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10 chess books that changed how I see the game

I like (good) chess books because smart words are good and authors think of smart words and write them down and then we read them and then we think smart things too.

My favorite books:

Modern Ideas in Chess (Reti)
Alekhine's Best Games, Vol. 1-2
Zurich '53 (Bronstein)
My 60 Most Memorable Games (Fischer, plus possibly a ghost writer or three)
The Modern Chess Sacrifice (Shamkovich)

I also sort of like Silman but I'm not going to admit that for some reason. Also "My System".

Oh, also, a gem that I feel nobody knows: The Personality of Chess, by Horowitz/Rothenberg

I like (good) chess books because smart words are good and authors think of smart words and write them down and then we read them and then we think smart things too. My favorite books: Modern Ideas in Chess (Reti) Alekhine's Best Games, Vol. 1-2 Zurich '53 (Bronstein) My 60 Most Memorable Games (Fischer, plus possibly a ghost writer or three) The Modern Chess Sacrifice (Shamkovich) I also sort of like Silman but I'm not going to admit that for some reason. Also "My System". Oh, also, a gem that I feel nobody knows: The Personality of Chess, by Horowitz/Rothenberg

@tpr said ^

Here is a list of 20 books that helped to become a grandmaster:
https://rafaelleitao.com/chess-books-grandmaster/

That's a nice list, I've read 4, 7, 13, 14, 16.

@tpr said [^](/forum/redirect/post/3piVU0tW) > Here is a list of 20 books that helped to become a grandmaster: > https://rafaelleitao.com/chess-books-grandmaster/ That's a nice list, I've read 4, 7, 13, 14, 16.

@mvhk said ^

5,7 and 9 I've read.
I discussed 9 in my article https://schaken-brabo.blogspot.com/2021/04/precisie-deel-2.html

Nice post. Yes, Dvoretsky and Aagaard books are best for pure improvement for stronger players, but books like Levitt/Friedgood can add that enjoyment to your chess & reading life.

@mvhk said [^](/forum/redirect/post/d9x734Dt) > 5,7 and 9 I've read. > I discussed 9 in my article https://schaken-brabo.blogspot.com/2021/04/precisie-deel-2.html Nice post. Yes, Dvoretsky and Aagaard books are best for pure improvement for stronger players, but books like Levitt/Friedgood can add that enjoyment to your chess & reading life.

@ZugAddict said ^

Modern Ideas in Chess (Reti)

Great list! I never got around to Alekhine's collection, Fischer's 60 or Silman books, there are too many good chess books and you'll miss out on some in this life. Pushing wood, we can learn from others who push better and then it helps us push wood with more smartness.

@ZugAddict said [^](/forum/redirect/post/NE6Az7jA) > Modern Ideas in Chess (Reti) Great list! I never got around to Alekhine's collection, Fischer's 60 or Silman books, there are too many good chess books and you'll miss out on some in this life. Pushing wood, we can learn from others who push better and then it helps us push wood with more smartness.

@datajunkie said ^

Modern Ideas in Chess (Reti)

Great list! I never got around to Alekhine's collection, Fischer's 60 or Silman books, there are too many good chess books and you'll miss out on some in this life. Pushing wood, we can learn from others who push better and then it helps us push wood with more smartness.

Yup, couldn't have put it any better myself

@datajunkie said [^](/forum/redirect/post/SrdTSLFC) > > Modern Ideas in Chess (Reti) > > Great list! I never got around to Alekhine's collection, Fischer's 60 or Silman books, there are too many good chess books and you'll miss out on some in this life. Pushing wood, we can learn from others who push better and then it helps us push wood with more smartness. Yup, couldn't have put it any better myself