Good Positional Chess, Planning & Strategy Books for Beginners and Beyond
Now what should I do?
If you find yourself frequently confronting this question during a game and/or are stuck at the lower levels of the rating scale, it may be time for you to begin your study of positional chess and all that follows from it - i.e., planning and strategy.
Most beginner-novices typically have only vague notions when it comes to developing a plan or conceiving a strategy – at least, beyond attacking and trying to capture their opponent’s unprotected pieces. When they become more skilled at tactics they might look for tricky opportunities such as pins, forks, discovered or double attacks. While these are essential skills for improving at chess, they tend not to be so much the result of executing plans and strategies as they are taking advantage of other randomly occurring mistakes by your opponent.
Once the opponents become more proficient at protecting their material, tactical opportunities become more difficult to find. It is then that the realization begins to dawn on the chess player that (s)he must find a way to create (as opposed to stumble upon) or enhance the potential for tactical opportunities.
Positional Chess
"While tactics supersede strategy and positional play, superior strategy produces favorable tactics, and positional play is the guidepost of strategy" - Dan Heisman, award winning author and chess instructor, in "Elements of Positional Evaluation", 4th Revised Edition.
"Tactics flow from a superior position" - former World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer.
The missing piece of the puzzle which allows one to see the "big picture" and to play chess with a plan, is provided by an understanding of the concepts of positional chess.
Positional chess is concerned with optimizing the placement of pieces and pawns in order to enhance the prospects of achieving a favorable outcome, or goal, whether it be short-term or long-term. The process begins with examining a chess position for the purpose of not only identifying a goal, but also the procedure for achieving the goal, i.e., the plan, the strategy.
To do this the first thing that must be done is to identify the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the position - of both players - and assess the advantages and disadvantages these present to both players. Once that is accomplished and a goal and plan identified, the techniques of positional and tactical chess can then provide the means by which the plan, the strategy, can be executed.
A goal may be offensive or defensive in character. An offensive goal generally takes one of two forms: either 1) the successful execution of a tactic, the purpose of which is to win material, which may or may not include checkmating the opponent’s king, or 2) achieving an advantageous placement of one’s pieces and pawns, i.e., improving one’s “position”, in order to support and/or create the opportunity for the eventual execution of a successful tactic. A defensive goal may be to neutralize or defeat an opponent's threatened tactic or attack, or to impede or nullify his ability to improve his position, i.e. the advantageous placement of his pieces and pawns.
The following video gives some good examples of how to identify a plan and create tactical opportunities. It goes almost without saying that not only must the goal or target of the plan be identified, but the attacker's position, that is, an appropriate deployment of his pieces and pawns, must be ensured at each step of the plan's evolution in order to support its successful execution...
The 10 Best Chess Plans For The Middlegame - Chess Vibes...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F98JdnLyUXA&ab_channel=ChessVibes
[For those whose primary concern is improving their middlegame tactical (as opposed to positional-strategic) skills, I suggest to check out my note in the Comments section below on the book "The Six Power Moves of Chess".]
The remainder of this article offers a curriculum to follow which will enable one to acquire the positional chess understanding and skills necessary for playing chess at a higher level...
Note: the order in which the books are presented in this article are roughly the order in which I would suggest they be studied (unless explicitly stated otherwise). For example "Play Winning Chess" by Seirawan is the first book recommended for the beginner-novice player because it introduces the most fundamental, essential concepts underlying a positional-strategic approach to chess, while "Game Changer" by Sadler & Regan is targeted to advanced players who have experience in employing basic positional concepts.
Positional Chess Basics - Core Curriculum
Fundamental to enhancing one's prospects for conceiving successful strategies and playing with a plan is an understanding of the four primary elements of chess – Force, Time, Space, and Pawn Structure. These essential elements constitute the foundation, the starting point for developing a strategic approach to chess, which requires understanding how to evaluate a chess position, then developing and executing a plan based on that evaluation.
As a first step I recommend that every improving chess amateur become familiar with the concepts presented in the essential introductory text Play Winning Chess by Yasser Seirawan. The book is concerned principally with what GM Seirawan posits to be the four primary elements which must be considered when objectively evaluating a chess position – Force, Time, Space and Pawn Structure. Understanding how to properly evaluate and use these strategic elements is fundamental to the process of formulating and executing plans and strategies which will enable you to significantly improve the chances for a successful result in your games. The importance of the concepts presented in this instructive book cannot be overstated.
For an instructive supplement to Seirawan's book above, with numerous practical examples, see New Ideas In Chess by 5-time U..S Chess Champion Larry M. Evans (Dover Pub. edition, ISBN 0486283054, in Descriptive notation). This was the first book devoted entirely to an exposition of the four primary elements.
GM Larry M. Evans' method of static analysis (Chess.com forum discussion of the four primary elements)...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/gm-larry-evans-method-of-static-analysis
After your introduction to the four primary elements (above), I recommend to proceed directly to Weapons of Chess by Bruce Pandolfini. It provides an excellent introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of positional chess, including instruction in the fundamentals of pawn play. It will provide you with an arsenal of tools and ideas to drawn upon when conceiving and executing a plan. I suggest to start by first reading the three chapters: 'Pawn Centers', 'Positional Chess' and 'Weakness'. While the chapters explaining the positional themes and techniques are presented in alphabetical order (as in an encyclopedia), it is important to read & understand every chapter before moving on from the book - there are no unimportant positional concepts in chess! Players who are serious about improving their chess results would be wise to follow this advice.
I consider Weapons of Chess together with Seirawan's Play Winning Chess to be must-reads for all improving amateurs who aspire to play chess at a higher level. I recommend to study them prior to proceeding to the books below.
Having absorbed the lessons in Seirawan's and Pandolfini's books above I recommend to continue to build and strengthen your positional-strategic skills with the following very instructive books: Winning Chess Strategies by Yasser Seirawan, The Amateur's Mind by Jeremy Silman, Simple Chess by Michael Stean and Elements of Positional Evaluation by Dan Heisman. Although I recommend to study these four books in the order presented, this is not set in stone. In fact you may profitably decide to read them in the order that most interests you, or even portions of them simultaneously. Of course, the more of each you study, the more you will profit.
By Yasser Seirawan. Targeted to post-beginner through Intermediate players, this provides further in-depth exposition and practical examples reinforcing and building upon the positional-strategic concepts and techniques introduced in Seirawan's Play Winning Chess and Pandolfini's Weapons of Chess (above).
By Jeremy Silman. Targeted to the post-beginner through intermediate chess player, Here Silman analyzes chess games, positions and concepts as though he is discussing them with an amateur player for the purpose of clarifying proper chess thinking, pointing out typical amateur mistakes and making suggestions for correct play. The emphasis throughout is on positional-strategic considerations.
By Michael Stean. A classic. Targeted to the post-beginner through intermediate player, this is essentially a short course which Instructively presents the practical implementation of positional-strategic chess fundamentals within the context of grandmaster games. Similar in concept (and titles) to Stean's book and which I recommend as as supplements and/or follow-on's to further ingrain the ideas and methods into your chess psyche: Simple Chess and More Simple Chess, both by John Emms (together here in a single volume).
Elements of Positional Evaluation
By Dan Heisman. Targeted to post-beginner through intermediate players, Heisman provides detailed instruction in fundamental positional chess principles and technique.
Collectively, I consider the books recommended above to form a core curriculum for a solid foundation in basic positional concepts and techniques.
I recommend the following three instructive books (targeted primarily to intermediate players and beyond) as supplements to the core curriculum above...
By Drazen Marovic. An exceptionally instructive book which treats various themes of positional chess within the context of annotated Grandmaster games. The chapters are organized by theme.
Chess Secrets: The Giants of Strategy
By Neil McDonald Here are instructive examples of positional-strategic play taken from the games of Kramnik, Karpov, Petrosian, Capablanca and Nimzowitsch. The chapters are thematically organized by topic as: 1. The Seventh Rank 2. The Outpost and the Open File 3. Planning on a Grand Scale 4. Understanding Pawn Majorities 5. The Power of Pawn Breaks 6. How to Use the Pawn Ram 7. Restraint 8. Blockade 9. Provocation and Prophylaxis. This is an outstanding chess book where Neil McDonald's gift for elucidating the why's and wherefore's underlying the chess moves will be welcomed by the improving chess amateur.
By Bronznik & Terekhin. An invaluable compendium of indispensable positional techniques, all in one very instructive book. Highly recommended.
Having absorbed the lessons of the core curriculum (above), you will be well prepared for the following three classic chess books (which I consider to be optional at this point in your studies)....
My System by Aron Nimzowitsch. A classic. The book is generally credited with being the first to expound fundamental positional chess principles in an organized presentation within a single text. In fact there are many, myself included, who view this to the most impactful chess book ever written in terms of its influence on how the game has been played since its initial publication in the early 20th century (see John Watson's perspective of the book in my blog article). I suggest the Lou Hayes 21st Century edition of My System as being the easiest English language translation to read. Consider also Nimzowitsch's instructive companion games collection Chess Praxis.
Modern Chess Strategy by Ludek Pachman. A classic. This is a comprehensive introduction to the essential elements of strategic chess play. Many complete illustrative games are included. While the book is written in the now superseded 'Descriptive' notation, its instructional value is timeless.
The Art Of The Middle Game by Paul Keres and Alexander Kotov. A classic. The title says it all. The book is currently only available in the older 'Descriptive' notation (as far as I have been able to determine). Nevertheless, Like Ludek Pachman's book (above) its instructive value is enduring.
Having absorbed the lessons of the books above you will be well prepared for the instructive advanced books below...
Positional Chess - Advanced Curriculum
Although I have listed the following books in roughly the order in which I would tend to suggest them for a structured, formal curriculum of study, the order is not set in stone and the books may be read in any order as your interests dictate. Also, it isn't necessary to read them linearly - i.e., finishing one book before starting another. In fact, you can profitably study portions of any of them simultaneously as you are motivated...
The Art of Planning In Chess: Move By Move by Neil McDonald
Mastering Opening Strategy by Johan Hellsten
Chess Success: Planning After The Opening by Neil McDonald
The Middlegame (Books 1&2 ) by Max Euwe & H. Kramer...a classic....
Soviet Middlegame Technique By Peter Romanovsky...a classic...
Mastering Chess Strategy by Johan Hellsten
Understanding Chess Middlegames by John Nunn
Chess Strategy Move By Move by Adam Hunt
Chess Strategy for Club Players By Herman Grooten
Art of Attack In Chess by Vladimir Vukovic...a classic...
Attacking Manual (Volumes 1&2) by Jacob Aagaard
Attacking Chess For Club Players by Herman Grooten
Having absorbed the lessons from the books above, the following are very advanced treatments, suitable primarily for players rated Elo 1800 and above.....
Winning Chess Middlegames by Ivan Sokolov
Winning Chess Middlegames: An Essential Guide to 1.e4 Pawn Structures by Ivan Sokolov
Positional Play by Jacob Aagaard
The Complete Manual of Positional Chess - Opening and Middlegame by Sakaev & Landa
The Complete Manual of Positional Chess - Middlegame Structures and Dynamics by Skaev & Landa
Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy: Advances since Nimzowitsch by John Watson
Chess Strategy in Action by John Watson
Game Changer: AlphaZero's Groundbreaking Chess Strategies and the Promise of AI by Matthew Sadler & Natasha Regan
The Silicon Road to Chess Improvement by Matthew Sadler
The following video succinctly summarizes important strategic goals which you should look for opportunities to advantageously achieve during your games.....
13 Chess Middle Game Strategic Goals by ChessEdge...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBZL_uUX-7E
https://www.youtube.com/@BKKaye
Note that accurate pawn play is a fundamental aspect of positional chess. In particular, pawn structure provides a road map suggestive of the optimum route to take for formulating plans and strategies - for both attack and defense. For instructive resources, articles and books devoted to this important facet of the game see....
Pawn Play and Structure - for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/chess-books-on-pawn-play-and-structure
A Final (and Hopefully, Obvious) Take-Away...
With a solid understanding of positional concepts, pawn structure and pawn play you will possess the potential to take control of a game, by continually forcing your opponent into spending extra time and energy in understanding and dealing what you are doing, resulting in them having less time to do the same to you. The more skilled you become in employing appropriate positional and pawn play technique, the more more difficult it will be for your opponent to undermine, exploit, or refute your play.
On the other hand, if your opponents are in possession of these concepts and skills more so than you, I must wish you lots of luck!
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Discover other helpful and instructive chess resources, including more book recommendations, in my Chess.com blog.
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