All About Chess Books! | A Grandmaster's Guide

In this video, I take you through the process of how to efficiently learn from chess books.
- Follow Daniel on Twitter at / gmnaroditsky
- Daniel streams regularly on Twitch at / gmnaroditsky
- Daniels Discord / discord
#chessbooks #grandmaster #Naorditsky

[@KrypticKrisp]

Books that Daniel recommended: 1. Chess Strategy for Club Players by Herman Grooten (~$23) 2. Mastering Positional Chess by Daniel Naroditsky 3. The Complete Manual of Positional Chess by Konstantin Sakaev & Kostantin Landa (~$20+$20) 4. My System by Aron Nimzowitsch (~$20) 5. Silman's Complete Endgame Course by Jeremy Silman (~$18) 6. How to Reassess Your Chess by Jeremy Silman (~$24) 7. Mastering Chess Strategy by Johan Hellsten (~$23) 8. Mastering Opening Strategy by Johan Hellsten (~$23) 9. Mastering Endgame Strategy by Johan Hellsten (~$27) 10. Chess Evolution 1: The Fundamentals by Artur Yusupov (~$25) 11. Chess Evolution 2: Beyond The Basics by Artur Yusupov (~$30) 12. Chess Evolution 3: Mastery by Artur Yusupov (~$22) 13. Improve Your Chess Pattern Recognition by Arthur van de Oudeweetering (~$21)

[@petergriffin8767]

👑

[@LeventK]

You're the hero we have but don't deserve

[@GMBethHarmon]

The Yusupov books are part of a 9-volume series of 3 stages. They're intended to be read in this order. ~1500 Rating 1) Build Up Your Chess 1: The Fundamentals 2) Boost Your Chess 1: The Fundamentals 3) Chess Evolution 1: The Fundamentals ~1800 Rating 4) Build Up Your Chess 2: Beyond The Basics 5) Boost Your Chess 2: Beyond The Basics 6) Chess Evolution 2: Beyond The Basics ~2100 Rating 7) Build Up Your Chess 3: Mastery 8) Boost Your Chess 3: Mastery 9) Chess Evolution 3: Mastery If you're below 1500, it's worth trying the first few chapters to see if you can get a passing grade (there are mini-exams at the end of each chapter). If you're very far off a pass mark, then it might be worth coming back to these books later. They're rewarding but challenging - some people believe the recommended ratings should be 100-200 points higher. Each chapter will take around 1-2 hours, and it's best to complete a chapter in one session.

[@j4eo124]

Thank you.

[@KrypticKrisp]

@@GMBethHarmon Thanks for adding on!

[@snaggerdoodle4303]

When you find the right move with the completely wrong idea: I'm something of a chess player myself

[@bmoneybby]

I have a special set of skills that allows me to intuit the right move first, then play the only move that completely loses my entire advantage instantly.

[@pandatobi5897]

@@bmoneybby lmao this is too real

[@Saturosian]

"A lot of people go into the process of reading a chessbook wanting to put a checkmark in the box that says "I read this book." And, you want to keep in mind why you're reading this book. You have to be reading the book with the express purpose of wanting to take as much information that's in the book, and funneling it into your brain. I have been guilty of this; reading this book and patting myself on the back and saying "I read 40 pages of the Karpov book today, like, look at me!" But then I would ask myself, well, who am I doing this for? Did I learn 40 pages of material, or did I just put a checkmark next to it?" - GM Naroditsky The whole video was worth it for this reminder.

[@dangallagher6176]

Love hearing Naroditsky's calm, collected teaching voice interrupted by a THANKS FOR THE 10 GIFTED DAMN GURLLL

[@ralphonyx]

Damn gurl*

[@GMBethHarmon]

25:36 The book recommendations found in his Twitch chat's Moobot command: OPENING THEORY - FCO: Fundamental Chess Openings - Paul van der Sterren MIDDLEGAME - Art of Attack in Chess - Vladimir Vukovic - Chess Strategy for Club Players - Herman Grooten ENDGAME - 100 Endgames You Must Know - Jesus de la Villa TACTICS - Chess Tactics for Champions - Susan Polgar & Paul Truong

[@self-righteousideologue9398]

For beginners to intermediate I recommend Logical Chess, Move by Move. It literally takes a bunch of games and explains every move, why the player moved there, what's the point behind them, etc. Thought for sure it would be on this list

[@renobgm]

How absolutely humble of you to mention your own book and state it's nowhere near the best. Subscribed

[@Tikorous]

Daniel saying "Yes, Geller" is my sleep paralysis demon

[@dom8429]

4:45

[@deftrascal1626]

Imagine waking up to him standing into your room and saying in that voice “are you sleeping??”

[@spencergeller2236]

Imagine how I feel.

[@lucasoscar]

I swear GMs have a fetish with backwards knight moves, even better if it involves a 3 move reroute 😂

[@teefaka]

As you get better in chess, your knight game improves. Rerouting knight is fairly common.

[@zeusdereus]

Really? I thought they always stayed on the same square, thanks for the info @why are you gae

[@brycew6675]

@@zeusdereus LMFAO

[@frederickschulze8014]

I'm slightly better than the other guy. I get them to c3 and f3, and if the opportunity presents itself, I move to d5 or e5. If I'm doing really good, then I fork something.

[@lucasoscar]

@@zeusdereus i thought they only moved forward like pawns, i usually had mine stuck in the 8th rank until i lose them 😢

[@jamesfrazier4005]

I watch Daniel to REALLY learn comlexities of chess, because he's so clear and will actually walk through the thought process and cover harder concepts

[@trashl0rd]

I enjoy the Move by Move series of books since the format directly quizzes you constantly about the material being demonstrated. Really gets your noggin joggin.

[@Dudebug2000]

I didnt know i needed this, but I've never clicked on a video faster. Thanks Danya!

[@_Iam777_]

I am so proud of myself, I found the right move in the first minute, and I did arrive at the same conclusion as Daniel about targeting the e5 pawn. I think watching a lot of Karpov's best games and reading his books is paying off.

[@lastsonofkrypton3918]

Karpov is ok if you wanna be a WC or something but why do that when you can spend your days swindling tourists playing blitz in the park at 10 bucks a game?! C'mon, man!

[@sthetatos]

@@lastsonofkrypton3918 Why do that when you can spend your days eating, sleeping and fucking? C'mon, man!

[@jakub453]

John Nunn's "Understanding Chess Middlegames" is also a brilliant book

[@D00mswitched]

That positional chess book was one of the first I read and my first introduction to just how good Karpov was.

[@TheRealRussell]

@7:10 it became readily apparent to me that to find the best move you have to understand the important features of the position. If you don't understand a position, you'll never even consider a move like Nc1. But as soon as you pointed out what was important, the move Nc1 was just obvious. Until you pointed out the important feature though I wasn't sure of what plan to make. I even considered f5, which might just be horrendous. I'm ashamed of myself. I will say this though, this video has seriously motivated me to put work in with some of these high level positional books. I think I'm starting with Chess Strategy for Club Players and The Complete Manual of Positional Chess. I've already briefly looked at them and I think I'll really like them. Maybe they can live up to my favorite book, Simple Chess. Thanks again Danya, well, Danya from a couple years ago. I hope you're finding motivation to make videos still.

[@E8oL4]

Can we just appreciate one thing: Reading a chess book takes time 😌 I needed to hear that.

[@kieranbarry4203]

it would be very interesting for a streamer to do a reading group/chapter a week for a set of good books. Stuff like Art of Attack and Zurich 1953 and whatever is good today.

[@andrewlabit]

@@kieranbarry4203 I googled Zurich 1953; do you mean a particular book in that series? There's a lot that pop up whenever I type in Zurich 1953. Thanks:)

[@Drawfill]

I've asked for a video on chess books that you liked. So glad you decided to do it!

[@jhmvicta8]

The prophet wrote books since his early years

[@Mejayy]

You can find a couple of his great works even in the Old Testament

[@randomguy9084]

I like how casually Daniel mentions that he wrote a book on positional chess

[@ThePalmWoods]

At fourteen years old. Damn.

[@YellowSpaceMarine]

The photo on his book is so adorable

[@inguh7041]

This is beautiful, teaching us HOW to read chess books for improvement.

[@dylancole919]

I would love to see all of your top must read chess books!

[@chex1007]

Make a video about recommend chess books for every level?

[@mikecantreed]

Dvorersktys analytical manual. It’s good for players of all levels

[@dayleangus4314]

@@mikecantreed lol

[@jamesfrazier4005]

Not going to lie.. finding the knight move to C2 gave me a little hope I'll get good at chess one day lol

[@southernrun9048]

Great breakdown that helps in addressing the challenge that chess books can bring

[@PieEater]

I'm actually about to start your book tommorow great timing

[@MyscBigdrop]

How is it so far?

[@laurynastruskauskas6586]

Danya is the best teacher for intermediate players! Change my mind... But for real, I really enjoy the content, its sad Im from Europe cuz most of the streams are in the middle of the night for me

[@FM1234]

yea for me too

[@Noobgaming-tf3jl]

Me too

[@highground3403]

For real. As an intermediate player, I find Danya is one of the only content creators that cares about helping us. Lots of other people focus on beginners because it's a much bigger potential audience

[@Hhh936]

what your rating

[@anonymus408]

i love this type of content and +1 for the book recommendation library!! please

[@thomasgregorczyk9633]

These videos are awesome ! I unfortunately can't really catch the streams these days but I always enjoy the content)

[@bobbyb5710]

For some reason I like old chess books in Swedish (Gideon Ståhlberg) that made me advance a lot from noob to intermediate in quite short time.

[@Grandcapi]

Old books and old - or classical - games By old I mean 50's and 60', when such greats as Geller, Petrosian,Smyslov, Botvinnik, and others played. In the computer era chess is different and many times we, modest amateurs, do not understand.

[@thesilentmajority2765]

this is super nerdy... and i love it

[@SEAKPhotog]

Always terrific stuff. Thanks!

[@totomerino569]

Danya's Yasser Seirawan impression is on point.

[@joeleke64]

Thanks for the great video! It’s really motivating! I will be reading those books

[@allanwatts6922]

Thanks!

[@playingviking8983]

Great video, can't wait for the recommendation list!

[@jameslockhart2223]

I would strongly recommend games collections for players at any level. Any of the classics will be available with good notes by the author/editor, so a book of a great player's best games can be an excellent learning tool and a source of pure enjoyment. Pick collections by or about your favourite players, and go back to the old-school guys too. Playing through Botvinnik's 'Fifty Years of Chess', say, will give you a sense of how chess has developed through history. Tournament books are also valuable resources. For example, Bronstein's book on the Zurich 1953 interzonal is essential.

[@razznote7586]

But I would suggest first the book of Capablanca then probably Smyslov and Petrosian then Karpov. As they would have you understand where to correctly put the pieces, how to plan according to the needs of the position and probably understand positional and strategical evaluations better. I also mentioned it specifically this way as earlier games are more purer. Going directly to Karpov is ok but I think Capablanca style is more simpler. Also other than up to intermediate tactics you need to understand strategy first before delving to advance Tactical masters like Tal, Fischer and Kasparov. As it would teach you first the correct play before doing complex tactics and sacrifices.

[@blackpsalmmusic9180]

Awesome I just finished Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess for a second time and have been working through the Dvoretski end game manual, have been looking for more books I’m sure I won’t be disappointed!

[@Noobgaming-tf3jl]

Preety tough to spelll dvorestsky

[@cute9470]

the best channel on chess in my opinion

[@jericosha2842]

This was a fantastic video. I'm actually more encouraged now as a novice.

[@Ecl713]

I have your book unfortunately it's in Oregon and I'm now living in Santa Cruz I would really like to read it again.

[@timk7521]

Ok

[@VSHEGDE1947]

Ok

[@pedromorales5191]

There's a city on the US called Santa Cruz?

[@robertr7923]

The king is the easiest piece to check ~DN

[@Chess_Improvement]

thank you , more of this please!!

[@Passer7by]

What kind of rating do I have to have to benefit from Chess Strategy for Club Players: The Road to Positional Advantage is it high level?

[@transphilou]

Club player ratings IRL is around 1600-1800 in the most part. A 1900 is a "strong club player" by the standart of a club president I knew. I would then imagine that 1400-1800/1900 would benefit, and under with a little bit more time.

[@giant05]

15:02 Yeah checking other pieces is tough sometimes

[@BMWE-hm7uz]

Don't know if I'm fortunate or not, but I've 3 kids, a wife, a house to look after and have more than 3 hours to myself a week. Maybe not fortunate, maybe I just don't make excuses and get on with what I want to learn, or achieve.

[@hellopleychess3190]

in the strange position my first thought was to play Kf4 to prepare g5

[@brian.1462]

LETS GOOOOOOO

[@patstaysuckafreeboss8006]

Why is george floyd your profile pic

[@The-hx9st]

@@patstaysuckafreeboss8006 i think its martin luther king jr

[@Jacob-L]

@@patstaysuckafreeboss8006 that’s Michael jordan

[@insanityaesthetic9656]

@@patstaysuckafreeboss8006 bro that's Obama

[@LeafusMaximus]

@@patstaysuckafreeboss8006 i thought it was steve harvey

[@thecoolring6431]

I was just reading how to reassess your chess and you posted this thanks danya

[@bendtherules0]

4:23 This is from chapter 15 of "The Complete Manual of Positional Chess (Volume 1)"

[@kylen6430]

For those wondering if you should use board or computer for chess work this is my method, and maybe it will help you: i view training and studying as different areas. If I am studying master games or reading about positional techniques and ideas, I like to use lichess. This allows me to document my thoughts in a more permanent manner. I’ll add that I don’t want to just keep notebooks with handwritten notes just laying around. Then let’s say I’m working on combinational puzzles, or playing a training game or something. Then I’ll use a board.

[@rpd5fpgg971]

On what rating you are?

[@kylen6430]

@@rpd5fpgg971 2100-2200 lichess rapid

[@rpd5fpgg971]

Wow thats amazing

[@Flickit100]

Daniel's book is the best.

[@hellopleychess3190]

in the first position my first thought was to play Nc1 and Nd3

[@roxyknight4909]

Hi GM Daniel Naroditsky, great video , very insightful. Can you please do video on how to use computer for chess eg what type of computer , what software , how GMs use Chessbase .... love your channel ... regards Roxy xx

[@Kindred1a1]

Great content!

[@texcoast44]

Enjoyed. Benefited. Thanks.

[@francescovanspronsen404]

Show us all the books in your library and the story behind them, please. I'm so curious.

[@jeremynewt1]

Do you think you could add the twitch chat to the videos? Or just repeat/paraphrase the questions. You make a lot of responses to the chats, but no ability to see the questions! Love the content btw

[@georgebassemfouad]

Thank you for the help

[@DMSBrian24]

Yes, Geller, Tilburg 1958

[@kossuthgaming1261]

What do you think of Method in Chess by Dorfman?

[@FriendlyEsotericDude]

Post a book list?

[@cd8086]

Wow thanks you help me so much Danya

[@LeventK]

Saved into "watch later"

[@dreamhunter2542]

thank you prophet

[@DrummerJoeyStix]

day 14 of saying great content daniel! really love this content. Inspired me to buy my first chess book.

[@alexf0101]

thanks

[@pierQRzt180]

Props for using a fan and not a less environmentfriendly AC.

[@doctordirt4481]

Dude wtf

[@mareksicinski3726]

25:33 well for failure in what respect it also depends no?

[@thethinker3888]

Tfw you find Leko’s move and knows the Knight wants to go to e3 but ends the train of thought immediately thinking “well the Knight wants to go to e3…it was on the side of the board earlier not doing anything so it’s just more active” and end of analysis, completely missing the pawn break idea LOL

[@albertwells4358]

Could you or anyone recommend a book that is quite small in size? Like handheld. I’m planning to go travelling in the summer and would like a chess book that I could easily pack and carry around

[@user-xx6ek8hi5o]

what is danya's must read recommend book?

[@FM1234]

Uhm you can check the comment with a lot of likes with all the reccomended books and pick one.

[@user-xx6ek8hi5o]

@@FM1234 thanks bro

[@mathewchesser5531]

Daniel you do coaching sessions

[@conradnal8934]

Volume Is low imo

[@mareksicinski3726]

21:21 depends by whom, some people reccommend trying and failing the theory 21:48 or more advanced/specific rules

[@jamesreed4483]

More like all about this one chess book...What did I learn about chess bookS?

[@Adityarawat474]

You were so beautiful & cute in childhood 🔥🔥😍😍😘

[@lawreno]

Does anyone know which book has the shortest exercises? I am trying to find a chess book that can be read without playing the moves out on a board.

[@fight4domination]

It is next to the book about losing weight without altering diet and exercise.

[@davide4052]

1001 exercise for beginners

[@jigglybandito9505]

The pirc is bad ? What’s a good opening for black ?

[@soupisfornoobs4081]

The French, the Caro, any Sicilian, QGD

[@alexisl.5227]

Yesterday I looked up chess books, how even?

[@Imad_R]

Grooten not Gruden

[@adaydreamhd]

fisher random ftw. thats not chess, but its actually a game.

[@epicwolves125]

I just use the computer to analyze my games and stay at the same 1600 level forever 😂

[@alfredyerger2528]

Analyze it yourself first! Only then use the computer. And maybe get some fresh ideas if you're stuck in a rut.

[@user-kh6xl4yg1j]

I’m a 2000+ level player & love Daniel’s videos. This one could have been improved by showing the cover of each book for at least a few seconds or list each book by title and author that Daniel approves of. Relying solely on audible mentions & glimpses of the book is - to put it mildly - less than ideal. I hope Daniel revisits in a future video or videos the topic of helpful books and does a better job of conveying the title and author of each book.

[@Taartin]

What if fxe4? I am a bit lost as to what I could really do there to gain an advantage 8:12

[@highground3403]

I put it into an engine. It's inaccurate because of Nxe5. White has a beautiful knight and will win the e4 pawn back in addition to the e5 pawn because the knight cuts off the queen's defense of the freshly captured e4 pawn

[@Taartin]

@@highground3403 tyvm, I bet you will have a great impact on the galaxy!

[@christopherg1288]

4:40 lmfaooooo

[@brucewayne2184]

What if you hate reading books?

[@ThePalmWoods]

I guess you mean novels? Chess books don't read like novels at all. If you're interested in chess, an aversion to book reading won't stop you.

[@jeremiahdelzer3699]

I am a very new player looking to improve, what would be the first book suggested for me to check out to learn from?

[@mareksicinski3726]

22:48 basic? well possible

[@matthewjacob4564]

Hi

[@Simplement724]

Why cant you do g5 and then Bb1? instead of Bb1 and then g5? Isnt is competely winning?

[@coffeedude]

It certainly seems like it

[@travisjordan1528]

For the rook check

[@coffeedude]

@@travisjordan1528 which rook check?

[@travisjordan1528]

@@coffeedude the one that's blocked by the bishop

[@coffeedude]

@@travisjordan1528 but that's a white rook... Op was asking why playing g5 before Bb1 is not good

[@blindfoldchess7762]

Yo

[@makarionphirangee8112]

Bruh... what was that "Geller" all about? lmaoooo

[@oldhamegg]

LMAO. Why are you "Gellering"? 4:35

[@Mati-zc2ym]

4:55 białe lmao

[@musical_lolu4811]

Yeah whatever. I still can't see two moves ahead.

[@heruilin]

Trump, Kasparov and now Seirawan .. Chess Grandmaster and of impersonations as well!

[@musan9079]

Black is brave

[@ChessJourneyman]

Needs more ads.

[@hirambodon7086]

6:19 You're killing me Naroditsky. I've heard you say a million times that the knight is the WORST blockader.

[@kurosakiichigo7475]

In a completely different position...