-be-used-for-joining-battle-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [I'm a strategist, not a motivator. I'm obsessed with finding strategies that create real results in the shortest period of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/i-m-a-strategist-not-a-motivator-i-m-obsessed-with-finding-strategies/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) ## More by Savielly Tartakower > [Any opening is good enough, if its reputation is bad enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/any-opening-is-good-enough-if-its-reputation-is-bad-enough/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [The first essential for an attack is the will to attack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/the-first-essential-for-an-attack-is-the-will-to-attack/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [Lasker thought that his rationalism rendered him immune from the surprises of chess theory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/lasker-thought-that-his-rationalism-rendered-him-immune-from-the/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [No one ever won a game by resigning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/no-one-ever-won-a-game-by-resigning/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [I never defeated a healthy opponent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/i-never-defeated-a-healthy-opponent/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [In chess, there is only one mistake: over-estimation of your opponent. All else is either bad luck or weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/in-chess-there-is-only-one-mistake-over-estimation-of-your-opponent/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [A draw can be obtained not only by repeating moves, but also by one weak move.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/a-draw-can-be-obtained-not-only-by-repeating-moves-but-also-by-one/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [An isolated pawn spreads gloom all over the chessboard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/an-isolated-pawn-spreads-gloom-all-over-the-chessboard/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [The winner is the one who makes the next-to-last mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/the-winner-is-the-one-who-makes-the-next-to-last-mistake/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [Like the alchemist of old, for ever searching for the philosopher's stone, the analyst to-day never stops looking for stronger moves to prevent the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/like-the-alchemist-of-old-for-ever-searching-for-the-philosopher-s/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [Psychologically, the choice of an appropriate opening is of the utmost importance for a player's success in a tournament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/psychologically-the-choice-of-an-appropriate-opening-is-of-the-utmost/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [It is said that an ounce of common sense can outweigh a ton of 'variations'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/it-is-said-that-an-ounce-of-common-sense-can-outweigh-a-ton-of/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [As for me, I am unfortunate enough not to posses a happy temperament like Najdorf, who views every happening in a rosy light and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/as-for-me-i-am-unfortunate-enough-not-to-posses-a-happy-temperament/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [To avoid losing a piece, many a person has lost the game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/to-avoid-losing-a-piece-many-a-person-has-lost-the-game/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) > [Chess is a fairy tale of 1001 blunders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/chess-is-a-fairy-tale-of-1001-blunders/) [Savielly Tartakower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) [Explore all 31 Savielly Tartakower quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/) ## More Chess quotes > [I have known many chess players, but among them there has been only one genius - Capablanca!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/i-have-known-many-chess-players-but-among-them-there-has-been-only/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [Real chessplayers think about chess more or less 24 hours a day. It is a passion and a fate that one has to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simen-agdestein/real-chessplayers-think-about-chess-more-or-less-24-hours-a-day-it-is/) [Simen Agdestein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simen-agdestein/) > [It's interesting that the greatest minds of computer science, the founding fathers, like Alan Turing and Claude Shannon and Norbert Wiener, they all looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/it-s-interesting-that-the-greatest-minds-of-computer-science-the/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [“Relationships are chess for women," he said. "They can see the whole board, plan way ahead. They're the queens, after all. We're the kings,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-lippman/relationships-are-chess-for-women-he-said-they-can-see-the-whole/) [Laura Lippman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-lippman/) > [The election of Trump threw the chess board up. The pieces are all over the place. 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Jake jogged slightly to catch up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-blake/the-shadows-why-do-you-think-they-invented-chess-he-s-got-you-there/) [Russell Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-blake/) > [ \[Photographer Julian Wasser\] had this great idea that I should play chess naked with Marcel Duchamp and it seem to be such a great… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-babitz/photographer-julian-wasser-had-this-great-idea-that-i-should-play/) [Eve Babitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-babitz/) > [Chess is a good mistress but a bad master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-abrahams/chess-is-a-good-mistress-but-a-bad-master/) [Gerald Abrahams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-abrahams/) > [I am not some sort of freak. 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Use it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-steinitz/the-king-is-a-fighting-piece-use-it/) [Wilhelm Steinitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-steinitz/) [Browse all 2,003 Chess quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The tactician must know what to do whenever something needs doing; the strategist must know what to do when nothing needs doing", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Savielly Tartakower" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/the-tactician-must-know-what-to-do-whenever-something-needs-doing-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chess" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/the-tactician-must-know-what-to-do-whenever-something-needs-doing-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/savielly-tartakower-19903_chess_the-tactician-must-know-what-to-do-whene_1161815.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/savielly-tartakower-19903_chess_the-tactician-must-know-what-to-do-whene_1161815.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/savielly-tartakower-19903_chess_the-tactician-must-know-what-to-do-whene_1161815.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The tactician must know what to do whenever something needs doing; the strategist must know what to do when…” — Savielly Tartakower", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Savielly Tartakower", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savielly-tartakower/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The tactician must know what to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/the-tactician-must-know-what-to-do-whenever-something-needs-doing-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savielly-tartakower/the-tactician-must-know-what-to-do-whenever-something-needs-doing-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```