With so many chess books available, it's hard to know which one will help you the most, as well as be interesting enough to actually finish.
This has been out for about a year now, but 1 GM and 2 IM's rank their favorite books, in terms of instructional value to the reader and entertaining content. For those of you considering your next purchase, this might be worth reviewing. 🙂
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The book that improved my play the most was a cheap Fred Reinfeld paperback, "How to Win Chess Games Quickly".
All the games were 20 moves or less. It was all about punishing questionable moves in the opening.
The thing it impressed on me most was that multiple violent sacrifices can decide the game in a hurry once the enemy position is weak enough.
Du Mont's 200 Miniatures and the Rev E. Cunnington's Opening Traps hooked me.
I think beginners books should contain a load of wham bang games to show what
the pieces can do when let loose on a board .
Morphy at the Opera is a favourite but it should be backed up with at least half a
dozen more to sink in the 'I wanna do that' hook, That game a few blogs back.
Benjamin - Carter, London, 1975 - Blog Post 539 is perfect to amaze
and fill anyone not knowing the game with wonder.
I have all the books listed in the Vid. All good...very good but the book that brought
me along more than anything; (and I should know) 'Tarrasch's Best Games' by Reinfeld.
I notice the most improvement from books that show full games with light annotations that allow me to figure out simple tactics and strategies.
The problem is actually doing it because of laziness and the ease of digital training apps...
I also get incredibly tired after analyzing a game over the board. So tired I literally pass out. Explain that!
My recommendations are...
The mammoth book of the world's greatest chess games recent edition.
The mammoth book of chess recent edition.
And of course...500 master games of chess by Tartakower and DuMont.
I'm usually 1700 but I'm in so much pain from a torn shoulder tendon and muscle that I just don't have the energy to focus right now.
@booger saidI used to own 500 master games of chess by Tartakower and DuMont. Still kicking myself for donating it to a school chess club. That's a great book. 😕
I notice the most improvement from books that show full games with light annotations that allow me to figure out simple tactics and strategies.
The problem is actually doing it because of laziness and the ease of digital training apps...
I also get incredibly tired after analyzing a game over the board. So tired I literally pass out. Explain that!
My recommendations are ...[text shortened]... ch pain from a torn shoulder tendon and muscle that I just don't have the energy to focus right now.
@mchill
Chess Strategy for Club Players, by Herman Grooten
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chess-Strategy-Club-Players-Positional/dp/9056917161/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3PAV4JCQW63AO&keywords=Grooten+Chess&qid=1672660458&sprefix=grooten+chess%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1
This will get you over the 1800 hurdle.
@moonbus saidThanks for the tip. I might give it a try. Still grinding through The Woodpecker Method right now.
@mchill
Chess Strategy for Club Players, by Herman Grooten
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chess-Strategy-Club-Players-Positional/dp/9056917161/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3PAV4JCQW63AO&keywords=Grooten+Chess&qid=1672660458&sprefix=grooten+chess%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1
This will get you over the 1800 hurdle.
Ordered the Fischer book from Amazon. Excellent except that is written in Russian, testing somewhat my knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet. And Russian. Now need to attach three certificates to the exterior to allow it to be returned to the U.S.
'Better Chess' by William Hartston- very clear but for woodpushers like me.