I don't think that you need any books up until at least 1500 elo. Free Youtube tutorials should be enough at your level. I got to 1600 mostly on doing Lichess puzzles and playing games.
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Jan 27, 2026
0
#3
First the book by Nunn, then Seirawan. The only other good one is My System, but that can wait.
I like the Znosko-Borovsky book you mentioned. Nunn is generally a good author and tactics are important, so that one is probably good too (I haven't read it).
Jan 27, 2026
0
#5
Oh, I forgot to include How to Win in the Chess Endings by I.A. Horowitz
Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond
Feb 3, 2026
0
#7
Any of those books will help you improve. The Fireside Book of Chess sounds like a classic and one I’d like to own.
My opinions:
- How to Play the Chess Openings by Eugene Borovsky ---- His book on middlegame strategy is very good. But I cannot imagine a 100+ year old book on openings is a good choice
- Learn Chess Tactics by John Nunn --- Many like Nunn's books (not me alas) but at 1200 your greatest improvement will come from getting good at 2 move tactical patterns. Dont know if this is the right level for you but it's the right topic.
- Chess Traps, Pitfalls, & Swindles by Horowitz & Reinfeld --- Reinfeld writes at the right level for you & well but this will be in descriptive notation, which only old geezers like me can read,
- My System by Aron Nimzovich --- good but not yet unless you like a challenge
- The Fireside Book of Chess by Chernev & Reinfeld ---- a book of chess curiosities. Fun but wont help you improve
- The Logical Approach to Chess by Max Euwe, M. Blaine, & J.F.S. Rumble --- all Euwe's books are pure gold. If you work thru it, you will improve a lot.
- Chess: Improving and Staying Sharp by Eric Tangborn -- Much too high a level for you.
- Winning Chess Strategies by Seirawan & Silman --- don't know it, but has a good rep.
- How to Play Winning Chess: History, Rules, Skills, & Tactics by John Saunders - dont know it, but I'd skip this one.
My suggestion buy 6 books:
get a book on simple tactics AND get ''The art of checkmate''
If you want a book on openings, get a thin one with ''Ideas'' (or similar) in the title.
Get a book on middlegame strategy, like Pachman, Modern chess strategy. It will take you from 1200 to 2400 in time.
Get a book of annotated games from an older, great player: Smyslov, Euwe, Botvinnik, Keres (!), etc
Get a thin book on basic endgames.
Then study and play and analyze and you will get better & have fun. Bill
I would buy Learn Chess Tactics by John Nunn and use a pen to solve all of the puzzles.
Re #8: century-old opening advice is not for the serious tournament player but I think the Z-B book can be helpful for the casual club or online player.
Mar 1, 2026
0
#11
Is there any books that can help me become a better chess player?
RythremoftheBishopVX24 wrote:
Is there any books that can help me become a better chess player?
Not neccesarily. It comes down to how you learn and alternative ways to spend your time. Nothing beats actually playing chess, IRL and OTB, preferrably against helpful, better, players.
Mar 1, 2026
0
#13
I read chess books, but I mix it with puzzles for entertainment. My chess books however are for beginners. With the mixture of the coach from the interface, I practice on bots and run unrated games against a variety of opponents. Also for fun! It doesn't help. I have low rating under 1000 elo all variants, but I usually beat players ranging from 1100-1400. I started a club. Now I have the time to jump my elo with fresh active members; who also are rated around my elo, higher, or way lower!
I need some advice! I'm gong to buy a chess book (maybe two) and there are a few options. I'm rated ~1200 and would like to know which of the following would be best for me: