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C.J.S. Purdy was the first World Correspondence Chess Champion and one of the best chess teachers of all time. This book clearly defines the principles that govern openings, middlegames, endings, strategy, tactics, and planning in chess. Valuable points for players of all levels, but absolutely the best book of chess fundamentals ever written. Period.
Recommended for Beginner through Class A. |
 
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I highly recommend "A First Book of Morphy" by Frisco Del Rosario. It is a wonderful collection of high quality games by Paul Morphy, chess genius and prodigy. Del Rosario does a magnificent job of explaining Morphy's games, using them as the framework of a set of principles for the opening, middlegame, and endgame. Some of the finest tactical combinations of the 19th century are broken down to a move by move commentary. A fascinating and entertaining read.
Recommended for Beginner through Class A. |
 
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This book is subtitled "How to See Three Moves Ahead", and does a fantastic job at delivering that skill. By breaking down tactical play into patterns and training the reader to look for forcing moves, the authors guide the student toward creating combinations. A tactics training manual that does not require a board and set!
Recommended for Novice through Class B. |
 
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Irving Chernev has selected 62 games of grandmaster tournament play to illustrate the basic principles of winning chess. Each game is a classic example of a fundamental problem and its best resolution, presented in the clearest possible manner for players at every level of proficiency to grasp. Chernev reveals precisely how Fischer, Tal, Alekhine, Lasker, Petrosian, Capablanca, and many other great masters turn theory into practice. This is an invaluable textbook and a treasury of magnificent play.
Recommended for Club through Class A. |
 
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These 25 chess games played between master and amateur were chosen, arranged and annotated to help amateurs improve their games. Selected by former World Champion Max Euwe and Walter Meiden, a typical amateur player, the games point out graphically how the chess master takes advantage of characteristic errors of the amateur. Generous amounts of analysis and commentary by Euwe make this an invaluable instructional text.
Recommended for Club through Class A. |
 
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This revolutionary text is not an endings encyclopedia, and doesn't pretend to be! Much more valuable than a collection of arcane ending positions and variations, Jeremy Silman has prepared a progressive chess endings course designed to systematically instruct the student only those concepts appropriate for his current playing strength. As a player improves, more advanced material is presented that builds upon the lessons already covered. Don't purchase any other chess endings book until you have studied this one!
Recommended for Class D through Class A. |
 
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This is the first book in a series by "the best chess teacher in the business" (according to former world chess champion Bobby Fischer). Follow Purdy's study program and he will guide you through 100 Master Class and World Championship games teaching you how the masters think and play. Grab a board and set, and play one or two games per night, making Purdy your own private chess tutor.
Recommended for Club through Class A. |
 
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This second book in the C.J.S. Purdy series contains 120 more Master Class and World Championship games expertly annotated and presented by Purdy for your enjoyment and chess education. Add thirteen articles from Purdy's various chess publications and you have a treasure trove of chess instruction. Diligent study with Purdy will improve your play.
Recommended for Class D through Class A. |
 
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The third and final book in the Purdy series features Purdy's famous annotations of 70 of his own games and 30 games of his son, John Purdy. Included in this volume are a collection of six articles and six essays by Purdy covering various topics of chess improvement. Each of the three volumes stands well on its own merits, but the entire collection constitutes the finest chess instruction ever published.
Recommended for Class C through Class A. |
 
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Jeremy Silman takes the student on a journey through his own mind and returns him to the chess board with a wealth of new-found knowledge and the promise of a significant gain in strength. Comparing how masters and amateurs think through positions differently will help the student identify weaknesses in how he plays while showing him how to correct those weaknesses.
Recommended for Class C through Class A. |
 
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Every chess player needs a set of openings he can trust. GM Lev Alburt, GM Roman Dzindzichashvili, IM Eugene Perelshteyn, and former Chess Journalist of the Year Al Lawrence give you a complete repertoire of carefully selected, interrelated openings to show you how to win with White. Additionally, you get an informative review of every opening from White's point of view, even the ones not part of this book's repertoire. Features fresh ideas and some new theory, a format that is easy to use and easy to read, and a presentation that is clear and to the point.
Recommended for Class B through Class A. |
 
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In the companion book to "Chess Openings for White, Explained", the authors give you a complete opening repertoire to defend with confidence against each and every one of White's first moves. And as in the previous volume, you get a quick but informative review of every opening from Black's point of view, even the one's not part of the book's repertoire. Endorsed by Anatoly Karpov as "A must have for every chess player."
Recommended for Class B through Class A. |
