do you need books, and/or premium memberships ect. to get good at chess?

steinitz, didnt exactly have all the eqipment that we have for today to get really good at chess. (he made chess players be able to play better thatn ever before, he revolotionized the game i.e. he didnt bring his queen out early which most people did back then)

   So what are the chances of getting good (2000+) at chess

without books, digital material ect.

Zero.

At the age of six, Gary Kasparov solved a newspaper chess puzzle his parents were working on even though he hardly understood the rules of the game.  He recalls games and moves as far back as 30 years ago and can recall all the moves of all the games he has played for the last six months.

I have accidently knocked pieces over during a game and couldn't remember where they went.  If you can follow any of the calculations of the video below you may not need any books to get good at chess.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMe-hvCwTRo

You nincompoop, Kasparov used books, coaches, and the great Soviet chess machine to get good on top of eidetic memory.  Your anecdote proves nothing.  Even Steinitz had books and chess magazines to study.  No one will get over 2000+ FIDE without some help.

I'm sure he had hours and hours of training when solving chess problems when he hardly even knew the rules at six years old and of course you can recall games 30 years back and of course you followed everything Kasparov was saying in the video. 

Once again, anyone could do what Kasparov did if they only had a good teacher.  Keep on believing that nonsense.

Of course books and studying would help,but if your some sort of mad genius you might be able to do without. And being like Kasparov and starting at 6 will also give you an advantage.

Also remember "good " today and back then are different things. More people play chess today and we have more to study.

"I didn't read any books until I was a GM so I can't give you great recommendations."  GM Eric Hansen

I suspect analysis of their own and other's games played a role in development.

http://becomingachessmaster.com/2015/05/09/how-to-analyse-and-annotate-your-chess-games/

I would agree with Chesstiny, analyzing games that are your own and others can really help increase your understanding of the game.

Books and websites are not the most important ingredients to become a strong player. I believe OTB play and analyzing with strong players are.

i say just wanting is enough to be great player

ConstrictorKnot wrote:

You nincompoop, Kasparov used books, coaches, and the great Soviet chess machine to get good on top of eidetic memory.  Your anecdote proves nothing.  Even Steinitz had books and chess magazines to study.  No one will get over 2000+ FIDE without some help.

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Ease up, Canada.

thx guys

You need a good thinking process.

  hey!, i have an account at lichess.org (seanysean) whats yours?