Questions about my "chess library"

Hello. I am a 1200 USCF rated player (still somewhat of a beginner) and I have gotten books from an old bookstore containing books for 1$ and less. Here are the ones I have, and I don't know what I should study. 

Judgment and Planning in Chess by Max Euwe

My System by Aron Nimzovich

The Game of Chess by Siegbert Tarrasch

The Art of Attack in Chess by Vukovic

The Russians Play Chess by Irving Chernev

Solitaire Chess by Horowitz

 1001 winning sacrifices and combinations by Reinfeld

Improve your  Endgame Play (and Opening one) by Flear and the other by Ward

Understanding Chess Move by Move - by John Nunn

Game of Chess by Golumbek

Chess Endings: Essential Knowledge by Averbakh 

 Combinations: Heart of Chess by Chernev

 

Also, I have previously read Logical Chess Move by Move (several years ago, as I have not played for several years now).  I don't know which book(s) to use for slow study, as I would like to attend a few tournaments in March and May. By the way, I have usually been a defensive minded player, who makes solid moves, though I would like to be able to calculate combinations, etc. (tactics basically that aren't easy to see) and basically just improve. My main question is: where should I go from here (what should I read first)? Is My System suitable for my level, etc.. 

 

 

Well, at the 1200 level being able to spot tactics tends to be more important than doubled pawns and the like. Probably Reinfeld's "1001 winning sacrifices and combinations" is a good palce to begin. I personally don't own it. Instead I read Seirawan's Winning Chess Tactics and Heisman's Back to Basics: Tactics... same idea, more text.

 

Reinfeld's book is well-known and on Amazon you'll find reviews like:

 

"I don't know how good you'd have to be not to profit from them; but if you're between 1200-1500, Reinfeld's puzzle books are for you. In fact, I don't know of any better ones."

 

"without a doubt the greatest tactical teaching tools for anyone over 1200 strength(strong beginner)."

You lucked into an excellent collection of books! Nimzovitch's "My System" is perhaps the most seminal chess book of all time, the book that revolutionized chess strategy and the one that is credited with creating more masters than any other. Tarrasch's "The Game of Chess" teaches the principles of classical chess that preceded Nimzovitch and is more suitable for beginners, as it starts from the basics and proceeds to a moderate level of play. This book, along with Tarrasch's collection "Dreihundert," or "Three Hundred Games," was the greatest teaching book in the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth, up until Nimzovitch. "The Art of Attack" by Vukovich is also a classic, a great book for sharpening tactics and a book studied at the highest levels of chess. The Euwe book is also highly regarded. Some of the other books (which are excellent) are going to be better for more elementary study, such as the combination books and the endings books, as well as the more general texts, but rest assured, you have laid the foundations of a great chess library that can carry you far.

Read Understanding Chess Move by Move last, and expect it to take you quite a while.  It is an intermediate level analysis of major chess themes in context.  The Art of Attack is a classic book, and is really quite interesting tactically.

Thanks everyone for the comments. Oh also, which book(s) should I read and study first? I need a difficulty level that is right. For example, is My System by Nimzovich for my level?

Alex1110 wrote: Thanks everyone for the comments. Oh also, which book(s) should I read and study first? I need a difficulty level that is right. For example, is My System by Nimzovich for my level?

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 Chess Endings: Essential Knowledge by Averbakh

 1001 winning sacrifices and combinations by Reinfeld

Improve your  Endgame Play

The Art of Attack in Chess by Vukovic

 My System by Aron Nimzovich

 

I'd read those 5 in that order I've started the last 2 and theyre a little more high level.  Endgames are always essential  learning and Reinfeld's book is simply outstanding. But thats just my take.  I'm a C-player at best so take what you will away from my suggestion.  Feel free to completely disregard me or call me insane even I'll take no offense.  My knowledge isn't very vast.

"My System" is advanced. Start with books like the Reinfeld, Chernev's "Combinations," the Horowitz. I think the Golumbek book starts off at the elementary level, but I'm not sure.

Wow! what a find, well done! Most of the listed titles are well known and of great use to a budding chess player. The engame book by Averbakh will be of great use to you for your whole chess playing life... essential reference, as endgames are timeless, whereas opening knowledge is fleeting due to changing fashions in the game.

For a buck a piece, I'd be tempted to get all of them!

 

For me, problem books take the highest priority.

1001 winning sacrifices and combinations by Reinfeld

 

do the problems in this book every day for one hour and I PROMISE you , you will improve.

When i started playing 4 years ago i went from 1100 to 1300 in about a month after starting this book.

some of them are hard , if you cant solve one , skip it and try the next one

concentrate on the forks , pins , skewers , double attacks...

read the endings books too , your endgame play can never be good enough 

 

have fun