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Books about the history and beauty of Chess
Posted on 10/24/20 at 8:18 pm
Posted on 10/24/20 at 8:18 pm
Over the last few months, while stuck at home, I have been playing a lot of online chess. As I play more and more, I have started to become a little obsessed with it. I’d love to read a good and comprehensive book or two about the history of the game, top world players over time, most interesting strategies, etc.
Just to clarify, I’m not looking for a “Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess” sort of book. I want to learn more about the origins and the nature of the game.
Any recommendations out there?
TIA!
Just to clarify, I’m not looking for a “Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess” sort of book. I want to learn more about the origins and the nature of the game.
Any recommendations out there?
TIA!
8
Posted on 10/26/20 at 12:49 pm to When in Rome
Related but not directly what you’re looking for:
The Knight of New Orleans is about Paul Morphy, which you may find interesting. It’s written as a historical fiction/epic, so it’s closer to reading something like The Idiot.
As an aside, he was arguably the best player of all time and was from New Orleans... his house eventually became Brennan’s restaurant.
The Knight of New Orleans is about Paul Morphy, which you may find interesting. It’s written as a historical fiction/epic, so it’s closer to reading something like The Idiot.
As an aside, he was arguably the best player of all time and was from New Orleans... his house eventually became Brennan’s restaurant.
Posted on 10/27/20 at 11:10 am to wileyjones
Thanks! I will check it out.
Posted on 11/1/20 at 5:00 am to When in Rome
History/anecdotes:
The Fireside Book of Chess - Reinfeld and Chernev
The Chess Companion - Chernev
The World of Chess - Saidy and Leasing
Chess to Enjoy - Soltis
Playing/strategy:
A few bits of advice:
* Don't spend a lot of time studying/memorizing openings. This is the #1 mistake of nerw players. Play open games (e4) whenever possible. Play one e4 opening as white, such as the Scotch Game or the Ruy Lopez exchange variation. As black learn one defense against e4 and one against d4. Play the Closed Sicilian as white. Avoid the mainline Sicilian defense as white or black -- too much work!
* Study endgames. Know what kind of ending you want to go into, or avoid.
* Learn about pawn structure. What betting patterns are to Texas Hold 'Em, pawn structures are to chess.
I haven't played in 20+ years, so any books I recommend may be hard to find. But these books are worth studying if you can find them (check Amazon or your local libraries):
How To Open A Chess Game -- various authors. Especially the chapter by Portisch.
Ideas Behind The Chess Openings -- Reuben Fine
My Best Games Of Chess -- Alekhine
My 60 Memorable Games -- Bobby Fischer
The Most Instructive Games Of Chess Ever Played - Irving Chernev
1000 Best Short Games Of Chess - Irving Chernev
Practical Chess Endings -- Paul Keres
Practical Endgame Lessons -- Edmar Mednis
Chess Endings Theory and Practice -- Averbakh
Pawn Structure Chess -- Soltis
Also, the tactical quizzes by Reinfeld et al to hone your combinational skills
The Fireside Book of Chess - Reinfeld and Chernev
The Chess Companion - Chernev
The World of Chess - Saidy and Leasing
Chess to Enjoy - Soltis
Playing/strategy:
A few bits of advice:
* Don't spend a lot of time studying/memorizing openings. This is the #1 mistake of nerw players. Play open games (e4) whenever possible. Play one e4 opening as white, such as the Scotch Game or the Ruy Lopez exchange variation. As black learn one defense against e4 and one against d4. Play the Closed Sicilian as white. Avoid the mainline Sicilian defense as white or black -- too much work!
* Study endgames. Know what kind of ending you want to go into, or avoid.
* Learn about pawn structure. What betting patterns are to Texas Hold 'Em, pawn structures are to chess.
I haven't played in 20+ years, so any books I recommend may be hard to find. But these books are worth studying if you can find them (check Amazon or your local libraries):
How To Open A Chess Game -- various authors. Especially the chapter by Portisch.
Ideas Behind The Chess Openings -- Reuben Fine
My Best Games Of Chess -- Alekhine
My 60 Memorable Games -- Bobby Fischer
The Most Instructive Games Of Chess Ever Played - Irving Chernev
1000 Best Short Games Of Chess - Irving Chernev
Practical Chess Endings -- Paul Keres
Practical Endgame Lessons -- Edmar Mednis
Chess Endings Theory and Practice -- Averbakh
Pawn Structure Chess -- Soltis
Also, the tactical quizzes by Reinfeld et al to hone your combinational skills
Posted on 11/15/20 at 9:38 pm to When in Rome
On a side note: The Queens Gambit was made into a great series on Netflix
Posted on 11/16/20 at 10:04 am to More&Les
quote:
On a side note: The Queens Gambit was made into a great series on Netflix
Watched it last week and it was very good.
Posted on 11/16/20 at 10:22 pm to More&Les
Great series. Lead lady was HAWT
Posted on 11/17/20 at 1:54 pm to PowHound
Fireside
Posted on 11/25/20 at 5:51 am to Kafka
So, out of the blue this weekend, at a litte gift shop we were at with my 6 year old, he picks up a chess game and decides he wants that over any other toy he was looking at.
We've played several times a day, every day since and he understands the board and movements and is even starting to think ahead a move or two....
Are there any kids books on Chess to recommend?
We've played several times a day, every day since and he understands the board and movements and is even starting to think ahead a move or two....
Are there any kids books on Chess to recommend?
Posted on 11/27/20 at 8:48 pm to More&Les
quote:
Are there any kids books on Chess to recommend?
I read "Chess Fundamentals" by Capablanca when I was 8 or 9. I was a pretty strange kid, though.
Posted on 11/28/20 at 2:27 pm to More&Les
quote:He's already playing, so he might be beyond the total beginner level of Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess
Are there any kids books on Chess to recommend?
At this point he just needs a general primer to show him the rudiments. There are many books like this out there -- Fred Reinfeld wrote dozens of them. Not sure which of these would be at a six year old's reading level though.
IIRC How To Open A Chess Game has an introductory chapter for beginners. This book is always my recommendation for newbs to learn about openings. I don't know if it's still in print.
The aforementioned Fred Reinfeld wrote several quiz books with titles like 1001 Brilliant Chess Sacrifices and Combinations. His Wikipedia page lists others. This kind of book would accustom a new player to different types of positions. Also it doesn't depend a great deal on reading level.
Amazon has a used copy of his book The Complete Chess Player for $1.18
I'd suggest getting a couple of cheap Reinfelds, one a primer and another a quiz book. If your son finishes these and is still interested, get How To Open A Chess Game and the two Chernevs, Best Short Games and Most Instructive Games. The two of you can go through games together. Right now you can introduce him to endgame studies by showing him The Saavedra position
and The Reti endgame
Posted on 12/5/20 at 8:54 am to Kafka
quote:This is an awesome list. Thank you so much!!
Kafka
I will add that I ended up buying three books right after I posted this thread. I haven't been able to get through any of them (life with a baby) but I will update once I have read these among some (if not all!) on your list.
These are the books I bought:
The Immortal Game: A History of Chess
Chess Opening Names: The Fascinating & Entertaining History Behind The First Few Moves
Learn from the Legends: Chess Champions At Their Best
I've played almost 600 games (most of these are the 10-20 minute rapid games with other people; it's an obsession at this point) via the chess app since September, and I also took a bunch of lessons on the app as well, so I am getting there. Before September, and especially around when the baby was born in April, I only had time to do the app's puzzles (they basically throw you into a scenario and the puzzle is to perform the statistically best move) which helped a lot. I will say, with regard to opening moves and general beginning strategy, I tend to stick with really classic opening moves, developing pieces and controlling the center, castling, etc. but a guilty pleasure for me is perpetrating a wayward queen attack upon unsuspecting opponents
. I do need to work on my end game, but I'm getting better at it. I really try to protect my rooks at all costs because I like using the queen/rooks to slide them to the edge and trap them there. I laughed when the app gave me a badge for checkmating someone with a pawn. Thanks again for the tips and book suggestions; I look forward to reading these books!
This post was edited on 2/7/21 at 11:09 am
Posted on 2/14/21 at 12:16 am to When in Rome
I remember postal chess.
I love how it's presented here as some sort of bizarre ancient ritual
Posted on 2/14/21 at 10:45 am to PowHound
Bug eyed. I think you meant bug eyed
Posted on 2/17/21 at 5:50 am to More&Les
quote:
On a side note: The Queens Gambit was made into a great series on Netflix
Great book, I'll have to watch
Posted on 2/17/21 at 5:55 am to When in Rome
quote:
The Immortal Game: A History of Chess
One of my favorites
Posted on 2/17/21 at 2:55 pm to More&Les
quote:
Are there any kids books on Chess to recommend?
I’m glad I found this thread. I recently bought a chess set for my daughter, 8 soon to be 9, and we have been playing a bunch. I’m learning on the fly, same as her.
The benefits I believe playing chess will have for her are countless, and I’ve enjoyed learning something new as well.
Posted on 4/20/21 at 6:52 am to Kafka
Showgirls at the Latin Quarter nightclub, 1958
Posted on 4/2/22 at 9:09 pm to Kafka
Postcard from Soviet Russia (where else?), 1955
Posted on 4/10/22 at 1:40 pm to Kafka
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