Chess is a great game that helps kids develop patience, focus, and problem-solving skills. When you learn to play chess, you are learning how to make good plans and think a few steps ahead.
To get really good at chess, you need to understand the three main parts of the game: the opening (how you start), the middlegame (where you try to control the center of the board), and the endgame (when there are only a few pieces left). Reading books is one of the best ways to learn these phases.
Here is a list of the best beginner-friendly chess books, where to buy them, and how much they cost.
5 Best Books on Chess Openings
The opening is all about bringing your pieces out safely and getting ready for the rest of the game. These books teach you how to start strong.
Chess Openings for Kids by John Watson and Graham Burgess
This book teaches 50 common chess openings. Instead of making you memorize long lists of moves, the authors explain the basic ideas so you understand why you are making each move.
- Price: $12.04 – $16.95
- Where to Buy: Target, Barnes & Noble, eBay
Chess Opening Traps for Kids by Graham Burgess
Sometimes opponents will try to trick you early in the game. This book teaches you 100 common opening traps so you can spot them before they happen, and maybe even use them yourself.
- Price: $11.04 – $19.95
- Where to Buy: Target, Barnes & Noble
FCO: Fundamental Chess Openings by Paul van der Sterren
This is a thicker reference book, but it is written in a very friendly way. It tells the “story” behind each opening so you can understand the overall plan for both the white and black pieces.
- Price: $15.58 – $29.95
- Where to Buy: Target, Amazon, Alibris
Winning Chess Openings by Yasser Seirawan
Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan writes in a fun, storytelling style. He teaches beginners how to build a safe position for their king and use time, space, and pawns to get a good start.
- Price: $21.99 – $28.95
- Where to Buy: Simon & Schuster, Barnes & Noble, USCF Sales
Chess Openings: Traps and Zaps by Bruce Pandolfini
This book uses short, fun examples to teach you about openings that start with the king’s pawn. Each short lesson shows a mistake a player made and how the other player took advantage of it.
- Price: $6.49 – $18.99
- Where to Buy: ThriftBooks, Barnes & Noble
5 Best Books on the Chess Endgame
The endgame happens when most of the pieces have been traded away. The goal is usually to get a pawn to the other side of the board so it can become a queen.
Chess Endgame Workbook for Kids by John Nunn
This is a workbook full of exercises. It teaches you how to win when you have a good position and how to draw (tie) when you are in a bad position. It has fun tests at the end of the chapters.
- Price: $13.99 – $16.95
- Where to Buy: Target, Barnes & Noble, eBay
Silman's Complete Endgame Course by Jeremy Silman
This book is great because it is organized by skill level. A beginner only needs to read the first few chapters to learn simple checkmates. You can read more of it as you get better over the years.
- Price: $23.00 – $24.95
- Where to Buy: Chess House, USCF Sales, Barnes & Noble
100 Endgames You Must Know by Jesus de la Villa
There are a lot of endgames in chess, which can be confusing. This book narrows them down to the 100 most common situations you will actually see in your games and teaches you exactly how to play them.
- Price: $19.99 – $32.95
- Where to Buy: Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble, New In Chess
Winning Chess Endings by Yasser Seirawan
Yasser Seirawan uses exciting stories from famous chess matches to teach the endgame. He explains things simply, like how to use your king as an attacker and how to win pawn races.
- Price: $25.00 – $37.95
- Where to Buy: Simon & Schuster, Chess House, Target
Chess Endings for Beginners by J.H. Blake (Updated by Carsten Hansen)
This is a short, classic book with 124 important endgame positions. It gets straight to the point without using too many extra words, making it a quick and easy read.
- Price: $7.99 – $9.95
- Where to Buy: Forward Chess, USCF Sales
5 Best Books on Controlling the Center (Strategy)
In chess, controlling the four squares in the middle of the board is very important. It gives your pieces more space to move. These books teach you how to make good plans and control the center.
Winning Chess Strategy for Kids by Jeff Coakley
This is a very popular book for kids aged 7 to 13. It uses simple language and fun drawings to teach you how to put your pieces on good squares and attack safely.
- Price: $22.80 – $38.00
- Where to Buy: Draft-Zero, ThriftBooks
Chess Strategy for Kids by Thomas Engqvist
This book focuses heavily on why the center of the board is so important. It teaches you how to spot your opponent’s weaknesses and comes with 54 exercises to test your skills.
- Price: $11.71 – $19.95
- Where to Buy: Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble
Logical Chess: Move by Move by Irving Chernev
This book takes 33 complete chess games played by masters and explains the reason behind every single move. It helps you understand exactly why strong players fight for the center.
- Price: $8.39 – $22.95
- Where to Buy: ThriftBooks, Barnes & Noble
Winning Chess Strategies by Yasser Seirawan
This book answers the question every player asks: “How can I improve my position right now?” It teaches you how to slowly build up an attack and control the board.
- Price: $24.01 – $37.95
- Where to Buy: Simon & Schuster, Barnes & Noble, BulkBooks
Weapons of Chess by Bruce Pandolfini
This book works like a dictionary for chess strategy. It explains ideas like “open files” and “isolated pawns” in plain English, without using confusing chess notation.
- Price: $6.59 – $19.99
- Where to Buy: ThriftBooks, Target
Comparison Table of Recommended Chess Books
| Book Title | Author(s) | Category | Estimated Price | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chess Openings for Kids | John Watson, Graham Burgess | Openings | $12.04 - $19.95 | Target, Barnes & Noble, eBay |
| Chess Opening Traps for Kids | Graham Burgess | Openings | $11.04 - $19.95 | Target, Barnes & Noble |
| FCO: Fundamental Chess Openings | Paul van der Sterren | Openings | $15.58 - $29.95 | Target, Amazon, Alibris |
| Winning Chess Openings | Yasser Seirawan | Openings | $21.99 - $28.95 | Simon & Schuster, USCF Sales |
| Chess Openings: Traps and Zaps | Bruce Pandolfini | Openings | $6.49 - $18.99 | ThriftBooks, Barnes & Noble |
| Chess Endgame Workbook for Kids | John Nunn | Endgames | $13.99 - $16.95 | Target, Barnes & Noble, eBay |
| Silman's Complete Endgame Course | Jeremy Silman | Endgames | $23.00 - $24.95 | Chess House, USCF Sales |
| 100 Endgames You Must Know | Jesus de la Villa | Endgames | $19.99 - $32.95 | Books-A-Million, New In Chess |
| Winning Chess Endings | Yasser Seirawan | Endgames | $25.00 - $37.95 | Simon & Schuster, Chess House |
| Chess Endings for Beginners | J.H. Blake, Carsten Hansen | Endgames | $7.99 - $9.95 | Forward Chess, USCF Sales |
| Winning Chess Strategy for Kids | Jeff Coakley | Center/Strategy | $22.80 - $38.00 | Draft-Zero, ThriftBooks |
| Chess Strategy for Kids | Thomas Engqvist | Center/Strategy | $11.71 - $19.95 | Target, Walmart |
| Logical Chess: Move by Move | Irving Chernev | Center/Strategy | $8.39 - $22.95 | ThriftBooks, Barnes & Noble |
| Winning Chess Strategies | Yasser Seirawan | Center/Strategy | $24.01 - $37.95 | Simon & Schuster, BulkBooks |
| Weapons of Chess | Bruce Pandolfini | Center/Strategy | $6.59 - $19.99 | ThriftBooks, Target |
How to Learn Chess Professionally
If you really enjoy chess and want to get better, you have to practice regularly. Learning chess professionally means studying how the pieces work together, solving daily chess puzzles to spot tricks, and playing games where you write down your moves to review them later.
One of the easiest and most helpful ways to get better is to take online chess classes for beginners. Websites like ChessKid or Silver Knights Academy offer safe, kid-friendly lessons. In these classes, teachers (who are often chess masters) will show you how to think through a game. They will give you puzzles to solve, and you can play in online practice tournaments with other kids your age. Taking online chess classes for beginners lets you learn from your own home at a time that works for you.
Famous Chess Players to Inspire You
It is always fun to have a chess hero to look up to. Here are three amazing players who started as kids:
- Magnus Carlsen: Magnus Carlsen is from Norway and is considered one of the best chess players ever. He had a great memory as a kid and became a Grandmaster when he was only 13 years old. He holds the record for the highest chess rating in history!
- Gukesh D: Gukesh is from India. When he was learning chess, his coach told him to think for himself instead of using computers to find the answers. This hard work paid off, and in 2024, at age 18, he became the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion ever.
- Praggnanandhaa R: Also from India, “Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu” started winning world championships for his age group when he was just a little kid. At age 16, he even beat Magnus Carlsen in an online game. His older sister is also a Grandmaster, making them a very famous chess family.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Kids can learn the basic moves around age 4 or 5. By age 7 or 8, they can usually start understanding longer strategies and playing full games.
You don't need to be a chess master! You can buy beginner books, set up a board, and learn right alongside your child. You can also sign them up for online chess classes.
Everyone loses in chess, even world champions. Remind them that losing is just a way to learn what not to do next time. Focus on praising their hard work rather than whether they won or lost.
Coaches usually suggest learning basic checkmates and endgames first, along with solving lots of puzzles. For openings, just focus on the basic rules: control the center and get your pieces out quickly.
Summary
Learning chess is a fun journey that helps you think better and solve problems. By reading simple, helpful books about openings, endgames, and center control, you can quickly improve your skills. Practicing with puzzles and taking online chess classes will give you the tools you need to play like a pro. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be playing great games in no time!
