Best ‘Learn to Play Chess’ Books & Resources for Beginning Chess Players

Best ‘Learn to Play Chess’ books & resources for beginning chess players.

What is Chess

Chess is a two-player board game played on a checkered gameboard with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world’s most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, and in tournaments.

Chess is a good game for the mind. It encourages memory, logic, concentration and a load of other things, hence a good game to play, not just for adults but even for growing children and youngsters.

Learn to Play Chess: Books

Although its easy to learn the basics of chess on the internet, you’ll need good books if you want to really learn the intricacies of this mind-game. For that, there are many books on chess in the market.

In fact, there are more number of chess books in the market than any other game. If you are a beginner, a book on chess will definitely help improve and understand the game. The most important thing for a beginner to understand in chess is the principles of the game. This means, the player has to be well aware of every level of the game – the opening, middle and endgame.

Here are some book and details that you can check to help you with chess as a beginner:

Chess Books on Opening Game
You can turn the game in your favour if you play certain opening moves. That is why it is good to learn about the opening game in chess. There are many books on openings for white, black or any other opening that you would want to play.

If you are a beginner, a general book will be the best option for you. A general book will give you enough details on the overview, plans, ideas regarding unfamiliar openings etc. This will help you familiarize yourself with the basics of chess openings and will help you get an indication on where to focus next. Once you get a hold of the basics, you can go to a much comprehensive book which you may better appreciate at that stage. You can then learn more details on opening variations etc.

Chess Openings For Dummies

Chess Openings For Dummies by James Eade is a good book on a general view of chess opening game. It provides you with easy-to-follow and step-by-step instructions on the top opening chess strategies and gives you the tools you need to develop your own line of attack from the very start.

How to Open a Chess Game

How To Open a Chess Game by Larry Evans is a good book that contains essays regarding different opening approaches. The essays are opening views from seven grandmasters, so this book will definitely give you a good tip or two on opening game in chess.

Chess Game Collection Books
If you want to have a complete understanding of chess, you should probably look for collection books on chess that talk about the opening, middle and end game. Once again, if you are a beginner, go for collection books that are simple and not too in depth because as a beginner, you may not understand the intricacies. You can move on the detailed books once you reach a level of high understanding of the game.

Logical Chess: Move By Move: Every Move Explained New Algebraic Edition

Logical Chess Move By Move, by Irving Chernev – An old book but still in print, gives you a purview of the complete game along with comments on each move.

Understanding Chess Move by Move

Understanding Chess Move By Move, by John Nunn – Gives you insight and comments after each move along with 30 modern games grouped into – opening, middle and end game.

The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played: 62 Masterpieces of Chess Strategy

The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played: 62 Masterpieces of Chess Strategy, by Irving Chernev – includes 62 games by many grandmasters along with methods of play of different chess styles and the winner’s perspective of the game.

Chess Books on Endings
Chess endgame is just as important as the opening game, however it is a slightly under-appreciated part. If you plan well, you can use the endgame to your advantage.

Here are some good books for chess endgames:

Chess Endings: Essential Knowledge

Chess Endings: Essential Knowledge by Yuri Averbakh is a basic book but much deeper than previous books, this is a good book on chess endgames. Gives you a peek into different chess endings that may come up during your game. It can be referred to by both a beginner and advanced players.

Hope the above chess books help you in your journey of chess. These are some good beginner books for aspiring chess players that will help you progress in your game. Once you reach a certain level of mastery, you can proceed to more detailed books to help you enhance your chess game further.

Various Online Courses

Looking for a course on chess where you would get personal coaching, you can choose from several courses.

Beginners

• Learn basics/rules of the game
• 10-12 Learning and Practice sessions.
• Student will be able to play a complete game of chess
• Student will be ready to play tournament

Advanced-beginners

• 15-16 Learning and Practice sessions.
• Learn fundamentals of opening and endgames
• Learn Middlegame Tactics
• Student will be able to compete and score good points in tournaments

Intermediate

• 22-24 Learning and Practice sessions
• Learn theory behind variety of openings
• Middlegame tactics with basics of planning
• In-depth coverage of various types of endgames
• Student will be able to win prizes in local tournaments

Advanced

• 46-48 Learning and Practice sessions
• In-depth coverage of a few selected openings
• Middlegame planning in variety of positions
• Detailed coverage of various types of endgames
• Student will be able to compete and score good points in tournaments and achieve International Rating.

Chess Basics: Videos for Beginners

Also Read: Best chess books for beginners.

Practice on Life-Sized Chess Boards

One of those few campuses in Mumbai that’s spread over 65 acres, Somaiyans’ (as the students here are popularly known), love for the game magnifies at this life-size outdoor chess space.

Located opposite the institute management studies and research building, collegians visit this area throughout the day.

Anuj Doshi, a Third Year Mass Media student says,”My friends and I regularly hang out here after our lectures. Even those not interested in the game frequent the spot just to unwind. It’s easier to learn your chess moves here. I’m glad we have a spot like this within the college premises.”