New and improving players · Annotated games
Logical Chess: Move by Move
A clear introduction to thinking through a game, with explanations of every move in 33 games. Best once you know the rules and notation.
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Choose your next chess book
Ten selected books covering your first steps, opening repertoire, strategy, endgames and structured study.
10 books
Beginner to advanced · Endgames
Silman’s Complete Endgame Course
A staged endgame course organised by playing strength. Start with your level and return to the harder material as you improve.
Club and tournament players · Endgames
100 Endgames You Must Know
Focused study of essential theoretical endings. A strong next step after basic mates and pawn endings; work through the positions on a board.
Improving club players · Structured training
Build Up Your Chess 1: The Fundamentals
A demanding course of lessons and exercises for active study. Despite the title, choose this after learning the basics, with time to calculate and check your answers.
Thinking about chess positions
The Amateur’s Mind
A book about improving the way you think about chess positions.
Beginner and improving players
How to Win at Chess
An illustrated introduction to openings, tactics, strategy and endings. A useful starting point if you are learning the game.
Black repertoire · Caro-Kann
First Steps: Caro-Kann Defence
Learn the Caro-Kann through explained games, typical plans and the ideas behind the moves. For players ready to build a response to 1.e4.
White repertoire · London System
The London System in 12 Practical Lessons
Study the London’s typical plans and strategic ideas in a lesson-based format. Use alongside your White opening practice.
Black repertoire · Queen’s Gambit Declined
Queen’s Gambit Declined
An explanation-led guide to the plans behind this response to 1.d4. A classic from 2000: use it for understanding, and check concrete lines against current analysis.
Improving players · Positional play
Simple Chess
A compact guide to positional ideas such as weak squares, open files and pawn structure. Choose the algebraic edition for modern move notation.
Start with the book that matches your level and goals—you do not need them all. Links search for the named title and author on Amazon Australia; check the edition, language and seller before buying. Other search results are not part of our recommendations.