Strong players know how to create very difficult problems for their opponents, sometimes their opponents fail to solve practically this problems even though they are solvable in theory.
But being able to survive from difficult problems is as important as that. Knowing this fact I sometimes practice defense. I am not good at it yet, but I have made a little improvement. See my last game:
http://en.lichess.org/KRxmBNMeAa5UThis skill is very important. Most chess players in general have a harder time surviving dangerous threats including me :D
Chess instincts are very important. Players have a difficult time with tough positions--in my humble opinion--because of computer databases.
I think half the battle is defending your opponent and half is making threats. Now Capablanca had a different view. He seen that making a defensive move that is an attacking move is the best way to go. He did not say that he said doing two things at once is important but it really is the same thing. Or he is attacking two things at once and you cannot defend them. If every move you made did 2 things it would be twice as hard for your opponent to stop. Even better would be to make a move that
1. Attacks something
2. Makes another piece more active
3. Defends something
I always look for moves that do more than one thing if I can.
Noob2chess, I agree, but I also like aggressive sacrifices to stop attacks and start some, I can give you an example, go on Reece Thompsons YouTube channel and watch raise that rating no. 7
I had 2 sacrifices and both proved to be pretty good, the first was na5 the second was h3.
Most of the time you need to answer a threat if not it wouldnt be a threat lol. You can do in between moves(intermezzo) like threatening mate or things like that which would improve your position before answering to your opponent threahts tough.
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http://en.lichess.org/96YpZdvO/blackLook at this. I had a poor position but somehow managed to win.