Getting a FIDE Rating of 1400+ published against own name is the First Stepping Stone for almost every professional Chess Player’s career. The Rating value defines the understanding of the game and the player’s ability to compete in a variety of conditions. Sometimes the Value might differ from the actual strength but it stabilizes over the period of time as the player keeps on playing in FIDE rated events.

Here are some books which are recommended by the majority of senior trainers at the start of a chess journey!

1. “Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess” by Bobby Fischer

• In this book, former world champion Bobby Fischer demonstrates the games into digestible lessons for the young generation.
• The Q&A Format of the book engages the reader over a longer period of time in logical thinking activities.
• This book is considered to be classic ideal for the Beginners.

2. “Logical Chess: Move by Move” by Irving Chernev

• This book is eventually a treasure trove of annotated games where each single move is explained in detail.
• This approach helps students to know the reasoning behind the particular move in the particular situation.
• The book stimulates the learning process in Opening, Middle Game, and Endgame techniques at the early stage.

3. “How to Reassess Your Chess” by Jeremy Silman

• This book is more often for Positional Chess Lovers. Silman has introduced Imbalance Theory in this book which majorly deals with Pawn Structure, Piece Activity, and King Safety.
• This book helps the students to transform their skillset from Tactical Thinking to Strategic Thinking.

4. “The Amateur’s Mind” by Jeremy Silman

• Another masterclass from Silman delves into misconceptions and common mistakes made by Amateur Players.
• By showing real-life examples and providing corrective advice, Silman has helped players refine their thought processes and avoid typical pitfalls.

5. “Chess Tactics for Champions” by Susan Polgar

• Tactics are the cornerstone of chess, especially at the sub-1400 level. Polgar’s book offers a comprehensive collection of tactical exercises that cover all essential motifs, from forks and pins to discovered attacks and double checks. Regular practice with this book will sharpen your tactical vision significantly.

6. “Silman’s Complete Endgame Course” by Jeremy Silman

• Endgames can often decide the outcome of a match, and Silman’s structured approach to endgame study is highly effective.
• The book is organized by rating level, making it easy to focus on the most relevant endgame concepts as you progress. Mastering basic endgames is crucial for any player aiming to reach 1400+.

7. “My System” by Aron Nimzowitsch

• For those ready to dive deeper into chess theory, Nimzowitsch’s “My System” is a seminal work on positional play. Though it can be challenging, the insights into pawn structure, prophylaxis, and piece coordination are invaluable for developing a sophisticated understanding of chess.

Some Pro Tips for Effective Reading of these books:

• Active Learning: Don’t just read; actively engage with the content by solving exercises, playing through annotated games on a board, and reflecting on the principles discussed.
• Regular Practice: Consistency is key. Dedicate time each day to study and practice, focusing on different aspects of the game.
• Play and Review: Apply what you learn in regular games. Analyze your games to identify mistakes and understand where you can improve.
• Balanced Study: Ensure a balanced approach by studying openings, middlegame strategies, tactics, and endgames. All phases of the game are interconnected.

Some More Recommendations for Higher Level Players:

• 1500 Elo Everyone’s Second Chess Book (Heisman) Chess: The Art of Logical Thinking (McDonald) Winning Chess Strategy for Kids (Coakley) Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations and Games (Polgar) Complete Endgame Course (Silman).

• 1600 Elo The Amateur’s Mind (Silman) 50 Essential Chess Lessons (Giddins) Learn Chess Tactics (Nunn) Steps Method: Step 4 World’s Most Instructive Amateur Game Book (Heisman).

• 1700 Elo Understanding Chess Move by Move (Nunn) Build Up Your Chess (Yusupov) The Woodpecker Method Alekhine’s Best Games Steps Method: Step 5 7 Deadly Chess Sins / Chess for Zebras (Rowson) Nunn’s Chess Endings.

• 1800 Elo Boost Your Chess (Yusupov) Mastering Chess Strategy (Hellsten) From Amateur to IM (Hawkins) The Art of Attack in Chess (Vuković) The Road to Chess Improvement (Yermolinsky) How to Reassess Your Chess (Silman) Pump Up Your Rating (Smith) Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy (Watson) Move First, Think Later (Hendriks) My 60 Memorable Games (Fischer).

• 2000+ Elo Chess Evolution (Yusupov) Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide (Rios) School of Chess Excellence (Dvoretsky) Positional/Dynamic Decision Making in Chess (Gelfand) Perfect Your Chess (Volokitin) Endgame Manual (Dvoretsky) 100 Endgames You Must Know (de la Villa) Grandmaster Preparation (Aagaard).