Books to start with

I have read again your coment. If you do that also, you will realize we are both saying the same order, lol. First orange books (serie 1), then blue and then green.

When someone writes a book, is it really that hard to write the algebraic coordinates in the boards of the diagrams? or they don't do it for some reason?

i would reccemend learning new chess openings or being aware of the opening moves in the most common openings that people will play against you . you can use game explorer on these games to guide you through the game and develop a better understanding for postions and attack. and studying on the internet instead of books because i think most books ive seen are very dull to look in side with loads of helpfull information but the chess diagrams have no bright colours to make it easyier to look at if their was colour on the chess boards it would make more enjoyable to read but online is the quickest way to learn for most people.

For openings I already have the ultimate book and it is not what I was looking for. Right now I am more concerned about tactics. Besides, I have read that the game explorer in this site is qite crappy. Anyway, thank you ^^

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Capablanca's games are definately worth it

Yes! I have taken a look at that one too, and is a nice one. You don't need a board to study/read it, yet you can learn a lot from it.

For 1400-1500 rated, many of the books in this list would be helpful..

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Chess-Books-for-Beginners-and-Non-Experts/lm/R3T0KSLGYJ5LL2/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full

Wow thank you, that is a good list to check. There will be probably some "bad" books among them, but surely there also be some worth reading. I´ll check them ;)

I have taken a closer look and I want to say that that list have a good bunch o junk. There are not very sounded books and some which are clearly for a superior level. I think books mentioned here are more worth it than those, but thanks anyway.

Chess Fundamentals

My System

A word about Excelling At Chess - it is more about proper mindset than anything else. In short, be creative and don't fear losing.

Ok, 20 months have passed since I asked my question. Now I have read a little bit of some books and would like to make a small review of some of them in case someone wants to take the advice.

The amateurs mind: Good if you are rated less than 1400. I dont like the fact that it explains how some players think in the process of teaching. 90% of the times they dont agree with what I think so few I could learn. But at least it gave me some positional understanding, especially about knigts.

How to reases your chess: Definitely a great book. I am glad I read it. I did it after reading the amateurs mind, what makes me wonder if I shoulndt have read the first since this one covers more of the same, but deeper and with good examples. I will go again through the book to get anything I didnt get the first/second time I studied. A must.

Susan Polgar chess tactics for champions: I must admit that I think it is a good book for players under 1400. I went through it wihtout much work, but it is also true that it helps developing that patter sense when you see a position. I am glad I read it too.

How to beat your dad at chess: Incredible. There was a time that everytime I had to go to the toilet I took it with me instead of a newspaper or other thing. And then I could even make some checkmates thanks to the examples in the book!

Silman's complete endgame course: Another great book. I havent finished yet, I am still working on it, but it really teach you endgames in a good way. I really like it :)

Dvorestky endgame manual: I must say, if someone can master this book, noone under 2200 will ever beat you in an endgame. The problem is that it is a hard book to work with, not so intuitive and you have to put a lot of effort on it to understand things that other writters would explain.

Think like a grandmaster: Looks great but also requires great effort. I have to try it again, last time I stopped on page 20 or so...hehe,

Yusupov series: I just did the first one, and enjoyed it, but you have to spend minimun 2 hours per day (if you want to do a chapter in a day)

And I think this is all I wanted to say by now. I am mentalizing myself in starting a book about annonated games, probably Tal vs Botvinnik, or something about Kasparov or Karpov...I'll see.

Thanks all for your advices and comments!

thank you for sharing with us your experience!!!

I would suggest to get all books on openings first. Then, concentrate on the openings that are your favorite openings. My favorite openings are the following:

Playing white with the Ruy Lopez (01. e4 e5, 02. Nf3 Nc6, 03. Bb5)

Playing black with King's Indian Defense, Saemisch Variation (01. d4 Nf6, 02. c4 g6, 03. Nc3 Bg7, 04. e4 d6, 05. f3 O-O, 06. Be3)

Playing white against the Caro-Kann Defense, Advanced Variation, Mitchell Variation (my variation-01. e4 c6, 02. d4 d5, 03. e5 Bf5, 04. f5 e6, 05. Nf3 Bb4+, 06. c3 Ba5, 07. b4 Bb6)

Playing black with the Philador's Defense (01. e4 e5, 02. Nf3 d6, d4).

Terrible advice.

I read Capablancas Chess Fundamentals and found it mostly useless to be honest. I don't care if he was a great player, as a teacher he leaves  alot to be desired.

How To reassess Your Chess is defintely the best book to read for someone who wants to know what to actually do during a chess game.

MY System is good, but I'd say read it when you're a bit more expereienced. Same with the Kotov books.

Another great book to read is Pawn Structure Chess by Andrew Soltis. It deals with the main pawn structures that arise out of the opening, and what each sides plans are.

Oh really?? Why is it a terrible advice?? There is a book titled, "Modern Chess Openings." It is like the "chess bible."

Because starting with openings (even choosing favorites) before setting a foundation of endings and tactics will produce an edifice that cannot withstand the storms.