It is not necessary to read books linearly, or from start to finish, before reading another book. That is, restricting oneself to, or finishing one book before reading another book. In fact, I recommend a process of reading portions of several books at the same time, depending at any given instant on what you are motivated by and interested in. I believe that this approach would provide different perspectives and a more well-rounded exposure, over time, to a variety of topics.
Potpourri of Chess Resources for Beginners and Beyond
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In order to improve, play longer time controls...including "Daily" chess on Chess.com...so you have time to think about what you should be doing...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/how-blitz-and-bullet-rotted-my-brain-don-t-let-it-rot-yours
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627052239/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman16.pdf
https://www.fide.com/component/handbook/?id=39&view=category
@RussBell and @kindaspongey - Thank you both for all the great resources, very much appreciated!
@NecssryEvil -
Welcome!
And that's what we call spammin' the chat
Sophomoric = Laskersnephew, Fixedthx, DamonevicSmithlov
Chess Openings Resources for Beginners and Beyond....
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/openings-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond
Good Chess Openings Books for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-openings-books-for-beginners-and-beyond
Instructive games for the beginner-novice to study....
Paul Morphy's Chess Games...
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1015028
https://www.chess.com/clubs/forum/view/paul-morphys-games
"My System is of course one of the great masterpieces of chess literature, compulsory reading for generations of players...I recommend My System[...]as strongly as I do any other chess book. These days most classic works are no longer essential to a chess education, especially since the Internet; but if there's an exception, Nimzowitch's work is it." - from IM John Watson's book review here...
https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/john-watson-book-review-108-of-eplus-books-part-2-nimzowitsch-classics
Perspective on Aron Nimzowitsch's "My System"...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/perspective-on-my-system-by-aron-nimzowitsch
Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond
Beginners Chess Courses, Lessons, Instructional Resources...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/beginners-chess-course-instructional-resources
RedGirlZ wrote:
Holy Jesus kindaspongey is happy about this post.
lol.....yes....I'm beginning to think this forum thread would be more appropriately titled "Spongey's Blog"...!
This is a nice large list of resources and links. If you are overwhelmed by the above, my recommendation is simply to purchase:
1. Chess Steps method (Stappenmethode) workbooks (levels 1-6) and Chess Tutor CD's (levels 1-3);
level 1 = for players up to a rating of 800;
level 2 = up to 1400;
level 3 = up to 1600;
level 4 = up to 1750;
level 5 = up to 1900;
level 6 = up to 2100 (so these will keep a beginner busy enough for a long time)
2. Online membership here and:
a) first complete all of the nice new short interactive lessons with short videos;
b) do a few tactics each day using the Tactics Trainer; and
c) supplement with the "old" chess lessons that are appropriate to your level.
Jul 18, 2019
0
#18
dannyhume wrote:
This is a nice large list of resources and links. If you are overwhelmed by the above, my recommendation is simply to purchase:
1. Chess Steps method (Stappenmethode) workbooks (levels 1-6) and Chess Tutor CD's (levels 1-3);
level 1 = for players up to a rating of 800;
level 2 = up to 1400;
level 3 = up to 1600;
level 4 = up to 1750;
level 5 = up to 1900;
level 6 = up to 2100 (so these will keep a beginner busy enough for a long time)
2. Online membership here and:
a) first complete all of the nice new short interactive lessons with short videos;
b) do a few tactics each day using the Tactics Trainer; and
c) supplement with the "old" chess lessons that are appropriate to your level.
I'd echo the point about the Steps Method. A youngster local to me grew up on these and he is already a Fide Master at the age of 11 or so.
To the above I'd add:
Choose some openings (1.e4 as White and 1...e5 vs 1.e4, and 1...d5 vs 1.d4 as Black, maybe), get to know the basic plans and learn a small amount of theory up until move 6 or so. You won't need anything else until you reach, say, 1600 in strength.
Pick up a games collection of someone like Morphy or Steinitz with good annotations. Play through the games with a physical board and consider what you'd move in a given position, do a little analysis, and read over the actual game continuation. Think about why your move wasn't played. If you can't find a good enough answer, feel free to check with an engine, though don't rely on it too much. Don't do this for every move- just every 3 or 4 moves, perhaps. Spend no more than 30 to 45 minutes on each game.
After Morphy and Steinitz you'll have a good base for both positional and tactical chess. Then maybe move on to Capablanca.
Supplement all of this with sufficient tactical, strategical and endgame training (Silman's Endgame Course is good), and you'll be well on the way to becoming a very capable player.
I have to say, though, tactical training should be top in your priority list. You can't hope to go anywhere without it.
Almost forgot: play regularly. Blitz is good for building your pattern recognition and trying out openings. Slower games allow you to work on your thought processes and more accurately recreate tournament situations. Aim for daily 15+10 games, with sufficient analysis of your own game, too.
This can all be scaled up or down depending on how much time you have.
Please share any links, articles, books, videos or other chess resources useful to, and appropriate for the improving chess amateur.
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell