We set out to uncover the best chess books and used research, reviews, and grandmaster advice to source our top picks. After much comparison, Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess is our grandmaster, thanks to its effective teaching method and accessibility for all skill levels. From strategy to history to openings and winning the game, here are the best chess books for every player. 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 you why your 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. While this is a great title for new players and beginners alike, 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. 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.
Reviews
Reviews can tell you a lot about a book, so it’s a great idea to always browse through what others have to say before purchasing a book. Another great thing about book reviews is that they offer specific insight into how well of a resource the book is, if it helped with any specific aspects of the game, and what skill level it might be good for.
Recommendations
If you’re serious about your chess game, another helpful thing to consider is the books recommended by grandmasters. Some of these recommendations offer well-rounded insight into the game, while others will focus on specific aspects, such as openings, endings, and strategy.
Why Trust The Spruce
Contributing writer Jessie Quinn is an avid book collector with a particular interest in books that help her expand her skillsets, and teach her new skills. Jessie put this passion to use when researching and sourcing the best chess books. For this story, Jessie tracked down chess books grandmasters swear by, read over 100 book reviews, and considered titles centered around specific skills and players (including kids!). As a result, Jessie compiled a list of the top 10 best chess books that are sure to improve your game—or, simply teach it to you if you’re a beginner.
