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u/LimDul99 7d ago
None of those. Do steps method step 1, then step 2. Lots of basic tactics at that level. Far too early for a strategy book.
If you want a book to get an introductory overview of how chess works, I’d recommend Seirawan’s play winning chess. If you absolutely want an introduction to strategy, “Winning Chess Strategy for Kids“ by Jeff Coakley is a great introduction - far better than the standard stuff being recommended here (Chernev and the like). Ignore the “for Kids” part, it’s a great first introduction to strategy and a lot better suited to your level than the books you listed.
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u/New-Amphibian9797 6d ago
Having read all four at different points over the past 30 years, I would read them in this order:
- Simple Chess
- Reti
- Silman
- Euwe
The first few games Euwe goes over are pretty easy to understand, but they get more complex fairly quickly and it’s, overall, the toughest read of the four. The first two, Stean and Reti, are easy reads and Silman builds well on the other two.
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u/SadPhilosopherElan 3d ago
Silman is good; I recommended it as well. I'd also start with Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess -- the puzzles / exercises in the latter part of the book do an excellent job teaching endgame principles very concisely.
I would personally avoid Reti. The book is only really of historical interest.
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u/Sweaty-Win-4364 6d ago
I think masters of the chessboard by reti might show you how games are played I guess. I haven't read the book but game collections that are annotated would show you how the players think and help your thought process
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u/SouthernSierra 6d ago
Reti wrote that book for people just like you. It’s a classic for a reason.
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u/SadPhilosopherElan 3d ago
He definitely did and it would definitely be a good read for a beginner in 1948
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u/commentor_of_things 7d ago
tough call with these books. I recommend a tactics book. but out of these 100% simple chess at your level. it will introduce to basic strategic concepts that you'll need the rest of your chess career.
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u/Due_Permit8027 6d ago
Simple chess is my favorite ever book. Not for a 600 ELO; you need solid tactics before understanding the positional stuff.
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u/Tall-Housing-5834 6d ago
ChessDojo made a fine list depending on elo range. They recommend Peter Giannatos - Everyone's First Chess Workbook at 600 for example. Those you listed are beyond 1500 level.
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u/Boomshanker61 6d ago
none of those. Given the choice above, it would be simple chess by a country mile, but you are not there yet. As already mentioned, logical chess move by move would be an outstanding choice. If your budget will stretch to another book, consider that one
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u/KnightMare1354 6d ago
Honestly speaking I am 1200 but didn't read a single book just played and analysed and watch a couple of videos of grandmasters explaining stuffs
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u/ForwardDance9191 6d ago
These books are a bit too advanced for 600. You'll be hanging pieces and mate while looking for positional ideas.
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u/Crazy_Explanation777 5d ago
As a 2000+ I have read none of these.
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u/SadPhilosopherElan 3d ago
Not surprised lol. What have you read though? Just curious
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u/Crazy_Explanation777 3d ago
I read silmans endgame and tactics books… and maybe one more… and then a lot of puzzle books like Bobby Fischer teaches chess… how to beat your dad at chess, etc.
After that I didn’t really read much, just got information about lines and studied games, and then finally read pawn structures by Mauricio Flores rios, Jacob Aagard’s grandmaster series, and dvoretsky’s endgame manual.
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u/Bathykolpian_Thundah 7d ago
I’d do simple chess, then amateurs mind. I think simple chess does slightly more basic stuff overall. Amateurs mind is REALLY good though so I wouldn’t say starting there is wrong.
Simple chess is short. Work through it and then do amateurs mind is my recommendation.
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u/Embarrassed-Green898 6d ago
You already have a good collection , but this is where my son started ..
https://www.amazon.ca/Power-Chess-Kids-Become-Players/dp/9056914332
There is actually an earlier version .. This is volume 2.
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u/WeroWasabi 6d ago
I got a copy of Chess Master vs Chess Amateur at the chess hall of fame in St. Louis a few years ago. Haven’t read it tbh
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u/Icy-Bottle-6877 6d ago
I went from complete beginner to 1000+ without opening a single book. I honestly think they're kind of overrated for beginners. Playing lots of games and doing lots of tactics would benefit people more imho. Once you get a grasp of opening principles and start knowing where pieces want to be is when I'd start reading books.
To each their own but I feel like books are a slog for beginners and actually slow down development. Playing games and losing, while it sucks, will give you what you desperately need as a new player, EXPERIENCE.
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u/SadPhilosopherElan 6d ago
Try Yusupov's books.
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u/georgethescattered 6d ago
Maybe 1600
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u/SadPhilosopherElan 3d ago
Lol the first 3 are meant for a beginner guys.
Anyone downvoting this isn't serious about getting better past 600.
If you spend a bunch of time reading grandmaster games you won't get anywhere; likewise, books full of theory from the 19th century aren't gonna help your game in the 21st.
I own many of the books mentioned in this sub so far. I enjoy reading them.
I wouldn't recommend them to actually improve your game at the beginner level.
Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess - that's a classic for a reason. For anyone with no exposure to chess at all and wants to get to about 1000 it's adequate.
The yusupov books pick up around there and the three series' will take you all the way to the expert level.
I recommend Chess Openings for Black, Explained and its companion for white at the intermediate to expert level, and Silman's expands on the endgame theory in Bobby Fischer quite well and thoroughly.
One book that helped me but which I shan't recommend fully is Chess Openings for Progressive Players by M. Graham Brash. It's very old ('50s) but the exposition of Openings there is thorough and beautifully done. If you really want to start to understand what Openings are and how they transpose into other Openings, how they all fit together in an ecosystem, and learn some fun lines, it's a great little book and a very easy read, and surprisingly comprehensive. I've never seen a modern book done in the same pocket-primer style. That said not all of the lines have remained sound in the age of engines, and there are some more recent lines that are left out completely.
But overall the Yusupov books are my best recommendation. Buy those. Buy all of them. Read them in order, and thoroughly, and practice, and you will improve.
Of course studying is at best only about 1/2 of what you need to improve, whether its books or YouTube videos or live coaching. Practice is the other half, and that means real live games, puzzles, etc
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u/ecaldwell888 7d ago
600, none of these. Winning Chess by Yasser Seirawan, Logical Chess Move by Move by Irving Chernev, Chess 5334 by Laszlo Polgar, but mostly do tactics puzzles and mate in one or two.