Best chess books that do not require a chess board to read.

As the subject of the thread implies, I am really interested in finding which are the best chess books that someone could read without having a chess board right next to him.

I am quite novice in chess. I have played some chess games in chess.com but I am trying to become better in chess. Thus, I thought that it would be helpful to read some chess books for novices - intermediates. After reading some posts, I have decided to buy "An Invitation To Chess" by Chernev & Harkness. Actually, I am finishing that book now and I found it amazing. A great book for novices and I guess one of the best books to start with. What I really found great was the fact that you could read the latter book without having a chess board right next to you. This is really convenient since you can read your book everywhere without having a chess board.

Today, I bought "Logical Chess Move By Move" by Chernev which seems a great book but since I am still quite new to chess I find it difficult to follow a book that provides you diagrams every 3-5 moves. It is a great book for reference but not an easy to read book.

Since I am trying to improve mostly in the middle game (and later on the endgame), I would really appreciate if someone could recommend me such books (2nd-3rd chess book for a novice - intermediate player) that are easy to read everywhere.

I guess that some more experienced players would reply to me saying that the best way to read a chess book is having two or three chess boards right next to you trying the alternatives and thinking the possible variations but since I am having my first steps in the chess world I am trying to love the game not discourage myself from the very beginning.

Hmm...it's tough to find a book that you can learn from without using a board that DOESN'T use a lot of diagrams.  However, I would recommend the book "The Chess Players Bible: Illustrated Strategies for Staying Ahead of the Game" by James Eade.  It covers a wide variety of topics, with clear and concise diagrams, but does so in a more organized fashion than you might find in the book you mentioned.  This deals specifically with the concepts you need to know in each phase of the game, presented at a basic level.  I've used this book with school students of mine that were interested in chess and wanted to learn basic concepts. 

It's a book that can serve as a reference for you once you grasp the concepts, but it's not going to take you to a deep level of understanding.  If you are truly serious about studying, you will eventually move past the need for this book. 

Thank you lingretal for the input. I will check the chess book that you mention.

Actually, I am trying to find my next chess book(s) that is going to cover mostly the middlegame and the endgame since I have already covered the very basic of chess by reading "An Invitation To Chess" (as I mentioned above).

The difference from similar threads that have been already posted is that I am trying to find chess books that are easier to read by novice-intermediate players, provide you many diagrams and are quite mobile (you do not have to carry a real chess board with you along with the book )

youre in luck, because the most imporatant kind of chessbook (esp. for new players) doesnt need a board. . . . tactics books!

just get one that has problems that are large enough for your eyes and calculate cover to cover

You might want to consider "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Chess", I believe there are multiple editions, taking you through various stages of developement. I read the 3rd edition recently...and you really don't need a chess board since it explains with pictures.

"An Invitation to Chess" was my first chess book, too. It's kind of like the "Chess for Dummies" of the 1940's. I found it humorous, reading it in 1999, to see World War II refered to as recent newspaper headlines. :)

"Logical Chess" is quite good, too, but as you already mentioned, you need a chess board to read it. You don't need multiple boards, though. One will do. When reading a chess book for the first time, just focus on playing through the "main" moves, not all the side variations that the author analyzes. If there's something you want to look at to understand it better, then go ahead, but don't feel you have to play through every side variation that Chernev mentions. I usually save that for at least my second time reading any particular book, if I feel a book is worth reading a second time. Remember, you're reading the book to learn the concepts described in words, not to memorize variations.

As maulmorphy said, the best books for a beginner to read (after a good general primer, which you've already covered with "An Invitation to Chess") is a tactics puzzle book. In that case, you'll be looking at a diagram and trying to visualize just 1-3 moves deep, just like you would in a game. So it's best to study them without a board. Though if you can't find the solution after about 5 minutes, check the back of the book, and if you still don't understand the solution, then set it up on a board and play through the moves until you get it.

Thank you all for the input.

I have already ordered online the "Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations and Games" by Laszlo Polgar and the "Winning Chess Tactics" by Yasser Seirawan.

I guess the first one is a good tactics puzzle book to start with as maulmorphy and Fromper suggested. The second one I think is a good second chess book after "An Invitation To Chess" or at least I hope to be .

Any other suggestions are welcome.

Folks have mentioned a bunch of books - if you are also interested in web sites, I found this one to be very helpful in detailing tactics and the ideas behind them:

http://www.chesstactics.org

I guess there is also a book form of the site as well.

tips for young players by matthew sadler its gr8 for learning the basics of positional and tactical play and contains advice on all aspects of the game

Yes, Sadler's book is great!

stwils

combination challenge.    By Lou Hayes. Tells you NOT to use a board. Improved my tactical vision within an one hour. Amazing book.

Στα Ελληνικά υπάρχει τίποτα και για μας τους τεμπέλιδες;;;!!!

i try to read all my chess books without a board to aid me. it forces me to visualise further ahead. it's hard, but it's (slowly) improving my game.

I had that book, loved it, then someone walked off with it. I've been searching for another copy, but $34 is a too spendy for me these days.

Maybe that book can be interesting for you:

http://www.amazon.com/Everyones-Second-Chess-Book-Heisman/dp/0938650556

You need no chess board to read it.

Though it is out of print, you can find used copies of Irving Chernev's and Fred Reinfeld's classic book "Winning Chess" in used condition on Amazon. There was a printing of it in 1949, and again in the mid 70's. Try to find a 70's reprint of it. Those are usually in better condition. It is a very great book. It shows you poistions, then has you find the right move or moves for forks, discovered checks, mates, checks, etc. Reading the book trains your mind to see the board.

As mentioned above, Pandolfini's "Chess Weapons" is a good book that doesn't require a board. Carrying those two around with you, and reading them will definitely improve your game.

Tactical chess puzzle books does not really require a chess board.

I agree with the others, tactics books are gonna be the way to go. Serrawain and Lazlo Polgar are gonna be a great start.

"Bobby Fischer teaches chess" is also a good beginner book. It's mostly chess basics and checkmate problems, but it's an easy read.