Positional Chess Books?

Hi, I've noticed recently that the area I struggle over is positional chess. Does anyone have any recommendations on what positional chess books to buy to help me? My rating's somewhere around 1800-1900, even though it's been fluctuating a bit. I have already read My System and Simple Chess. Oh, and also, which positional chess grandmaster's games should I study? Thanks.

If you're 1800s otb and 14 years old you need the advice of a solid player here, a titled player preferably.

It would be even better if you got the advice of such a player who was also familiar with your play. No one like that where you play?

I'm afraid anything I'd recommend would be random advice since I'm no better than you it seems (or somewhat weaker).

1800's OTB?

Good books for class A players include:

Silman's How to Reassess Your Chess Workbook (full of great positional exercises!)

Judgement and Planning in Chess by Max Euwe

Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy by John Watson

I suggest doing those books in that order.

Would Seirawan's  Winning Chess Strategies (co authored with Silman) be considered a positional book for those 1000-1300?

All those others are just too advanced for me (1250 or so.)

I am working hard on tactics. Just got a few Gillam books, and am using Bain's Tactics book for students, Predator at the Chessboard,etc, and going to the computer for Chessimo, TT, and Chess Tempo. (In case JG27Pyth is reading this )

I just wondered if Seirawan's book would be a nice beginning for positional chess?

stwils

I recently finished that book and have very mixed feelings about it. I thought the first half of the book was excellent. It seemed obvious that Silman was heavily involved in that portion because it echoed much of what is in a couple of his other books. The second half of the book felt rushed. I thought the explanations and examples weren't the best. I got the impression they were just trying to finish the book and get it published. I also noticed that Silman isn't listed as an author but only that he contributed in some way. There is a paragraph inside stating in effect that Seirawan has been determined to have sole copyright for the book. It sounded to me like there may have been some split between the two somewhere along the way.

A book you might like better is Silman's "Complete Book Of Chess Strategy: Grandmaster Techniques From A To Z". It covers the same type of material as Seirawan's book and more. It also gives a very basic introduction to about forty openings and general advice about playing. It doesn't go into too much depth so it shouldn't be too difficult. I'm not sure what level it's written for but if you're really studying chess you shouldn't have any trouble reaching it's level in short order.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I have not gotten very far into Seirawan's Strategy book so have not come across any rushed writing yet.

I always thought Silman was over my head but his Strategy book may just be what I need now at my level.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

stwils

It's possible that I was rushing myself to finish the book rather than the book being rushed to a finish. Still, the last parts of the book didn't seem to flow as easily the the first parts. It's still a good book and Silman seems to have a very recognizable style that's easy to read and understand. The last parts of the book didn't seem to have that style.

I posted this a month ago for someone else that was looking for a book:

"I recently finished Silman's "Complete Book of Chess Strategy: Grandmaster Techniques from A to Z". Don't let the title scare you, it's not a grandmaster level book. It might be a good fit for you because it covers a wide range of topics without getting into too much depth. It gives basic introductions to about 40 openings, covers many aspects of the middlegame and explains a number of mates and endgame strategies. It also touches on some of the psychological aspects of playing chess. It's not a book for experts but I think it would be a good book for most "average" players, say 1200 - 1800 range. The other Silman books I've seen usually go into more depth on particular aspects of a game where this one gives good introductions into a wider range of material."

Just released is "Chess Strategy for Club Players-The Road to Positional Advantage" by Herman Grooten.  It is for sale on Amazon.  I received my copy today and it looks good.

http://www.amazon.com/Chess-Strategy-Players-Herman-Grooten/dp/9056912682

 would you say anyone around 1250 or so would benefit from it? 

stwils

From the preface, "This book has been written for ambitious club players and tournament sharks."  I believe the average USCF rating of active players is in the 1400 range.  As esentially an adult beginner, my rating is less than the average.  I spent the evening thumbing through the entire book and read chapter one.  The book is well written with many fine examples of each element of positional play.  In my opinion the book is written for the intermediate player, slightly more advanced than the Seirawan strategy book, but probably not too challenging for a 1200 player who is willing to put in some effort.

Thank you, Robert1838.

I believe I can handle it ( hope so) and will order it from Amazon. Sorry there are yet no customer reviews on Amazon yet.

stwils

I just got the Grooten book--it looks excellent but more of I think too challenging for someone under 1400. Silman's more basic books are excellent for learning at that level--along with Chernevs Logical ChessMove by Move

aansel is perhaps correct in his overall assessment.  However, just as one is advised to play opponents slightly higher in rating, I prefer to be challenged by books rather than reading something as easy as a John Grisham novel.  After putting down a challenging book, playing some games, and returning to the book for a second read, things make more sense to me.  Another possible second book (after Seirawan) might be "Best Lessons of a Chess Coach" by Weeramantry and as aansel noted, Logical Chess Move by Move.

Robert1838,

I have just ordered the  book. If it is a bit hard, a little mind stretching will be good for me  - a little at a time.

Thanks for telling me more about it. I look forward to it arriving!

stwils

You should also consider Purdy's Search for Chess Perfection--he is an excellent writer and goes over many topics that I would consider positional. If you can't find a copy let me know. I have felt going over game collections is the best way to learn positional chess--Euwe and Kramer's 2 volume middle game set and Pachman's trilogy ( or condensed one volume work) are also excellent.

Thanks, aansel.

I have Purdy's Guide to Good Chess, and it is one of my very special books. I hope to read his other books, also. He is one of the best chess writers, and I would give almost anything had I live in Australia when he was alive and had collected all of the chess magazine he wrote for. (forgot the name.)

I am being drowned in tactics which is good for me, but I do look forward to a little glimpse into positional chess.

And I do have Chernov's Logical Chess, but have not spent as much time with it as I would like. I need to go through the whole book - peerhaps using my chessboard.

Thanks again for your thoughts and help.

stwils

FYI Purdy's magazines were Australasian Chess Review (ACR),Check, and Chess World.--all of his writings are excellent.

I wonder if anyone has all of them collected and how much they would sell for.

I have another book about the Fine Art of Chess Annotations (not sure of title) and I think it is Vol.3.

So many good books, so little time...

stwils

There are I think four volumes of the Fine Art of Annotations which are taken from the magazines. I have a complete run and have basically sold complete runs of Chess World and lots of the ACR.

How did you acquire all of them?

stwils