What are some good books for chess beginner that do not have a lot of chess notation?

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Kopamed

I had known the way the pieces move for a long time but only recently have I really gotten into chess, and I want to read some books which explain some strategies. I have done quite a few lessons, and currently, I am close to the intermediate lessons. Are there any books that you could recommend that do not have a lot of annotations making them hard to read, yet can explain a strategy well?

Mbforshay

To be honest, chess notation will be in every book, and the books they aren't in are going to make them incredibly hard to understand, but chess.com has vision, and it helps you learn chess notation, practice that a lot, and then the books will be easy to read. Sorry there isn't any other way.

MSteen

For a long time now I have recommended Patrick Wolff's "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess." it has notation, of course, as do all chess books, but it has so many diagrams that you can read it without a chessboard, even if you are a beginner. It's a great overview of all aspects of the game.

RussBell

@Kopamed -

Based on your rating you are essentially a beginner.  The following books are targeted to beginners...

This book teaches basic checkmating tactics and does not use chess notation...(it's the only decent chess book I know of that does not use chess notation.  And I own hundreds of chess books!)...

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess By Bobby Fischer, Stuart Margulies, Donn Mosenfelder

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bobby_Fischer_Teaches_Chess/YXb4PTSdEfUC?hl=en&gbpv=0

The following book also teaches checkmating tactics but includes more complex puzzles than the Bobby Fischer book above.... and uses minimal notation...

Simple Checkmates by A.J. Gillam...

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Simple_Checkmates/254AAAAACAAJ?hl=en

Next, a good, introductory, basic chess course written in a conversational, narrative presentation which covers most facets of the game of chess...it uses chess notation but extremely sparingly....

Pandolfini's Ultimate Guide to Chess by Bruce Pandolfini...

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Pandolfini_s_Ultimate_Guide_to_Chess/xn37a89cjoIC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=pandolfini%27s+ultimate+guide+to+chess&printsec=frontcover

All three books above are targeted to the beginner-novice player, and are very good for their intended purpose.

Be sure to check out my blog for lots of helpful, instructive chess resources including more book recommendations for the improving chess amateur...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

mikenorthrn

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess is the only one that comes to mind, although Chess Tactics for Students is a workbook that allows you to work through problems from pictured boards AND teaches notation - answers are recorded in notation.

 

NEBOYUS

Yasser Seirawan, Winning Chess Tactics, Winning Chess Strategy, and Winning Chess Openings were my first chess books. IMO they're really instructive, and explain things very clearly. There is chess notation, but there are diagrams on each page if you mess up the moves. Play it out on a board. The variations aren't long - if any - and he explains concepts with words very well.

Here's the links to download these books for free in pdf form: 

 

Winning Chess Strategies

https://www.pdfdrive.com/winning-chess-strategies-fully-revised-and-updated-e175890688.html 

Winning Chess Openings

https://www.pdfdrive.com/winning-chess-openings-e158728865.html 

Winning Chess Tactics

https://www.pdfdrive.com/winning-chess-tactics-winning-chess-e163031737.html 

 

Hope this helps! happy.png

CrazyCanucks
Excellent advice, thank you for all the responses
KeSetoKaiba

Great advice and book suggestions so far. Another idea is to not begin with big chess books. Try reading chess articles instead. chess.com has a huge selection grin.png 

Articles are just like books, but they are:

-much shorter

-less notation

-more diagrams so you can move along with some ideas versus in person reading a chess book where one should ideally have at least one physical chess board set up to move the pieces as you read. (Some argue [maybe correctly] that moving pieces on a physical board is better for learning and memory of chess content, but online pgn diagrams in chess.com articles may be easier to follow for a beginner).

RichColorado

I agree you are rated as a beginner and you should start there . . .

katerinah337

Chernev - Logical Chess: Move by move

Beginning Ches by Bruce Pandolfini. 

However... at your level you probably blunder a lot, which means you put your pieces somewhere where they can be captured for free. Try to double check your moves. Try to do Tactics puzzles, I think 10-20 are good per day. And look at Gotham Chess channel. If you learn basic Tactics ideas, like pin, double attack etc... I am sure you can get to 1000 rating, at least this is what I did. Currently I am approximately at 1300 and sometimes opponents or me miss Tactics idea wink.png

FabioParis93

https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Beginners-Comprehensive-Openings-GrandMaster/dp/B08PR92TND/ref=mp_s_a_1_23?keywords=chess+for+beginners&qid=1607690975&sprefix=chess+fo&sr=8-23 I found this one and I think it’s the best one for beginners. Almost no notation. Rules,strategies and tactics are explained in a very simple way.

tystick81

This book is incredible and has no notation whatsoever in it. I highly recommend anyone who is struggling with notation and all the diagrams to read this book. It is basically my Bible on chess. If you want to take a break from all the notation, practice diagrams , and robot like calculations this is your book. It is the only one I've ever found that explains the games principles, tactical goals of opening, Middle, and endgame. It contains many  ideas from Grandmasters about the mindset of you and you're opponent, how to take advantage of the passive/aggressive nature of their play. It has an awesome chapter on pawns explaining how to use them effectively as well as what to avoid positionally. It has everything you could want really.