Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess was a gift from a relative, and technically it was the first chess book I ever owned. I didn't really read it, and I wasn't playing at all seriously back then. The book that marked the beginning of my chess experience was Chess Tactics for Champions by Susan Polgar. Truth be told, I haven't finished that one either.
Originally posted by Restless SoulI've never read a chess book in my life. Long live the internet.
I thought it would be interesting to see what everyones first chess book was and why you got it. Unless your like ex-wc Lasker who said "I never read a chess book until I was a master.", we all have read more then one. What made you decide to take chess from just another board game to something serious?
My first book was "How to play good openi ...[text shortened]... eat me very quick, however now he is keeping his perfect record alive and will not play me.
Originally posted by ih8sensBut it's a well known fact that chess book authors are much more deserving than lowly website designers. I'll bet those designers even kick their dogs occasionally. If you run right out and buy a book now, we might even have it in our hearts to forgive you!
Don't you realize that I'm putting food on the table for some poor, starving website designer?
Originally posted by Mad Rookhehe.. actually that raises a good question. Where do you get chess books? There's a Chapters in the town I live... I assume they have something?
But it's a well known fact that chess book authors are much more deserving than lowly website designers. I'll bet those designers even kick their dogs occasionally. If you run right out and buy a book now, we might even have it in our hearts to forgive you!
Originally posted by ih8sensWell, I'm sure you know I was only kidding, hehe.
hehe.. actually that raises a good question. Where do you get chess books? There's a Chapters in the town I live... I assume they have something?
I'm not familiar with Chapters stores. Here in the US, chess book selection in retail book stores is usually very limited. There's a Barnes & Noble near me that has a good selection, but it's one of the few B&Ns that do. Most have a thin selection like the other stores.
Except for the most common chess books, I usually have to get them via mail order. Amazon is a popular source, and then all the other internet chess stores. And yeah, the USCF here in the US, and I guess the Canadian chess organization where you are. I've also gotten a few out-of-print books off of eBay.
My 1st chess book was a "Teach Yourself" guide called "How to play chess".
I was 10 then which was (let me think!) a long time ago.
My next books were "Judgement and Planning in Chess" by Max Euwe and "Winning Chess Tactics" by Ludeck Packman both won at the age of 16 for "Best Game" and "2nd place" in the National Scholars Championship.
The 1st book I paid for for Modern Chess Openings which I used for 35 years until replacing it recently when it seemed just a little out of date (when I started using it here) although it was also falling to bits..
Originally posted by LeaadasDude, that's pretty heavy-duty for a 1550-odd player to start!
First book I read was Reasses your chess, then after that was Art of Attack... 2 of the best chess books written imo
I can get my head around most of H.T.R.Y.C, but the Yukovic book jumps right in there at +1600 level after just a few pages.
It was like - *BANG!*
😕
The first chess book I read was "My System" by Nimzovich. It was quite over my head at the time, but was a fantastic glimpse into the minds and ideas of people who routinely schooled me without me quite understanding how.
One of those folks was kind enough to suggest Pandolfini's "Weapons of Chess" as something a bit more appropriate.
Since then, I've read a couple of the Seirawan books and, after a hiatus from the game, recently picked up Silman's "The Amateur's Mind," which I highly recommend.