I am going to take your advice as true, but reading Chernivs is not going to hurt me, rigth?
No, of course it won't hurt- unless you take his sayings seriously, that is.
FYI not one of the Chernev books is recommended in four different "recommended books" lists by the FIDE Trainers Commission.
A lot of stronger players don't know what it is like to be a weaker player. I got plenty out of Chernev partly because I didn't treat him as a chess bible. He was just one of many chess authors I have tried to take something from. He isn't essential reading if you don't want to. You can just skip him and move onto McDonald.
If you go through Chernev's book properly you will be a better player at the end of it.
I would recommend reading Tarrasch first, then Nimzo second. After that read the two books by Reti and Tartakower, Alekhine ... if you're lower than 1500, read Capablanca's Chess Fundamentals.
The book that helped my understand the most was Blockade, by Nimzo but I'm not even an expert player. I was about 1500 when I read it.
Nimzowitz in his books says a lot of right things in a wrong, blatantly provocative way- and that was good enough a reason to exclude all his books from the FTC recommended list.
What would be better for my chess development ? Go through annotated chess games, like the book of reti ? Or go through annotated chess games + books on general strategy (like pachman and silman). What i mean to ask is this : can one learn 'enough' about strategy by a nonstop study of mastergames? Or must this be complemented by books on strategic principles?
Raskalnikow, I would recomend both, but start with Silman or pachman and then, or at the same time, read annotated games. This way you will have a better positional understanding when going through master games.
The best for your chess development would be playing many rated games with regular time controls (preferrably OTB, not online) and then analysing them thoroughly at home (with, or without engine aid- just get sure you do know how to use an engine) and then submitting your analyses to your coach/trainer for further scrutiny.
Nimzowitz in his books says a lot of right things in a wrong, blatantly provocative way- and that was good enough a reason to exclude all his books from the FTC recommended list.
Where can I find this list?
Annotated games are like dessert. They are good and tasty and best if savoured. The ability to appreciate the majesty and brilliance increases as your ability in chess increases -- the stronger you become the more joy you are able to get from playing through an annotated game.
Unfortunately, annotated games alone aren't going to teach enough on their own; you must couple them with all the sundry exercises that go along a with becoming a master craftsman. Tactical exercises, learning the openings, endgames, all are needed in large quantities to make for a good diet.
So, mix it up. The suggested Reti book is one of the best of it's kind - but there are many, many books that can add to your store of knowledge.
Above all, play as much as you can and look critically at how you play.
Nimzowitz in his books says a lot of right things in a wrong, blatantly provocative way- and that was good enough a reason to exclude all his books from the FTC recommended list.
Where can I find this list?
http://trainers.fide.com/recommended-books.html
Nimzowitz in his books says a lot of right things in a wrong, blatantly provocative way- and that was good enough a reason to exclude all his books from the FTC recommended list.
Except that the list of English chess books does include 'My System' and 'Chess Praxis.'
http://trainers.fide.com/images/stories/downloads/books/Best_Books_-_English_List_2014.xls
I thank you all, for taking your precious time to answer my questions.
Nimzowitz in his books says a lot of right things in a wrong, blatantly provocative way- and that was good enough a reason to exclude all his books from the FTC recommended list.
Except that the list of English chess books does include 'My System' and 'Chess Praxis.'
http://trainers.fide.com/images/stories/downloads/books/Best_Books_-_English_List_2014.xls
Please notice the not-so subtle difference: These books are a recommended read for trainers- not trainees.
Je crois que Niemzowitz est un bon instructeur!
Interesting list.
Looks a little trendy. For instance, I like Moskalenko, but his "Revolutionize Your Chess" struck me as an idiosyncratic grab-bag, useful for some perhaps, but otherwise questionable. Though, who knows, maybe it is the "My System" of the 21st century.
The Euwe books on the middlegame are missing, though Kmoch's Pawn Power from the same era is still recommended. Perhaps the Euwe books were as problematic as Bent Larsen said:
Nimzovich became then for me more or less the author of the only book which could help me get away from these Euwe books, which, I admit, are very good for the ordinary club player. But once you've reached a certain strength you get the impression that everything that Euwe writes is a lie.
pfren: You said the FTC list, not the FTC list for trainers.
In any event, you are wrong either way, because the Nimzo books are on both lists.
http://trainers.fide.com/images/stories/downloads/books/Best_Books_-_English_List_2014.xls
I am finding studying games the most difficult part of chess studying. I dont know how to face it. I think I am going to have to get a book and sit in front of it, 2 hours per game maybe, and start trying to guess the moves before seeing them, or maybe load pgns in arena, hide the move list and think I while about the position. Otherwise seems quite hard to me to do it :(
I did it once or twice with a couple of games that I played and worked quite well, I even discovered why the moves in that opening are played and no others, lol. I took me maybe 50 or 60 minutes per game... I guess that is the way to go with GM games. Only that in a book of games collection, there are some comments that I dont know if I should read them while, or at the end of the game...
Please some high quality person enlighten me (us) about the method you used and how to proceed (step by step if possible, lol).
:)
I am finding studying games the most difficult part of chess studying. I dont know how to face it. I think I am going to have to get a book and sit in front of it, 2 hours per game maybe, and start trying to guess the moves before seeing them, or maybe load pgns in arena, hide the move list and think I while about the position. Otherwise seems quite hard to me to do it :(
I did it once or twice with a couple of games that I played and worked quite well, I even discovered why the moves in that opening are played and no others, lol. I took me maybe 50 or 60 minutes per game... I guess that is the way to go with GM games. Only that in a book of games collection, there are some comments that I dont know if I should read them while, or at the end of the game...
Please some high quality person enlighten me (us) about the method you used and how to proceed (step by step if possible, lol).
:)
Playing guess the move with grandmaster games is one of several recommended methods for chess improvement.
Comparing Chernev's pulp to Reti's monumental "Masters of the Chessboard" is no less than an insult.
Ever wondered why the Russian schoolboys are so good at chess? The answer is simple: They have never read a Chernev book...
I am going to take your advice as true, but reading Chernivs is not going to hurt me, rigth?