7 Chess Books To Read In 2025

Chess is more than just a board game; it is a profound test of strategy, patience, and foresight. Whether you are a beginner eager to grasp the fundamentals, an intermediate player looking to sharpen your tactics, or an advanced competitor striving to refine your positional understanding, the right chess books can transform your play. Below is a list of 7 chess books to read in 2025.

1. “My System” by Aron Nimzowitsch

My System is a cornerstone of modern chess strategy. Nimzowitsch introduces revolutionary ideas like prophylaxis, overprotection, and blockade, reshaping how players understand positional play. The book emphasizes strategic thinking over tactical skirmishes, teaching players to control the board and anticipate opponents’ plans. Through clear examples and detailed explanations, Nimzowitsch demonstrates how subtle positional advantages can lead to victory. This work is essential for intermediate and advanced players aiming to elevate their game beyond memorized openings and combinations. Studying this book encourages patience, foresight, and a deeper appreciation for chess as a strategic art, not just a tactical exercise.

2. “Practical Chess Endings” by Paul Keres

Paul Keres’ Practical Chess Endings is a masterclass in applying endgame theory to real games. The book emphasizes practical decision-making, showing how to convert advantages, defend difficult positions, and recognize drawing chances. Keres combines detailed analysis with illustrative examples from top-level games, making complex endgames accessible to intermediate and advanced players. The text highlights the importance of planning, calculation, and piece activity, demonstrating how subtle positional differences can determine outcomes. By studying this book, players gain confidence in navigating endgames under tournament conditions, improving their overall performance, and ensuring that victories achieved in the middlegame are successfully converted into wins.

3. “Positional Play” by Mark Dvoretsky

Mark Dvoretsky, one of the world’s greatest chess trainers, emphasizes the subtle art of positional understanding in this book. Positional Play teaches readers how to evaluate positions, identify weaknesses, and formulate long-term strategic plans. Dvoretsky combines theoretical discussion with illustrative games, highlighting practical decision-making at the grandmaster level. The book is particularly valuable for intermediate and advanced players seeking to refine their judgment beyond tactics. Readers learn to distinguish between transient and permanent advantages, improving their overall positional intuition. Dvoretsky’s systematic approach encourages analytical thinking, patience, and strategic foresight, essential qualities for anyone aspiring to elevate their competitive chess performance.

4. “Chess Fundamentals” by José Raúl Capablanca

Capablanca’s Chess Fundamentals distills decades of experience into clear, practical guidance. The book emphasizes core principles like piece activity, pawn structure, and king safety, making it invaluable for beginners and intermediate players. Capablanca presents concepts with simplicity, clarity, and real-game examples, allowing readers to internalize the essence of strong play without memorizing rote sequences. His approach encourages strategic thinking and positional awareness, ensuring players understand the rationale behind every move. By mastering these fundamentals, players build a solid foundation that supports more advanced tactical and strategic exploration. This book remains a timeless resource for anyone serious about chess improvement.

5. “Chess Praxis” by Aron Nimzowitsch

Chess Praxis complements Nimzowitsch’s earlier work My System, providing practical examples of his strategic theories in action. The book features annotated games that demonstrate key concepts such as prophylaxis, overprotection, and central control. Nimzowitsch emphasizes the application of theory to real-world play, helping readers understand how to translate abstract ideas into concrete decisions on the board. Studying Chess Praxis deepens comprehension of positional strategy, enhancing the ability to plan multiple moves ahead and anticipate opponents’ responses. For players who want to move beyond memorized openings and develop a sophisticated, flexible approach, this book is an essential addition to their chess library.

6. “The Middlegame in Chess” by Reuben Fine

Reuben Fine’s The Middlegame in Chess focuses on strategic planning and tactical motifs in the critical phase of the game. Fine analyzes pawn structures, attacks on the king, piece coordination, and positional imbalances, providing readers with tools to navigate complex middlegames. The book balances theory with practical exercises, showing how to formulate plans based on board characteristics rather than memorized sequences. It is particularly valuable for intermediate players who often struggle to transition from openings to endgames effectively. Fine’s insights help players identify key squares, weaknesses, and dynamic opportunities, turning the middlegame into a platform for decisive victories.

7. “Think Like a Grandmaster” by Alexander Kotov

Alexander Kotov’s Think Like a Grandmaster explores the mental processes behind elite-level chess calculation and planning. Kotov introduces the “tree of analysis” method, teaching players how to systematically evaluate positions, consider candidate moves, and avoid errors under time pressure. The book also discusses strategic evaluation, move prioritization, and psychological aspects of decision-making. It is especially beneficial for intermediate and advanced players seeking to improve analytical rigor. Kotov’s insights help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical play, fostering disciplined thinking, better calculation, and confidence in complex positions. This book is a roadmap to thinking like a top-tier competitor.

Conclusion

Chess mastery requires a blend of knowledge, practice, and strategic insight. The 7 chess books listed here provide a roadmap for players at every level, combining tactical exercises, endgame mastery, and deep positional understanding. By systematically studying these works, applying their lessons in real games, and continuously analyzing your play, you can significantly improve your chess skills and gain a competitive edge.

Chess is a lifelong journey of learning, and the right literature can guide you every step of the way. Begin with fundamentals, explore grandmaster strategies, and embrace creative tactics. Your next victory could be just a page away.