what order should I read these books in?

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Avatar of bixbar
Hello,

I am a beginner in chess and was wondering what order to read these chess books in:

- a primer of chess
- chess fundamentals
- play winning chess series’s or alternatively the steps method
- Yusupov Training Books

Thanks.
Avatar of justbefair
bixbar wrote:
Hello,

I am a beginner in chess and was wondering what order to read these chess books in:

- a primer of chess
- chess fundamentals
- play winning chess series’s or alternatively the steps method
- Yusupov Training Books

Thanks.

There is no right order. They are all fine books.

You didn't say if you are a child or an adult, or if you like reading... You have been playing here for more than a year, and have nearly achieved a 1000 rating in rapid and blitz, and a 2472 puzzles rating, so presumably you have covered a lot of the materials in those books already.

When you are lucky enough to have received a pile of books, take a few minutes to look them over. If something catches your eye, read it.

I found this article on the Steps Method. https://www.chess.com/blog/HanSchut/the-steps-method-for-learning-and-teaching-chess

It really requires a teacher to work well. They point out the difference between solving a five move puzzle with visualization of the entire five move line, instead of as a series of five one move puzzles, which is the way many people probably approach online puzzles.  A teacher can patiently draw out such extended visualization via the Socratic method.  

I think that is a very valid point.

Avatar of bixbar
Hi,

Thank for the response, I’ve been playing chess on and off for the last year but really only focused on solving puzzles as it is what I enjoy a lot but I want to improve my ability to play chess games through studying books as I enjoy that method.
Avatar of Bent_Larceny

bixbar, you should look at the 5-book series "Learn Chess the Right Way" by Susan Polgar.  I'm convinced that it is a great foundation for beginner players.

Avatar of dannyhume
Steps Method is the best and most comprehensive out of all of those, and will last you a long time without any need for the other resources in the foreseeable future.

Steps should be done before Yusupov’s more difficult training books.

The rest can be read in any order since they are more about knowledge and fun, with hardly any training material.
Avatar of bixbar
Hi thank your for the responses Bent_Larceny and dannyhume. I will look into Learn chess the right way.
Avatar of RussBell

Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond

Avatar of TenaciousE
The Yusupov books can be challenging, even for experienced players. Start with the orange books. No need to buy all 9 (or 10) at once.
Avatar of bixbar
TenaciousE should I read any of the other books 1st or would it be better to start off with the orange yusupov?
Avatar of TenaciousE
@bixbar Definitely wait on Yusupov. As you suggest, the winning chess series or steps method would make more sense.