Chess books recommended by Mario Amodeo for chessplayers who want to improve, with the most basic books towards the top of the list:
Even a book labeled ‘out of print’ very often is offered as ‘used’ in a local bookstore or online store.
Does a very good job teaching basic tactical themes with a workbook format so you can read it without access to a chess set.
One of the older books on chess tactics, but still one of the best books of exercises with explanations. Nowadays there are many good tactical exercise books with many more exercises than this book, but it was the best of it’s kind when it first came out. I still love the explanations in this book best. Makes learning fun. I remember I couldn’t wait to flex my chess muscles after working through this book! Uses descriptive notation instead of the algebraic notation used in modern chess books, but descriptive notation is easy enough to learn. Currently out of print but there are copy’s floating around used books stores.
The Genesis Of Power Chess By Leslie Ault
Over 700 teaching exercises covering such areas as endgame, attacking, and positional techniques. A wealth of fundamental chess knowledge and skill can be gained by going through this book. (Out of print).
Generations of chess players have read this venerable guide. Goes over chess games played between masters, explaining the reasons and ideas behind every single move!
Covers a little bit of everything (opening, middlegame, ending, stategy, tactics, etc.). Helped me to develop the skill needed to checkmate a lone king with a king, bishop and knight. Capablanca is considered one of the greatest chess masters of all time. Written long ago in a more formal, lecture style format than the other books reviewed on this page.
Recommended intermediate chess books for players rated over about 1000, in no particular order:
Well annotated master games. With the exception of the first few moves, the ideas behind every move of every game is explained.
Valuable guidance on how to come up with plans and also explains fundamental chess strategy. This entertaining and original work set a new standard in chess literature for instruction.
Lost count of how many rook endings I’ve drawn or won over the years thanks to a study of this wonderful little book. (Out of print but you can find used copies online)
Considered by many to be the best book of annotated complete games from a chess tournament ever (all the games played at Zurich in 1953 for the World Championship Cycle). Perhaps the book most often quoted by Grandmasters as having shaped they’re chess development.