The 10 Best Chess Books for Beginners, Intermediate Players, and Beyond

Best Overall

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess

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Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, this is one chess book everyone should have on their shelf. The chess book utilizes a special learning method designed to help you learn the game of chess and obtain that knowledge in an engaging way.

We love the interactive element of this chess guide: it tests your knowledge with a series of questions as you learn. You can only move on to the next question if you get it right. If you get the question wrong, the book doesn’t just tell you the correct answer, it tells youwhyyour answer is wrong, which can be highly beneficial when learning something new or strengthening your skillset.

Our only complaint is that the printing appears to be subpar. But, if you can get past poor printing quality, you will certainly find this book helpful.

Best for Beginners

Complete Book of Chess Strategy

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Looking for a chess book that’s more like a chess dictionary? You’ve met your match. This comprehensive guidebook on offers an accessible approach to chess strategy with each concept listed in alphabetical order, making it a great resource as you grow in your game. It’s easy to follow, with plenty of broken down explanations, and a great choice for anyone looking to go from beginner to amateur.

While this is a great title fornew players and beginnersalike, it might not be the best resource for those with more advanced skills, as some users note that it only scratches the surface of chess strategy.

Best for Intermediate Players

How to Reassess Your Chess: Chess Mastery Through Chess Imbalances

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If you're looking to take a course in improving your chess game, this book is the next best thing. The step-by-step guidebook goes over how to grow as a player with in-depth explanations of a grandmaster’s thought process, helping the reader break through advanced strategies for a stronger game. Word to the wise: Read this book with your board close by—it’s not really built for reading without one.

Best Strategy

象棋逻辑:移动的移动:一举一动解释道New Algebraic Edition

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Once you know the basics, it’s time to strengthen your game. This classic chess book is a great buy for anyone looking to gain a better understanding on the game and improve their own. It includes 33 detailed games and provides fantastic insight into how to utilize what you learn more effectively. While it is beneficial for beginners, those who are new to the game will want to purchase a book centered around tactics, too.

Best for Grandmasters

Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual

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Considered a chess bible for many advanced players, including grandmasters, this book offers a comprehensive guide to the endgame, helping to improve and strengthen your overall chess game. With that said, there’s a reason why intermediate players love it—it's a more advanced book that is certainly not recommended for someone just starting out. It even includes a foreword written by widely recognized theoretician and grandmaster Karsten Müller.

Best for Kids

Chess for Kids

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If you’re looking for the best chess book for kids, this one comes highly recommended. The illustrated guide is a great starting point for kids ages 8 to 12 looking to learn how to play chess. This title covers everything from the basics—such as the names of each piece—to the history of chess to insights on how to improve your game and win.

Though some users say that the book is packed with extra historical information that might be too advanced for kids to absorb, it’s still a great foundational chess book for young players.

Best for Club and Tournament Players

现代国际象棋开口

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Serious chess players seeking to hone their openings might appreciate this book. The book has been around since 1911 and this 15th edition copy has been updated with excellent insights on more recent matches and current theories. It continues to serve as an invaluable resource for club and tournament players, including information on recent matches and the most up-to-date theory on chess openings.

Best Memoir

Deep Thinking: Where Machine Intelligence Ends and Human Creativity Begins

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This book is a look back at Kasparov’s match against Deep Blue and, although it’s mostly about his experience, it offers great insight and thought-provoking commentary on the role artificial intelligence (AI) plays in chess. While this book reads more like a memoir, it is an interesting read for anyone curious about the difference between human and machine thinking in the game of chess and what one chess champion has to say about the subject.

Best eBook

Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations and Games

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This complete book of chess problems is a top pick for any chess player—from beginner to advanced. It takes a “learn as you go” approach, allowing you to gain the knowledge you need to play the game (and win) while getting some good practice in. There is a catch though: The book hardcover and paperback versions are huge, and some readers have complained about how small the illustrations are. For that, we recommend the eBook so you can take it with you on the go and zoom in as needed.