The 5 Best Chess Books for Beginners
It's ironic that the best books for improving your chess rarely have "improvement" in their titles or make big promises upfront. The best books tend to be those written for the love of the game or by those who want to create something unique and leave it for generations to come. This approach to writing contrasts with typical marketing strategies, where the book aims to find its target audience quickly and without much hesitation.
No One Book Holds The Answer
Finding a hidden gem is like any other search for hidden pirate treasures. It starts with a map! Imagine we've stumbled upon an ancient manuscript from the local Caribbean, full of exotic clues. Here’s what it reveals:
- Don’t try to find all the treasure in one spot — you will uncover different treasures in five hidden places that will grant five great powers.
- Once you find all the golden magic coins in the chests, get a new map and a new island—the adventure never stops!
One of the most challenging questions for every chess expert is how to (relatively) quickly achieve results that get a player from beginner to master or from Rating A to (a significantly higher) Rating B.
Speaking of difficult common questions, another one is, “How many moves can one see ahead?” The great Capablanca already answered that with his ingenious remark: "I see only one, but the best one."
As a Chess teacher, I must confess that whenever I considered the practicality of starting chess lessons, the real question that emerged was about "the playbook." I have a lot of knowledge, but how do I start? It's difficult to create anything from scratch, so can I borrow a workbook from a coach?
The answer is no. However, some of the greats have shared their secret recipes in books. But like our Caribbean map told us not to look for all the answers in one place. So, to truly develop your game, you will have to look in a few spots to find your chess treasures.
“Everyone's First Chess Workbook” by Peter Giannatos
Peter Giannatos is a coach and a leading force behind the immensely successful Charlotte Chess Center. Over the years, thousands of kids have gone through his school, this has led him to have a deep understanding of chess development and the little secrets of development in chess.
Peter is also a FIDE Master and tournament organizer; he is regularly surrounded by aspiring grandmasters. Imagine yourself on the tournament road with GMs over the summer, sharing talks, analyses, and the lifestyle. Are you going to be better in the fall than in the spring? Absolutely! His book, published in 2021, is one of the latest in the field and brings a fresh modern perspective that speaks to younger generations.
The book is hefty at almost 350 pages and is published by one of the finest chess publishers today, New In Chess. This means the book production and the print and layout are outstanding.
Beginners need a structure or path to follow. Seeing the next steps ahead motivates them and drives them forward. “Everyone’s First Chess Workbook” ticks all the boxes.
One thing to note is that the House of Staunton shop even has copies signed by the author himself. Even surprisingly, they are priced the same as the unsigned copies. So, if you like to collect chess books or are looking for a perfect gift for the chess fan in your life, one of those signed copies would be perfect!
[product skus="B0006SI,B0317NIC,B0023CH"]“Back to Basics: Chess Openings” by Carsten Hansen
Speaking of structure, the big three: Openings, Middlegames, and Endgames. However, you won’t get the chance to show your rich imagination in strategies or the geometric subtleties of endgames if you don’t survive the opening stage.
In a nutshell, you have to know what you are playing and, sometimes even more importantly, what your opponents are playing against you. This means learning lots of the openings out there. However, It’s a lot of fun, and you should try them all to find the ones that suit your personality best.
The author is a FIDE Master and a prolific author. He resides in New Jersey and is originally from Denmark. He is also a prolific reader and reviewer who has read virtually all chess opening books. In addition, he is a well-known reviewer since the inception of the legendary ChessCafe.
[product skus="B0205NIC,B0038CH,B0024CH"]The book is perfect to keep on hand since it references many different opening names, ideas, and variations. Back to Basics: Chess Openings is the perfect chess book to increase your chess opening knowledge and be capable of discussing these openings with a knowledgeable crowd.
“Understanding Chess Middlegames” by John Nunn
The middle game is often a wilderness where you must find a path through a dense possibility of moves. With so many choices, where do you go without getting lost? Developing your middlegame is key not getting lost. The Middlegame is the place where you develop the feeling for which rook goes to c1 and which goes to e1.
Understanding Chess Middlegames is the work of John Nunn and is one of the best chess books on middlegames you can find. John Nunn is a legend in the chess community. A professor, a mathematician who turned out to be one of the top players in the world in the 80s. He is an English grandmaster who has authored some great chess books. His books are appreciated for their concise narrative and clear advice. Many readers state how they are often captivated by his style and confidence. After finishing the look, you will keep an eye out for any of Nunn’s chess books. Knowing that whichever you pick up will be a true gem.
You may feel next up are two recommendations for chess books about the Endgame. Well, we have a twist. There will not be a single book about endgames. The subject can be complex and daunting, and in many cases, studying endgames will make your first steps of self-improvement daunting. If you are wondering why, the answer is simple: why force an endgame when you can checkmate your opponent in 35 moves?
[product skus="B0099GB,E-B0109EM,CB0340RB"]“1500 Forced Mates” by Jakov Geller
Another new book on our list that provides the latest knowledge and theories while catering to the more modern reader. This book covers almost everything that can practically happen on the board, explaining how and why it matters. This book is a true hidden gem because it passes most people by since they have no clue who the author is and why his perspective matters. This gives you an excellent opportunity to explore something new and refreshing.
Although the title might make you think you've already seen most of these mates online, but it's not that simple. Geller has unique and insightful solutions to a typical position you encounter on the board. If you like to be dazzled by mind-blowing solutions, this book will not disappoint.
The book was published in 2021 by an interesting and somewhat alternative UK publisher called Elk & Rubin. It is the work of Jakov Geller, a younger-generation Russian GM and a true representative of the Soviet chess school. He is a true font of knowledge and contributed to Chess Informant and American Chess Magazine some years ago.
“Play Winning Chess” by Yasser Seirawan and Jeremy Silman
The bottom line is that the list of excellent chess books will not be complete without a work or two by the legendary GM Yasser Seirawan. This classic by GM Seirawan and IM Silman. What a duo! Seirawan is a hilarious, exciting guy with so many captivating stories from the world of chess. You might know him better as a TV host of big tournaments in St. Louis. But Seirawan is also one of the absolute legends of American Chess and one of the best players in the world in the 80s and 90s. His “Play Winning Chess” series is a gem.
Jeremy Silman is another legend who sadly left us too soon, passing away in September 2023. He wrote some of the greatest chess books of all time, which I hope will be discussed in some other selections. This book is not recent. However, it has stood the test of time and is loved by many. The book is published by Everyman Chess from the UK.