Best Chess Books for Serious Improvement

Best Chess Books for Serious Improvement

por Paul Chessini

To choose best chess book, you need to identify your current level and training objective, select one area of focus (endgames, calculation, strategy and structures, annotated classics, or openings/reference), ensure the book is aimed at you/edition, and make a simple two-week study plan.

1) Assess your level & goal

  • Intermediate (~1400–2000): refine calculation, master structure-based planning, and transform small edges in endgames.

  • Advanced (2000+): further strategic conversion, specialty endgames, and base your decisions on elite annotated games.

2) Pick a single area of focus

  • Endgames (conversion & technique): principle-based texts (such as Shereshevsky Endgame Strategy) and a reference later.

  • Calculation (under pressure): organized exercise books (such as Aagaard Calculation, Kotov Think Like a Grandmaster).

  • Strategy & structures (positional feel): concept-first titles (such as Silman How to Reassess Your Chess, Nimzowitsch My System and Chess Praxis).

  • Annotated classics (pattern library): deep notes by Fischer, Bronstein, Tal, Kasparov to use next round.

  • Openings/reference (one lane at a time): prefer resources that describe plans, rather than moves.

3) Verify fit before you buy

  • Target audience: is the blurb intermediate/advanced?

  • Edition & notation: new edition, algebraic notation, clear diagrams.

  • Reviews around your rating: find readers at your level.

  • Sample pages: can you act on the explanations?

Those were quick recommendations for how to choose best chess book.

Introduction

When you have outgrown the fundamentals, and are seeking books that do not merely turn the needle, this list is narrowed down to advanced and intermediate classics—no elementary primers, only those books that polish calculation, endgames, positional play, attack, and chess culture.

Read more about What Is Algebraic Chess Notation in our article.

The Best Books For Intermediate Players

You are no longer in the basics and desire titles that hone real-game decisions. These books are concerned with positional knowledge, calculation patterns, and structure-based planning, which are best suited to club to master strength.

  • Positional Decision Making in Chess — Boris Gelfand
    The thinking process of a grandmaster about space, transformation of advantages, and practical choices (Quality Chess edition).

  • Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide — from Mauricio Flores Rios
    Pawn-structure family plans; immediately applicable in your openings and middlegames.

  • Think Like a Grandmaster — Alexander Kotov
    Candidate moves and the “analysis tree”: one of the best road maps to disciplined thinking.

  • Grandmaster Preparation: Calculation — Jacob Aagaard
    Develop a repeatable calculation process; it suits 1700+ who need more acute tactics in a stressful situation.

  • The Art of Attack in Chess — Vladimir Vuković
    The standard attacking manual — mating nets, standard sacrifices, and coordination of pieces.

The Best Books For History And Improvement

History titles may serve as training aids — not old-fashionedness, but eternal strategic concepts, may be found in annotated classics. Apply them to expand your pattern library and initiative.

  • Zurich International Chess Tournament 1953 — David Bronstein
    An apprenticeship in operational strategy, tactics, and tournament psychology.

  • The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal — from Mikhail Tal
    Stunning, educative notes that educate dynamism and risk management.

The Best Books On Endgames

Endgames transform little advantages into points. These picks are a blend of principle-based learning and contemporary accuracy — ideal when club players want to squeeze more half-points into victories.

  • Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual (6th ed., 2025) — Mark Dvoretsky
    The reference standard; 6th edition (504 pages, Russell Enterprises). Use a real board and go slow.

  • Endgame Strategy (Revised & Expanded, 2022) — Mikhail Shereshevsky
    General concepts and specific guidelines (king activity, “do not hurry”, two weaknesses). An ideal transition between ideals and accuracy.

  • Fundamental Chess Endings — Karsten Müller & Frank Lamprecht
    A single-volume survey that you will read again; a supplement to both Dvoretsky and Shereshevsky.

  • 100 Endgames You Must Know (Expanded) — Jesús de la Villa
    A small, high-paying drilling partner after you master the ropes.

Book Recommendations From World Chess Shop

Here are some of the in-stock titles that you can order immediately. We have classified them according to the way they will assist you—no amateur books of this kind.

Strategy & Structures

Annotated Classics & History

Biographical (for context & motivation)

How to Study These Books (Intermediate/Advanced)

Make this lean loop transform chapters and annotated games into actual strength gains.

  • Pick positions first. Based on the chapter, choose 3-5 critical diagrams and arrange them on a real chess board or your analysis application.

  • Solve before reading (10–20 min). Write a brief candidate-move tree and your strategy; run a light timer to be honest (To keep eyes on time use Chess Clocks).

  • Compare with the author. Take out one idea at a time (structure theme, tactical motif, endgame rule).

  • Verify smartly. Engine pass with MultiPV=3, moderate depth; annotate the idea behind the best line and save a FEN of each key snapshot.

  • Convert to drills. Repeat those FENs after 48 hours and on day 7 (spaced repetition).

Two-week sprint template

  • Week 1: Strategy/structures (e.g., Nimzowitsch, Gelfand/Flores) + 2 annotated classics.

  • Week 2: Chapters of Endgame + 20-minute block of calculations daily of your selected title.

Best chess books FAQ

What is the best chess book ever?

No clear winner, but a realistic short-list would be Dvoretsky Endgame Manual (technical gold standard) and Bronstein Zurich 1953 (model game annotations with strategic depth). For practical planning, Silman’s How to Reassess Your Chess remains evergreen.

What is the best book to get better at chess?

There is no single best one that fits all, but a good combination to use to improve is:

  • Strategy/structures: How to Reassess Your Chess (planning through imbalances).

  • Endgames: Endgame Strategy (practical technique).

  • Calculation: Aagaard's Calculation or the classical approach of Kotov.

  • Annotated classics: My 60 Memorable Games by Fischer or Zurich 1953 by Bronstein. Choose one lane and rotate.

What is the best chess book to start with?

In the intermediate range, start with How to Reassess Your Chess by Silman or My System and Chess Praxis by Nimzowitsch — both reset your thinking about position evaluation. In case you are advanced, begin with Shereshevsky to practice endgames or read annotated classics such as Fischer or Kasparov. To absolute beginners start with our article: Best chess books for beginners.

What books should I read to get better at chess?

Choose one each of the following: Dvoretsky (endgames), Gelfand or Flores Rios (positional/structures), Aagaard or Kotov (calculation), Vuković (attack), and repeat with annotated classics such as Zurich 1953 or Tal.

How to choose the right chess book for you?

Pair one training objective with one theme (endgames, calculation, strategy/structures, or annotated classics), verify the audience and edition of the book, skim sample pages, and make a commitment to a 2-week micro-plan. In case you are undecided, choose the theme that appears the most in your recent game notes and explore our handpicked Chess Books.