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I've got a few dollars stored up from work and I was thinking about buying a chess book. I haven't read any in a while but I think I should start.

Someone recommended "The Road to Chess Improvement" but he said it was too advanced for me and should only be for 2000 players or something like that.

Anyone read it? What do you think?

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Originally posted by MoneyMaker7
I've got a few dollars stored up from work and I was thinking about buying a chess book. I haven't read any in a while but I think I should start.

Someone recommended "The Road to Chess Improvement" but he said it was too advanced for me and should only be for 2000 players or something like that.

Anyone read it? What do you think?
Based on your rating, I would reccommend Play Winning Chess by Yassir Seirawan.

And, to answer your question, I haven't read The Road to Chess Improvement.

MS

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Originally posted by MoneyMaker7
I've got a few dollars stored up from work and I was thinking about buying a chess book. I haven't read any in a while but I think I should start.

Someone recommended "The Road to Chess Improvement" but he said it was too advanced for me and should only be for 2000 players or something like that.

Anyone read it? What do you think?
A very tough question to answer. As I'm sure you know, without knowing you people can only make generic book recommendations. I've read some of your other posts, and you have apparently already been into some more advanced books than the Winning Chess series by Seirawan that was mentioned in the previous post by WittyWonka (such as Art of Attack for example). This is my problem with book recommendations in general. I have about 30 books in my personal chess library, and most of them are doing me absolutely no good at all at the moment. The problem is that while I think I understand the material in them, it doesn't translate well in my games. I think what is needed is some personal instruction to help identify what I'm missing. This is a rather long winded way of me saying that I don't think anyone can say any one book that will be good for you. On the other hand, if you know what type of book you are in the market for (ie: puzzle, middlegame, specific opening, etc), and can list what you have already looked at, then people could probably be more helpful.

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i have read about 10 books. most of wich i would suggest. It would be much easier for me to suggest a book if you would say what you feel you have problems with in the game. since your 1500 a good read may be pawn structure by andrew soltis, unless you can't handle boring books but this book is a must have for the middle game helped me get over 1500 into the 1600s. if your endings are needing some help and you don't have much time to read silmans complete guide to endgames would be great i read 200 pages within a week and maybe only 4 hrs of reading. very simple diagrams but lessons that must be learnt to get to a good level. what are some of your weaknesses in your game?

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Originally posted by BLReid
A very tough question to answer. As I'm sure you know, without knowing you people can only make generic book recommendations. I've read some of your other posts, and you have apparently already been into some more advanced books than the Winning Chess series by Seirawan that was mentioned in the previous post by WittyWonka (such as Art of Attack , and can list what you have already looked at, then people could probably be more helpful.
Oops, I apparently didn't read those threads. Sorry! 🙁

Like you said, it was a very general reccommendation based solely on rating.

Also, like you said, the concepts are hard to translate into my games. It was like you were reading my mind. I am currently reading a book on positional strategy, and I am trying to apply the concepts, but I either time it incorrectly, or miscalculate anyway, etc., so I can't seem to latch onto it.

Edit - For the record, I only looked at his current rating, not his past rating. Sorry!

STS

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The Oxford Companion To Chess. It's a great read, I've spent many hours going over it. Good history, good chess concepts, just an incredible work. I pick it up and read randomly from it all the time, and I've had it for over 20 years.

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i've checked out your games, pretty impressive for someone who is 1500! i saw a game you beat an 1900 player in there. but ne ways your opening skills are adequite i would suggest pawn power by hans kmoch, its in old notation but a cheap book, don't let the price deter you, this book has some concepts that would help your game a lot!

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You are talking to me? I've never beat a 1900...

I think I'll look into Pawn Structure chess. As for endgame books, Silman's book is pretty new isn't it are there any old reliable books I can look into?

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for a fun read you might like to check out logical chess move by move. its basically how to attack the kingside. i've seen your attacking style. you have beaten an 1890 person close enough to 1900. pawn structure by andrew soltis is probably one of the greats to read. boring as hell but it teaches you how to go about the middle game based on your pawn structure. although it neglects some openings like the ruy lopez. one other thing there is a good middle game book by max euwe, i have not read it but a guy at the club who plays at my level sometimes but is far more knowlidgeable at the game than i said it is a must have, chess amateur vs chess master. something of the sort. good luck.

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I read Logical Chess it was one of the first books I read. I don't remember beating a 1900 on RHP if you do plz point it out to me. I have beat a 2000 player in Standard on FICS but I don't know how you could have gotten my handle.

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Originally posted by MoneyMaker7
I read Logical Chess it was one of the first books I read. I don't remember beating a 1900 on RHP if you do plz point it out to me. I have beat a 2000 player in Standard on FICS but I don't know how you could have gotten my handle.
I think he means blanca, who was 1714 when you beat him, due to a horrible endgame blunder by him. nevertheless, a win is a win.

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Originally posted by MoneyMaker7
I've got a few dollars stored up from work and I was thinking about buying a chess book. I haven't read any in a while but I think I should start.

Someone recommended "The Road to Chess Improvement" but he said it was too advanced for me and should only be for 2000 players or something like that.

Anyone read it? What do you think?
Based on your profile I suggest you read Thread 74295.

If you want to improve I suggest you find "On the road to victory" written by toot toot. You can also look at the numerous discussion threads on the topic.

MS

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Originally posted by MoneyMaker7
You are talking to me? I've never beat a 1900...

I think I'll look into Pawn Structure chess. As for endgame books, Silman's book is pretty new isn't it are there any old reliable books I can look into?
If you want basic endgame info, the Pandolfini's Endgame Course is fine. If you want something much better, then Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual is the best book available, IMO.

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