Our Growing Chess Library: A Grand Time to Visit!
The Murfreesboro Chess Club welcomes you to dive into chess learning with our vast and rich catalog! Thanks to Lee McKee and Greg Tomerlin our shelves are currently bursting with fresh chess wisdom, inspiration, and training material - ranging from tactical fireworks to deep endgame artistry, from personal memoirs of legends to cutting-edge opening theory. If you would like to help add to the collection, this is our latest wish list.
Now, onto the tour through our latest arrivals!
Game Collections & Biographies
GCp-039 – Chess is My Life (Korchnoi)
Korchnoi’s autobiography is a wild ride through the tumultuous world of Soviet chess, Cold War intrigue, and the mind of one of history’s greatest fighters. It’s more than just a recounting of games - Korchnoi pulls back the curtain on his personal life, brushes with Stalin’s daughter, and even the Russian mafia. Only nine games are deeply annotated, but the real magic is in the raw, unfiltered look at a chess warrior’s psyche. If you want to understand what it means to fight - on and off the board - this is essential reading.
MI-015 – Kings, Queens & Rookies: The Tata Steel Chess Tournament (Doggers)
A visual feast and a historical celebration, this book is packed with color photos and stories from the legendary Wijk aan Zee tournament. While it may not be the deepest collection of games, it’s a beautifully produced souvenir and a must-have for anyone who loves the pageantry and personalities of elite chess. Perfect for browsing before your next club meeting, and a great conversation starter.
GCi-029 – Re-Engineering the Classics (Sadler)
Matthew Sadler and Steve Giddins use modern chess engines to revisit 35 classic games, uncovering new strategic ideas and correcting old analyses. This isn’t just a “best games” book; it’s a masterclass in how computers have changed our understanding of chess. If you want to see how the greats stack up under the cold eye of Leela and Stockfish, and learn new lessons from old masterpieces, this book is a revelation.
GCp-040 – Deadline Grandmaster: A Chess Memoir (Soltis)
Andy Soltis, grandmaster and renowned chess journalist, offers a witty, self-deprecating autobiography that’s as much about the quirks of the chess world as it is about the games themselves. This book is a delight for anyone who loves chess culture and the stories behind the moves.
GCp-041 – Spassky’s Best Games: A Chess Biography (Bezgodov)
The great Boris Spassky has recently passed. Half biography, half annotated games, this book captures the artistry and psychological depth of the man. You’ll find 61 annotated games, stories of Spassky’s relationships with his trainers, and insight into his match strategy. If you want to see how a true universal player approached the game - and life - this is your ticket.
GCp-042 – The Real Paul Morphy: His Life and Chess Games (Hertan)
Paul Morphy, the “Pride and Sorrow of Chess,” gets a modern, psychological treatment. Hertan not only analyzes Morphy’s games with fresh eyes but also explores his personal struggles and the myths surrounding his legacy. If you want to understand the roots of modern chess and the tragic genius who inspired generations, don’t miss this one.
GCp-043 – Think Like Ivanchuk: Practical Chess Exercises (Moskalenko)
Vasyl Ivanchuk is a legend of creativity and unpredictability. More than a biography, it’s also a training manual and celebration of “Planet Ivanchuk,” packed with over 500 exercises drawn from his most imaginative games. If you want to break out of stale thinking and see chess through the eyes of a genius, this is your launchpad.
GCp-044 – Chess Coach: The Profound and Lasting Influence of Mark Dvoretsky (Barsky)
Have you heard of Mark Dvoretsky? He’s one of the masterminds behind the famed Russian School of Chess, and the one coach who may have had the greatest impact for modern grandmasters. This book reveals his training philosophy, practical methods, and the enduring legacy he left on chess improvement worldwide. If you want to understand how champions are made - and how you can train like one - this tribute to Dvoretsky is an essential and inspiring read.
Openings
OPe-042 – King’s Anti-Sicilians for Black (King)
Daniel King completes his Kalashnikov repertoire by arming you against all the “Anti-Sicilians” - Rossolimo, Alapin, Grand Prix, and more. King’s explanations are clear, practical, and battle-tested, with model games from Carlsen, Giri, and King himself. If you play the Sicilian as Black, this is the antidote to all those annoying sidelines.
OPe-043 – The Center Game: A Perfectly Playable Chess Opening Surprise (Moll)
Arne Moll makes the case for the Center Game as a fun, aggressive weapon for White. It’s easy to learn, gets you rapid development, and often catches Black unprepared. The book blends history, strategy, tactics, and model games - perfect for club players looking for something fresh and practical.
Strategy & Training
SA-051 – The Woodpecker Method 2: Positional Play (Smith)
The sequel to the famous Woodpecker Method, this book focuses on positional exercises - 1,000 of them! The “woodpecker” approach is all about drilling patterns until they become second nature. If you want to supercharge your positional intuition and decision-making, this is your new training bible.
Editor’s Note: Chess Coach CM Han Schut recommends the companion book, Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide by Mauricio Flores Rios.
Tactics
TA-037 – 100 Tactical Patterns You Must Know (Erwich)
Chess is 99% tactics, and this book distills the 100 most important patterns every club player needs. Clear explanations, practical examples, and a focus on what actually happens in real games. Study this, and watch your rating climb.
TA-038 – 100 Tactical Patterns You Must Know Workbook (Erwich)
The companion workbook offers 500+ exercises to reinforce the patterns from the main book. Use them together for maximum effect, or as a standalone drill book. Either way, your tactical vision will thank you.
Endgames
EN-037 – Capablanca’s Endgame Technique (Colovic)
Capablanca, who was often referred to as the Human Chess Machine, was quite literally the authority of the endgame. This book breaks down his logic, simplicity, and technique, making the endgame accessible and inspiring for most levels. Learn the principle of two weaknesses, the art of conversion, and the secrets of double rook endings. If you want to “play principled like Capa,” start here.
EN-038 – 100 Endgame Studies You Must Know (Timman)
Not a beginners book, Jan Timman curates the 100 greatest endgame studies - a journey from the elementary to the mind-bendingly complex. Each study is a work of art and a practical lesson rolled into one. If you want to see the beauty of chess distilled to its purest form, and sharpen your calculation and creativity, this is a must-have.
