My Ultimate Chess Book Recommendations | Beginner to 1700 | Tiermaker edition

Summary

In this video, the speaker introduces a tier-maker guide for chess books aimed at beginners to intermediate players, particularly those up to the 1700 rating level. The speaker provides thoughtful recommendations on books that cover tactics, game analysis, middle-game themes, and endgames, with a focus on learning from full games. Key books include *How to Beat Your Dad at Chess*, *My Road to the Top*, *Logical Chess Move by Move*, and *Best Chess Lessons of a Chess Coach*. The speaker emphasizes the importance of thorough analysis and verbal explanations in chess books and addresses the benefits of studying historical games. The video serves as the first in a series designed to help players improve their chess through structured learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is introducing a tier list of chess books based on their value for beginner to 1700 level players.
• 😀 The video is part of a series where the speaker plans to create tier lists for different levels of chess players.
• 😀 The first book recommended is 'How to Beat Your Dad at Chess' by Mari Chandler, praised for its tactical patterns and beginner-friendly approach.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that chess books should include thorough analysis and written explanations, not just chess moves.
• 😀 'My Road to the Top' by Paul Keres and 'Alekhine's Selected Games' are highlighted as impactful books for shaping a player's style and improving their game.
• 😀 'Logical Chess: Move by Move' by Irving Chernev is recommended as a foundational book for understanding chess principles, despite its older content.
• 😀 The speaker has deliberately excluded opening-focused books, as they believe opening strategies are better learned through coaching rather than books.
• 😀 '101 Chess Opening Traps' by Steve Giddins is suggested for beginners to learn about common opening traps and avoid losing early in the game.
• 😀 'Best Chess Lessons of a Chess Coach' by Sunil Wiramantri is praised for its excellent game analysis and interactive 'guess the move' format.
• 😀 Puzzle books, such as 'John Nunn's Puzzle Book,' are discussed but not recommended for beginners due to their complexity.
• 😀 Endgame books are crucial for advancing in chess, with 'The Complete Endgame Course' by Silman and 'Endgame Strategy' by Shereshevsky being recommended as must-reads for mastering endgame techniques.

Q & A

What is the focus of the video?

The video is focused on recommending chess books for beginners to 1700 Elo rating, with a particular emphasis on tactics, middle game, and endgame concepts. The presenter discusses various books and categorizes them based on their usefulness and relevance to different stages of a chess player's development.

Why does the presenter recommend the book 'How to Beat Your Dad at Chess'?

The presenter recommends 'How to Beat Your Dad at Chess' because it is a fantastic introductory book focused on basic tactical patterns, especially mating and tactical themes. Despite its seemingly corny title, it provides excellent foundational knowledge and is highly popular in New Zealand.

What is the general advice regarding learning openings from books?

The presenter advises against focusing on opening books for beginners. Instead, they emphasize learning through books that cover full games with thorough analysis. The idea is to develop a broader understanding of chess rather than fixating on specific opening lines.

How did the presenter learn chess as a child?

The presenter learned chess by going through two influential books. One was 'My Road to the Top' by Paul Keres, which was studied with a coach, and the other was 'Alekhine's Selected Games', which the presenter studied independently.

What is the significance of 'Logical Chess: Move by Move' by Irving Chernev?

'Logical Chess: Move by Move' is recommended for beginners because it explains the reasoning behind each move in a chess game, helping players understand strategic concepts. The book is old, but it provides valuable lessons on classic chess strategies and historical games.

Why does the presenter recommend game collections with detailed analysis?

The presenter recommends game collections with detailed analysis because they help players understand not just the moves, but the underlying principles and strategies. These books often include commentary that clarifies important concepts in openings, middle game, and endgame play.

What is the role of tactical awareness in chess development?

Tactical awareness is crucial in the early stages of learning chess. The presenter emphasizes that mastering tactics should be a priority for beginners as it forms the foundation for understanding more advanced concepts and improving one's overall chess play.

What is the purpose of puzzle books in chess training?

Puzzle books help players practice specific tactical themes, sharpen their pattern recognition, and improve their calculation skills. While they are useful, the presenter notes that they should be introduced only after a player has a solid understanding of basic tactical motifs.

How does the book 'Best Chess Lessons of a Chess Coach' by Sunil Wiramantri stand out?

'Best Chess Lessons of a Chess Coach' is highlighted as an underrated gem. The book includes a collection of games with detailed analysis and features a 'guess the move' format, which encourages active participation and deeper learning, making it ideal for improving one's chess understanding.

What endgame books are recommended, and why are they important?

Two key endgame books are recommended: 'Silman’s Complete Endgame Course' and 'Endgame Strategy' by Shadashkevsky. These books are praised for providing systematic and clear guidance on endgame techniques and theoretical positions, helping players master the crucial endgame phase of chess.