If there were only 1 chess book you could reccomend what would it be ?
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The book is out of print and it is very expensive to purchase. I have read somewhere on a blog that the book has been reissued with a new illustrator under the title of "Learn Chess Quick". Used copies are plentiful and cheap but I don't know if any of the text has been changed.
-- Boris
If I there were only one chess book I could recommend, it would be David Bronstein's Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953. Whenever I read this book, I always feel like I was there (in the tournament Zurich 1953 I mean). A strange feeling, but a real one!
Benedictine wrote:
I think I'll go for The Immortal Games of Capablanca.
Now ordered. Admins please delete this thread as it is offensive to my wallet!
I am very excited about Capablanca though. I have been loving playing through his games recently and can't wait for the Amazon fairies to come.
You may also like to try Golombek's Capablancas 100 best games. I have the immortal games too but Golombeks book i think is better but just the same all capa books are best (for me)
if only one, get Polgar's "Chess" with like 6,000 puzzles and games in it. If you can only have one.
pfren wrote:
Any book on Capa is a sure shot. Even Chernev's on his 60 best endings. Factly, it may be the sole good book Chernev ever issued.
Oh, I'm blown away by your expertise.
Don't know what planet you are on now, but on Earth Chernev was a brilliant and prolific author who produced many many books, some of the best out there. I can list the ones I own but don't want to waste time justifying myself against such a ridiculous claim.
Well, I ain't going to push anything down your throat. Feel free to consume whatever pulp looks good to you.
fianchetto123 wrote:
if only one, get Polgar's "Chess" with like 6,000 puzzles and games in it. If you can only have one.
Of the 27 chess books on my shelves (have read less then .27 of them) this is still the most invaluable .
Maybe if actually started reading more of the books in my library this would change, who can say. Will always be one my favs tho.
Personally I learned a hell of a lot about the way pieces are cooperating by reading an artistic book!
To be more precise, Ghenrikh Kasparyan's "Domination in 2,545 Endgame Studies" masterpiece. I solved about one third of the studies in it, and somehow after that the pieces began moving more freely on the board.
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Jan 11, 2013
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#130
The last book I'd recommend is a tactics book, regardless of how good it is. My favorite tactics book is the Encyclopedia of Chess Middlegames: Combinations by Informant. The problem with this and any tactics book is two-fold:
- there will always be mistakes in books printed before the computer age
- More importantly, you can get better tactics training online for free!
Get a book you will use that is better than anything you can get online. For chess instruction, that's My System. For chess culture, get a great games collection such as Life and Games of Tal, Zurich 1953, Fire on Board, or Instructive Chess Masterpieces. Or, save money and get the Mammoth Book of the Worlds Greatest Chess Games. If you want to spend a some money on a great set that will last you a lifetime, get On My Great Predecessors.
Jan 11, 2013
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#131
All responses are welcome by me and others im certain ....thanks to all in advance.......
almost over the 1700....hump
#355
I started reading "Modern Ideas in Chess" and i am enjoying it. It goes through some chess history and style of chess of different historical masters, which i enjoyed.Thanks pfren
AndyClifton wrote:
Lasker had the Chess Manual; Capa had Chess Fundamentals.
THIS!! Especially the great Capa's
Jan 19, 2013
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#134
pfren wrote:
ChesterGood wrote:
I don't necessarily have one book but I would recommend one author... Bruce Pandolfini. He has written numerous books on chess basics that I found quite helpful and it was not too high brow to understand. He was also the chess tutor in the Movie, In search of Bobby Fisher. I DO NOT recommend they give his book to kindergarden students though. Usually they are still learning their alphabet and thus have trouble reading.
True. His books were extensively used in the former USSR. They were given to kindergartens, and kids made nice paper shuttles out of them.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Nunn's "Understanding Chess Middlegames."
It covers a lot of ground in a way that is completely accessable to the average class player. It's very well written. While it's not comprehensive, what is offered is entirely usable.
Jan 19, 2013
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#136
Kingpatzer wrote:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Nunn's "Understanding Chess Middlegames."
It covers a lot of ground in a way that is completely accessable to the average class player. It's very well written. While it's not comprehensive, what is offered is entirely usable.
Kool avatar...and also thanks for reply....astonished you read through all posts...
Hey, did you ever decide on what book to order or has this thread only dented your wallet?
Jan 19, 2013
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#138
Benedictine wrote:
Hey, did you ever decide on what book to order or has this thread only dented your wallet?
lol....I have (2) thus far Polga'r page #7...and Max Euwe/Walter Meiden Chess Master vs. Chess Amateur...
the good thing is the thread doesnt go away...so I can always skim through and get book ideas....
Yes I have the Polgar book beside my bed. I use it as a reachable tactics book, general purpose, as well as letting it double for an offensive weapon in case of burglars (the thing is massive). I have the Chess Master vs Chess Amateur on my 'wish list' in Amazon as it sounds good.
The only thing I have against tactics book such as the Polgar one and any one of that sort, is for example out of the 5 thousand tactics in that book, 5 thousand of them are mates - i.e. attacking chess. So where are the defensive tactics? Still it is a good book because of the sheer numbers, but do these books only develop one side of our tactical game?