Recommend a chess book that you can read without a board

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knighttour2

I was hoping someone could recommend a chess book that I can use without a board.  I sometime have free time at work and I'd like to work on my chess a bit, but I need something that doesn't require a board or pieces.  I'm not asking about books on chess history or anything that's totally prose; I'm looking for a book to help me with my game.  Maybe something with lots of diagrams or something more conceptual that I can absorb without needing to move pieces.  Thanks

DrFianchetto
Smartphone
knighttour2

My place of business is quite particular about how their internet is used and phones are too small for me.  I'm looking for an actual book if possible

kponds

Lev Alburts Pocket Chess Training Book ... just get an index card or folded paper to cover the right hand page,. it's like chesstempo but better (there are some strategic/endgame problems, and good explanations for each one).

knighttour2

Thanks kponds and Erin.  I was wondering how advance these books are.  I'm an intermediate level tournament player.  I've read Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess and it's a bit more basic than what I'm looking for.  I'll take a look at the other books

zqdw

Fred Reinfeld - 1001 Brilliant Chess Sacrifices and combinations

kponds

Lev Alburts Pocket Chess book should be valuable for anyone 1200-2000, I would think.

JamesColeman

This one: https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Players-Meeting-Beautiful-Online/dp/1438266510

Claracroft
Ta bouche
jambyvedar

101 Endgame Tips by Giddins.

RussBell
kponds wrote:

Lev Alburts Pocket Chess Training Book ... just get an index card or folded paper to cover the right hand page,. it's like chesstempo but better (there are some strategic/endgame problems, and good explanations for each one).

I agree...

"Chess Training Pocket Book" by Lev Alburt....

would be an excellent choice.....300 extremely instructive and important puzzle-lessons to study in this book...better than the average chess puzzle book...!

https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Training-Pocket-Book-Comprehensive/dp/1889323225/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1482889673&sr=1-1&keywords=chess+training+pocket+book

There is one diagram per puzzle-lesson, with four puzzle-lessons per page.  The solutions and analysis are given on the opposite facing page. If you want to play through the moves, you can always use the chess.com game editor-analysis board on your smartphone/tablet/PC...

Trojasnstrike

'Move first, think Later'.

wb_munchausen
Reinfelds two books 1001 combinations and 1001 checkmates are still good. Inexpensive too
MSteen

I'd recommend Wolff's "Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess." It has hundreds of diagrams that can easily be followed without a book. Very instructive.

 

Senior-Lazarus_Long

The Tao of Chess.

bong711

The Great Book of Chess Combinations. I like this book coz each digram is followed by the solution.

jambyvedar

The Complete Book of Chess Strategy by Silman. All the examples in this  book does not need a board to visualize.

JubilationTCornpone
RussBell wrote:
kponds wrote:

Lev Alburts Pocket Chess Training Book ... just get an index card or folded paper to cover the right hand page,. it's like chesstempo but better (there are some strategic/endgame problems, and good explanations for each one).

I agree...

"Chess Training Pocket Book" by Lev Alburt....

would be an excellent choice.....300 extremely instructive and important puzzle-lessons to study in this book...better than the average chess puzzle book...!

https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Training-Pocket-Book-Comprehensive/dp/1889323225/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1482889673&sr=1-1&keywords=chess+training+pocket+book

Understand that there is only one diagram per puzzle-lesson, with four puzzle-lessons per page.  The moves and reasoning are given on the opposite facing page.  And if you want to play through the moves, you can use the chess.com game editor-analysis board on your smartphone/tablet/PC...

I was going to disagree, since Alburt's book actually has some pretty involved solutions ... long variations with branches, etc., and I don't think the typical player can do this without a board.  However, since OP is rated >2000 it may be a fair answer for him.  In fact, around that level, I've noticed many players can do just about any book without a board...

I will still give my recommendation for lower rated players...Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess.  Though it starts out quite easy (well, it starts out with the rules), there are some drills in there that you may not have seen.  I definitely was finding good moves after that book that I wasn't finding before it, and what more can you ask from a book?

RussBell

"Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess" is an excellent book - for the absolute beginner as a first introduction to chess tactics book...not suitable for someone at OP's level...

knighttour2

Yes, I've actually read the Fischer book, but I appreciate all the advice