Book Recommendation Thread
27 Jan '08 13:471 editThis thread idea crops up often enough that I need to start saving these reviews.
Reaccess Your Chess By Silman (strategy)
Intended Range (1200-2000, you should have your basic engames and simple tactics -pin, fork etc down).
Actual Range (as estimated by me) 1400-1800.
5/5 stars
I read this when I was an 1100, but I was in scholastic chess and my rating was still rising every tournament I played (My first tournament I went +2 -2 =1 for a provisional rating of 810). It took me to 14xx at which point I quit chess. When I started playing again 5 years latter I rose to 1600. I can't claim all of this is due to Silman, but it certainly changed my thinking process and how I formulate short term plans. Prior to this book I would occupy outposts if they were available. I now seek to create them.
This is a strategy book. Like most Silman books, the prose and author's enthusiasm makes it hard to put down (very unusual in a chess book). There is a logical breakdown of material and each chapter has a summary and quiz! If you can't answer the questions, you didn't read the chapter. There are few sidelines relative to heavier books like Art of the Attack, but you should read this book with a board (or 2) in front of you. Silman provides analysis in words which is why I like his writings so much.
If you're looking for a quick fix, or an instant improvement, this is not the book for you. It is well written, by an author who clearly teaches amateurs, but you must be willing to put in the work.
Best Lessons of a Chess Coach by Sunil Weeramantry and Edward V. Eusebi (strategy)
Intended Range ?
Actual Range 1400-1800
4/5 Stars
This book is by Nakamura's stepfather, and like Reaccess your Chess, is a strategy book. The style of the book is that each chapter is one annotated master game which revolves around a key strategic idea. While the annotations were good, I do not think they were as good as Silman's. However this book shines in the chapter on color complexes (better than Silman's coverage of the topic).
Reaccess Your Chess By Silman (strategy)
Intended Range (1200-2000, you should have your basic engames and simple tactics -pin, fork etc down).
Actual Range (as estimated by me) 1400-1800.
5/5 stars
I read this when I was an 1100, but I was in scholastic chess and my rating was still rising every tournament I played (My first tournament I went +2 -2 =1 for a provisional rating of 810). It took me to 14xx at which point I quit chess. When I started playing again 5 years latter I rose to 1600. I can't claim all of this is due to Silman, but it certainly changed my thinking process and how I formulate short term plans. Prior to this book I would occupy outposts if they were available. I now seek to create them.
This is a strategy book. Like most Silman books, the prose and author's enthusiasm makes it hard to put down (very unusual in a chess book). There is a logical breakdown of material and each chapter has a summary and quiz! If you can't answer the questions, you didn't read the chapter. There are few sidelines relative to heavier books like Art of the Attack, but you should read this book with a board (or 2) in front of you. Silman provides analysis in words which is why I like his writings so much.
If you're looking for a quick fix, or an instant improvement, this is not the book for you. It is well written, by an author who clearly teaches amateurs, but you must be willing to put in the work.
Best Lessons of a Chess Coach by Sunil Weeramantry and Edward V. Eusebi (strategy)
Intended Range ?
Actual Range 1400-1800
4/5 Stars
This book is by Nakamura's stepfather, and like Reaccess your Chess, is a strategy book. The style of the book is that each chapter is one annotated master game which revolves around a key strategic idea. While the annotations were good, I do not think they were as good as Silman's. However this book shines in the chapter on color complexes (better than Silman's coverage of the topic).
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