What chess books do you recommend?

Question

I was just wondering what chess books, sites and magazines do people here find interesting or informative. By the way, I do know how to play the game so beginner tutorials probably won't be that helpful.

Answer 1

As a High School student, you'd benefit from the trustworthy recommendation

"...RECOMMENDED BOOKS ...FOR SCHOLASTIC PLAYERS"

by the USCF (United States Chess Federation) at USChess.org

http://www.uschess.org/scholastic/sc-boo...

These books are available in most libraries, or can be purchased,

usually at member discount prices, through the

US Chess Federation's Online Catalog http://www.shopuschess.org/

or by calling (their) tollfree order line at 1-800-388-KING.

Novice Players (under 750)

•  BB107FP Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess GM Bobby Fischer

•  W390 Maurice Ashley Teaches Chess (software)

•  Chess Workbook for Children NM Todd Bardwick

Junior Varsity Players (under 1000)

•  BG552AP Comprehensive Chess Course(Vol. 2) GM Lev Alburt

•  BG553AP Comprehensive Chess Course(Vol. 3) GM Lev Alburt

•  BB138BP Chess Tactics for Students Bain

Advanced Players (Over 1300)

•  BG615SP Reassess Your Chess IM Jeremy Silman  

Answer 2

I would recommend the following books:

"My System" by Aron Nimzowitsch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_System

"Pawn Power in Chess" by Hans Kmoch

http://www.amazon.com/Pawn-Power-Chess-H...

"Chess Endings Essential Knowledge" by Yuri Averbakh

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601...

"Ideas Behind the Chess Openings" by Reuben Fine

http://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Behind-Chess...

All of these books are considered classics and if you can work your way through them then I think you'll see a vast improvement in your play.

Even though they were first printed quite a long time ago, they focus on basic principles and strategies that will help you understand why certain moves are good and others are not as good.

None of these books will turn you into a Grandmaster overnight, but they will help you better understand some of the basic elements of chess and prepare you for more advanced books.

Answer 3

Every player needs to have a full understanding the interplay between imbalances (i.e. when is a knight better than a bishop, positive qualities of doubled pawns, etc). Jeremy Silman's books go over this in a very approachable way. I suggest (in this order):

- The Amateur's Mind

- Reassess Your Chess

- The Reassess Your Chess Workbook

Once you're past learning how the pieces move, the next question is how to develop a plan. These books give you a systematic way to dissect the position and come up with a course of action.

It's also important to study grandmaster games to start acquiring snapshots of positions in your head. General rules need examples so they are easier to recognize. Any well-annotated book will do. Fischer's "My Memorable 60 Games" was formative for me. Whichever player you choose, make sure he has a solid positional base. For example, Tal and Shirov are brilliant tacticians but it's far above the head of your average player. I would suggest some of the more classic players like Smyslov or Capablanca.

Answer 4

Well I haven't really taken a look at too many books out they're but you should definitely find the classics like one of the above answers noted.

On FICS there are lectures which happen periodically and you could probably learn a bit from them.  Also if you go to http://www.chessclub.com/ they normally have videos of  analyzed games that are currently being played in Super grandmaster tournaments.  These games are analyzed by GM's themselves and are highly instructive.  If you'd get a membership (its not expensive) then you'd have tons of more benefits and I think its definitely worth the money.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

You should concentrate on books that specialize in combinations and strategy.  Old books by Horowitz, Chernev, Fine, and Reinfeld are available a decent prices and can be picked up in used book shops.  Newer books are more expensive.

Ideas Behind Chess Openings by Ruben Fine is an golden oldie for opening tips.

Check the US Chess Federation Sales Pages for more books at www.uschess.org

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Answer 6

sites I recommend for beginners

http://www.chesscorner.com/tutorial/lear...

Books I recommend are notationless as you learn notation

http://grandpatzerchess.blogspot.com/200...

Ault, is a name you won't here often.:)