The Top 10 Chess Books Every Chess Player Should Read
The number of chess books written about the game is enormous; here are the top ten classic chess books that every fan should be familiar with. Chess players all have their favorites, but how do you know which ones belong on your shelf?
1. Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess by Bobby Fischer, Stuart Margulies and Don Mosenfelder
Bobby Fischer’s chess book, which covers everything from how the pieces move to basic checkmates, is still one of the best-selling chess books of all time; lend it to family and friends who have always wanted to learn the game; after all, the mass market paperback version is only about the cost of a fast-food meal.
2. How to Reassess Your Chess by Jeremy Silman
The book by Jeremy Silman is known for its accessibility, and it’s written for a wide range of players. It covers the thought process behind middlegame plans as well as how to spot imbalances in positions, and it’s also a useful tool for anyone returning to the game after a break.
3. My System by Aron Nimzowitsch
Aron Nimzowitsch’s My System, one of the first works to be considered a handbook for positional chess, has consistently remained in the top five best-selling chess books of all time. Despite not being as accessible as other classics, this book is a must-own for any serious player.
4. Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953 by David Bronstein
The Candidates’ Tournament leading up to the 1954 world championship match is examined in David Bronstein’s classic, which is not only a snapshot of top-level chess at the time, but also beautifully written and well-annotated. The target audience for this book is 1200-2000 strength players.
5. My 60 Memorable Games by Bobby Fischer
Bobby Fischer’s annotated books are among the best-selling chess books of all time, with this book being one of the most obvious. Fischer provides clear and in-depth comments on his spectacular games, as well as a manual for other game collection books.
6. Think Like a Grandmaster by Alexander Kotov
Think Like a Grandmaster by Kurt Kotov examines the overall thought process in chess; it’s definitely aimed at advanced players, but it’s still a strong classic. If you’re looking for similar books, try John Nunn’s Understanding Chess Moves or Irving Chernev’s Logical Chess.
7. Silman’s Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master by Jeremy Silman
Silman’s Endgame Manual is a widely accessible endgame work that provides guidelines, examples, and principles for learning what you need to know. It is intended for anyone who isn’t already a strong player.
8. Life and Games of Mikhail Tal by Mikhail Tal
The Art of Chess by Mikhail Tal is a must-read for chess players, and Fire on the Board by Alexei Shirov is a good place to start if you want to learn more about attacking players.
9. Karpov’s Strategic Wins (two volumes) by Tibor Karolyi
The Anatoly Karpov Game Collection by Anatoly Karolyi is one of the top ten classic chess books on positional players, with its clear writing style complementing Karpova’s seemingly simple, yet dangerous, boa constrictor style. Capablanca’s Hundred Best Games by Harry Golombek is another must-read book on the subject.
10. My Great Predecessors (series) by Garry Kasparov
The five-volume set of Garry Kasparov’s My Great Predecessors contains analyzed games and background on chess history, beginning with the first world champion. What are your favorite chess books? Please let us know in the comments.
What is the best chess book to read?
Every Chess Player Should Read These 10 Chess Books
- Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess by Bobby Fischer.
- How to Reassess Your Chess by Jeremy Silman.
- My System by Aron Nimzowitsch.
- Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953 by David Bronstein.
- My 60 Memorable Games by Bobby Fischer.
- Think Like a Grandmaster by Alexander Kotov.
- Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953 by David
What chess books did Magnus Carlsen read?
Magnus Carlsen’s favorite books include:
- Donald Duck comics by Don Rosa, Carl Barks. close race between several Donald Duck comics (seriously).
- My Great Predecessors by Garry Kasparov. And your favorite book?
- Kramnik: My Life and Games by Vladimir Kramnik, Iakov Damsky. made a strong impression on me as a child.
What chess books do grandmasters use?
Chess Books Recommend by a Grandmaster
- Mark Dvoretsky. Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual.
- David Bronstein. Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953.
- Bobby Fischer. My 60 Memorable Games.
- Mikhail Tal.
- Aron Nimzowitsch.
- Jacob Aagaard.
- Jess de la Villa.
Is chess good for your brain?
Chess challenges your brain to exercise logic, develop pattern recognition, make visual and analytical decisions, and test your memory, and it can be enjoyed by anyone of any age, so these brain exercises can be a part of your brain’s health for the rest of your life!
What is the best chess strategy?
How to Become a Chess Champion in 10 Easy Steps
- LEARN THE MOVES. Each chess piece can only move in one direction.
- OPEN WITH A PAWN. Move the pawn in front of either the king or queen two squares forward.
- WATCH YOUR BACK!
- DON’T WASTE TIME.
- U201cCASTLEu201d EARLY.
- LOSE PIECES WISELY.
What is Magnus IQ?
Magnus Carlsen has a 190 IQ, which qualifies him as a genius!
Did Magnus Carlsen read chess books?
Carlsen: “Just have fun, play games a lot if you want, read chess books. That’s how I did it in those years. It was never really a system. I think studying the openings is useful, but learning tactics and getting a feel for the game is more important.”
How can I improve my chess skills?
7 Chess Tips to Improve Your Game:
- Learn From Your Games.
- Practice With Chess Puzzles.
- Study Basic Endgames.
- Don’t Waste Time Memorizing Openings.
- Double-Check Your Moves.
Who invented chess?
Chess was invented in India around the 8th century, and was later renamed chatrang by the Arabs, Persians, and finally medieval Europeans, who changed the names and appearances of the pieces to resemble the English court.
What order should I study chess?
To improve your game, you must first study the endgame, because while endings can be studied and mastered independently, the opening and middle game must be studied in relation to the endgame. The best way to learn endings, as well as openings, is from masters’ games.
How long will it take to master chess?
In order to achieve master level chess performances, you must practice for at least 10 years or 10,000 hours.
Are Chess Opening books worth it?
Reading is useless; even if you work extensively with books, it will only account for a small portion of your knowledge, because chess is more of a procedural skill, similar to riding a bike, than accumulating declarative knowledge (theory).
What is the most effective chess opening?
Every beginner should be aware of the following 13 chess openings.
- The King’s Indian Attack is the only opening on the board that does not begin with e4 or d4.
- 2 London System.
- 3 King’s Indian Defense.
- 4 Queen’s Gambit.
- 5 Scholar’s Mate.
- 6 Caro-Kann.
- 7 French Defense.
- 8 Sicilian Defense.
What is the best first move in chess?
The Most Popular Chess Opening for White Pieces In modern chess, the most popular opening move for white is to move the king’s pawn forward two spaces (notated as 1. e4).