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Are you someone who loves to apply strategy? Well, then you must be someone who loves playing chess or at least fancies the idea of it. If you are looking for ways to learn to play chess, you have come to the right place.
Playing indoors and with anybody- that’s just one bonus of the game of chess. Chess players are known to be quite analytical, and their power of strategizing is commendable. The game, although ‘just a game’, teaches you many things.
Chess has many lessons in store for you, from strategy to analysis, from time management to decision making, from prioritization to making sacrifices. A child who’s taught to play chess from a very young age can practice these practical lessons better in life.
Whether you’re an advanced chess player or a novice in the field, we’ve gathered books from every corner of the chess library. This blog will acquaint you with the best chess books to help you prosper in chess.
So, if you are a bookworm who also plays chess, you’ll find just the correct book for your next read. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!
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Chess is a game of strategy and decision-making. As already mentioned, it teaches you different practical lessons. Speaking of them, did you know you could learn the game from books as well?
The books mentioned here, categorized from beginners to advanced players, have everything you need to know about chess. Did you have the chance to read any of these books before? Well, read on to find out.
Let us first know of some books for novices.
Let’s Play Chess: A Step by Step Guide For New Players by Bruce Pandolfini
This book by Broce Pandolfini is a book for all, but it especially makes a good read for beginner chess players. The content of the book is simple and easy to follow. Every step of the game of chess is explained in a step-by-step manner in detail.
The author used calculation as the medium of explanation, guiding you through the process of any part of the game. Memory is not the solution, but understanding is. Even if you don’t have a chess set with you at the moment, the book has plenty of pictures to get the idea.
You can get a copy of the book if you are interested to learn how to play chess and have never gotten the chance to learn. Pandolfini has got your back!
“Learn Chess” by John Nunn is a book that includes all the basics of chess. Nunn has covered every single detail you must know before you start with the hands-on game. You don’t need any prior chess knowledge to read this book. It treats its reader like an absolute beginner and guides them accordingly.
Every step of the chess game is explained in detail for you to quickly understand them. As you approach towards the end of this book, you will be ready to face an opponent in a chess game online or across the board.
Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess by Bobby Fischer
A classic book on chess and a bestseller with inputs from the Grand Master Bobby Fischer himself is a must-read if you are into chess. The work of the book is a shared piece by Stuart Margulies, a chess master, and Donn Mosenfelder, a publisher and an educational specialist.
The book is actually an informative chess course in the form of the word. Margulies applies programmed learning to get to the chess players through the book. As you proceed, the authors have put together a few chess puzzles and questions to test your progress.
The book continues to be a bestseller since published originally in the 1960s. You’ll love this classic even if you’re only an avid reader and not a chess player. You might change your mind after reading this book, you know!
How to Reassess Your Chess by Jeremy Silman
Silman has crafted and curated this book for beginners and amateur chess players. It’s incredible how a foolproof game on your side can take a turnover during the middlegame. It’s tricky and challenging.
Reading through the chapters of How to Reassess Your Chess, you’ll learn the moves and plans in the middlegames. You will learn the positional imbalances possible while playing a game of chess.
Silman uses humor and in-depth understanding while he jots down the content of this classic chess book. He has analyzed the minus points of the amateur players and explained the solutions accordingly. This book acts as an asset for you if you’re returning to the game after a break.
Logical Chess: Move by Move by Irving Chernev
Chernev’s Logical Chess makes the perfect book for novice chess players. Chernev has explained the tactics and moves in the game that a chess player must learn to succeed in the field. From the basics to the strategies, the book has it all.
The author has taken the help of 33 different master games to explain the art of chess-playing in detail. From the first move to why action is even made, Chernev has pointed out their reasons.
If any other book has left out some points, this book covers each of them comprehensively. This one by Irving Chernev makes an excellent choice for beginners and chess players who want to return to the game after a break.
One of the most basic moves in chess is the opening move, so why not build some strategy in the beginning?
Modern Chess Openings 15th Edition by Nick de Firmian
All the severe chess players would love to read the Modern Chess Openings 15th Edition, written by Nick de Firmian. The book collects all the valuable points all chess players should go through.
The book is focused on chess openings and is a smooth read in the standard English language. It has all the updated tools and tactics that one needs to know in chess. The book also includes details of the recent chess matches and theories to keep you on track in the field of chess.
Whether you’re a club player or a tournament player, this book is going to prove to be an invaluable resource. We recommend this book as the perfect choice for intermediate players who aim to prosper as high as grandmasters in the field of chess.
The Agile London System by Alfonso Romero & Oscar Prado
A comprehensive chess strategy concerning the white pieces per the London system, The Agile London System is the perfect tool for intermediate chess players. Many chess masters and grandmasters have used the London System, including Alexander Grischuk and Richard Rappaport.
The book is written by GM Alfonso Romero and FIDE Master Oscar de Prado. The book contains easy-to-follow steps to proceed in a chess game. With several tactics and attacks, the book guides you on how to apply basic strategies in chess.
Guiding you through the moves of the white pieces, you can also expect to learn how and what to expect from the black pieces. The book makes a great read and guides all chess players from beginner to advanced levels.
The Kaufman Repertoire by Larry Kaufman
The Kaufman Repertoire is an excellent guide to teach the opening strategies of chess. Written by the Grandmaster and former senior in chess, Larry Kaufman walks you through the repertoire of chess, explaining each one in detail.
You won’t find complex theories but easy-to-understand strategies for the Black and White pieces. This book is a follow-up to his previous book called The Chess Advantage in Black and White. However, the book is nowhere a connection but a whole new set of moves and strategies.
Learning the tactics mentioned in Kaufman’s book, you are sure to become one confident chess player. Thanks to his idea of sharing his chess knowledge with the rest of the chess lovers and players. You can now expect to become next-level chess players by reading appropriate books like this one.
Better Chess Openings by J.E.F. Kaan
You have the winning chances more in your hands when you know the front and ends of a game. Chess is no different in that. All that it differs in is a little bit more concentration, strategy, and analysis. With a good start, you know how the game’s going to end.
Better Chess Openings is just the guide for that. It takes you through a walk-through of the various moves in chess. Kaan has studied the overestimation done by most beginners or amateurs in chess and has addressed them.
The book addresses one phase at a time for you to understand better: opening, middle game, and finally, the endgame. You ace each one of it, and you’re sure to meet heights with that expertise. This is what makes this book a must-read for the royal game players.
Now that you know the opening strategy follow it up with otherwise moves and techniques.
My System by Aron Nimzowitsch
If you want to read the ultimate book on Chess strategies, go for My System by Aron Nimzowitsch. This book has accomplished the bestsellers lists for all time. Backed by recommendations from grandmasters and trainers since the 1920s, this book is a gem to all chess players.
You’ll find essential positional chess strategies, from the prophylaxis to blockading passed pawns, from pawn chains to whatnots; it is a guide to all of them. If you see yourself making claims in the next level games of chess, this book will prepare you for the journey.
Although the book might not have reached heights as the other classics, this is still a must-have for chess players of any level.
The Woodpecker Method by Axel Smith & Hans Tikkanen
The Woodpecker Method is an exemplary illustration of the chess strategy. Authors Axel Smith and Hans Tikkanen have made reasonable efforts to make this book enjoyable by including the essentials of a pro chess game.
The method mentioned in this book is a go-to approach in a chess match. It involves moral intuition, tactical vision, and thinking in challenging chess scenarios. The book offers you a set of chess puzzles and lets you solve them repeatedly until you master the method.
It is much more challenging than you might hear it to be. The puzzles progress from the beginner level to the advanced classes to check your progress in mastering the chess strategy. Most of the challenges belong to the intermediate category, and you get the chance to polish yourself in the field of chess.
Winning Chess Tactics by Yasser Seirawan
The book Winning Chess Tactics by Yasser Seirawan is the prime example of the term itself. It is the ultimate guide to ace the chessboard game using the appropriate chess strategy and tactics.
The book starts with the basic chess strategies, to begin with, and then it proceeds towards the advanced tactics used in chess. It tells you which approach to use and how to use it and when to use it.
The book also deals with the various applied tactics by high-level chess players to give you the confidence and the best concept. This book is perfect for beginner chess players while it also takes the intermediate players through a smooth sail.
Chess Strategy for Club Players by Herman Grooten
Guided through a walk-through the chess coach Herman Grooten himself, this book has won awards for the impact it has made on chess players out there. The book makes a perfect fit to teach the middlegame tactics in chess for beginner players.
The strategies mentioned in the book are proposed and applied by Wilhelm Steinitz, the first world champion. All his-inspired tactics in the book are refined and updated by Grooten to better approach your chess match.
Every chapter in the book guides you from the basics to the endgame. It contains elements from the pawn structure to king safety. Grooten has also successfully managed to sum up all the tactics into practice exercises at the end of the book’s every chapter.
This unique element of the book is that it covers the tactics to apply when your basic principles in chess fail to work. With this book, you’ll learn the next move to go!
A good finish is also essential, especially in a game like chess which decides its winners on their last move.
Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual by Mark Dvoretsky
One of the top-class chess instructors, Mark Dvoretsky, has shared his knowledge with fellow chess players in his book on chess endgames. This commendably worth-the-read book covers the entire endgame theory in a manner that you can easily understand.
From the basics of the endgame to the advanced must-know facts, the book contains all of them. The tactics here are explained in detail as to when, how, and why to use them in the endgame.
If you want to ace your chess endgame, you must go through a gem like this one. Now available in its 4th edition, the book is a must-have in the library of chess players from the beginner to master levels.
100 Endgames You Must Know by Jesus de la Villa
This book is the ultimate manual to go through to ace the chess endgame. Jesus de la Villa is the Grandmaster and the former chess champion of Spain. He has engaged himself to share his years-long experience in the form of words put to you.
There are many endgame scenarios in chess. Villa has chosen 100 possible endgame scenarios to prepare you to face any of them with mastery and confidence. Through practical application of every strategy, the author intends to prepare you for every chess move you may face in a match.
With such an objective, the book contains many practice pieces as well. They give you a practical example of all the scenarios explained in the book. With this book, you can expect to have the appropriate approach to the endgame of your chess match.
Silman’s Complete Endgame Course by Jeremy Silman
The endgame course in this book by Silman is, in fact, the system you need for a professional approach to a chess match. This book is divided into parts. All chess players can read through all the sections of the book depending on their player level.
This approach is meant to ease you through the various brutal tactics a chess player needs to apply in chess, especially in the endgame. The endgame is the turning point of the match. You still have the option to advance your levels. However, Silman intends to impart his knowledge to fellow chess players in the simplest way possible.
This way, you make a smooth entry in the game while you transition to the different levels within the game. Many amateur players seem to take the endgame lightly, which should not be the case. This is why this book makes its entry to strengthen the chess players in this particular area of chess.
Life and Games of Mikhail Tal by Mikhail Tal
Life and Games of Mikhail Tal is a classic by Grandmaster Mikhail Tal himself. The book is an all-time classic sharing the experiences of Mikhail in his games following his life. This book is not only meant for one level but all chess players.
Mikhail was known to be an aggressive chess player of his time. He had his approach of acing the opening with his strategies. The book is the perfect rendition of all his methods to inspire you on the same path.
Known as the ‘Magician from Riga,’ Mikhail motivated his fans for daring attacks, precision, and creative tactics. Following his footprints through this book, you can assure yourself to reach his levels of expertise with the ultimate precision.
With the extensive range of chess books claiming to do whatnots, shopping for the right book for you is sure tricky. That is why we have jotted here the essential points to figure out before you look for the perfect chess book for yourself.
back to menu ↑The Playing Level Is The Ultimate Determiner
The level of your chess playing determines the appropriate book for you the most. Beginner books usually cover the how-tos and the different approaches you can apply in a chess match as a starter in the field.
Advanced chess books focus more on the tactics and strategies and the different elements of the three sections of the chess game. Make sure to make the perfect judgment to learn your playing level.
back to menu ↑Beginner Level
“Beginner” is a subjective term. In chess, a beginner is considered to be a brand-new entry in the field of chess. For such novices, adding beginner-level books meant for kids is a way to get started with chess. Not all beginner chess books have an easy-to-understand approach to chess.
Make sure to conduct thorough research on which book will be convenient, considering the book’s language and elements.
back to menu ↑Intermediate Level
Intermediate chess books take you through a smooth sail from beginner to advanced. They are those stepping stones you cannot skip to see yourself on the next level. Suppose you can go through the intermediate level smoothly. In that case, you can reach the advanced level sooner and with much knowledge in the field.
Make sure to learn every chapter of the intermediate chess book and be on point to proceed further. You need to train yourself with the different tactics to proceed further, and a shortcut is never a key for good players.
back to menu ↑Advanced Level
Advanced chess players seldom buy books on chess to improve themselves. But when they do it, they make sure to research well and get the best one, probably a bestseller. If you’re among that level., you need to be very precise about the areas that need polishing.
Once you are familiar with your requirement, you can search for books dealing in that particular area.
back to menu ↑All Levels
If you’re an avid reader who is also a chess player, you might want to browse through the top recommendations for chess books. These lists mainly cover the books that are readable for chess players of all three levels. These books help you to have better insights into different prospects of a chess game.
Now that you’ve reached the end of this post, you are familiar with the top reads in the field of chess. Make sure to do your research before you buy the best chess books that fit your requirements.
With the books mentioned here, you are sure to move ahead towards the next level sooner and with effective results. Keep chess-ing the dream and ace it!
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