If you’re just starting out in chess and want a book that gets straight to the point, Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess might be exactly what you need.
Unlike dense chess manuals that throw complicated theories at you, this book focuses on practical tactics, using an interactive, step-by-step approach to improve your pattern recognition.
Written by Bobby Fischer, Stuart Margulies, and Don Mosenfelder, it’s been a bestseller for decades, helping players master basic checkmating techniques and tactical ideas.
But is it still the best book for players today? Let’s take a closer look.
About The Authors
While Bobby Fischer needs no elaborate introduction, let’s quickly run through the three minds behind this book.
Bobby Fischer
Bobby Fischer is the 11th World Chess Champion and one of the greatest players in history.
At the peak of his powers, many considered him the greatest chess player the game had ever seen, and many still hold this view today.
He also achieved a peak FIDE rating of 2785 in 1972, which was groundbreaking for his time.
Fischer is also credited with popularizing chess in America and creating the Fischer Random Chess (Chess960) variant.
His deep, unrivaled understanding of tactics and chess play makes this book so compelling.
Stuart Margulies
He is an educational psychologist who helped structure the book’s programmed learning approach, ensuring readers absorb its concepts efficiently.
Don Mosenfelder
Don is a chess writer and editor who helped translate Fischer’s genius into easy-to-follow lessons. He is also the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Educational Design, Inc.
This combination of chess mastery, psychology, and structured learning makes the book stand out from traditional chess guides.
Book Content Summary
Instead of covering openings, positional play, or deep strategy, the book focuses on checkmating patterns and tactical ideas.
It’s built around a programmed learning method, meaning each section presents a question, and depending on your answer, you either move forward or go back to reinforce key concepts.
Here’s what the book primarily covers:
- A basic overview of how to play chess: A description of the chessboard and the pieces, how the pieces move, capturing, castling, promotion, and the value of pieces.
- Checkmates: Identifying weak king positions and delivering checkmates.
- Pins, forks, and skewers: Basic tactical patterns to win material.
- Defensive strategies: Recognizing and avoiding blunders.
- Step-by-step progression: The book starts simple and gradually introduces more advanced tactical patterns.
The interactive format makes it great for self-study, especially for those who want to improve their calculation skills without feeling overwhelmed.
Target Audience
So, who will get the most out of this book?
Complete Beginners: If you’re just learning chess, this book will help you recognize essential checkmating patterns.
Casual Players: If you play occasionally and want to sharpen your tactics, this book will help improve your pattern recognition and quick calculation.
Advanced Players: If you’re looking for deep strategy, positional play, or advanced endgames, this book won’t offer much. However, there are other excellent chess books available on the market.
In short, Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess is perfect for beginners but not for players rated above 1200.
Pros of The Book
- Simple and easy to follow: No overwhelming chess theory, just straightforward tactics.
- Interactive learning: The programmed approach keeps you engaged.
- Focuses on real-game tactics: The checkmating patterns taught here appear constantly in real games.
Cons of The Book
- No openings or deep strategy: If you want complete chess training, you’ll need another book.
- Repetitive at times: Some exercises feel similar, which may not suit everyone.
- Dated format: The step-by-step learning system might not be as engaging as modern chess websites or courses.
Final Thoughts
If you’re new to chess and want to improve your tactical awareness, Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess is still among the best books for beginners.
Its interactive approach, clear explanations, and focus on practical tactics make it an excellent starting point.
However, you’ll probably outgrow this book quickly if you’re already an intermediate or advanced player.
It’s not a complete chess guide, but it remains a timeless classic for beginners looking to improve their pattern recognition and checkmating skills.