There is a common saying that chess is 99% tactics.
The former world chess champion, Magnus Carlsen, once said, “In chess, there is no luck, only tactics.” This statement shows how crucial tactical knowledge is in winning any chess game.
One of the best ways to improve these tactics is by learning about them through books. These books should also help practice these recurring tactical motifs until they become second nature.
Keeping tactical improvement and value from purchase in mind, I will highlight the best chess books you can find on tactics in this article.
Winning Chess Tactics by Yasser Seirawan and Jeremy Silman
Yasser Seirawan is a renowned figure in the chess world. He is a chess coach and author who was one of the best players in the world during his active playing days, beating several World Champions along the line.
Winning Chess Tactics is a collaborative book by two leading experts, Yasser Seirawan and Jeremy Silman- something that is unique for chess books.
The constellation of ideas from these two authors makes the book great for learning about tactics.
Divided into three parts, Winning Chess Tactics covers topics ranging from tactics and combinations (like Double Attack, the Pin, skewer, decoy, and so on) to brilliant tacticians and their games.
Similarly, it has a separate section dedicated to exercises and solutions. This unconventional approach to structure makes the book unique.
You go from first learning about the fundamentals behind various tactical ideas to seeing the tactical idea used in actual games by skilled tacticians. After this, you get to practice these ideas.
Pros:
- A one-stop book for tactics.
- It has tons of exercises.
- The language used is easy to read and has a lot of humour.
- Insight from the Grandmaster’s perspective.
- Solutions to tactical exercises are well-annotated.
Cons:
- The book could have been better structured, as the pages sometimes look busy, making it difficult to read.
- It might be challenging for absolute beginners.
Back to Basics: Tactics by Dan Heisman
As the name implies, this is a more beginner-friendly book. It covers the basics such that even the newest chess players can understand what the author is discussing.
Back to Basics touches on a topic that various other chess books discuss (like deflection, double attack, decoy, etc.). Besides that, it has special chapters dedicated to newer ideas, like defensive tactics and seeds of destruction.
Another significant feature of the book is the inclusion of more exercises- enough for anyone looking for more challenges. In addition, readers learn through several common tactical opening traps and tactics.
Heisman’s book is a worthy addition to any chess player’s library because of its simplicity and practical approach to learning. Interestingly, few of the featured exercises are from student and master games.
One of my favourite chapters is named ‘78 Problems On 64 Squares’- which stimulates real-life gameplay and tactical experience.
Pros:
- Beginner Friendly.
- It has tons of exercises.
- Clear and easy-to-read language.
- A practical approach to learning.
- Solutions to tactical exercises are well-annotated.
Cons:
- Sometimes, exercises are too easy.
Learn Chess Tactics by John Nunn
Learn Chess Tactics is a very influential book by John Nunn- a top British chess Grandmaster and former world champion of chess problems.
Jon Nunn’s book takes the reader through all the basic tactic-solving ideas and does so interactively.
Learn Chess Tactics distinguishes itself from other tactical books by having tons of images and exercises. Every page is easy to read, and readers can follow along discussions without losing track of the position.
While the book is not as large as some chess tactics books, it covers most of what you need to know about tactics with exercises to further build on this knowledge.
Explanation of the solution to exercises is with a clarity that most chess tactics books won’t match. Overall, John Nunn’s book reflects how brilliant of a chess player and author he is.
Pros:
- Beginner Friendly.
- Lots of exercise makes it very interactive..
- Clear and easy-to-read language.
- Separate section for solutions.
Cons:
- Experienced players will gain little from this book.
The Ultimate Chess Puzzle Book by John Emms
Arguably, this is one of the most comprehensive puzzle books available in the market on chess tactics. The ultimate chess puzzle book provides tons of test positions on different tactical motifs. The book starts with 100 easy puzzles, while the remaining puzzles are difficult.
Although it also discusses the tactical motifs, John Emms’s book is not a primer for tactical theory. His book takes a problem-based approach (exercises followed by a discussion of each problem).
My favourite part of the book is the chapter titled ‘Find the Wrong Move‘- which takes an unconventional approach to puzzle solving by making the reader search for blunders instead of correct moves.
Pros:
- Beginner Friendly.
- Exercise-based learning approach.
- Provides solutions that are clear and easy to read.
- It has a lot of exercise.
Cons:
- It is not a primer for tactical understanding.
- It also takes time to get through- exercises can get overwhelming.
Tune your Chess Tactics Antenna by Emmanuel Neiman
Tune your chess tactics Antenna is an interesting read because of the unconventional approach to teaching tactical skills.
The author Emmanuel Neiman takes the reader through tactical solving by first teaching them about the seven signals which include King Protection, Unprotected Pieces, Alignment, Knight Fork Distances, Trapped Piece, Crucial Defender/Overloaded Defender and Impotence Defence.
After learning all these fundamentals, Emmanuel Neiman builds on the knowledge with more exercises and well-annotated solutions before finally teaching the reader about candidate moves and calculations.
Overall, by the time you have gone through the book. You will know more than enough to guide you through the tactical aspect of any chess game.
Pros:
- Valuable for most levels of players.
- It has a lot of exercise.
- Clear and easy to read through.
Cons:
- It is not a Primer for tactical knowledge.
Chess Tactics from Scratch by Martin Weteschnik
Chess Tactics from Scratch is one of the modern additions to the tactics book. Martin Weteschnik’s book was hailed as a modern classic and became an instant bestseller when it came out in 2006.
The book covers everything from the foundations of tactical knowledge and even includes an impressive 300 test positions for those looking to practice more.
There are chapters dedicated to topics like becoming familiar with the pieces, the pin, the discovered attack, the reloader, the double attack, overloading, mate and so on. You won’t go wrong with this massive book.
Pros:
- Valuable for most levels of players.
- It has a lot of exercise.
- Explains the tactical basics and ideas.
- Clear and easy to read through.
Cons:
- It is not for advanced players.
Improve Your Chess Tactics: 700 Practical Lessons & Exercises by Yakov Neishtadt
Yakov Neishtadt’s Improve Your Chess Tactics is one for the ages, a revised sequel to one of his other books- Test Your Tactical Ability.
They have a lot in common and Improve Your Chess Tactics even feature a few puzzles from the first book.
However, Improve Your Chess Tactics is one that delivers on tactical improvements. It forces you to think and learn properly.
Each session of Yakov’s book begins with a problem. Then, solutions are provided for each problem. The book also features chapters on various tactical ideas. Notably, the book’s practical approach makes it suited to club-level players.
Pros:
- It has a lot of exercises.
- Explains the tactical basics and ideas.
- Clear and easy to read through.
Cons:
- Not suited for beginners.
Noteworthy Mention
While I tried to cover all the best books on tactics, selecting what to feature or not was very difficult. So, here are five books I didn’t mention before but are also as good.
- Sharpen Your Tactics! 1125 Brilliant Sacrifices, Combinations, and Studies by Anatony Lein.
- Chess Tactics for Champions: A Step-by-step Guide to Using Tactics and Combinations the Polgar Way by Paul Truong and Susan Polgar.
- John Nunn’s Chess Puzzle book.
- Winning Chess Exercises for Kids by Jeff Coakley.
- Fundamental Checkmates by Antonio Gude.
Final Words
In conclusion, these chess books cater to various skill levels, providing a wealth of tactical knowledge through engaging exercises and insightful content. Whether you are a beginner seeking foundational understanding or an advanced player looking for nuanced insights, these books offer valuable resources to enhance your chess tactics.