The Core Collection!
Ever wonder which books you really needed to get a solid grip on chess? Wonder how much it'd cost you? One man's opinion - here's THE SET, and all can be had for less than $100 total. Lots of other really good chess books out there, but here's the core!
- MCO-13/MCO-14 Modern Chess Openings - The standard single-volume openings book. It is absolutly necessary for any serious player, particularly for game analysis, and for developing a sold personal repertoire. I use the 13th edition here, but the current release is the 14th edition. ($21)
ALSO: "How to Play Good Opening Moves" by Edmar Mednis for an excellent introduction to "book openings".
- Pandolfini's Endgame Course - This book, or one like it, will take you through all the necessary mechanics of the endgame, a complete understanding of which will improve your midgame and openings as much as your mating ability. ($11)
- The Art of Positional Play by Samuel Reshevsky - This book, or one like it, addresses the foundation of modern chess. Positional understanding is what this site is all about and is absolutely prerequisite to any study of tactics. This book is without peer in its systematic address of positional topics! ($11)
ALSO: "How to Reassess Your Chess" by Jeremy Silman which introduces tactics while emphasizing positional concepts.
- Chess - 5,334 Problems, Combinations, and Games by Laszlo Polgar - By the father/coach of the famous Polgar sisters. This collection, or one like it, will sharpen your tactical sense, develop pattern recognition, and makes for an entertaining diversion on a daily basis (a 14 1/2 year supply). ($35)
ALSO: "How to Beat Your Dad at Chess" by Murray Chandler which is a wonderful little book for midgame mate pattern recognition.
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