A List and Description of Good Chess Books! - Chess Forums

Cherub_Enjel

Feb 15, 2017

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#1

*Here are some chess books I've read through my chess development that have particularly helped me, in my opinion. Beginners and weaker intermediate players will definitely find these helpful, I think. I'll probably update this gradually.

*Also - how to read chess books, in my opinion:

It's better to read one chess book carefully and slowly, and reread to get all the benefit out of it, than to read 50 books quickly - the latter method is just totally ineffective. The same goes with playing chess games - one high quality, slow game, is typically better than 60 bullet games.

Here's a list of my books:

(1) Back to Basic, Tactics (Heisman) : A great book for players rated anywhere from 800-1600 USCF. This book alone can let you make the tough transition from beginner to weaker intermediate player through teaching you basic tactics, and the basic thought processes that help you take advantage of your tactical knowledge. Many players rated 1600 would find this useful as well, as a very good review book of basic knowledge.

(2) Guide to Chess Improvement - The Best of Novice Nook (Heisman) : A great book for players rated 500-2000. This book is a collection of the best articles that Heisman has written in NoviceNook, an instructional column. The articles form a comprehensive improvement guide for any player, and the articles vary widely in audience range. This is a great book to have as reference.

(3) Chess Endgame Quiz (Evans) : I thought this book was trash when I first bought it. I was very wrong. This book has 200 endgame puzzles, most of which are not studies, but are taken from real games, and are deceptively simple. He gives you 3 choices for a move for each puzzle, and only one gives a good result for the side to move. I had no idea endgames could be so beautiful and precise, yet look so simple and familiar. Some of these patterns and ideas have popped up in my games. This is a great book to look at, because it will change the way you look at endgames. Wouldn't recommend for U1400 players though.

(4) Forcing Chess Moves (Hertan) : This book is all about calculation, especially advanced calculation. This is the book you read after you're done with basic tactical study, and have solid positional chess down. Now, you want to be able to play complicated, sharp positions and calculate lines precisely at each move, and beat your opponent that way, and play complicated combinations. Hertan gives you great algorithms for calculation, and great tips on how to avoid the common pitfalls most players make when calculating. I am currently reading this book. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone rated under 1800 USCF, and some of the positions will be tricky for even titled players, I believe.

Chanelle_Rocks14

Feb 15, 2017

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#2

Nice

kindaspongey

Feb 15, 2017

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#3

Back to Basics: Tactics by Dan Heisman

https://web.archive.org/web/20140708233537/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review585.pdf

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/2722.pdf

A Guide to Chess Improvement by Dan Heisman (2010)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708105628/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review781.pdf

Forcing Chess Moves by Charles Hertan

https://web.archive.org/web/20140708111520/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review637.pdf

RussBell

Jul 15, 2017

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#4

Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond

adumbrate

Jul 26, 2017

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#5

I am currently reading my first ever chess book. it's called capablancas 60 best endings. it's an old book. but I found it interesting with 60 complete games with focus on the endgame. I am doing 2 games every day. currently just finished the 10th game. Recommended

woodretarded

Jul 30, 2017

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#6

Thanks for the spam

ChessPolicies

Jul 30, 2017

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#7

Openings : Grandmaster Repertoire (Quality Chess) books are the best, even though they are master level

Calculation : Calculation by Jacob Aagaard, I'm currently reading it and it is excellent, in a few weeks I've become sharper in my calculation and I can go deeper in a position

Endgames : Dvoretsky's endgame manual by Dvoretsky obviously, I've only read the pawn endgames chapter, it is clear and incredibly helpful, but some puzzles are really tough !

kindaspongey

Jul 30, 2017

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#8

"... Just because a book contains lots of information that you don’t know, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be extremely helpful in making you better at this point in your chess development. ..." - Dan Heisman (2001)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140626180930/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman06.pdf
"... The books that are most highly thought of are not necessarily the most useful. Go with those that you find to be readable. ..." - GM Nigel Davies (2010)
"... If it’s instruction, you look for an author that addresses players at your level (buying something that’s too advanced won’t help you at all). This means that a classic book that is revered by many people might not be useful for you. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (2015)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-best-chess-books-ever

kindaspongey

Jul 30, 2017

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#9

"... before discussing the specifics of Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual [henceforth 'DEM'], a word of warning is in order. I must emphasize that this is a terribly advanced work that I don't think is a very good way for the average player to study the endgame. The majority of the examples are complex and position-specific, and neither the average student nor even strong masters will follow or play over most of the hundreds of positions that are given extensive analysis, not to mention the subvariations derived from those positions. Even when introducing 'the basics', Dvoretsky's approach is often more complex than is necessary for an average student, and in any case such a thick book will seldom be used for the sake of elementary instruction. The majority of the other material is frankly very difficult. So take note: I don't want to be blamed, in praising this book, for your purchasing something that you find intimidating, relatively dull, or otherwise unsatisfying. That said, if you are up to a real challenge and have a great deal of time to devote to reading and playing over examples you will inevitably derive great value from this work. ..." - IM John Watson (2005)
http://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/the-end-game-comes-before-we-know-it

https://web.archive.org/web/20140708233815/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review399.pdf

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/2703.pdf

kindaspongey

Jul 30, 2017

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#10

ledieudumonde wrote:

... Calculation by Jacob Aagaard ...

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/7281.pdf

ChessPolicies

Jul 31, 2017

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#11

Thanks kindaspongey, useful comments as those books are indeed difficult books, but I disagree with John Watson : sure that there is many (too many ?) positions, that the notions explained are not always simple, but I think that these notions are really important in order to achieve master level (which I am aiming for). Morover, Dvoretsky and Aagaard provide positions from master games, and it is really enjoyable to be right where they went wrong

From begginers to 1600 ELO Seirawan's books are also great if one want easier books

dannyhume

Jul 31, 2017

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#12

I am starting to wonder if "instructional" books should be treated much the way "openings" ought to be treated by amateurs... that is, not terribly useful until one is already a solid mid/upper level amateur player (e.g., category 2 FIDE or class B USCF).

A lot of calculation and pattern recognition exercises (tactics and endgames) and just a little bit of basic principles in "words" (such as opening principles, middlegame and endgame rules of thumb, for instance) seem to be necessary to get the most out of these books which are, after all, commentary and variations by master or higher level players on the play of master or higher lever players and, therefore, not as much use to a growing player. A concrete tactic leading to checkmate or material gain or a forced winning or drawn endgame, however, is far more clear and relevant to the players at those levels.

jambyvedar

Jul 31, 2017

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#13

dannyhume wrote:

I am starting to wonder if "instructional" books should be treated much the way "openings" ought to be treated by amateurs... that is, not terribly useful until one is already a solid mid/upper level amateur player (e.g., category 2 FIDE or class B USCF).

A lot of calculation and pattern recognition exercises (tactics and endgames) and just a little bit of basic principles in "words" (such as opening principles, middlegame and endgame rules of thumb, for instance) seem to be necessary to get the most out of these books which are, after all, commentary and variations by master or higher level players on the play of master or higher lever players and, therefore, not as much use to a growing player. A concrete tactic leading to checkmate or material gain or a forced winning or drawn endgame, however, is far more clear and relevant to the players at those levels.

Yes. There are strategy and endgame book made for specific audience. It is not advisable to give book like My System to a beginner.

kindaspongey

Jul 31, 2017

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#14

dannyhume wrote:

I am starting to wonder if "instructional" books should be treated much the way "openings" ought to be treated by amateurs... that is, not terribly useful until one is already a solid mid/upper level amateur player (e.g., category 2 FIDE or class B USCF). ...

Have you done much reading from books like these?

kindaspongey

Jul 31, 2017

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#15

[COMMENT DELETED]

dannyhume

Aug 1, 2017

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#16

I have read almost every one of those books, enjoyed them, and each time felt like I would have been better served by doing interactive problem solving, especially when I take extended breaks from tactics to get through several books. Maybe I am not "reading" them correctly, but it is easy to not pay attention to the board or to follow along and think the idea is simple, but you are missing a number of threats not discussed in the variations. Simple Attacking Plans for instance talks a lot about long strong queen moves, but you can't just move your queen across the board aggressively willy nilly... you need to understand the "needs of the position" first, and any talk of such needs presumes you can rule out a number of "obvious" concrete tactical threats that the author(s) do not feel the need to mention. So such a book can be useful for intermediate/advanced club players to see some more examples of attacking play, but as an instructional blueprint for attacking or method to boost your rating, it is far less useful than interactive problem-solving. But the book is good for a higher level than maybe most low level club chess players want to hope it is.

jambyvedar

Aug 1, 2017

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#17

dannyhume wrote:

I have read almost every one of those books, enjoyed them, and each time felt like I would have been better served by doing interactive problem solving, especially when I take extended breaks from tactics to get through several books. Maybe I am not "reading" them correctly, but it is easy to not pay attention to the board or to follow along and think the idea is simple, but you are missing a number of threats not discussed in the variations. Simple Attacking Plans for instance talks a lot about long strong queen moves, but you can't just move your queen across the board aggressively willy nilly... you need to understand the "needs of the position" first, and any talk of such needs presumes you can rule out a number of "obvious" concrete tactical threats that the author(s) do not feel the need to mention. So such a book can be useful for intermediate/advanced club players to see some more examples of attacking play, but as an instructional blueprint for attacking or method to boost your rating, it is far less useful than interactive problem-solving. But the book is good for a higher level than maybe most low level club chess players want to hope it is.

That is why chess study is divided into endgames,strategies and tactics/calculation. Studying them is essential for improvement.

Indirect

Aug 1, 2017

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#18

ledieudumonde wrote:

Openings : Grandmaster Repertoire (Quality Chess) books are the best, even though they are master level

Calculation : Calculation by Jacob Aagaard, I'm currently reading it and it is excellent, in a few weeks I've become sharper in my calculation and I can go deeper in a position

Endgames : Dvoretsky's endgame manual by Dvoretsky obviously, I've only read the pawn endgames chapter, it is clear and incredibly helpful, but some puzzles are really tough !

Lol, we are about at the same place in the books. This summer I decided to make a 2 year plan on the grandmaster preparation series and the endgame manual. I'm currently in the Elimination Chapter of the Calculation book and the opposite color bishops in Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual.
And if you have Aagaard's Endgame play, work on that book side by side the manual, so as soon as you finish the corresponding chapters of the endgame manual go to the chapter Endgame Play, cause Aagaard's books are basically tests, good tests, as most of the positions he uses are from recent games so there's a high chance we haven't seen the positions before.

kindaspongey

Aug 3, 2017

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#19

dannyhume wrote:

... Simple Attacking Plans ... So such a book can be useful for interrmediate/advanced club players to see some more examples of attacking play, but as an instructional blueprint for attacking or method to boost your rating, it is far less useful than interactive problem-solving. But the book is good for a higher level than maybe most low level club chess players want to hope it is.

From time to time, I have seen people suggest Winning Chess Strategy for Kids by Jeff Coakley.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708094112/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review332.pdf

Maybe that would be worth a try. I think Coakley also has done some puzzle books that might be to your taste. I have seen Pandolfini's Weapons of Chess suggested, but I do not know of an online review for that one.

dannyhume

Aug 23, 2018

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#20

kindaspongey wrote:

dannyhume wrote:

... Simple Attacking Plans ... So such a book can be useful for interrmediate/advanced club players to see some more examples of attacking play, but as an instructional blueprint for attacking or method to boost your rating, it is far less useful than interactive problem-solving. But the book is good for a higher level than maybe most low level club chess players want to hope it is.

From time to time, I have seen people suggest Winning Chess Strategy for Kids by Jeff Coakley.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708094112/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review332.pdf

Maybe that would be worth a try. I think Coakley also has done some puzzle books that might be to your taste. I have seen Pandolfini's Weapons of Chess suggested, but I do not know of an online review for that one.

Coakley's book I thought was pretty good.

For all the hate I have seen Pandolfini receive for his books, I think Weapons of Chess is his finest contribution, a good introduction to strategy with an emphasis on pawns (I have read this book a few times).

I am also intrigued by his Chess Endgame Workshop, which looks like a more deliberate thoughful endgame course with more diagrams and verbal instruction than his also decent Endgame Course (with an errata list, of course).