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Drastically Improve Your Chess
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Chess Tactics (Batsford Chess Book)Chess Tactics (Batsford Chess Book) by Paul Littlewood
Buy new: $13.64 / Used from: $7.60
Here is a great tactics 101 book to start with. You are given the basis of chess tactics as you "should" have learned them. It is a great foundational book which is sure to have a great impact on your playing strength if you are not that great tactically. However it also serves as a great review and it solidifies essential concepts of elementary tactics.
Chess Tactics for Advanced PlayersChess Tactics for Advanced Players by Yuri Averbakh
Buy used from: $45.00
This is a great book describing the theory of chess tactics, and actually helps you develop a true understanding to the point where its applicable after refining the information with the provided exercises. The book is out of print so it is fairly pricey, however it is well worth it.
Forcing Chess Moves: The Key to Better CalculationForcing Chess Moves: The Key to Better Calculation by Charles Hertan
Buy new: $19.11 / Used from: $18.14
This comprehensive guide helps build raw calculation ability and helps you to also eliminate your "bias" towards moves that look awkward but are the most powerful on the board: hence this is termed "computer eyes". This is an essential skill to develop if you want to develop into a master.
Practical Chess Exercises: 600 Lessons from Tactics to StrategyPractical Chess Exercises: 600 Lessons from Tactics to Strategy by Ray Cheng
Buy new: $12.92 / Used from: $9.99
This is a great practice guide. It is highly recommended by the ICC community and there are so many benefits to training with this book as it offers random problem in which you do not know the difficulty and what type of problem you are having to solve. I personally use it to get convenient chess training on the go.
Sharpen Your TacticsSharpen Your Tactics by Anatoly Lein
Buy new: $19.95 / Used from: $17.95
A great book to put into practice all the tactical theory that you've studied from Batsford Chess Tactics, Averbach's advanced chess tactics, and Forcing chess moves. There are over 1000 of them and will expose you to essential motifs over and over again.
Art of Attack in ChessArt of Attack in Chess by Vladimir Vukovic
Buy new: $23.04 / Used from: $12.96
This is a great book on chess tactics and has all the tools within it to make you a dangerous adversary. Ever play a really sharp tactical opponent who you NEVER feel comfortable with and is able to unlease wave after wave of assaults at will until the final death blow? Well now its your turn to learn how to do the same.
Simple Chess: New Algebraic EditionSimple Chess: New Algebraic Edition by Michael Stean
Buy new: $9.95 / Used from: $9.72
Tactics is what you do when there is something to do. Strategy is what you do when there is nothing to do. This book introduces you to the strategical side of chess very effectively.
My System (Chess Classics)My System (Chess Classics) by Aron Nimzowitsch
Buy new: $21.56 / Used from: $17.49
99% of masters have struggled with this masterpiece. Very deep and colorful. You will learn essential basic and advanced strategical play.
How to Reassess Your Chess: The Complete Chess-Mastery Course(Exp. 3rd Edition)How to Reassess Your Chess: The Complete Chess-Mastery Course(Exp. 3rd Edition) by Jeremy Silman
Buy used from: $25.00
A great thinking method to approach chess strategy with. Teaches you how to break apart a position by imbalances.
Chess Endings Made Simple : How to Approach the Endgame with ConfidenceChess Endings Made Simple : How to Approach the Endgame with Confidence by Ian Snape
Buy new: $15.56 / Used from: $9.00
Give you that direction and flow you are looking for in the endgames. Greatly uncomplicates endgames and will instill confidence as you learn.
100 Endgames You Must Know: Vital Lessons for Every Chess Player100 Endgames You Must Know: Vital Lessons for Every Chess Player by Jesus de la Villa
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $14.98
I would say that this should be the bare minimum requirements of your endgame study.
Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To MasterSilman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master by Jeremy Silman
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $14.80
Arguably one of the greatest books written on the endgame.
Three Hundred Chess Games - 'Dreihundert Schachpartien' - English Language EditionThree Hundred Chess Games - 'Dreihundert Schachpartien' - English Language Edition by Siegbert Tarrasch
Buy used from: $30.00
A great collection of classic games. The explanation is indispensible and can only improve your play.
Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games: Improve Your Chess by Studying the Greatest Games of All time, from Adolf Anderssen's 'Immortal' Game to Kramnik Versus Kasparov 2000Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games: Improve Your Chess by Studying the Greatest Games of All time, from Adolf Anderssen's 'Immortal' Game to Kramnik Versus Kasparov 2000 by Graham Burgess
Buy used from: $13.95
Another great collection of chess games. Offers a balance of explanation and variations.
Chess Self-ImprovementChess Self-Improvement by Zenon Franco
Buy new: $24.03 / Used from: $17.39
A great book to play solitaire chess with and improve greatly!!! Covers all faucets of play, you can't really go wrong with a session from this book.