Apr 7
Personalised Handcrafted Wooden Chess Set with Storage Box – Folding Board with Magnetic Pieces
https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/4346632287/handcrafted-wooden-chess-set-with
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Personalised Handcrafted Wooden Chess Set with Storage Box – Folding Board with Magnetic Pieces
https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/4346632287/handcrafted-wooden-chess-set-with
The Scandinavian Defense (1.e4 d5) has been a mainstay of renowned chess YouTuber and Chessiverse co-founder IM John Bartholomew's opening repertoire for over two decades. Now after more than 2 years and 1,000+ hours of painstakingly-researched work, John is thrilled to share his ENTIRE repertoire (yes, EVERYTHING!) with you exclusively on Chessiverse! Use the code "SCANDI50" and get it at a 50% discount until April 5th!
2 Chess Books That Help Around 900 Elo
Stuck around 900 Elo?
These 2 books are often recommended for improving at this level: Silman’s Complete Endgame Course Play Winning Chess (Seirawan)
At this stage, most improvement comes from:
avoiding blunders
understanding basic endgames
following simple opening principles
Focusing on these areas alone can lead to noticeable gains in ratings.
As an additional resource, GM Mauricio Flores Rios (author of Chess Structures) has a masterclass focused on specific pawn structures (Closed Spanish & KID), which might be useful if you're starting to explore more structured play. Find it here!
Chess books are so hard to read.
Will reading them become easier once I improve?
Yes. As you get better at visualizing, you will not have to rely on having a board on the side for every position. You will also have a knowledge base to compare what you're reading with, and you will begin drawing your own conclusions. There is no better feeling than seeing that something you're learning is falling into place!
Serious chess study should also include openings. Here is what I use to study openings and build repertoires effortlessly!
Learn everything you need to know about reading chess books in this article on chessreads.
Chess Book Recommendations as a 1200 (Chess.com)
Most players rated around 1200 need to work on tactics.
And not just solving tactics, but having a strong player explain patterns and what leads up to tactical play.
I would recommend three books perfect for that: Tune Your Chess Tactics Antenna by Emmanuel Neiman Learn Chess Tactics by John Nunn and 1001 Chess Exercises for Club Players by Frank Erwich
Challenge chess bots who have distinct playing styles to practice tactical, defensive, or strategic play: Play the Hunter, Aggressive and Simplifying - plays like Fischer and Kasparov https://chessiverse.com/l/hunter Play the Savage, a wild tactician who plays like Tal or Nezhmetdinov https://chessiverse.com/l/savage Play the Guardian, a defensive and simplifying style, plays like Karpov or Capablanca https://chessiverse.com/l/guardian
You can find many more book recommendations for players 1200 and above here.
What Are the Best Chess Books for 1200–1400-Rated Players?
Which chess books should you read if you're rated between 1200 and 1400 and want to make rapid progress?
If you’re rated between 1200 and 1400, improving your tactical skills is the fastest way to climb the rating ladder. At this level, many games are decided by missed tactical opportunities, so focusing on pattern recognition and calculation will give you the biggest boost. Here are four chess books that I highly recommend for players in this rating range:
Turbo-Charge Your Tactics
100 Tactical Patterns You Must Know
Chess Tactics for Champions
Learn Chess Tactics
I chose four tactics books because tactics are the most common weakness among players rated 1200–1400. Each book provides a structured approach to recognizing combinations, developing calculation skills, and improving decision-making under time pressure.
Practice Beyond the Books: Chess Bots with Distinct Styles
Books are great for learning, but practicing against opponents with different styles helps you apply what you learn in real games. Here are some chess bots designed to mimic famous playing styles:
Play the Hunter – Aggressive and Simplifying, plays like Fischer and Kasparov
Play the Savage – A wild tactician, plays like Tal or Nezhmetdinov
Play the Guardian – Defensive and simplifying, plays like Karpov or Capablanca
These bots help you practice tactical, strategic, and defensive thinking, depending on what you want to improve.
More Resources
If you want more guidance for your 1200–1400 chess journey, check out this collection: Chess books and resources for 1200–1400 players
Chess Books That Read Like Stories – History, Lives, and Lessons from the Master
Discover chess books that go beyond puzzles and diagrams. Explore the lives, stories, and careers of legendary players like Smyslov, Spielmann, Winawer, and Bronstein. Improve your chess while enjoying captivating histories.
Why Chess Books with Stories Are Different
Most chess books focus on tactics, puzzles, and game analysis—but some stand out for their human stories and historical context. These books take you behind the scenes of chess tournaments, World Championship matches, and the personal journeys of legendary players. Reading them is not only enjoyable but also inspiring for your own chess growth.
Top Chess Books That Read Like Stories
Here are some must-reads for anyone interested in the lives of chess masters:
The Wizard of Warsaw – Biography of Szymon Winawer, full of personal anecdotes and historical context.
The Life and Games of Vasily Smyslov – Insight into the life and strategies of the 7th World Chess Champion.
From Vienna to Munich to Stockholm: A Chess Biography of Rudolf Spielmann – Chronicles the adventures of one of chess’s most romantic players.
The Rise and Fall of David Bronstein – Explores the career of a creative and controversial grandmaster.
These books give you a glimpse into the personalities, challenges, and brilliance behind famous games, going far beyond just moves on a board.
Improve Your Chess by Learning from Your Games
While these books are fascinating, actively analyzing your own games is essential to improve. Understanding mistakes, exploring alternatives, and reflecting on strategies are key.
Check out this free video to learn how to analyze your games effectively: Watch the Chess Analysis Video
More Chess Book Reviews
For deeper dives into these books: Capablanca vs Alekhine The Wizard of Warsaw – Szymon Winawer The Life and Games of Vasily Smyslov From Vienna to Munich to Stockholm – Rudolf Spielmann The Rise and Fall of David Bronstein
Why You Should Read These Books
Whether you’re a casual chess fan or an aspiring master, these books offer more than moves and tactics. They tell the stories behind the games, inspire your own chess journey, and connect you to the rich history of the game.
Must Read Chess Book for Someone Getting Serious About Chess
I can't name one must-read book, but if you wanna get serious about your chess study, there are three authors whose books you have to read.
Those three must-read authors are: Aagaard, Dvoretsky, and Marin.
Each of them is suited to a specific skill level:
for beginners Marin
for intermediate players Aagaard
for advanced players Dvoretsky.
But all three have written books that are perfect study material even for Grandmasters. They are unique because they know how to teach advanced concepts in a down-to-earth way.
Serious chess study should also include openings. Here is what I use to study openingsand build repertoires effortlessly.