Originally posted by gaychessplayerAn A should never carry a +
Probably the only chess book that I would consider a "must read", is Irving Chernev's, "Logical Chess: Move by Move." I give it an A+ for quality of writing, and an A+ for content.
As for the books, I find it extremely difficult to settle on one best. The most dramatic improvement in my quality of play came after I began to read Chernev's 1000 Best Short Games of Chess. which I found in the Cannon AFB library in 1975. Over the next several years, Horowitz, Chess Openings: Theory and Practice became a Bible, while several tournament books were my steady fare--San Antonio 1972, Soviet Championship 1972 (alas I got rid of these two books), and Wijk aan Zee 1975 (which I have still). Add to these Gligoric's Best Games, 1945-1970 and Karpov's Collected Games, 1961-1974 and we've completed the bulk of a teenager's library forming the foundation for lifelong chess study.
In recent years, two books have been enormously significant. Renaud and Kahn, The Art of the Checkmate taught me much about what I thought I already knew (and didn't), and has an enormous effect on how I teach chess.
Jeremy Silman's The Amateur's Mind and How to Reassess Your Chess--one book in two parts--has taught me how to listen to the pieces.
Originally posted by Wulebgr"...while several tournament books were my steady fare--San Antonio 1972..."
An A should never carry a +
As for the books, I find it extremely difficult to settle on one best. The most dramatic improvement in my quality of play came after I began to read Chernev's 1000 Best Short Games of Chess. which I found in the Cannon AFB library in 1975. Over the next several years, Horowitz, Chess Openings: Theory and Pra ...[text shortened]... assess Your Chess--one book in two parts--has taught me how to listen to the pieces.
The Church's Fried Chicken tournament! That's one of the most humorous tournament sponsor names I've heard of. 🙂
"Renaud and Kahn, The Art of the Checkmate taught me much about what I thought I already knew (and didn't), and has an enormous effect on how I teach chess."
I've heard others recommend this book, but now I just HAVE to get it!
"Jeremy Silman's The Amateur's Mind and How to Reassess Your Chess--one book in two parts--has taught me how to listen to the pieces."
The pieces don't say diddly squat to me. I guess I still have a long way to go... (sigh)