My chess books

I can read the comments from the ShoutBox but unfortunately I cannot answer it directly because I’m on my handphone on weekends. A case of can see but cannot touch.

Anyway this is to answer a question on whether I have any chess books.

I do not have many ‘original books’.The two books you see there is my latest books that I’ve bought. That’s almost 3 years ago!!

One of them, The Seven Deadly Chess Sins by Jonathan Rowson was bought from chess supplier and FM Mok Tze Meng(website). I wanted to get the Silman Reassess your chess workbook but Mok recommended this book instead saying the workbook is not suitable for me yet at my level. I have not read the book much since I bought it but have recently started to read it. There’s plenty of interesting ideas on the psychology of players and how GMs and beginner’s think.

I particularly like Rowson’s idea of talking to your pieces. A ridiculous idea whe I first read it. But it soon grew on me. It gives a new perspective on trying to understand how the pieces interact and giving ‘life’ to inaninimate chess pieces. You imagine asking your Knight whether he is happy with his position and how he feels he can help the rest of the army ( or something of that idea…)

There are many more interesting ideas on why mistakes are made as well as suggestions to erradicate them. Good book. That’s why it’s ‘promoted’ to my beside book reading collection.

The Complete Book of Chess Strategy by Jeremy Silman is not bad but I feel that the only useful section for me is the introduction of opening ideas. But that section is too brief. Wished there was a book in that style that explained the major ideas of openings of certain variation.

Other books I have in my collections are: My 60 memorable games, My life and games by Tal, Bent Larsen games(forgot the exact title), The Complete Pirc.

Of course I also have the not so original copies of books which are quite a lot.

During my teenage years I spent my school holidays travelling to and fro Johor-Singapore for one and only one reason : to visit the National Singapore Library. Back then it was heaven. The library listed books on their computers and you can find out where the books are (they have something like 6 or 7 branches).

I borrowed and photostated magazine such as Pergamon Chess (now known as just “Chess”). I went to Singapore so often that I had to change my passport because the pages were full of stamps.

I also visited the Johor Library which also had a good collection of chess books. Saw some famous names like NM Kamal Abdullah in the borrower’s list and borrowed the same books they borrowed.

Anyway nowadays I don’t have much time to read except perhaps during the night before I fall asleep. My bedtime reading includes: Rowson’s 7 sins,Play the French, Sicilian Grand Prix and some old Chess Life and New in Chess magazines.

I know many chess players who have spent a fortune building a chess library. One person who comes to mind is coach Balendran. I think his total cost for the buying original chess books is enough to pay for a Kancil car

Popularity: 2% [?]

Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.

Related posts:-

• Chess Books at Borders
• Back to reading
• How To Build Your Chess Opening Repertoire
• My 60 Memorable Games
• Bookmooch