3 Books that Helped me to Gain the Most Rating Points
Choosing a chess book is very exciting, but not every book will help you to improve your strength. Best games books written by authors are the perfect example of non-improvement chess books. This type of book will help you to increase your chess-related knowledge, but it will not help you to gain ratings.
In my last 15 years of chess experience, 3 books helped me so much, which I wanted to share with you.
1- Anthology of Chess Combination - III
Rating Change - 1900 to 2200
Contribution of this book in rating change - 45-60%
This is the 3rd volume of Anthology of Chess Combinations published by Chess Informant. This is a pure tactics chess book.
While I got this book in 2014, I started solving it seriously in 2015-16. There are a total of 2700 puzzles in the book, and the first 1800 puzzles are leveled at 1500-2200.
I remember I solved some 2400 puzzles on the board in that couple of years, which really helped me gain hundreds of points.
2- Endgame Strategy by Mihail Shereshvesky
Rating Change - 2200-2350 and IM Norms
Contribution of this book in rating change - 30-40%
I got a chance to attend a camp of GM Farukh Amanatov in November 2018. At that time, he suggested me to do an Endgame strategy book.
After returning home, I immediately purchased that book from Amazon India.
After that, I studied all the positions on the board in 2018 and 2019.
In lockdown, I did that book again.
This book is perfect for players ranging from 1500-2300 (Even upto 2500, I believe)
You will learn various principles from this book and also a technique of conversion of advantage. After studying this book, I managed to win some very interesting positions quite easily.
You can read a full, detailed review on our website by clicking here.
3- 100 Endgames You Must Know by Jesus De La Villa
Rating Change - 2200-2350 and IM Norms
Contribution of this book in rating change - 20-25%
This book is based on a core endgame. The author chooses 100+ positions, which are often played in the games, and the endgame positions you must know.
This book is suggested by my friend, who is an International Master. I then purchased from Chessable in April 2020.
BTW, this book is Chessable's bestseller book and also a bestseller video course.
Initially, in 2016-19, I tried to study Dvoretsky's Endgame Manuel and failed a lot of times as it was very hard and deep. After getting this book, I studied it 2-3 times until now.
Once you study the book, you only have to do the Final test again and again. The final study consists of 60-70 positions and covers the entire book.
You can watch this YouTube video where Magnus is solving the Final Study.
I strongly suggest you purchase this book from Chessable and not in a book. Chessable's move trainer will help you to solve it in a fun way. The book is priced at somewhere between $15-20 (The video course is very expensive and not recommended)
You can read a full, detailed review on our website by clicking here.
Thank You for reading!
If you like, do share and subscribe on Substack to get this type of cool blog directly into your inbox!