I was sitting here earlier thinking about the next two chess books that I'm considering buying when I looked over at the bookshelf in my office and wondered where in the world am I ever going to shelve two more books. Chess has been in my life for about a bit of time now and somehow I've managed to collect about 40 books. My wife's not the least surprised as I've been playing blues, rock and jazz guitar for many years and have a guitar book collection that rivals all but the major musics stores.

So all of this got me thinking what if I had to cull the chess books down to just five books? Which five would it  be? Chernev's Logical Chess for sure. MCO-15 seems like a good choice. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess also works for me. With some Canadian content I think Coakley's Winning Chess Strategy for Kids is one that's essential to every beginning to intermediate player. And last, given I believe studying tactics is crucial I'd go with Bain's Chess Tactics for Students.

What's on your shelf that you couldn't do without?

Art of Attack in Chess by Vladinir Vukovic and Modern Chess Strategy by Ludek Pachman.

It's what's not on my shelf:

New York 1924 by Alexander Alekhine...  will be buying it soon, I hope!

The books I'm looking to make room for are Kasparov's My Great Predecessors II and Bronstein's Zurich 1953.

My 2 favorites are Bronstein's Zurich 1953 and Reuben Fine's Lessons From My Games.

Smoke20, I am so glad you said of your five desert island books two would be Bain's Chess Tactics for Students and Coakley's Chess Strategy for Kids. I just got both of them, but was bit reluctant to say so since they are specified for kids.

I just started each and find they are not easy, and hope they will improve my chess.

stwils

I think 60 Memorable Games belongs on the list. Another is Tal's book on his 1960 Match with Botvinnik. Both of these books have great games, great notes and are personal in nature.

I just happened upon Coakley's book. Then I read Dan Heisman's recommendation and couldn't have agreed more. Heisman then lead me to the Bain book. So I've been following the Heisman study plan of working on tactics.

Recently picked up the new edition of My 60 Memorable Games. It's over my head at the moment so I've got some instruction oriented games collections to work through first.

Smoke 20,

I, too  read Dan Heisman's page and try to follow his book recommendations.

I also have The Chess Tactics Workbook by Woolman and the Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess.

I'm hoping soon my ratings will gradually go up. So far, they are moving in the other direction.

stwils

I feel you stwils. Do you have something that will help you not killed in the opening?