What books should I read as a 400 rated player in order for me to improve?

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l3L2308

I recently finish reading play winning chess by Yasser Seirawan and would like to get more recommendations at my skill level. I already knew a fair amount of concepts in the Winning chess book so maybe a book a notch higher than that book would be great. If possible please give me some advice from my games, most of the recent games I've lost today is from me resigning because of the dumbest blunders. 

ninjaswat

You shouldn't... tactics and things like that are soooo much more important at the U1000 level, if you can't see a tactic or undefended piece no book will help.

Laskersnephew

https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Tactics-Students-John-Bain/dp/0963961403

ninjaswat

Do puzzles on chess.com or somewhere else, a lot... not in a book... you need to do a lot to pick up patterns and undefended pieces...

Moonwarrior_1

^^

Laskersnephew
ninjaswat wrote:

Do puzzles on chess.com or somewhere else, a lot... not in a book... you need to do a lot to pick up patterns and undefended pieces...

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on that

JackRoach

First: Don't play blitz if you want to improve.

Many people say, "Oh, you need to do 15|10 at the VERY LEAST," but most of those people are hypocrites. Do whatever time control you want, but IMO rapid is the best for learning, it doesn't need to be long, just 10 minutes.

 

Also, take your time. Move fast enough so that you aren't too much behind your opponent, but just don't move super quickly. Learn a few opening principals, then tactics tactics tactics. And learn your basic endgames. 

Seppppppy
Laskersnephew wrote:
ninjaswat wrote:

Do puzzles on chess.com or somewhere else, a lot... not in a book... you need to do a lot to pick up patterns and undefended pieces...

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on that

Difference of rating bro. 

IMKeto
l3L2308 wrote:

I recently finish reading play winning chess by Yasser Seirawan and would like to get more recommendations at my skill level. I already knew a fair amount of concepts in the Winning chess book so maybe a book a notch higher than that book would be great. If possible please give me some advice from my games, most of the recent games I've lost today is from me resigning because of the dumbest blunders. 

1.  If all you're going to play is speed chess, then studying is pointless.  You are not giving yourself enough time to implement what you are trying to learn into your games.

2. At your rating level, the only 2 things you need to use an engine  for are:

a. Missed tactics.

b. Blunders.

Laskersnephew
Sep-Gol wrote:
Laskersnephew wrote:
ninjaswat wrote:

Do puzzles on chess.com or somewhere else, a lot... not in a book... you need to do a lot to pick up patterns and undefended pieces...

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on that

Difference of rating bro. 

Surprisingly unconvincing answer!

Arnaut10

None, I am a living proof because I havent read a single chess book and got to 1550. It even easier for you - from 400 to 1000 you only need to not give any free pieces, take every free piece and thats it. Check the yt series from chessbrah called Building habits, how to improve at chess and you should be fine.

Shadow_Karambit

Though I've never gotten there, I'm pretty sure you only read tactics books if you're trying to break the 2000+ barrier. 

PureCoralRope
l3L2308 wrote:

I recently finish reading play winning chess by Yasser Seirawan and would like to get more recommendations at my skill level. I already knew a fair amount of concepts in the Winning chess book so maybe a book a notch higher than that book would be great. If possible please give me some advice from my games, most of the recent games I've lost today is from me resigning because of the dumbest blunders. 

practice attacks and defenses,and sacrifice when its right , for now, i would recomend not reading for answers just play and analyze that

JackRoach
PureCoralRope wrote:
l3L2308 wrote:

I recently finish reading play winning chess by Yasser Seirawan and would like to get more recommendations at my skill level. I already knew a fair amount of concepts in the Winning chess book so maybe a book a notch higher than that book would be great. If possible please give me some advice from my games, most of the recent games I've lost today is from me resigning because of the dumbest blunders. 

practice attacks and defenses,and sacrifice when its right , for now, i would recomend not reading for answers just play and analyze that

I wouldn't take the advice of a 377 rated player.

SpacePodz
You shouldn’t in my opinion, and this is coming from a 700. At below 1000, we need to work on tactics and general skill. You will get little out of books right now.
Grayson1e4e6

Manuel of chess combinations 1a. This is what my chess coach recommended for me when I was 400. It helped me improve a lot.

RyanXiao_Boston

Secrets Of The Russian Chess Masters Book 1

RyanXiao_Boston

and book 2

l3L2308

Thanks guys, appreciate the replies

dauncheg

There is no need in books at that rating to get better, just practice everyday. By practice, i mean solving puzzles, playing games and analyzing your mistakes. It is just a matter of time and effort for you to climb up, serious stuff like books are for professionals.