While I have close to 400 books, the following 5 IMHO are the most critical (and 4 of the 5 I've read cover-to-cover, the 2nd one I've skipped a few parts but are getting back to them):
1) The Inner Game of Chess by Andrew Soltis
2) Fundamental Chess Endings by two German guys (can't recall names)
3) Bishop v Knight: The Verdict by Steve Mayer
4) Forcing Chess Moves by I forget his name
5) Chess Lessons by Viktor Popov
Im looking at my old comment (from 17 months ago) and laughing... boy have i grown since then... here's an updated version of my top 5.
1. Techniques of Positional play: 45 practical methods
2. Improve your chess pattern recognition
3. Improve your chess tactics: 700 practical lessons
4. My system
5. Dvorestys Endgame manual/Mastering Complex Endgames (GET BOTH OF THESE BOOKS TOGETHER; IT REALLY HELPS ALOT...TRUST ME)
You need:
That's more than five. Anyway, you can choose any good books for each of these subjects.
Better to go to the library and browse thru which books would be most helpful. Then use those as needed.
Better to go to the library and browse thru which books would be most helpful. Then use those as needed.
You must have an exceptional library. Many libraries in the states have a pathetically inadequate collection of chess books.
Better to go to the library and browse thru which books would be most helpful. Then use those as needed.
You must have an exceptional library. Many libraries in the states have a pathetically inadequate collection of chess books.
True, or just find a good bookstore. Doesn't work so well if you live in a smaller town I suppose.
Mine was:
How to reassess you chess 4th edition - silman
Silman's complete endgame course - silman
Simple chess - stean
Understanding pawn play in chess - marovic
Techniques of positional play - bronznik
If i could add 2 more it will be:
logical chess move by move - chernev and Chess secrets: The Giants of strategy - neil mcdonald
those chess books that i mentioned help my chess understanding
I used to have a chess teacher who told me that very few master level players and above got to their levels because of books, and most have read none.
Most got to master level from playing standard OTB matches, and they have a teacher to analyze their mistakes for them.
Books are for those who want to be self taught, but most end up buying books and not reading most of them.
1)My 60 memorable games by Fischer. 2)Tal-Botvinnik 1960 by Tal. 3)Zurich 1953 by Bronstein. 4)Curacao 1962 by Timman. 5)My best games of chess by Vishy Anand.
I can't believe Zurich 1953 was only mentioned ONCE here. Wow. 2 MOST OWN classics for any player without doubt are My System, and Zurich 1953. No contest.
I can't believe Zurich 1953 was only mentioned ONCE here. Wow. 2 MOST OWN classics for any player without doubt are My System, and Zurich 1953. No contest.
I saw at least 5 other references to Zurich 1953 on the previous pages.
my system
reassess your chess
diff tactics books, but i think the above are really good for overall understanding / strategy - tactics i prefer to learn via online puzzles, although i've read a couple basic tactics books to help - the chess video library is also really helpful - books are great but i think videos are even better these days
I am Intermediate player with the rating of 1352.Can anyone help me by mentioning the name of the best and deep analysed books on 1.French defence 2.English opening 3.Sicilian defence 4.Queen's gambit
I am Intermediate player with the rating of 1352.Can anyone help me by mentioning the name of the best and deep analysed books on 1.French defence 2.English opening 3.Sicilian defence 4.Queen's gambit
Let me tell you, WINNING in chess is an attitude! You need to have the right mindset, not the loser mindset. If you have the losing mindset, like most of the politicians in this country have, you will LOSE ALL YOUR GAMES.
The #1 book I recommend is "Art of the Deal", by me. This will improve your chess so fast, you'll be BORED of winning, believe me!
Also, the kind of attitude you have, I can tell you, isn't too good! You're only 1352, a beginner, and you want heavy analysis on these advanced openings? You'll memorize the lines, and then you'll blunder a piece, and it won't matter anymore!
Just like our politicians, you need to learn to make the right decisions. Neither Obama nor yourself, I'm betting, can say you've played 10 games in a row before without blundering a piece to some simple mistake. Until you can do that, FORGET about those opening books!
My system and My 60 memorable games and the other 3 at random...
I,ve noticed how almost everyone has "My System". Is this one of the better chess books and would you recommend it to some one like myself who currently has a rating of 1400?
Nimzovich's "My System"... along with Reti's "Modern Ideas in Chess"... represent the birth of the Hypermodern school of thought in Chess. Quite aside from their historical interest, these two books are packed full of ideas and useful concepts.
My list:
Pawn Power in Chess - Kmoch
My System - Nimzovich
My 60 Memorable Games - Fischer
... are you sure you need five?
The Amateur’s Mind by – Jeremy Silman, A great book for correcting misconceptions and developing strategies
500 Master Games of Chess – Dr. Startkower & J. Dumony. A great book for learning openings as well as the middle game strategies and end games associated with each opening. I enjoy playing the older lines that are presented in this book,
1000 Checkmate Combinations – Victor Henkin
Tactics Time – Tim Brennan & Anthea Carson
Chess Explained or Starting Out on which ever opening I am studding