I can't really give advice on the order (other than the Heisman book Logical Chess, IMHO, should be first), but ...
I always have a board in front of me when I read a chess book. I even bring one with me on the road so when I read in the hotel I can move the pieces.
I can't really give advice on the order (other than the Heisman book Logical Chess, IMHO, should be first), but ...
I always have a board in front of me when I read a chess book. I even bring one with me on the road so when I read in the hotel I can move the pieces.
Thank you - just to clarify, you mean Logical Chess first followed by Heismann?
I think those should be the first two, not sure of the order.
Here is a good list by Heisman.
http://www.danheisman.com/recommended-books.html
My System and Think Like a Grandmaster should be saved for later. No need to wait for 2400 rating level, but they are more suited to intermediate to advanced club players.
Silman's endgame book is good for all levels. It is broken down into rating class, presenting what Silman believes to be essential endgame knowledge for players at that level. I highly recommend studying that book up through the level that you are at now. As you progress in knowledge, experience and playing strength, you can go through the next section of it.
I'm not sufficiently familiar with the other books to express an opinion on them. Hope this helps.
... the Heisman book Logical Chess, IMHO, should be first ...
... just to clarify, you mean Logical Chess first followed by Heismann?
I do not think that it is necessay to read either before the other. You could go back and forth between the two, according to your mood at the time. I believe that they are much more on the "very inexperienced" level than any of the others.
... Silman's endgame book is good for all levels. It is broken down into rating class, presenting what Silman believes to be essential endgame knowledge for players at that level. I highly recommend studying that book up through the level that you are at now. As you progress in knowledge, experience and playing strength, you can go through the next section of it. ...
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708103149/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review594.pdf
... How to Reassess your Chess ...
"How to Reassess Your Chess, 4th Edition was designed for players in the 1400 to 2100 range." - IM Jeremy Silman (2010)
... Understanding Chess Middlegames - John Nunn ...
FM Carsten Hansen wrote, "For players rated from 1700 to 2400, [Nunn's 2011] book will provide ample study material to help make you a better and more knowledgeable player with sharper skills in all aspects of the game."
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627012322/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen154.pdf
A little more basic than "Reassess your Chess" is "The Amateur's Mind", but that is still something you should read only later. Before that study tactics and endgame and get practice. Reading about strategic ideas in well commented game collections is also helpful.
From the list in OP's post#1, I would rank the books roughly from "easiest" (Level 1 = appropriate for beginner-novice) to most difficult (Level 3 = for advanced players) as:
Level 1:
Back to Basics: Tactics - by Dan Heismann
Logical Chess: Move by Move - by Irving Chernev
Silman's Complete Endgame Course - by Jeremy Silman (I assume this title was meant)
Level 2:
Chess Strategy for the Tournament Player by Lev Alburt
Chess Tactics from Scratch - by Martin Weteschnik
How to Reassess your Chess - by Jeremy Silman
Level 3:
My System - by Nimzowitsch
Understanding Chess Middlegames - by John Nunn*
Think Like a Grandmaster - by Kotov*
*Nunn's and Kotov's books are appropriate primarily for the most advanced players.
Here is a list of chess books I created. I have tried to indicate the degree of difficulty of books in some instances where I though it was especially appropriate to do so:
Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell
Note also that it is not necessary to read books linearly. That is, restricting oneself to, and finishing one book before reading another book. I recommend a process of reading several books on different topics at the same time, depending at any given instant on what you are motivated by and interested in. I believe that this approach would provide a more well-rounded exposure, over time, to the various topics.
Finally read the book with a chess board if possible. Either a physical board or an app or online chess board such as the Chess.com or lichess.org analysis boards...
https://lichess.org/analysis/standard
"My system" is not really that crazily advanced, it's more that the writing style is a bit old school and convoluted. The ideas presented are contained in typical modern middlegame books as well (plus some tactics in the first part). In German there is an edition that cuts out all the verbal candy and just keeps the ideas and explanations, not sure if such a version is available in English as well.
Thanks danny. My initial thoughts were Logical Chess, then Back to Basics, Silman's Endgame, then maybe getting Winning Chess Openings and the Chess Training Pocketbook. After this I'd see what level I am at and take it from there eg maybe a book on strategy, more tactics, another game collection book like the Art of Logical Thinking/Nunn's book, etc. (The Endgame book looks to be useful throughout based on what you wrote above as I can progress through it depending on my level). Thank you for the advice, I always appreciate input from people who have more experience, even if you haven't read every book on the list, as it points me in the right direction.
From the list in OP's post#1, I would rank the books roughly from "easiest" (Level 1 = appropriate for beginner) to most difficult (Level 3 = for advanced players) as:
Level 1:
Back to Basics: Tactics - Dan Heismann
Logical Chess: Move by Move
Silman's Complete Endgame Course (I assume this title was meant)
Level 2:
Chess Strategy for the Tournament Player by Lev Alburt
Chess Tactics from Scratch - Martin Wetechnik
How to Reassess your Chess by Jeremy Silman
Level 3:
My System by Nimzowitsch
Understanding Chess Middlegames - John Nunn
Think Like a Grandmaster - Kotov
Here is a list of chess books I created. I have tried to indicate the degree of difficulty of books in some instances where I though it was especially appropriate to do so:
Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond
It is not necessary to read books linearly. That is, restricting oneself to, and finishing one book before reading another book. I recommend a process of reading several books on different topics at the same time, depending at any given instant on what you are motivated by and interested in. I believe that this approach would provide a more well-rounded exposure, over time, to the various topics.
Finally read the book with a chess board if possible. Either a physical board or an app or online chess board such as the Chess.com or lichess.org analysis boards...
Thanks Russ! Very helpful post. I hadn't considered reading multiple books at the same time but u will try this approach and see how it goes.
Appreciate the links - that's quite a comprehensive book list you created, plenty more food for thought.
I did mean Silman's Complete Endgame Course. I will start with those Level 1 books plus Winning Chess Openings and the Tactics Pocketbook using your suggested approach and see how I get on...
@JaseE22 -
Thanks. For the typical chess amateur, It's hard to go wrong with the books in my list. My primary criteria was better than average instructional value. Of course there are lots of good chess books to choose from, and more being published all the time...
@JaseE22 -
Thanks. For the typical chess amateur, It's hard to go wrong with the books in my list. Of course there are lots of good chess books to choose from, and more being published all the time...
I'm beginning to realise the sheer volume of books that have been written on the game. As a beginner, trying to choose the "right" ones in order to get the best foundation is rather overwhelming. Any chess book requires a significant investment of time so I'm trying to get the most "bang for my buck/time". Hence my appreciation for the advice on here.
Possibly of interest:
Simple Attacking Plans by Fred Wilson (2012)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090402/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review874.pdf
http://dev.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Simple-Attacking-Plans-77p3731.htm
Logical Chess: Move by Move by Irving Chernev (1957)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708104437/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/logichess.pdf
The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played by Irving Chernev (1965)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/most-instructive-games-of-chess-ever-played/
Winning Chess by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld (1949)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708093415/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review919.pdf
Back to Basics: Tactics by Dan Heisman (2007)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708233537/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review585.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-back-to-basics-tactics
Discovering Chess Openings by GM John Emms (2006)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro (2014)
http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/openings-for-amateurs/
https://www.mongoosepress.com/catalog/excerpts/openings_amateurs.pdf
Chess Endgames for Kids by Karsten Müller (2015)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/chess-endgames-for-kids/
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Chess_Endgames_for_Kids.pdf
A Guide to Chess Improvement by Dan Heisman (2010)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708105628/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review781.pdf
Studying Chess Made Easy by Andrew Soltis
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090448/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review750.pdf
Seirawan stuff:
http://seagaard.dk/review/eng/bo_beginner/ev_winning_chess.asp?KATID=BO&ID=BO-Beginner
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708092617/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review560.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-winning-chess-endings
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627132508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen173.pdf
http://www.nystar.com/tamarkin/review1.htm
Jase22: I don't know the Heismann and Wetechnik tactics books, but whatever else you do, make sure you're always working a good book of chess exercises for your level.
That's made more difference to me than any other chess books I've read since I returned to chess.
Stauntonmaster: I disagree. I'm happier with books than apps and websites for exercises.
It's much easier to find the sweet spot for what I want to study (not always tactics, sometimes positional strokes) and the level of challenge. Plus I like to review problems I've worked on before -- repetition burns patterns in.
The apps and websites I've tried don't give me the control I want. The problems often seem poorly selected, the challenge jagged, and the order random. I'm not always keen on the software interface either.
Books are easy -- flip open to bookmark, look at diagram, start thinking. Indoors, outdoors. Rain or shine. You can even work on exercises in the bathtub.
Hi guys,
I'm getting back into the game and would appreciate your advice. I have the following collection of books covering various aspects of chess and given I'm very inexperienced I would like to know in which order it would be best to read them so that I'm laying the best foundation? (Also, please advise if you don't recommend the book at all).
Chess Tactics from Scratch - Martin Wetechnik
Back to Basics: Tactics - Dan Heismann
How to Reassess your Chess
Silman's Endgame Manual
My System
Chess Strategy for the Tournament Player
Logical Chess: Move by Move
Understanding Chess Middlegames - John Nunn
Think Like a Grandmaster - Kotov
I don't have to read them all if not recommended e.g. if you think just one of the tactics books listed is sufficient, etc.
I was also wondering, when you guys are reading books on chess, do you have a chess board in front of you and play out the positions in each and every diagram? Or do you just rely on the diagrams given in the books?
Thanks