Books for an Ambiguously Advanced Player

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Avatar of Phlippieskezer

Hello, chess.com community! 

First of all, my sincerest apologies for the incredibly vague topic, and repeating what has probably been asked an innumerable amount before. I suppose my search-fu is simply failing me, because I can't find what I want, so I'm asking here. 

So, why I say "Ambiguously Advanced" is because some 5-6 years ago, I used to play competitively, and had a rating in the low 1900s. I started again maybe half a year ago, and boy am I rusty. I am getting back into the game again, and I think with enough practice I'll hopefully get back to where I was. Pondering on how to get particularly good, and asking some people, I was told to look for books, but I don't seem to get many particular recommendations on books. I've never actually read/studied a chess book before. All my previous "training" was through intuition, a bit of Fritz 11 and the occasional lesson. I think I can handle a book with advanced theory well enough (and if not, I do know some friendly chess virtuosos I can ask for help now). Book topics I am specifically looking for are openings (I'm expanding my repertoire; I only knew 3 openings back in the day, and want to switch it up): 

King's Indian Defense for black

d4 openings for white (Queen's Gambit, Indian Defenses, etc.)

Sicilian Defense (Dragon, Najdorf) for black

Although, if you have any suggestions for other topics, I am open-minded. 

Cheers, and thanks in advance,

Phlippie

Avatar of ZaidejasChEgis
Phlippieskezer wrote:

 

King's Indian Defense for black

David Vigorito - Attacking Chess - The King's Indian. Two volumes.

I like them. Almost my table (hand)book :)

I would suggest to solve more tacticts to gain your shape (vision) back.

Avatar of mldavis617

There are a number of "advanced" books out there that might help a 1900 player.  You were there once, so understanding shouldn't be a problem.  I have the series of 9 books by Yusupov which is rather advanced but expensive.  Anything by Dvoretsky is advanced such as his endgame manual.  It is rather common consensus that studying openings should come after you nail down tactics, and since opening theory changes rapidly, it's difficult to keep up with it in books.

Avatar of Phlippieskezer

Thank you for the responses. I have in the meantime researched and asked around a bunch elsewhere, and I think I have a good idea as to which opening books I'll start off with (thanks ZaidejasChEgis; those books look great). 

How do you suppose I should go about "nailing down" my tactics? That sounds like something that just comes with lots and lots of practice? 

Avatar of Connectedpasser

Not an opening book but Aagard's series "Grandmaster Preparation" is awesome. I"m just under 2100 uscf (not sure if that qualifies as ambigously advanced or not) but I find the content just challenging enough to keep me motivated.  On his "Calculation" book now.

Avatar of ZaidejasChEgis
Phlippieskezer wrote:

How do you suppose I should go about "nailing down" my tactics? That sounds like something that just comes with lots and lots of practice? 

Solve from the book directly without setting up on the board. If no success, setup on the board. Try more complicated. Your head should sweat. chess.com has problems too.

Avatar of ZaidejasChEgis
Connectedpasser wrote:

Not an opening book but Aagard's series "Grandmaster Preparation" is awesome. I"m just under 2100 uscf (not sure if that qualifies as ambigously advanced or not) but I find the content just challenging enough to keep me motivated.  On his "Calculation" book now.

Saw today at the bookstore. Looked interesting. Will put on the wish list :)