book recommendation

Hey,

I´d like you to recommend me some chess books. I am not very good but I want to become better. I deal daily with checkmate in 1, 2 and 3, tactics and the most common openings so that a book about openings would not be the most efficient for me (at least that´s what I assume). I look for something more general like creating attacks or just tactics or middlegame ideas. As you can see I don´t even know where to start ;)

I hope some of you understand me and can give me their opinions about some books for (advanced) beginner or can tell me if this approach isn´t ideal and what I could do instead.

Greetings

It is almost imperceptible, but as you get better at chess your brain focuses back and forth first on the pieces and pawns then on the squares they control with their imaginary powers. When you are concentrating on the squares they come into clear focus and the pawns and pieces become blurry. When you are concentrating on the pawns and pieces the squares become blurry.

As you become a a better and better player your CONTROL over this alternating process going on in your brain becomes stronger and stronger.

If you would like to know more please let me know.

First, there are 3 things you need to know:

1.Chess is Modified Siege Warfare on a chessboard. It is all about 3 methods/strategies (restrain, blockade and execute, the enemy)

2.Pawn Structure/Formation is the terrain (mountains, hills, valleys of the battlefield). There are 6 characterisitc pawn structures/formations that the position assumes form any opening within 6-10 moves. Learning how to play either side of those 6 structures is essential.

3.There are 5 visualization pattern memory banks which you must build into your brain:

a.Tactics visualization pattern memory bank

b.Mating Net visualization pattern memory bank

c.Endgame visualization pattern memory bank

d.Opening visualization pattern memory bank

e.Middlegame visualization pattern memory bank

Start with 2 basic tools to organize and control your thinking and play:

1.A Before I Make A Move Checklist which you will expand as your knowledge of chess increases:

a. What is my opponent's Threat?

b. What is the pawn structure that the position has assumed on the board?

2.SIT ON YOUR HANDS when you are at the chessboard.

The books I would recommend to you are the following:

1.1001 Chess Combinations and Sacrifices, by I.A. Horowitz and Fred (TACTICS)

2. Pawn Power In Chess, by Hans Kmoch - Read and study from pg. 107 to end of book. DO NOT READ FIRST PART OF BOOK UNTIL YOU HAVE READ FROM PG 107 TO END OF BOOK

Hi,

I would recomend Bobby Fischer's "My 60 memorable games", I find it very instructive. When you look at commentated games you get a broader perspective of the consequences of the moves, and it makes more sense rather than studying overall strategy, because you don't get to see the cause and effect. Another one of my recomendations is Capablancas: "Chess Fundamentals", you never go wrong with Capablanca. He gives a good overall introduction to how you should view chess and the different elements.
I could be completely out there, but I hope this helps!

I have read a lot of great chess books but one that really stuck with me and helped me was "The March of Chess Ideas." It walked you through the history of 'chess philosophy' like the romantic era, the classic era, the hypermodern era. It was very educational.

Thanks for your help. I just bought 1001 Chess Combinations and Sacrifices, Capablancas "Chess Fundamentals" and  Bobby Fischer's "My 60 memorable games". "The March of Chess Ideas" sounded nice but it costs 100 euro :(

As I said, thank you very much. These books will probably keep me busy for some time ;)