Statistics show that well over 90% of all interested chess players read chess books or play on the internet (1). Whether they’re getting ready for a tournament or sharpening their tactics or even just want to get in touch with the chess world after a long period of inactivity, chess books are the essential ingredient for the development of a strong player.

I’m about to recommend some books that, I believe, are what you really must get – the absolute bare minimum – in order to become a well developed player.

So since chess can be divided into 3 phases, I’m going to recommend 3 books that deal with these 3 separate phases.

I’ll also only give you books that help you on a practical level i.e. improving your play, so be prepared to be analytical and open-minded to some the variations that you may face.

The first one is Nunn’s Chess Openings. Sure, openings are updated on a regular basis, but what person (on planet Earth) do you know that knows EVERY single opening by heart? I’m sure you don’t and neither do I.

Nunn’s Chess Openings (is more of a tome) that covers practically every chess opening in detail, with introductions to the main openings followed by general remarks on the many variations that sprout out from it.

These remarks are made by 4 distinguished English players: GM John Nunn, FM Graham Burgess, GM John Emms and GM Joe Gallagher, all of whom  have won numerous chess awards between them including British Chess Federation Book of the Year Award.

For anyone who wants to learn any opening they want to (or to prepare against any opening they may come across), Nunn’s Chess Openings is the book you must have for it will aid you for the rest of your life – chess-wise.

The next book I recommend you get is The Art of the Middle Game by GM Paul Keres and GM Alexander Kotov. This was originally a Russian chess book and was translated into English by GM Harry Golombek.

Unfortunately, none of these authors (and translator) are here with us anymore but all of them are highly regarded chess players. Keres was a runner-up in the Candidates’ Tournament (the tournament which decides who will play in the World Championship Match) on 4 consecutive occasions and narrowly missed out on the World Championship Match on 5 other occasions. Keres is today regarded as the strongest player to have never won a World Championship.

Kotov, on the other hand, is widely regarded as an all-time great chess author, having sold out his classic 1971 book “Think Like A Grandmaster” within a couple of months and his books still remain popular around the world for its wide appeal to players of varying playing strengths.

Golombek has won the British Championship on 3 occasions and was a runner-up in 1948. He has represented England 9 times and was the first British player to qualify for an Interzonal tournament (the tournament which decides who will continue onto the Candidates’ Tournament).

The book itself, The Art of the Middle Game, is easy to follow and excellent for developing to intermediate players who want to improve their middlegame play. It’s also not expensive – you can get it for as little as $3.54! So, it’s worth your while to get this book.

The last book I’m going to recommend is Silman’s Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master. I know I’ve recommended Pandolfini’s Endgame Course and 101 Chess Endgame Tips in previous posts but these books aren’t really a COURSE and doesn’t cover everything you need to know as a developing/intermediate player.

Silman’s Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master, by IM Jeremy Silman – who has won the US, American AND National Open and was also the coach of US Junior National Team – is much more of a complete endgame course (it’s 530 pages!) and will make sure you know the endgame well. And it’s under $20 so it shouldn’t really hurt your wallet.

So that’s it from me. Get Nunn’s Chess Openings, The Art of the Middle Game and Silman’s Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master to ensure that you’ve covered everything that you need to know about chess (for now).

References

1. http://www.nswca.org.au/about.html