Are these books good?

Hi,

I am thinking of buying the following books. Has anyone read them?

I am a casual player wanting to cultivate an interest in the game. So some beginner and intermediate level books would be best. 

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0B4PWL933/?coliid=IRMBTWDY4G1M6&colid=3QVIVGMATBLZ2&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B094CFYQGY/?coliid=I1V6J33SWCEIDR&colid=3QVIVGMATBLZ2&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Thanks and best wishes

Nikhil

No, but I think you'd be better off getting a puzzle book.

Reason #1 It'll be the fastest way to improve results.

Reason #2 By repeating the puzzles you'll get a quicker sense of improvement - with most on-line puzzle schemes you very quickly reach a plateau and puzzling becomes boring and worst that plateau will be of little use in your actual games as the mistake you and your opponents will be making will be well below the plateau!

Reason #3 They are easy to pop in and out off.

The two books mentioned are probably very good - most are. I would recommend 'How to choose a chess move' by Andrew Solis for additional consideration.

As for puzzle books, the trick is to pick one that suits your level. I would suggest 'Tactics-Time' by Time Brennan & Anthea Carson, which is aimed at the 1000 to 1500 OTB elo range (as a 1500 OTB player I got 25% of the puzzles wrong, my puzzle rating here is 2000+). Note, it's important to drill 'easy' puzzles so that you instantly seen them OTB (this is where the improvement comes in!).

Many thanks Alexi

Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond…

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond

nikhilgl1965,

By far the most 'general purpose' chess book is "The Mammoth Book of Chess" by Graham Burgess.

Its got bits of everything in it, puzzles, openings, endgames, tactics, strategy, advice etc, and weighs in at 570 pages and is usually half the price of other chess books. Absolute steal in terms of quality and value. It covers a wide playing range so there is no danger in it being wholly 'too simple' or 'too difficult' or even boring!

It'll also give you a good idea of which bits of chess study you actually enjoy, as the worth of any chess book is in the effort you are prepared to put into it.

ive never read any, im dsylexic

I have read the second book listed. It is fine but I think it is aimed at stronger players.

I am not familiar with the first book. But I think, at your level, it would be better to focus on general opening, middlegame, and endgame principles than on a book that focuses on calculation.

How about Reinfeld’s Complete Chess Course? Or Chernev’s Logical Chess Move by Move and Practical Chess Endings.

s

Hi Mikewier

I have gone through Logical Chess. My weak point is calculation. I have read somewhere that chess is 99% tactics. So I will go through some puzzles books.

Fred Reinfield's Complete Chess Course looks good. I will buy that

Many thanks

Hi Alexi

Thanks for your two posts. Tactics is my weak point and so a puzzle book is just what I need.

Other takeaways from your two posts are

1) Drill and repeat the basics over and over until it becomes second nature

2) What you get from any book is what you put in to it.

I have got the books you suggested and am looking forward to going through them. The Introduction to Tactics Time by Tim Brennan was very good

Good luck!

PS: In my experience it takes about 2 to 3 months before puzzling efforts start showing up in games - everyone's different of course.

Hello Nikhil,

The first book in general is good. But it’s more for advanced players (2000+ FIDE) since the containing exercises are difficult and people you’re level are unlikely to encounter similar positions.

I think the second book for your level is fine, although I haven’t read it myself.

I also have a few book recommendations:
1. Silmans complete endgame course (all levels)
2. Build up your chess by Artur Yusupov (intermediate)
3. Woodpecker method (all levels)
4. How to beat your dad at chess (beginners)
5. How to win at chess by Levy Rozman (beginners)

You don’t have to read all of them, but I think you would be better off with a puzzle book then a book with study methods. Make sure to have a physical board while reading (it helps a lot!)

Have a nice day,
Elise

Hi Elise

Thanks for your message.

I think I will focus on tactics first - that is puzzles. After that the Silman book will be good.

One tip I have for anyone reading is to join Kindle Unlimited. There are some great books that you can borrow. For example books by Susan Polgar and Tim Brennan.

Best wishes

Nikhil