
Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess is a non-descript not particularly good bookĢ. In contrast, Fischer's book My 60 Memorable Games is excellent and the books about him easier to understand. Kasparov is an outstanding player, but his books are hard to understand like his play. Each of the books on our Best Chess Books list has something special to offer.Be careful of assuming good player, good book. We strongly encourage you to read as many chess books as you can get your hands on! The more information you absorb, the better your skills and strategy will be when you play! But definitely start with this list of tried and true favorites. Decide what your goal is, what you most want to get out of your next chess book – interesting reading material, puzzles and activities, or a mix of both? Our Final Thoughts Some chess books include a lot of puzzles and practice scenarios, some only a few, and some none at all. Take a look at the table of contents and get a feel for what material is covered. If what you’re reading makes sense to you (without feeling painfully elementary), then the book is probably suitable for your level. If you are browsing chess books in the bookstore, take the time to read through a few passages. Online forums can be another place to compare chess book opinions with other players. Ask around at chess club or tournament events for which books have made an impact on others, and why. Once you’ve made it through all of the books on our list, another great resource can be recommendations from people in your personal chess network. Our list of reviews is the perfect place to start when figuring out which chess books to read next. A Few Extra Book Shopping Tips – for All Levels Chess theory books can also be a good choice for advanced players.Ĭhess tactic books (sometimes known as middlegame books) are at the heart of chess education and there are excellent tactic books written for all skill levels, including for children. For example, a common area that even many masters struggle with is endgames. What Should Advanced Players Look For?Īdvanced players are most likely to have one or two areas where they need to improve. And then, you’ll be equipped to keep growing your skills and challenging yourself through the later chapters.

This way, if the “intermediate” chapters aren’t quite making sense to you, you can simply go back a chapter or two to get up to speed. What Should Intermediate Players Look For?įor intermediate players who aren’t sure if they should be in the “beginner” or “advanced” book section, we recommend books that take you through a progression from beginner to advanced tactics.

The simplicity of the descriptions and deliberate avoidance of getting bogged down in theory make these books very easy to digest. We actually encourage brand-new players of all ages to consider adding a children’s chess book to your reading list. Some books written for “beginners” may still be too in-depth for a novice player. It’s important to understand that the definition of the term “beginner” is a subjective one. What Should Beginners Look for in a Chess Book? However, there are useful books on each aspect of the game that are accessible to players of all skill levels. Advanced players will be more likely to benefit from books that focus on improving a specific part of their game (opening, middlegame, endgame) or that teach a particular move, method, or tactic.
#MUST READ CHESS BOOKS HOW TO#
Books that provide a general overview of how to play and how to think are generally best for beginners. Your current playing level is going to affect which chess books you will find most useful.

With the huge number of chess books on the market today, it’s understandable that shopping for one may seem like a daunting task! Here are our top tips for figuring out which chess books you should read next – and which to skip for now.
