Chess help? What is the most recommended book for intermediate players who desire to advance?

Question

I have been playing chess for years (10 or so) I have had a international teacher for a very short time. After being away from chess for a little bit I find myself struggling to improve. Any advice? Books? I use chess.com Its alright...But what have you done to improve your chess playing?

Answer 1

You might consider Jeremy Silman's "How To Reassess Your Chess" and "The Amateur's Mind".

"Win at Chess" by Ron Curry is an excellent one-volume book that covers all facets of the game.

Yasser Seirawan's Winning Chess Series is excellent as well... they should be studied in approximately the following order:

Play Winning Chess (more beginner level)

Winning Chess Endings

Winning Chess Tactics

Winning Chess Strategies

Winning Chess Combinations

Winning Chess Openings

Winning Chess Brilliancies

I'm not sure whether Nimzowitsch's "My System" and "Chess Praxis" may or may not be too advanced... you can check them out, see what you think.

"Logical Chess Move By Move" by Irving Chernev should be studied by EVERY chess player who desires to get better.   John Nunn has a couple of similar style books out, I forgot their exact titles, but it's similar to "Move by Move".

Developing your tactical ability until it is extremely sharp is the most important thing.  You do this by practicing the solving of chess problems.   So books that have chess problems are good... Pandolfini has several such books (e.g. "Chezzercises")...

Both Pandolfini and Silman have "Endgame Course Books" out as well... studying either or both of those books will help tremendously.

Saying you've been playing for 10 years doesn't really provide enough info to really advise you on how to improve... but for the average player, the books I listed are invaluable.   But if you had a teacher, I'd assume that you are accurate in calling yourself an "intermediate" player (some people think they're  "intermediate", but really aren't...they just think they are because they don't play often against truly strong players) ... but it sounds like if you've had an "international teacher" , you have received an objective opinion as to your level of skill.

Good luck to you!