Gosforth Chess Club Library has a range of books available for club members to borrow for learning and improvement purposes.
Please contact Alex Piercy with questions and requests for library books.
In addition to the library books, a comprehensive list of recommended literature can be found on Perpetual Chess website.
This includes recommendations from the website and blog author: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/book-recommendations
And from guests to the blog who specialise in chess and have a person favourite recommendation: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/book-recommendations-from-perpetual-chess-guests-1
| TITLE | SUMMARY | AVAILABILITY |
|---|---|---|
| Fire on Board – Alexei Shirov | Collection of his best games between 1983 and 2004. Shows why Shirov is widely regarded as one of the most aggressive and inventive players in modern era. | Available |
| Chess for Zebras – Jonathan Rowson | Instructive book blending elements of philosophy and psychology with points of view on chess positions and decision making. | Available |
| Garry Kasparov’s Greatest Games – Eric Schiller | 20 instructive masterpieces. | Available |
| Mikhail Tal, The Street-Fighting Years – Alexander Koblenz | 77 games and fragments of highly instructive and aggressive games. | Available |
| The Mammoth Book of Chess – Graham Burgess | 580 pages of introductions and theory ideas. “A terrific work that is particularly suited for those from beginner to club player” – John Watson, The Week In Chess. | Available |
| Chess Endgames for Club Players – Herman Grooten | Instructional endgame book explaining key principles, practical techniques, typical patterns, and essential theoretical positions for club players. | Available |
| The Art of Attack – Vladimir Vukovic | Classic manual analyzing attacking principles, sacrificial patterns, king‑side assaults, and foundational strategies for effective offensive play. | Available |
| The Right Way to Teach Chess to Kids – Richard James | Guide to teaching children chess through clear explanations, structured lessons, engaging methods, and age‑appropriate developmental principles. | Available |
| How to Reassess Your Chess – Jeremy Silman | Strategic manual teaching imbalances, planning methods, positional evaluation, and practical thinking techniques to improve overall play. | Available |
| The Middle Game Book 1 (old notation) – Dr M Euwe and H Kramer | Foundational guide exploring middlegame principles, positional concepts, strategic planning, typical motifs, and instructive examples throughout. | Available |
| Comprehensive Chess Openings (old notation) Volume 1 – Y. Estrin and V. N. Panov | Extensive reference outlining major opening systems, theoretical lines, strategic ideas, and foundational principles for structured study. | Available |
| Comprehensive Chess Openings (old notation) Volume 2 – Y. Estrin and V. N. Panov | Extensive reference outlining major opening systems, theoretical lines, strategic ideas, and foundational principles for structured study. | Available |
| Comprehensive Chess Openings (old notation) Volume 3 – Y. Estrin and V. N. Panov | Extensive reference outlining major opening systems, theoretical lines, strategic ideas, and foundational principles for structured study. | Available |
| How Good is Your Chess? (old notation) – Leonard Barden | Collection of test positions with annotated solutions assessing decision‑making, strategic understanding, and practical playing strength. | Available |
| Simple Checkmates – A. J. Gilliam | Introductory manual teaching fundamental mating patterns, basic techniques, clear examples, and essential checkmate execution skills. | Available |
| The New Chess Player – The Chess Player Ltd. | Introductory collection offering basic instruction, annotated games, practical guidance, and foundational concepts for developing chess players. | Available |
| Gambit Opening Repertoire for White – Eric Schiller | Aggressive White repertoire emphasizing sharp gambits, rapid development, tactical themes, and dynamic attacking possibilities throughout. | Available |
| The Life & Games Of Mikhail Tal – Everyman Chess | Autobiographical collection blending Tal’s dazzling games, witty commentary, personal memories, and uniquely imaginative attacking style. | Available |
| Starting Out: The English – Everyman Chess | Beginner‑oriented introduction to the English Opening, highlighting key structures, core plans, tactics, and illustrative games. | Available |
| Starting Out: The Nimzo-Indian – Everyman Chess | Accessible guide to the Nimzo‑Indian, explaining strategic themes, key variations, typical plans, and instructive model games. | Available |
| Pro Chess (DVD – The Video Chess Mentor) – Yasser Seirawan | Instructional video course where Seirawan explains key strategies, tactics, openings, endgames, and practical improvement methods. | Available |
| Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual, 5th Edition | Definitive endgame guide presenting deep analysis, essential techniques, practical positions, and rigorous training methods throughout. | Available |
| Magnus Carlsen: 60 Memorable Games | Collection highlighting Carlsen’s strategic brilliance through annotated games, creative ideas, practical lessons, and evolving style. | Available |
| Chess Explainer: The Taimanov Sicilian | Guide explaining Taimanov Sicilian ideas, key theory, strategic plans, typical tactics, and instructive games throughout. | Available |
| Romantic D-Openings: An open repertoire for White | Aggressive White repertoire featuring romantic gambits, open positions, tactical themes, and dynamic attacking possibilities. | Available |
| Chess for Tigers – Simon Webb | Practical guide teaching cunning strategies, psychological tricks, practical play techniques, and survival methods to outfight stronger opponents. | Available |
| How Life Immitates Chess – Garry Kasparov | Blends Kasparov’s chess insights with life lessons on strategy, decision‑making, competition, growth, and personal improvement. | Available |
| The Woodpecker Method – Axel Smith & Hans Tikkanen | Training system focused on intensive tactical repetition to build pattern recognition, calculation speed, accuracy, and practical strength. | Available |
| The Sovier Chess Primer – Ilya Maiselis | Classic instructional manual presenting fundamental principles, basic tactics, strategic concepts, model games, and core Soviet training methods. | Available |
| Build Up Your Chess 1: The Fundamentals – Artur Yusupov | Structured training course covering essential fundamentals through graded exercises, clear explanations, instructive examples, and practical improvement guidance. | Available |
| Winning Chess Exercises for Kids – Jeff Coakley | Collection of kid‑friendly puzzles developing tactics, calculation skills, pattern recognition, and fundamental problem‑solving abilities in chess. | Available |
| Winning Chess Strategy for Kids – Jeff Coakley | Clear introduction to strategic thinking for young players, explaining key concepts, typical plans, and practical decision‑making skills. | Available |
| Play Better Chess – Leonard Barden | Beginner‑focused guide teaching core principles, simple strategies, practical tips, and foundational techniques to improve overall play. | Available |
| Chess Opening For Dummies – James Eade | Beginner‑friendly introduction to opening principles, key systems, typical mistakes, and practical guidelines for building a solid repertoire. | Available |
| How to Beat Your Dad at Chess – Murray Chandler | Tactical primer presenting 50 mating patterns, clear examples, and practical techniques for quickly finishing games effectively. | Available |
| Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations and Games – Laszlo Polgar | Massive puzzle collection featuring thousands of positions to build tactical skill, pattern recognition, and calculated attacking ability. | Available |
| Van Perlo’s Endgame Tactics – Ger van Perlo | Endgame tactics compendium showcasing practical motifs, surprising ideas, instructive examples, and resourceful winning or saving techniques. | Available |
| Fundamental Chess Endings – Muller & Lamprecht | Comprehensive endgame reference detailing essential theory, practical techniques, key positions, and systematic explanations for all major endings. | Available |
| The Chess Player’s Bible – James Eade | Illustrated guide covering rules, tactics, strategies, openings, endgames, and practical tips for building complete chess skills. | Available |
| Understanding the Chess Openings – Sam Collins | Overview of major openings explaining core ideas, typical plans, key structures, and essential strategic principles. | Available |
| Playing 1.e4 (Series) – John Shaw | Comprehensive 1.e4 repertoire offering deep analysis, strategic explanations, critical lines, and thoroughly researched opening choices. | Available |
| The Agile London System – Romero Holmes & de Prado | Modern guide to the London System emphasizing flexible development, dynamic plans, and practical attacking possibilities for White. | Available |
| Silman’s Complete Endgame Course – Jeremy Silman | Endgame manual organized by rating levels, teaching essential positions, key principles, practical techniques, and step‑by‑step improvement. | Available |
| Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide – Mauricio Flores Rios | Guide to key pawn structures explaining plans, typical piece maneuvers, strategic themes, and practical model games for mastery. | Available |
| This Like a Super-GM – Michael Adams | Advanced guide revealing elite thought processes, deep calculation methods, strategic evaluation, and practical decision‑making at super‑GM level. | Available |
| My 60 Memorable Games – Bobby Fischer | Autobiographical classic featuring Fischer’s deeply annotated games, revealing his strategic brilliance, preparation, and competitive mindset. | Available |
| Chess Improvement: It’s All in the Mindset – Hymer & Wells | Focuses on psychological factors in chess improvement, exploring mindset, training attitudes, motivation, and practical growth strategies. | Available |
| Chess Queens – Jennifer Shahade | History of women’s chess spotlighting pioneers, champions, struggles, achievements, and the evolving fight for representation and equality. | Available |
| The Complete Semi-Slav – Peter Wells | Comprehensive guide analyzing Semi-Slav structures, key variations, strategic themes, and practical plans. | Available |
| Montreal 1979 – M. Tal, V. Chepizhny & A. Roshal | Tournament book recounting Montreal 1979 games with insightful annotations, player profiles, and dynamic strategic battles. | Available |
| Learn Chess from the World Champions – David Levy | Lessons drawn from world champions’ games, illustrating essential chess principles, strategies, tactics, and improvement methods. | Available |
| Anatoly Karpov: Chess is My Life – A. Karpov & A. Roshal | Autobiographical account blending Karpov’s career, annotated games, personal reflections, and insights into competitive chess life. | Available |
| Grandmaster Preparation – L. Polugayevsky | Deep training manual detailing Polugayevsky’s preparation methods, analytical techniques, opening research, and competitive practical insights. | Available |
| Oxford Encyclopedia of Chess Games – Volume 1 (Edited by David Levy & Kevin O’Connell) | Comprehensive collection of historic chess games with detailed annotations, player information, and valuable reference material. | Available |
| Bent Larsen – The Fighter – Eric Brondum | Biography highlighting Larsen’s creative style, memorable games, personal struggles, and relentless competitive fighting spirit throughout. | Available |
| Wijk aan Zee – by the Players | Players’ perspective on Wijk aan Zee, featuring annotated games, tournament experiences, insights, stories, and atmosphere. | Available |
| 42nd USSR Chess Championship (Leningrad 1974) – with notes by the Players | Annotated collection of 1974 USSR Championship games, showcasing players’ analyses, key battles, and high-level Soviet competition. | Available |
| Siegen Chess Olympiad 1970 – R. D. Keene & D. N. L. Levy | Overview of 1970 Siegen Olympiad with annotated games, team performances, standout moments, and rich tournament commentary. | Available |
| Mir Sultan Khan – R. N. Coles | Biography recounting Sultan Khan’s remarkable rise, notable games, cultural challenges, and enduring legacy in chess. | Available |
| The Chess Competitor’s Handbook – Bozidar M. Kazic | Manual of how to run a tournament. | Available |