Call: 610-649-0750 or Skype: Dan Heisman

DAN HEISMAN
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
A GOOD CHESS BOOK IS A MATTER OF OPINION; there are many good books which
will not be listed below. There are thousands of chess books and more are published
each day! Pick ones that suit your style. Consider also other media like web pages,
CDs, chess videos, chess audios, etc.

IMPORTANT NOTE! - If there is a book link on this page, that generally means the
book is NOT in general distribution and that link goes to a site where the book is
available. If there is no link, then the book is generally available from most chess
book sellers, plus Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble, etc.

SOURCES: Books are available from the US Chess Federation (1-800-388-KING) and
other chess book sellers. Take my Equipment Link for many more booksellers. If you
decide to purchase at Amazon.com, click on their graphic link below to give me
referral credit, thanks!
Click on this graphic to shop at Amazon and give Dan credit:
Picture
Get more information on Dan's 12 books.
See also my Recommended Book Lists Page for Dvoretsky Set, Instructive
Anthologies, etc.

Books about starting out, learning the moves, and rules:

The Complete Idiots Guide to Chess GM Patrick Wolff - Dont let the title fool you!
This is an excellent book for beginners over age 10 (youngsters would have to be
helped by an older reader it written for adult-level readers). It covers not only how
to play, but many of the same tips I give my students. Good for students up to the
1400 level! The final third of the book is more advanced and can be put away for
later (after doing books on Fundamentals) This book is widely distributed.

Chess Workbook for Children - Todd Bardwick - excellent workbook at a young

beginner level. (read the Amazon reviews)

Square One Bruce Pandolfini A book to teach young beginners how to play (may
be out of print; check for used copies).

Comprehensive Chess Course, Vol I - GM Lev Alburt - Teaches you how to play with
some great basic problems and concepts. Alburt's series is based on the official
Soviet training method! Can sometimes be purchased with Vol II as a single-book
text.
Scholastic Chess Instruction Material - a large set is downloadable from Professor
Chess

Special recommendation by a student: Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster
software for kids - PC Version - Nintendo Version

Fundamentals For students of all ages.

The following five books form a great "set" of basics:

Chess Tactics for Students (Student Edition; 10th anniversary edition) John Bain
learn motifs (pins, removal of guard, double attacks, back-rank mates, etc.)
Notes: 1) This book is not widely distributed - click on this link and order it directly
from Bain 2) In the new edition, problem 180, it is White to move 3) In problem 255
White's King is on h1, not h2! 4) Why Bain? Check out Tactical Sets and Goals and
read about tactical sets below.

Guide to using Chess Tactics for Students (IMPORTANT!):

a) Don't look at anything more than White to Play or Black to Play use a 3x5
card to cover up any additional information

b) You do not have to do just 5 problems per section first as Bain suggests. You can
go thru the book in any order. Some do it front to back; others cut out the problems
and use them like flash cards, etc.
c) Set a limit of 5-6 minutes per problem the first time thru the book; if you dont
get the answer in your time limit, look it up. Since it is best to do the book multiple
times, please don't write in the book!
d) Each time thru the book cut the time limit in half so it does not take forever to
go thru multiple times. A typical time limit is for each set would be 6 minutes, then
3, then 90 seconds, 45 sec, 25 sec, 15 sec, 10 sec for each problem in the 7th pass.
e) Repeat going thru the book faster and faster until you can get 85%+ within 1015 seconds (see #6 just below). THE GOAL IS TO RECOGNIZE THE PATTERNS, not
just be able to solve them! You will be amazed how much this helps your chess. - I
am becoming more convinced that this homework is one of the most profitable you
will ever do.
f) If you think you can do 85%+ within 15 seconds, take this quiz.
g) Doing the set gets boring? Make it into a game! Can you get a higher
percentage in that section the next time in half the time limit?

Check out The Empirical Rabbit's Mar 1, 2011 blog "The Bain Experiment". To
emulate the Bain level on Chess Tempo, set the level of problems to ~900-1250.

Logical Chess Move by Move - Chernev - A classic which explains each move in
excruciating detail! A good, but not perfect, first book of annotated games. It is
important to read books of games, especially books written just for instruction.
(After this, try The Art of Logical Chess Thinking by McDonald, del Rosario's A First
Book of Morphy, or Chernev'sThe Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played; see
complete list below). Take this link for GM John Nunn's criticism's of Logical Chess on
p.7-8 of Nunn's book Grandmaster Chess Move by Move. Logical Chess Move by
move is widely distributed.

Everyones Second Chess Book Heisman (you can find much more improvement advice in my Novice Nook columns!) Board Vision, Tips, Etiquette,
Rules, etc. This book has all my recommendations for both beginning and
intermediate adults and younger students all rolled into one place! A third printing
might still be in the works, but only used copies are available.

Winning Chess Strategy for Kids - Coakley - Highly recommended for basic tactics
AND strategy- don't be fooled by the "...for Kids". For example, check out the
advanced "Steinitzian" concepts on pages 202-204. Don't confuse with the excellent
(and more advanced) "Winning Chess Exercises for Kids" If you don't want to use
the Amazon link on the title, you can click on this link and order it directly from
Canada.

Starting out: Chess Tactics and Checkmates - Chris Ward - I think this book bridges
the tactics gap between a "rules" book and a slightly more advanced book like
Chess Tactics for Students (above) about as well as any. There are some fairly
difficult problems but most are basic and quite fundamental.

Basic Books (ratings under 1300 USCF; 1500 ICC standard):

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess - Fischer & Margulies - a programmed study of back
rank and related mates; good for studying after Bain's Chess Tactics for Students

Pandolfini's Endgame Course - Pandolfini - straightforward examples of basic ideas,

lots of typos but great selection. Before reading, suggest using online errata list to
correct! To save time, you don't have to make all the corrections to the text (except
who is to win!), just the analysis. A follow-up book by Bruce, more difficult and less
practical, but still fun, is Pandolfini's Chess Challenges

Checkmate for Children - Stark - A modern book covering checkmate patterns - one
of the best I have ever seen at just this particular issue - and not just for children!

Comprehensive Chess Course, Vol II - Alburt (Vol I primarily just teaches you how to
play) - Youngsters can use this in conjunction with Bain's book for a real good basis
for later improvement.

The Chess Tactics Workbook - Woolum - Somewhat similar to Bain's book but with
more problems overall and more mate problems, but less single motif problems.
Some "Board Vision" puzzles at the back! By Chess in Education - 4th ed: Steve
Eddin's errata list - Empirical Rabbit errata; p.33 #6 1.Rxe7 Qxe7!

A First Book of Morphy - Del Rosario - a basic game book showing many basic
principles via Morphy games. Downside: does not question weak moves well.

Intermediate Books (USCF ratings 1300 1700):

Good Problem Books:
Power Chess for Kids - Hertan - a helpful book about how to find basic forcing
moves, easier than Hertan's also very good Forcing Chess Moves; check out his
helpful essay "Adventure and Sportsmanship" on p.13, but his key exception on
p.19 has exceptions itself! Good for all levels 900-1700! Once again, ignore the "for
Kids" - that's just funsy graphics, but not content!
Winning Chess Exercises for Kids - Coakley - Possibly the best "intermediate" book
to test the tactics for players of all ages! Highly recommended - don't be fooled by
the "...for Kids" part of the title. A follow-up to his more basic "Winning Chess
Strategy for Kids." Much harder than Bain and more well-rounded (has defensive
and "best move" problems) than any other intermediate books, e.g. Winning Chess
Combinations and Sacrifices, etc. Over 900 problems! Errata: #87-1: Put White
Bishop at d5. #94-8: White King at h1, not g1. ***This is the book for which I receive
the most positive feedback of any book I recommend!***
Practical Chess Exercises - Cheng - An interesting idea with 600 positions from
games where all you are given is that there is a best move. It could be the only
saving defensive tactic, play and win, or a positional idea.
The Chess Training Pocket Book - Alburt - the 300 most instructive positions needed
to get to a rating of 1800. To get to 1400, I would start with positions 5, 15, 18, 26,
27, 39, 63, 68, 75, 80, 82, 105, 109, 118, 125, 128, 129, 133, 163, 203, 206, 238,
242, 247, 265, 280.
Chess Exam and Training Guide - IM Khmelnitsky - 2005 Chess Cafe Book of the
Year. A book of excellent test problems; good for taking after doing Alburt's Chess
Training Pocket Book. Problems good for all levels of difficulty and not just tactics.
2005 Book of the Year!
The Art of the Checkmate - Renaud and Kahn - mostly a great book about
checkmate pattern but lots of problems, too.
xChess Visualization Course, Book 1: General Tactics - Ian Anderson - (out of print)
practicing board vision and counting. Thick! See also IM Rensch's Video on
visualization
Chess Strategy Workbook - Bardwick - Has basic ideas but not all problems are easy.
A good follow-up to Coakley's Winning Chess Strategy for Kids

The Winning Way - Pandolfini (basic opening patterns, traps) - similar to another
classic, Winning Chess Traps by Irving Chernev. Neither is in the form of puzzles, but
example opening patterns

Rapid Chess Improvement - de la Maza - An expanded version of his "400 Points in

400 Days" article (Parts 1 and 2.) on how to improve your game. Ages 12+.

Modern Chess Openings (MCO-15) Nick DeFirmian - Every intermediate can use a
one-volume tome covering all the openings. Like buying a dictionary

Chess Endings: Essential Knowledge Averbach This small book contains all the
basics for chess endgames.

Practical Chess Endings - Chernev - An excellent collection of endgame problems

covering most practical ideas. Can be used after Pandolfini's Endgame Course

The World's Most Instructive Amateur Game Book - Heisman - I'd like to think my
book as instructive as any other game book on this list
Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played Chernev a book of games, each
with an individual idea written at a good intermediate level. Older version is in
descriptive notation. A second book with this same idea, if you like this one, is
Grandmaster meets Chess Amateur by Davis and Norwood

50 Essential Chess Lessons - Giddins - positioned as a more modern, slightly more

advanced than The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played

Modern Chess Move by Move - Crouch- bridges the gap between Logical Chess Move
by Move and Understanding Chess Move by Move. Caution: some readers hated the
editing.

Silman's Complete Endgame Course Silman Great book: Could be listed as "Basic
- Intermediate - Advanced" since it covers ALL the endgame bases in a
comprehensive manner. Interested layout by "class"; I used that layout in The
Improving Chess Thinker.

The Amateurs Mind Silman Examines faulty thinking processes. Silman's book
order recommendation. Need basic positional theory as prerequisite. e.g. Winning
Chess Strategy for Kids - Coakley.

Pawn Power in Chess Kmoch (on a more macro scale, try Andrew Soltis Pawn
Structure Chess, to be updated 2012+) How to use pawns in chess. This subject is
a must for any serious player. Don't worry about the arcane definitions! It's a great
book!

Elements of Positional Evaluation Heisman explains the most basic ideas

underlining how pieces get their value A CULT Classic. Super-expanded fourth
edition! This book is not about how to evaluate positions, but rather the elements
for understanding what makes good and bad pieces, and how to value them.

The Logical Approach to Chess - Euwe, Blaine, Rumble - similar in some ways to
Elements - very logical (!) and somewhat basic, but also lots of good general
knowledge/principles for beginner/intermediates. Very underrated.

Improver's It's Your Move - Ward - 50 problems on finding the right plan (a more
basic, but generally instructive book than the also good It's Your Move)

Inside The Chess Mind - Aagaard - A collection of "think out loud" protocols from
titled players over 12 positions (but only protocols - doesn't include "thought
process" text or discussion). Good for intermediate/advanced players. If you want a
book with protocols for all levels...see next book...

The Improving Chess Thinker - Heisman - My book on thought process - the one I
always wanted to write - has received excellent feedback. Includes not only thought

protocols of players of all classes, but also chapters on thought process basics and
time management. Second edition out spring 2014

Learn Chess Tactics - Nunn - Superb descriptions of how each tactic works. This can
almost be viewed as a successor book to my Back to Basics: Tactics since the
problems are on the average much more difficult

The Art of Planning in Chess - Neil McDonald - even better (and more advanced)
than his good anthology The Art of Logical Chess Thinking - the third book in this
"Chess Secrets" series is Chess Success: Planning after the Opening and then Giants
of Strategy and The Giants of Power Play - all good!

Winning Chess Puzzles for Kids Vol 1 and Vol 2 - Jeff Coakley - Don't be fooled by the
titles! These books are gems - in additional to some basic puzzles, there's a
fascinating collection of challenging and instructive puzzles, including many "board
vision" puzzles such as "Switcheroos", "Double Whammies", basic retrogrades, and
much more!
The Wisest Things Ever Said About Chess - Soltis - 288 principles with examples.
Just terrific stuff and very practical. Besides, Andy gives me two entries!

Chess Rules of Thumb - Alburt and Lawrence - 230+ Guidelines and principles, but
not quite as good as Soltis' Another cute but effective pocket book by Alburt.
Recommended for older players; not for kids. These ideas are so important they are
part of my "Big Five" things you should learn first.

Chess Strategy for Club Players - Grooten - Good follow-up to Winning Chess
Strategy for Kids. A "more advanced" strategy book with lots of games examples
(can treat it like an annotated game anthology)
Studying Chess Made Easy - Another great book by Soltis; chock full of practical
advice. It must be good - it matches (and explains from Soltis' point of view) much
of my "good" advice. Other good "practical" books:
Chess for Tigers (2nd ed) - Webb
The Seven Deadly Chess Sins and Chess for Zebras - Rowson (see below under
"Advanced")

Advanced Books (ratings above ~1700 USCF):

How To Reassess Your Chess and the How to Reassess Your Chess Workbook Jeremy
Silman How to use imblances to figure out what to do. The books I would
recommend after reading Amateurs Mind. See Silman's recommendations on book
order. The first 52 pages of HTRYC (3rd ed) is much more basic than the remainder.
The 4th ed. of HTRYC is clearer and more focused. Recommended once you no
longer play "Hope Chess" and lose material to unseen threats (USCF 1600+)

Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO) Five volumes to cover in more detail than
NCO; of course, if you play a particular opening, get a book on that opening!

Understanding Chess Move by Move - Nunn - sort of a modern MUCH more

advanced version of Chernev's Logical Chess Move by Move.

Understanding Chess Middlegames - Nunn - Another good one from the doctor, with
100 different middlegame issues and two sample games/snippets of each
The Worlds Greatest Chess Games Nunn, Burgess, and Emms The 100 best
games of all-time, as analyzed by computer and authors down through the ages new version has, I believe, 112 games.

Secrets of Grandmaster Endings Andrew Soltis a gem of a book covers most

everything you need to know that is above the Averbach Essential Knowledge
level

100 Endgames You Must Know - de la Villa - Every time I read this book I like it more.
It's advanced, but seems to have its pulse on just what it claims
The Art of Attack Vukovic advanced attacking techniques, e.g. classical Bishop
Sacrifice. Excellent chapter on focal points. - another advanced follow-up book is
Sokolov'sSacrifice and Initiative in Chess

Judgement and Planning in Chess Euwe - Chess planning is a difficult subject.

This is one of the few advanced books on the subject.

Thought and Choice in Chess - deGroot - The definitive book analyzing how strong
chessplayers think. Warning! Reads like a PhD thesis, not a chess book. For how
players of all levels think, check out my book The Improving Chess Thinker.

The Seven Deadly Chess Sins - Rowson - a book on thinking - psychological aspects
- avoiding time trouble, etc. - The follow up is the similar and good Chess for Zebras.
I recommend anyone who is considering chess lessons to read the first chapter of
Chess for Zebras, where GM Rowson explains that gaining more chess knowledge is
not the way to become a better chess player!

Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy - Watson - The most advanced positional book great.

Rethinking the Chess Pieces - Soltis - Advanced book about the changing value of
the pieces, playing imbalances, when to trade, etc. My award-winning review at
Chessville

How to Choose a Chess Move - Soltis - another good general book, this time on
thought process, by the GM

The Method in Chess - Dorfman - not a well-written book, but some important ideas
about planning and imbalances

The Kaufman Repertoire for Black & White - Kaufman - Probably the best opening
repertoire book - the 2011 completely re-written version based on Larry's own play
and expert computer evaluation

The Joys of Chess - Hesse - it's "just" a fun book, but a really good one in the mold
of old Chernev and Assaic books like The Bright Side of Chess
Chess Curiousities - Krabbe - Another "fun" book that's really a great trip. But
nothing compared to Krabbe's website, which has all this times 100!

Transpo Tricks in Chess - Soltis - Some really great practical advice about how to get
the most out of many openings. Another Soltis winner.

Special note: The most advanced training books are the Dvoretsky series, the
Yusupov series, and now Aagaard's Grandmaster Preparation series. These are all
recommended for players rated 1900 looking for very serious advanced study.
Novice Nook/articles about books (The ones with * are not Novice Nooks and have
direct links; Novice Nooks can only be linked by Dan's Students):
Chess Books and Prerequisites; An Improvement Plan, The Four Homeworks,
Annotated Game Collections vs. Instructive Anthologies, A Bain Rating Tactics Quiz,
Tactical Sets and Goals, Nunn, Chernev, and Learning Chess, Learning from Andy,
Understanding Chess Puzzles, How to Use MCO-14, and Reviewing Chess Games
(pdf required); Middlegame book suggestions*, Improvement books vs. Thought
Process Books*
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