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Great Books for Study to reach 2000 OTB

Hello Everyone, over the past months I've really come to love not only this game, but the process of learning and improving. I've been playing on this site for a while now, and I thought that now would be a good time to ask for some help. I would like to continue learning and improving, but there are so many books out there that it can be a little overwhelming to try to choose which ones to spend time with. I watch a lot of chess videos on Youtube, that has only been my only way to know and improve on chess. I haven't picked up any books on specific openings (I enjoying Queen Pawn openings as White and Sicilian Defence Nardorf as black),i love attacking tactical chess but I also feel that my tactical eye and strategic understanding are not yet where I would like them to be. So, what are some of your favourite books and why? Are there any books that are must-haves for every chess player? My target is now to reach 1900-2000 OTB by 2020 cos that will automatically qualify me to represent my
country at the continental levels or even chess Olympiad.
Thanks for the suggestions.
„Move First Think Later“ explains why many others book won‘t work. ;)
Did Carlsen become better with a book ? (even with two !)

Watch for Dan Heisman books, a lot of advices inside about chess learning management. (until you reach 2000 Elo i think)

Queens Pawn openings (as White) you might want to consider the London System...

In the London System White immediately develops his Queen Bishop, typically by the second or third move as 1.d4/2.Bf4 (recommended) or 1.d4/2.Nf3/3.Bf4. Thus the bishop is more actively placed initially than for example in the Colle System, as it is not blocked by White's e-pawn on e3.

The London System is considered one of the "easier" openings to play as there is not a lot of "theory" (as for example in the Queen's Gambit), and the pawn & piece placements, and attacking themes are pretty straight forward.

If you intend to pursue the London System as a main opening, the following are currently the best books on it (in order)....

1. "Win With The London System" by S.Johnsen & V.Kovacevic

2. "The Agile London System" by Romero & de Prado

3. "Winning With the Modern London System" by Nikola Sedlak

www.amazon.com/Win-London-System-Sverre-Johnsen/dp/1904600352/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1482665122&sr=1-1&keywords=win+with+the+london+system

www.amazon.com/Agile-London-System-Dynamic-Opening/dp/9056916890/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1482665162&sr=1-1&keywords=the+agile+london+system

www.amazon.com/Winning-Modern-London-System-Nikola/dp/8394429092/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1482665206&sr=1-1&keywords=winning+with+the+modern+london+system

Additionally, I recently discovered the following book on the London System. I would include it on my list of recommended London System books, for someone looking for a quick introduction. Note that its focus is on move orders beginning 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 ... 3.Bf4 ...

"The London System Properly Played" by Marcus Schmucker...

www.amazon.com/The-London-System-properly-played/dp/3959209681/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1487531815&sr=1-1&keywords=london+system+properly+played

While the book is not quite as comprehensive, (in terms of the sheer number and depth of lines presented) as the first two of my recommended London System books listed above, it is, on the other hand, a relatively easier read as its focus is primarily on explaining ideas, themes and plans, with helpful tips and advice on handling various thematic lines and positions. On this basis, I would consider this to be a very good introductory, tutorial book on the London System. All the major defenses by Black are covered.
My recommended reading books are..
1. My System Aron Nimzowitsch
2. Pawn Power in Chess Hans Kmoch
3. Chess Master vs Chess Amateur Max Euwe
Books are somewhat overrated. In the sense that reading is just a small part of the whole job. Playing games, solving exercises, grasping the one or other idea from a master game. Tons of work, thousands of hours.

There are hardly any books which bring you to a certain level automatically, it is always in connection with all the other activities done. The brain cannot be filled like a bucket (book in, playing strength out). All the synapses have to be evolved, new items interact with experience... it is not that easy.

To open your eyes:

-Chess for Zebras (Rowson)
-MFTL (Hendriks)
@njuguna Get that training puzzle rating over 2000. Take the time to solve the puzzles.
Passive learning is in a way like a coach showing you how it's done. Active learning is more like when you're participating in the solving process. Solving puzzles is active learning. Books give you the time to memorize things.

You cannot build muscle if you don't work the body. Your rating will not increase unless you work the brain. Memorizing does not mean you understood the material. Saying it in your own words, shows you understood the material.

If you do puzzles 30 minutes per day, you will probably feel at ease calculating the best moves. Knowing that your tactical training puzzle is above 2000 gives hope that one day your game rating will reach that level too.

A book that I liked was Chess words of wisdom.
all the books from Mark Dvoretsky and Artur Jussupov are worth reading, but probably a bit to advanced for your level.

These books I found easy to read and also suitable for your level:
New York 1924
Zurich 1953
My System
The Practise of my system
questions of modern chess theory: a soviet classic
This is a good book it's really big but I can't remember the name of the book... best chess book ever and it is huge with all kinds of chess stuff in it like secrets of winning at chess... I wish I could remember the name of that really big chess book... I think it was written by Bobby Fisher. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?
Aw, just forget about it...it's probably a bit to advanced for your level.

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