Weapons of Chess

Just bought the book, "Weapons of Chess" by Bruce Pandolfini.

"...the incredibly detailed and thorough entries in this book talk a player through dozens of common strategic dilemas." "Players will learn how to formulate plans once they have reached a middlegame, enabling them to make wiser strategic decisions after the first few moves of the game." - from the back cover.

I'm sure that this book will help me... but now that I have it and have read it some more I don't think it will help me as much as I had first hoped. At best it will get me into the 1400s and lay a firm groundwork for a further in-depth chess understanding. Can anyone reccomend any other books that they would name as essential compliments to this book in someones library in order to deepen their understanding of the game as a whole?

I would recommend any book by Dr. Edward Lasker or H. Golombek, if you can find them.

Thread 18131

I believe there are some recommendations in that above related thread.

i've been reading 2 books a lot lately...

1. Chess: The Art of Logical Thinking
2. How to Choose a Chess Move

Both are really good, and helped my game a lot when playing through the games.

Another is "THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF CHESS" by Graham Burgess,
there's a lot of stuff in that, it's just something nice to have...

If I had to recommend one author it would be Yasser Seirawan. The book titles are self explanatory. They are clear, concise, accessible and well laid out. I can't answer for how usefull they might be to higher rated players (as I'm sub 1400) but they are good for me.

weapons of chess is worthwile to read even if you know most of it because it can brush up on ne thing and fill in any gray areas if you have some. you bought it might as well read it. josh watzkin has attacking chess which is one of the best books i've bought. anything by bruce pandolfini, or yasser seirwan are great books. i also recomend pawn structure by andrew soltis

Originally posted by onyx2006
i've been reading 2 books a lot lately...

1. Chess: The Art of Logical Thinking
2. How to Choose a Chess Move

Both are really good, and helped my game a lot when playing through the games.

Another is "THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF CHESS" by Graham Burgess,
there's a lot of stuff in that, it's just something nice to have...

The Pandolfini books are good for the beginner. The Seriwan series is good for the intermediate player. The Dover books (particularly the game collections by Rubinstein, Capablanca, Fine, Botvinnik and Smyslov; and the tournament books by Alekhine) are good for the advanced player.

Originally posted by Golub
I read How to Choose a Chess Move, and I didn't find it particularly good. I expected much more from it.

Originally posted by ChessJester
Just bought the book, "Weapons of Chess" by Bruce Pandolfini.

"...the incredibly detailed and thorough entries in this book talk a player through dozens of common strategic dilemas." "Players will learn how to formulate plans once they have reached a middlegame, enabling them to make wiser strategic decisions after the first few moves of the game." - ...[text shortened]... book in someones library in order to deepen their understanding of the game as a whole?

Thanks for the replies!
Chess: The Art of Logical Thinking sounds pretty good, and also Serwains Winning Chess Strategies sounds worthy of investigation.

I had heard that the book "How to reassess your chess" was essential, anyone read it or heard any reviews?