I started learning chess about a week ago. Just beginning to get the feel of how the pieces move. I thought that maybe buying a few books would help me learn. I have ordered Comprehensive Chess Course Vol 1 & 2 by Lev Alburt. Are these a good choice for a complete beginner.

I like the play winning chess series by yasser seirawan

http://www.chess.com/eq/chess+books/logical-chess-move-by-move2

 

Thanks for the suggestions. If the books I order dont seem to help I may try the ones you have mentioned

My System by Aron Nimzowitch

My System by Nimzowitch

Winning Chess: How to See Three Moves Ahead by Chernev and Reinfield. 

Fotoman, you're an idiot. Logical Chess Move By Move is *NOT* a good beginners books. The player first has to learn to read notation. Did common sense completely pass right by you in kindergarten?

rootworm wrote: Fotoman, you're an idiot. Logical Chess Move By Move is *NOT* a good beginners books. The player first has to learn to read notation. Did common sense completely pass right by you in kindergarten?

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Chill down man!why u have to use that language here?he did any harm to you?

Seems to me the one who skipped kindergarten was you rootworm....lack of good manners..well..maybe they are not to be taught there

 

And, yes it is a suitable book for beginners, may not be the best but still adequate

Winning Chess Series By Seirawan, is the one i would recommend.

Smartattack wrote: My System by Aron Nimzowitch

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 Are you crazy?

lochness88 wrote: Smartattack wrote: My System by Aron Nimzowitch

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 Are you crazy?

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No.

My System helped me more than any other single chess book but it is certainly NOT for beginners.

rootworm wrote: Fotoman, you're an idiot. Logical Chess Move By Move is *NOT* a good beginners books. The player first has to learn to read notation. Did common sense completely pass right by you in kindergarten?

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he's write though u need 2 learn notation first i thnk a gd idea would be 2 get basfords modern chess openings after uve learnt notation then your openings will become solid

Another pretty solid beginner's book is Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess.  It's really basic but it teaches you to see mates and to defend them pretty well.

I know you may be a beginner, but you are also a grownup.  I love the book called "Modern Chess Strategy" by Edward lasker.  It starts at the beginning but moves forward at a pace I felt comfortable with.  This is compared to something like "Chess for Juniors" which also starts at the beginnning but I don't think really suitable for grownups, as it doesn't move along fast enough nor go far enough.  If you are on this site playing chess, you are going to learn quickly and you want a book that will hold value for you into the future.

 

Edit - I completely forgot "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess" by Wolff.  This one has great test exercises at the end of each chapter, and lots of historical sidenotes.  Very easy to understand and digest.

 

 However, I still think the Lasker book is truly great.

Link to Lasker Book

-Dan 

littleman wrote: I like the play winning chess series by yasser seirawan

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littleboo agrees with littleman......they are good ones

I've always liked the Simon & Schuster Pocket Book of Chess.  It gives the new chess player everything he needs to know to start playing as well being packed with chess history and famous games.  It is also easy reading.  Don't let the "young readers" label fool you either, it is fine for adults too (I read it as an adult!). 

"Logical Chess Move By Move" I thought is a very good book, but as a beginner, I felt it was like trying to eat a massively juicy steak: each morsel is rich in content, but it takes you forever to get through.  I tried to follow all the variations that he talked about, which I understood, but after reading just a bit of it, I felt drained.  I also have the "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess" by Wolff and love it -- that might be your best bet.  I would like to get Robert M. Snyder's book Unbeatable Chess Lessons -- if you were to look him up on Amazon, his books get great reviews -- each move in every game has an explanation.  Take a trip to your local bookstore, grab each of the books mentioned in this thread, have a seat in one of those comfy chairs, and see what appeals to you.  Welcome to chess!