Book Recommendations

Hello Everyone

im new to the study of chess, but have played many games and know the obvious rules. I don’t get the weirder ones yet, like en passant and stuff like that. When I play on the chess app, my rating ranges from 100 to 1050 depending on the game. I don’t have an elo beyond the ratings the computer gives you when you finish a game. 

With all that out of the way, I’m looking for a few books to get me started studying the game. For now I’m shying away from memorizing openings because I’ve a terrible memory for things like this. Never could easily remember formulas in math and chemistry back in high school, for example, and conjugations in soanish, so I’m imagining that work will be rigorous. For now, I’m trying to learn the game better and understand its principles. I feel once I have a better handle on those things, the memorization might come a little easier! 

My goals are to improve to where I can play the computer consistently around 1000 elo and jump off from there. 

Thanks for any and all suggestions! I cannot read paper books, unfortunately, I have a genetic condition which affects my vision. Kindle versions are much easier on my eyes because of the dark background and white lettering, so if you know the book in question you are suggesting is only print, then I won’t be able to read it. Just thought I’d mention that! 

Side Note: I’m really excited to put some time into the game! Hopefully I can improve! Thanks again. 

I can teach you EXACTLY how to think during the game (opening, middlegame and endgame). Your chess understanding will never be the same and you will improve a lot. I charge €35/h (if you can't afford it, we can negotiate the price). If you can’t afford too many lessons, don’t worry. I can teach you a lot in an hour. Here to help if you are interested.

If you want to study by yourself, read ‘Logical Chess’. It is really instructive book. You have it on youtube as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eTB7oHeRgM&list=PLUrgfsyInqNa1S4i8DsGJwzx1Uhn2AqlT

Here is a huge list of good chess books:

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

However, I don't actually recommend books for beginners. As this huge list shows, there are many quality books out there (some with beginners in mind), but chess notation is very time consuming to read and confusing when starting out. If you do decide to read a chess book, then expect the book to take MUCH longer than it would take to read a non-chess book from cover to cover.

Chess notation does get easier to read with practice and experience, but even after about 6 years of chess, I still find chess books to be time consuming. It can be a good resource, but I prefer chess videos on YouTube or analyzing your own games (with and without an engine).

Thank you for that insight, I didn’t think about the notation! I will try one of the books on the list you mentioned, perhaps, see how it goes and supplement with video and maybe personal instruction. Thanks!

@CynthiaCynn -

Many millions of beginners over the years have learned to read chess notation, and continue to do so. If they can do it you can do it. It isn't rocket science. You can probably learn it within an hour. Don't let fear of chess notation deter you from learning chess as well as you aspire.

Algebraic chess notation...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algebraic_notation_(chess)

An excellent introductory book for beginners which will teach you everything you need to know to get started on the right track with chess is Pandolfini's Ultimate Guide to Chess by Bruce Pandolfini. It also comes in a Kindle edition. It is written in an easy to read narrative, conversational format between teacher and student. Chapter 1 of the book begins by teaching the essential rules of chess as well as algebraic chess notation (beginning on page 33). I have more to say about the book in the following blog article...

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

I suggest to also check out my note in the COMMENTS section following the main body of the article....

'A note to readers of my Good Chess Books article regarding my point of view in creating it'

As for Kindle editions of chess books. In many instances a chess diagram and the text passage relating to it are located on two different Kindle pages. The means that you need to click back and forth in order to view a diagram and its related text. In my view this is a huge nuisance and a disadvantage of Kindle for chess books.

Videos are also a helpful, instructive resource. They are great for a quick introduction to topics that interest you, to get ideas and to boost motivation. But they are no substitute for chess books when it comes to depth of instruction. Yes reading books takes time. Reading any book takes time. Playing chess takes time. It's all a matter of how well you want to learn the game, and your willingness to put in the necessary effort.

Good luck in your journey with Chess. May it never end!

Hello @RussBell !

Thank you for the book recommendation. I have been eyeing Pindolfini’s Guide to Chess as KeSetoKeiba’s linked article had highly recommended it as well. I am glad to get a second recommendation, and will start with this book. 
Thank you for your advice. I see that learning the notation is integral and will start working on it. I will look for a resource perhaps, of some sort, a learning aid maybe.

I understand. Paper books were my preference, as an aspiring poet and dungeon master in D&D, for many years. Unfortunately, for me to read them now, I have to take off my glasses, hold the page inches from my face, and read directly under a bright lamp. I can’t just move my eyes across the page either, I have to move my head or the book as I read each line. So, it is just a mess trying to read them now.

Thank you for your comment and insight! I hope the tagging thing works! 

Right now there is no need for you to do much studying or read books. Just stop blundering and take advantage of your opponent's mistakes. learn basic tactics like fork, skewer, pin, etc. Also since you are a platinum member, use the game review and do as many puzzles as possible. Good luck and I hope you improve.

Note also that the books link that KeSetoKaiba provided was to my 'Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond' blog article, which I had also posted above and which also included a link to a Wikipedia article on Algebraic Chess Notation...

more resources on Algebraic notation...

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=algebraic+chess+notation

I consider many chess books to be poor. One stands out and that's "Bobby Fisher Teaches Chess." I've seen electronic versions for checkout at the library so there are surely electronic versions available. Might be a little cumbersome as the questions are right side up front to back and the answers are upside down back to front. But it doesn't lecture you. It just makes it stick through constant quiz feedback. If you dig in you can fly through it in a day.

I'm at the stage where notation is appealing. Memorizing the commonly used openings at a basic level as well. But I'm balking at many of the books on lists. They drag you through center game and Scotch stuff with lots of commentary. Looks like new authors are just rewriting those sections from older books. This site has opening tutorials that seem much more efficient.

In my opinion, we will never consistently play at 1000 rating even if our rating is above 1000 unless we really grind. The lack of silly errors is the province of the higher rated players. But the avg of novices will rise. I'm fairly confident that someone in your situation will see a significant improvement just from working through the Fisher teaches chess book one time. It's that good.

About your sight. FIDE is working on an electronic tablet based replacement for paper score sheets. It's called Clono and is Android only. It's a free download right now. They may appreciate your input regarding improving game recording for more people.

I will have to check out that book, and I must take advantage of access to those tutorials. Thanks for your insight and recommendations. I see what you mean about playing around 1000 elo unless you’re grinding. Thanks!

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess...a book review...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/bobby-fischer-teaches-chessa-book-review

Given your level, I would start with "Play Winning Chess" and "Winning Chess Tactics" by Yasser Sierawan. Once you understand those 2 books, he has 5 more in the series that are also good and will help put you on the right path.

One thing for certain is I believe adults getting into the game later in life must have realistic expectations, and have good reasons to learn the game of chess. What I mean by the first part is that an adult improver isn't going to see much improvement at all until probably a year later after first beginning to study chess. What I mean by the second part is I know everyone wants to become a chess master. Maybe you will become one one day, maybe you won't, but unless you have other reasons for chess improvement all your really doing is beating a dead horse. The reason why I say that is because there are many things one can become proficient at. You can get a higher level degree, or whatever, and put food on the table. 9 times out of 10, if you are learning chess as an adult, your probably never going to make any money from it, unless you love the game and learn to Excell at it. But that doesn't always happen. Not everyone that comes to chess becomes good at it. You need a love for it, the desire to improve, and the discipline to see it through, with the right guidance. Most people don't succeed in life because they fail and give up too soon. To become good at chess, preserverance is a trait you must cultivate.

Good notation reading skills do not come overnight. However, practicing with one master game a day from logical chess move by move using a real chess board to study it is a good start.

Most people run away from studying books and gravitate towards just watching videos because it's easier. The truth is, that, books, and analyzing your own games, using algebraic notation, is the best way to improve. That is why I believe most beginners don't improve. They do not want to do the hard things, that a crucial for improvement.

I'm reading "My System".

It's not so easy to read and the chess is high level... But I like the fact that the guy is completely insane, his writing is figurative, wild and at times absurd. Some parts of the book are as good as a real book, not a chess book!

I also just really admire how accurate they were (not always) way back in the 1910s-1930s.. Not only before engines but almost before chess was truely competitive and modernized, and still... They were so so strong... It's incredible.

Too old for what? It's just written very nicely... Sure he sometimes gives weird analysis where he thinks he's winning the entire game with the Phildor and actually Leonhardt is +2-+4 the entire game... Until he blunders and Nimzo sacs his entire life on his king... It's entertaining and it's like chess history... I'm not looking for "the best" improvement book for like... playing tournaments and being competitive...

Thanks for sharing that commercial and yes the battleship coordinates are pronounced like pawn moves, but it takes a while to learn how to read the moves in a chess book because of pieces (not just pawns), recognizing the locations on the chess board and also because those locations are "flipped" when you have the black pieces.

Not too old, but a bit dogmatic and not at all useful for a beginner.

I agree there are better books, especially for a beginner (it is NOT a beginner book!). However, I suspect you have not read it because it is not a theory book, but a strategy book. The ideas put forth in that regard are no less relevant today than they were 100 years ago. The main issue I have with the book is 1) his writing style is very dry, 2) he can be very dogmatic at times.

But like I said, I agree that it is not a good choice for a beginner looking to improve. The same goes for "The Amateur's Mind" and "How to Reassess Your Chess" by Silman. These books are simply not appropriate for the level of the OP.

The books the OP, and people at the OP's level, would need are ones that cover basic opening principles, thought process, basic winning endgames, and tactics, tactics, and more tactics.

For example, the books I tend to recommend for adult beginners:

Play Winning Chess by Yasser Seirawan
Winning Chess Tactics by Yasser Seirawan
Silman's Complete Endgame Course by Jeremy Silman (just the first couple chapters for now)
Logical Chess Move by Move by Irving Chernev
The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played by Irving Chernev
A Guide to Chess Improvement: The Best of Novice Nook by Dan Heisman
Chess Tactics for Students by John Bain
Chess Tactics for Champions by Susan Polgar
1001 Chess Exercises for Beginners by Masetti and Messa
How to Beat Your Dad at Chess by Murray Chandler
Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations, and Games by Lazlo Polgar

By the time an adult improver has absorbed the material from those, he or she would be ready for the Yusupov series, Mastering Chess Middlegames, and could start looking at the Aagaard series and Gelfand series.

I do recommend reading My System at some point - but not so much for the improvement aspect, but rather for the chess culture/historical aspect.