Ideally, you'll want to do both.

Nothing is duller than a game in which you don't care about winning.

Fight to kill! Look for long diagonals along which to position

a bishop toward your opponent's king, especially after she's castled.

Situate your queen on the same diagonal, behind the bishop,

and you've created a formidable threat.

Back it up with pawns or a knight on the front ranks,

and you're well on your way to victory. Defense is a different matter.

Get your king tucked into one corner or the other,

set up a pawn blockade, and connect your rooks for a strong defense

that should make you feel more resistant to infiltration.

Attacking as if your life depended on it is recommended,

and defending your precious king is essential; more important than either,

though, is the relationship between the two.