The 9 Best Chess theory books (2023 reviews)

We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a book. The firmian chess theory book is exactly that - it's a simple book that hits all the right notes. If you feel that you need opening study, this is the bible of openings in chess. It has tables of variations with tons of extra footnotes, far more than anyone could memorize. If you love chess or simply want to learn to play well, this is the best source for study of the openings.

This is hands down the most detailed book you can get to strengthen your opening game. It provides *many* openings with dozens of variations and commentary on those openings and variations. The glue binding in the book is releasing pages faster than a teenage girls release screams around boys they like. It is easy to follow the algebraic notation on a chess board. This is definitely should be in your collection if you are trying to improve your chess at the intermediate level.

Why We Like This:

Modern chess openings is a great reference for intermediate players
Introduces a numerous amount of openings to try
Playing out the games with a board is easy and often fun

Best For beginning player: Chernev Chess theory Book

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If you often find yourself scrambling for convenient and suitable book, chernev chess theory book is your end point. As a Ruy Lopez player, it is wonderful to see such a beautiful display of how the opening ideas flow into a middle game positional play, and how that flows into creating weaknesses in the enemy position. It does not focus on tactics, but rather the overarching principles of how games, and attacks, are conducted. The beginner will enter a game with some idea of what they need to do to carry out a successful attack, and they will move pieces accordingly.

The book is sneaky in that it's teaching you quite a bit more than just the explicit thematic content. Its structure is similar in that it covers every move. Each game takes about half and hour to work through, which makes this book nice for adults with jobs and family obligations who cannot devote a substantial amount of time each day to chess. There is some repetition of basic precepts, but it's necessary for them to sink in. It is a must for any beginner.

Why We Like This:

A must read for any intermediate chess player
Develop all your pieces, castle early, don't waste time being a "pawn grabber
Teaches about piece development, chess strategy and positional technique by example
An amazing chess book that is very well written and enjoyable

Best For learning Chess: László Polgár Chess theory Book

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The lászló polgár chess theory book's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. Lazlo Polgar's book is a tactical workout that forces the beginner/intermediate player to acquire the essential tactics necessary for survival. It includes a primer on the game's rules and would be a great parent-child co-learning experience. This book helps you to see themes and similar situations that will help develop your "positional eye.

There is absolutely no verbal explanation as to the famous "Polgar" method of learning chess, so this book does not demonstrate the Laszlo Polgar pedagogy, but is rather just a large collection of problems and games. It also gives miniature games which show how to play the openings and the middle game, especially on how to attack the king.

The 1-move mates section is very brief, meant for abject beginners, along with a tiny section on game rules and a description of how to read chess notation. This is a useful book that can be enjoyed anywhere you go.

Why We Like This:

Very nice, progressive chess positions to solve by a proven master trainer
A powerful study tool to advance your game
One of the new comers and featured product

Best For novice: Jeremy Silman Chess theory Book

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The jeremy silman chess theory book is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily purpose. Chess Tactics for the Tournament Player (Comprehensive Chess Course, Third Level) is geared more to teach you fundementals about tactics than this book. It will teach all of the famous openings, like Alekhine's Defense, Four Knights Opening, The Queen's Gambit, The King's Gambit, and so on and so on. It is easy to read and great for improving your chess game.

This book covers a lot of ground and hits upon a lot of fundamental ideas that a good chess player needs. It is a must if you want to know the names and moves of about 20 different standard opening lines. The book is well written and offers a plethora of attacks and defenses that can be grasped even by a novice like myself. The book should be based and named simple chess or beginer chess.

Why We Like This:

A superb book on chess for many levels
Wonderfully written and thorough introduction to chess strategies
Good brand reputation

Best For beginner Book: Bobby Fischer Chess theory Book

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This book by former World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer is an excellent beginner book for either an adult or child. It occupies a niche in the chess book market by virtue of its quiz style of learning. It contains a good overview of the basics, but delves voraciously into developing mastery.

The entire book shows you chess board layots on one page and asks a question or gives you information. If you're a beginner this book will teach you the game to play against others playing with years of playing. This is a great intro book to the game. It is a pretty good book to learn chess for the absolute complete beginner. The book does well to assist people in seeing the whole board.

Why We Like This:

Best way to improve your chess game
Holds up well as a refresher for improved chess game
Good investment for long term

Best For any Chess novice: Jose Capablanca Chess theory Book

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Not everyone likes to purchase book for their daily usage, but the jose capablanca chess theory book would be an anomoly. This is a classic book, written by a chess genius. It can be used in contemporary chess. If you’ve got a natural feel for the game despite being a newb, this book will kick your game into a higher gear provided you actually sit down with it and do the work. It does challenge those trying to review game positions and alternate moves to mate.

This is one of the best books on any grand-masters list, but it is not an expansive book though, just under 130 pages. It is maximized beyond the readers ease of comprehension basically means that you actually sit down with it and do the work.

Why We Like This:

Excellent book for all chess players
One of the must-have's for any chess library
A worthy addition to anyone's chess library

Best For intermediate player: Andy Dunn Chess theory Book

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Andy Dunn line of book come in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. The game of chess is an intelligent game. This book is great for beginners in chess. It covers the basics of the game you need to know. It can be used by famous and brilliant chess players in or to win a win.

This book is equally helpful for both the beginners as well as the old players. It provides a good and understandable analysis of every board. It gives tactics and strategies which are easy to remember, but not too difficult to understand. This is a good guide on how to capture other player’s king piece.

Why We Like This:

Great resource for better chess games
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best next Book: Chernev wonderful Book

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The chernev wonderful book's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The rule-iconoclasm in Watson's Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy is also very important, but only near master level and above. It's one of the best books for teaching positional play for young chess players. This is an outstanding book, with 62 games annotated clearly by a legend. It also contains some of the classics of Chess, and Chernev brings you a fresh insight and analysis to each game.

This is a collection of games from the late 19th century to the 1950's, when positional and strategic style of play is more popular. This book is ideal for anyone studying chess tactics or openings who hopes to relate what they learned to master games. What these writers offer is their infectious enthusiasm, and their talent to entertain, inform, and instruct painlessly. It will really turn some people off.

Why We Like This:

Love for the game of chess
Will bring delight to your evenings
Each game is carefully and lovingly annotated

Best first Chess Book: Matt knight Chess theory Book

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This book goes over all the basic aspects of how to play chess. It provides a valuable introduction and enables one to move on, with more complex books and puzzles thus developing the skills required to play a decent game. It is a great book for someone who loves chess and wants to learn more. The creator points of interest in the history of chess at the starting of the book and afterward clarifies the game's fundamental moves and techniques and how to move forward upon your skill.

The author does a great job breaking down the game in its most basic form so that you can easily understand how to play it. This book is perfect for helping out with some extra information and is also a great way to learn if you have never played before.

Why We Like This:

Delivers what they promise
Good brand reputation

The 9 Best Chess theory books (2023 reviews)

Our Top Picks:

Best overall: Firmian Chess theory Book

Best For beginning player: Chernev Chess theory Book

Best For learning Chess: László Polgár Chess theory Book

Best For novice: Jeremy Silman Chess theory Book

Best For beginner Book: Bobby Fischer Chess theory Book

Best For any Chess novice: Jose Capablanca Chess theory Book

Best For intermediate player: Andy Dunn Chess theory Book

Best next Book: Chernev wonderful Book

Best first Chess Book: Matt knight Chess theory Book

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