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Chernev's Logical Chess Move by Move

Chernev's Logical Chess Move by Move

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Benedictine
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Is this chess classic still essential reading in 2025?

It’s often cited as one of the greatest chess classics of all time, especially amongst ordinary chess improvers like you and me. Not necessarily GM'S, though it’s Maurice Ashley’s favourite book I believe.

This book was also a firm favourite of mine back in the day. (10 years+ ago.) I used it as a sort of logical backbone to my chess, but is it still relevant today?

It’s not without criticisms. It’s written in 1957 well before computers, obviously, and there are inconsistencies in the book some critics say. (However, I won't be penalising the book because Chernev wrote it pre-computers...)

I did a poll in my community, and thanks for voting if you saw the poll, that suggests this is still a very popular topic right now and I also want to re-evaluate this book. I want to go over many of these games again and re-read Chernev, so I’m planning on a brand new series.

What will I think of it this time around?

Is this book still essential reading? Or, are there better alternatives out there today?

If you’re interested in this video series, then you will most probably need to subscribe and hit the bell because you won’t believe where YouTube sends some of my videos!

*FIRST VIDEO IS NOW HERE*:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUT6R-kIz9B0MzkHrc1trYMiwVypQkJIG

Let me know what you think of this book in the video comments.

Thanks.