Good Positional Chess,

Planning & Strategy Books for

Beginners and Beyond
Updated: May 27, 2023, 10:53 PM

Now what should I do?

If you find yourself frequently confronting this question

during a game and/or are stuck at the lower levels of the
rating scale, it may be time for you to begin your study of
positional chess and all that follows from it - i.e., planning
and strategy.

Most beginner-novices typically have only vague notions

when it comes to developing a plan or conceiving a strategy
– at least, beyond attacking and trying to capture their
opponent’s unprotected pieces.  When they become more
skilled at tactics they might look for tricky opportunities such
as pins, forks, discovered or double attacks.  But these tend
not to be so much the result of executing plans and
strategies as taking advantage of immediate and obvious
tactical opportunities.

Once the opponents become more proficient at protecting

their material, tactical opportunities become more difficult to
find.  It is then that the realization begins to dawn on the
chess player that (s)he must find a way to create (as
opposed to search for) tactical opportunities.

Positional Chess

"Tactics flow from a superior position" - former World

Chess Champion Bobby Fischer.

The missing piece of the puzzle which allows one to see the
"big picture" and to play chess with a plan, is provided by an
understanding of the concepts of positional chess.  

Positional chess is concerned with the cooperative

placement of pieces and pawns in pursuit of a goal, whether
it be offensive or defensive. The process begins with
examining a chess position for the purpose of not only
identifying a goal, but also the procedure for achieving the
goal, i.e., the plan, the strategy.

To do this the first thing that must be done is to identify the

strengths and weaknesses inherent in the position - of both
players - and assess the advantages and disadvantages
these present to both players. Once that is accomplished
and a goal and plan identified, the techniques of positional 
and tactical chess can then provide the means by which the
plan, the strategy, can be executed.

A goal may be offensive or defensive in character.  An

offensive goal generally takes one of two forms: either 1) the
successful execution of a tactic, the purpose of which is to
win material, which may or may not include checkmating the
opponent’s king, or 2) achieving an advantageous placement
of one’s pieces and pawns, i.e., improving one’s “position”, in
order to support and/or create the opportunity for the
eventual execution of a successful tactic.  A defensive goal
may be to neutralize or defeat an opponent's threatened
tactic or attack, or to impede or nullify his ability to improve
his position, i.e. the advantageous placement of his pieces
and pawns.

The following video gives some good examples of how to

identify a plan and create tactical opportunities.  Note that
not only must the goal or target of the plan be identified, but
a precondition of the process is that the attacker's initial
position, that is, an appropriate starting arrangement or
placement of pieces and pawns, must also be envisioned
and ensured such that it will support and facilitate the
successful implementation of the plan as it evolves...

The 10 Best Chess Plans For The Middlegame - Chess

Vibes...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=F98JdnLyUXA&ab_channel=ChessVibes

[Note:  For those whose primary concern is improving

their middlegame tactical (as opposed to positional-
strategic) skills, I suggest to check out my note in the
Comments section below on the book "The Six Power
Moves of Chess".]

The remainder of this article offers a curriculum to

follow which will enable one to acquire the positional
chess understanding and skills necessary for playing
chess at a high level...

Note: the order in which the books are presented in this

article are roughly the order in which I would suggest they
be studied (unless explicitly stated otherwise).  For example
"Play Winning Chess" by Seirawan is the first book
recommended for the beginner-novice player because it
introduces the most fundamental, essential concepts
underlying a positional-strategic approach to chess, while
"Game Changer" by Sadler & Regan is targeted to the very
advanced player who is already skilled in employing basic
positional concepts.

Positional Chess Basics - Core Curriculum

Fundamental to enhancing one's prospects for

conceiving successful strategies and playing with a plan
is an understanding of the four primary elements of
chess – Force, Time, Space, and Pawn Structure. These
essential elements constitute the foundation, the
starting point for developing a strategic approach to
chess, which requires understanding how to evaluate a
chess position, then developing and executing a plan
based on that evaluation.

As a first step I recommend that every improving amateur

become familiar with the concepts presented in the essential
introductory text Play Winning Chess by Yasser Seirawan. 
The book introduces what GM Seirawan posits to be the
four primary elements which must be considered when
objectively evaluating a chess position – Force, Time,
Space and Pawn Structure.  Understanding how to
properly evaluate and use these elements is fundamental to
the process of formulating and executing plans and
strategies which will enable you to significantly improve the
chances for a successful result in your games. The
importance of the concepts presented in this instructive
book cannot be overstated.

For an instructive supplement to Seirawan's book above,

with numerous practical examples, see New Ideas In Chess
by 5-time U..S Chess Champion Larry M. Evans (Dover Pub.
edition, ISBN 0486283054, in Descriptive notation).  This
was the first book devoted entirely to an exposition of the
four primary elements.

GM Larry M. Evans' method of static analysis

(Chess.com forum discussion of the four primary
elements)...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/gm-larry-evans-
method-of-static-analysis

After your introduction to the four primary elements (above),

I recommend to proceed directly to Weapons of Chess by
Bruce Pandolfini.  It provides an excellent introduction to the
basic concepts and techniques of positional chess, including
instruction in the fundamentals of pawn play.  It will provide
you with an arsenal of tools and ideas to drawn upon when
conceiving and executing a plan. I suggest to start by first
reading the three chapters: 'Pawn Centers', 'Positional
Chess' and 'Weakness'.  I consider Weapons of Chess
together with Seirawan's Play Winning Chess to be
must-reads for all improving amateurs who aspire to
play chess at a higher level. 

Following Weapons of Chess, in order to add to and

strengthen your positional-strategic skills I highly
recommend to study the following three very instructive
books: Elements of Positional Evaluation by Dan
Heisman, Winning Chess Strategies by Yasser Seirawan
and Simple Chess by Michael Stean.  I recommend to read
them in the order given.

Elements of Positional Evaluation: How the Pieces Get

Their Power

By Dan Heisman.  Targeted to post-beginner through

intermediate players, Heisman provides detailed instruction
in fundamental positional chess principles and
technique.  This would be an excellent supplement or
follow-on to Pandolfini's Weapons of Chess (above).

Winning Chess Strategies

By Yasser Seirawan.  Targeted to post-beginner through

Intermediate players, this provides further in-depth
exposition and practical examples reinforcing and building
upon the positional-strategic concepts and
techniques introduced in Pandolfini's Weapons of
Chess and Heisman's Elements of Positional Evaluation
(above). 

Simple Chess

By Michael Stean.  A classic.  Essentially a short course

which Instructively presents the practical implementation of
positional-strategic chess fundamentals within the context
of grandmaster games.  (Don't let the title fool you!)  Similar
in concept to Stean's book, and which I recommend as
supplements and/or follow-on's to further ingrain these
ideas and methods into your chess psyche, are Simple
Chess and More Simple Chess , both by John Emms (also
together in a single volume).

Collectively, I consider the books above to form a core

curriculum for a solid foundation in basic positional
concepts and techniques.  Having absorbed the lessons
of the core curriculum, you will now be well prepared for
the following...

The Amateur's Mind: Turning Chess Misconceptions Into

Chess Mastery

By Jeremy Silman.  Targeted to the post-beginner through

intermediate chess player, Silman analyzes chess games,
positions and concepts as though he is discussing them with
an amateur player for the purpose of clarifying proper chess
thinking, pointing out typical amateur mistakes and making
suggestions for correct play. Positional concepts are
discussed throughout.  I highly recommend this
exceptionally instructive book as a follow-on to the core
curriculum books above.

The following two very instructive books are concerned with

the techniques of positional chess in practice...

Chess Training for Post-Beginners: A Basic Course In

Positional Understanding by Yaroslav Srokovski

Techniques of Positional Play By Bronznik & Terekhin

The following four highly regarded books are optional at

this point in your studies....

My System by Aron Nimzowitsch.  A classic The book is

generally credited with being the first to expound
fundamental positional chess principles in an organized
presentation within a single text.  (I suggest the Lou Hayes
21st Century edition as being the easiest English language
translation to read.)  For additional perspective on the book
see my blog article.  Consider also Nimzowitsch's
instructive companion games collection Chess Praxis.

Modern Chess Strategy by Ludek Pachman.  A classic. 

This is a comprehensive introduction to the essential
elements of strategic chess play.  Many complete illustrative
games are included.  While the book is written in the now
superseded 'Descriptive' notation, its instructional value is
timeless.

The Art Of The Middle Game by Paul Keres and Alexander

Kotov.  A classic.  The title says it all.  The book is currently
only available in the older 'Descriptive' notation (as far as I
have been able to determine).  Nevertheless, Like Ludek
Pachman's book (above) its instructive value is enduring.  I
would recommend both books to every player who seeks to
improve their strategic and middlegame play.

How to Reassess Your Chess (4th Edition) by Jeremy

Silman. According to the author (or the publisher), this book
"...was designed for players in the 1400 to 2100 range...
[to]...imbue the serious student with a rock solid positional
chess foundation...plus an understanding of how to make
logical plans based on the needs of the position."  In my view
this book is quite challenging for the average 1400-rated
player.  Therefore I recommend it for experienced players
who have achieved a playing level of at least 1600 Elo, or
who have first completed the author's The Amateur's Mind
(above).

Having absorbed the lessons of the core curriculum

books above you will be well prepared for the instructive
advanced books below... 

Positional Chess - Advanced Curriculum

Although I have listed the following books in roughly the
order in which I would tend to suggest them for a structured,
formal curriculum of study, the order is not set in stone and
the books may be read in any order as your interests dictate. 
Also, it isn't necessary to read them linearly - i.e., finishing
one book before starting another.  In fact, you can profitably
read portions of any of them simultaneously as you are
motivated...

The Middlegame (Books 1&2 ) by Max Euwe & H. Kramer

Understanding Chess Middlegames by John Nunn

Chess Success: Planning After The Opening by Neil

McDonald

The Art of Planning In Chess: Move By Move by Neil

McDonald

Chess Secrets: The Giants of Strategy by Neil McDonald

Chess Strategy Move By Move by Adam Hunt

Art of Attack In Chess by Vladimir Vukovic

Attacking Manual (Volumes 1&2) by Jacob Aagaard

Chess Strategy for Club Players By Herman Grooten

Attacking Chess For Club Players by Herman Grooten

How To Choose A Chess Move by Andrew Soltis

Having absorbed the lessons from the books above, the

following are very advanced treatments, suitable,
primarily, for players rated Elo 1800 and above.....

Mastering Opening Strategy by Johan Hellsten

Mastering Chess Strategy  by Johan Hellsten

Soviet Middlegame Technique By Peter Romanovsky

Winning Chess Middlegames by Ivan Sokolov

Positional Play by Jacob Aagaard

The Complete Manual of Positional Chess - Opening and

Middlegame by Sakaev & Landa

The Complete Manual of Positional Chess - Middlegame

Structures and Dynamics by Skaev & Landa

Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy: Advances since

Nimzowitsch by John Watson 

Chess Strategy in Action by John Watson  

Game Changer: AlphaZero's Groundbreaking Chess

Strategies and the Promise of AI by Matthew Sadler &
Natasha Regan
The Silicon Road to Chess Improvement by Matthew
Sadler

The following video succinctly summarizes important

strategic goals which you should look for opportunities to
advantageously achieve during your games.....

13 Chess Middle Game Strategic Goals by ChessEdge...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBZL_uUX-7E

https://www.youtube.com/@BKKaye

Note, finally, that accurate pawn play is a fundamental

aspect of positional chess.  In particular, pawn structure
provides a road map suggestive of the optimum route to take
for formulating plans and strategies - for both attack and
defense.  For instructive resources, articles and books
devoted to this important facet of the game see.... 

Pawn Play and Structure - for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/chess-books-on-
pawn-play-and-structure

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Discover other helpful and instructive chess resources,

including more book recommendations, in my
Chess.com blog.

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