I have the idea of running a book club here on Say Chess, where we will read a chess book together. We would select a chess book and split it into sections for each week. Then I would host a discussion thread for each section maybe with a few questions.
If the book club is a hit, I plan to host a podcast episode discussing a section with one of the readers. Here are my book picks:
I think I may receive Sokolov's book as a present today, so that would be great, and my second choice would be Shereshevsky's book. I have heard about/read reviews about the others, so they would also be acceptable.
Book clubs are great, but there is the problem of those not able to have read the book before the gathering! When it is different novels, that is fine, because you can just dip in and out when you want. But with a chess book, doing the first third of every chapter is not going to feel satisfying, or productive. So, is every week the right spacing for us to “get together” and discuss? I study a lot, and so I reckon a chapter a week will be easy, but if people are not able to keep up they will fall by the wayside. Also, how about a little informal (and voluntary) “pledge” that if anyone doesn’t finish the book, they make a small contribution to a charity or something? A small, informal, incentive to stay at it! If this over-complicates everything, just drop it - it was just a thought!
Yes, I think I have to pick the middle ground. If it’s too slow I think we would also lose momentum. Like Amateur’s mind is 440 pages, so we have some ground to cover if that is the pick
Firstly, this is a great idea. It would hold us accountable to actually finish the book and would encorage us to read critically. Some sort of zoom call meeting when it was finished would be nice.
Now, on to the book. It should be readable in a short(ish) period of time, accesible to a wide range of playing strengths and (obviously) of high quality.
A few other possibilities:
1. Evaluate like a Grandmaster by Perelshteyn and Solon
2. A games collection or tournament book (I am just starting Alekhine's New York 1924)
3. Grooten's middlegame strategy book. This is aimed at club players, but there is good material for players at the +2000 level.
Note that there are two volumes of Rock Solid Chess now. Volume 1 is about pawn structures, and volume 2 is about piece activity.
According to Coach Andras, based on his reviews on youtube, both Rock Solid Chess Vol 1 and Winning Chess Middlegames are best suited to players rated 2000+ FIDE.
Another book that looks interesting is "Dream Moves: Eye-Opening Chess Lessons for Improvers" by Miron Sher.
Yeah, I guess that’s for the more advanced readers. According to my recent poll the average reader of my newsletter has a 1500 blitz rating on chess.com
Whichever book you pick, can you and/or others provided info regarding what level the book is appropriate for? (No sense in delving into a book that for something 700 pts above or below my level)
It looks like it will be amateur’s mind which I think is classified as a beginner/intermediate book. I haven’t read it yet, but I will ask Andras Toth some questions about the book soon and will include a question about who the book is appropriate for
Toolbox sounds to be widely applicable. The endgame book may be rather hard (Silman's endgame book is great for all levels) and the amateur's mind rather simple perhaps?
I like this idea. I was wondering when you can start? Have you thought of a schedule yet? A trick here for the group will be pacing, but I look forward to reading along. I also like the idea of including a zoom meeting or possibly more than one, as we work our way through the material.
All 5 books are on my reading list already, so would love all of them!
If there are any exercises or games / game fragments, lichess studies work great. Everybody can move pieces, draw arrows, or highlight squares. As the host you can even disable engines / tablebases so people don't cheat.
I voted for Amateur's Mind because a) I haven't read it and b) I believe it talks about imbalances and I know nothing about them (how to recognize them, cause them, take advantage of them) but I get the impression that many advanced players use that concept and many analysts and coaches talk about imbalances and expect their audience to understand what they are saying.
I don't know if a chapter a week is the best pacing (meaning I'd be OK with a bit slower).
I do think that reading it to completion this year isn't something I would take on as a solo project; doing it as a book club would (probably) keep me engaged and would mean I would actually finish it.
I have a copy (cracked and stacked), but I wish there was an ebook of it.
My feelings on Rock Solid is that it isn't a book that I could read by myself, but I think its something that might fit this group review format quite well--a little beyond what I can typically read but together it might lead to improvement for all. Chess Middlegames, Amateur's Mind, and the Toolbox might be ok, but each of those is something that I could work through if I have the time and will to do it.
The Endgame Strategy just seems overwhelmingly long. I'm unsure how we could tackle that together.
I think I may receive Sokolov's book as a present today, so that would be great, and my second choice would be Shereshevsky's book. I have heard about/read reviews about the others, so they would also be acceptable.
Congrats if it by any chance is your birthday today ;)
Thanks, yes it is my birthday today!
Book clubs are great, but there is the problem of those not able to have read the book before the gathering! When it is different novels, that is fine, because you can just dip in and out when you want. But with a chess book, doing the first third of every chapter is not going to feel satisfying, or productive. So, is every week the right spacing for us to “get together” and discuss? I study a lot, and so I reckon a chapter a week will be easy, but if people are not able to keep up they will fall by the wayside. Also, how about a little informal (and voluntary) “pledge” that if anyone doesn’t finish the book, they make a small contribution to a charity or something? A small, informal, incentive to stay at it! If this over-complicates everything, just drop it - it was just a thought!
Yes, I think I have to pick the middle ground. If it’s too slow I think we would also lose momentum. Like Amateur’s mind is 440 pages, so we have some ground to cover if that is the pick
This is a cool idea. The Amateur's Mind would be awesome.
Looks like it will be the winner:)
Firstly, this is a great idea. It would hold us accountable to actually finish the book and would encorage us to read critically. Some sort of zoom call meeting when it was finished would be nice.
Now, on to the book. It should be readable in a short(ish) period of time, accesible to a wide range of playing strengths and (obviously) of high quality.
A few other possibilities:
1. Evaluate like a Grandmaster by Perelshteyn and Solon
2. A games collection or tournament book (I am just starting Alekhine's New York 1924)
3. Grooten's middlegame strategy book. This is aimed at club players, but there is good material for players at the +2000 level.
4. Vukovic book on attacking play
I like the zoom call idea! Actually also thought of art of attack in chess since it is a book I haven’t read yet
I think that Ev Clark was studying it. It seems to be on most coaches "must read" classic list.
Great idea and a podcast would be great alongside
Nice idea Martin!
Note that there are two volumes of Rock Solid Chess now. Volume 1 is about pawn structures, and volume 2 is about piece activity.
According to Coach Andras, based on his reviews on youtube, both Rock Solid Chess Vol 1 and Winning Chess Middlegames are best suited to players rated 2000+ FIDE.
Another book that looks interesting is "Dream Moves: Eye-Opening Chess Lessons for Improvers" by Miron Sher.
Yeah, I guess that’s for the more advanced readers. According to my recent poll the average reader of my newsletter has a 1500 blitz rating on chess.com
I like the idea. Not sure Rock Solid is appropriate, but any of the other books would work.
Too hard?
Sacrifice and Initiative by Sokolov was extremely important to me. One of the few books that fundamentally changed my thought process
That is noted as a future candidate!
Whichever book you pick, can you and/or others provided info regarding what level the book is appropriate for? (No sense in delving into a book that for something 700 pts above or below my level)
It looks like it will be amateur’s mind which I think is classified as a beginner/intermediate book. I haven’t read it yet, but I will ask Andras Toth some questions about the book soon and will include a question about who the book is appropriate for
Toolbox sounds to be widely applicable. The endgame book may be rather hard (Silman's endgame book is great for all levels) and the amateur's mind rather simple perhaps?
I haven't read any of the books yet. Have you read amateur's mind?
No I haven’t read any of them, just glanced at some reviews and samples on Amazon etc.
sounds like a nice idea.. looks like most are leaning towards the amateurs mind..
I like this idea. I was wondering when you can start? Have you thought of a schedule yet? A trick here for the group will be pacing, but I look forward to reading along. I also like the idea of including a zoom meeting or possibly more than one, as we work our way through the material.
What pace do you think would be optimal? (Pages per week)
I own the last 3, so please start with one of those
All 5 books are on my reading list already, so would love all of them!
If there are any exercises or games / game fragments, lichess studies work great. Everybody can move pieces, draw arrows, or highlight squares. As the host you can even disable engines / tablebases so people don't cheat.
Great! And will definitely include studies of the material if I can find them
Great idea! Looking forward in participating.
Happy to hear that! Which book(s) are you rooting for?
Great idea! I would participate if the book suited me.
Great! Which one is your favourite?
Really nice idea - I’d be delighted to take part!
Great! :) which book did you vote for?
Winning chess middlegames but I’d be happy with any of them except the Silman book!
Doesn’t look good at the moment then 😬
Same!
Ah well, at least it is on sale on Chessable!
I voted for Amateur's Mind because a) I haven't read it and b) I believe it talks about imbalances and I know nothing about them (how to recognize them, cause them, take advantage of them) but I get the impression that many advanced players use that concept and many analysts and coaches talk about imbalances and expect their audience to understand what they are saying.
I don't know if a chapter a week is the best pacing (meaning I'd be OK with a bit slower).
I do think that reading it to completion this year isn't something I would take on as a solo project; doing it as a book club would (probably) keep me engaged and would mean I would actually finish it.
I have a copy (cracked and stacked), but I wish there was an ebook of it.
My feelings on Rock Solid is that it isn't a book that I could read by myself, but I think its something that might fit this group review format quite well--a little beyond what I can typically read but together it might lead to improvement for all. Chess Middlegames, Amateur's Mind, and the Toolbox might be ok, but each of those is something that I could work through if I have the time and will to do it.
The Endgame Strategy just seems overwhelmingly long. I'm unsure how we could tackle that together.