With the enormous amount of chessbooks being written, we obviously can’t review every book that comes out. However, many of these “overlooked” tomes are wonderful pieces of work and deserve, at the very least, a quick mention. Hopefully, the following list will bring to light some books that might prove useful to you.

All of the titles listed here are new or fairly recent (not more than 10 years old). The new titles are easy to come by. Older, out of print, titles can be found in used bookstores or, in some cases, on Amazon.com.

OPENINGS

Books on the French Defense:

PLAY THE FRENCH by John Watson (224 pages, Cadogan Chess). People that love the French Defense consider this their bible.

Books on the King’s Indian Defense:

THE FIANCHETTO KING’S INDIAN by McNab (192 pages, Batsford). The only good book on the Fianchetto KID. It’s a must own if you play either side of the variation.

KING’S INDIAN: AVERBAKH VARIATION by Petursson (128 pages, Cadogan Chess). The author is one of the world’s great Averbakh experts, so everything he says in this book takes on extra importance for anyone who plays the Black side of the KID, and for players (like myself) who enjoy this system for White.

THE KING’S INDIAN FOR THE ATTACKING PLAYER by Burgess (178 pages, Batsford). A KID repertoire book that should prove very useful for players in the 1800-2200 range.

THE MAIN LINE KING’S INDIAN by Nunn & Burgess (320 pages, Batsford). This (along with the following book) is a must own for players who deal with either side of the Classical KID. Definitive and impressive.

THE NEW CLASSICAL KING’S INDIAN by Nunn & Burgess (320 pages, Batsford). This (along with the previous book) is a must own for players who deal with either side of the Classical KID. Definitive and impressive.

THE SAMISCH KING’S INDIAN by Gallagher (240 pages, Batsford). THE book on the Samisch KID.

THE UNCONVENTIONAL KING’S INDIAN by John Watson (212 pages, Hypermodern Press). Watson explores offbeat replies to the KID. As is so common with his books, look for lots of original analysis.

Books on the Petroff Defense:

PETROFF DEFENCE by Yusupov (434 pages, hardcover, Olms). This serves as both a definitive work on the Petroff and as a weightlifting tool.

Books on the Sicilian Defense:

BEATING THE SICILIAN 3 by Nunn and Gallagher (224 pages, Batsford). For players who enter mainline Sicilians as White, you can’t do better than this superb and highly useful repertoire book. For players 1800 and above.

THE COMPLETE NAJDORF: 6.Bg5 by Nunn (320 pages, Batsford). Yes, all 320 pages are about 6.Bg5 in the Najdorf. If you play either side of this system, you can’t do better than this. For players 2000 and above.

THE COMPLETE NAJDORF: MODERN LINES by Nunn & Gallagher (336 pages, Batsford). This monster tome, the second in Nunn and Gallagher’s amazing treatment of the Najdorf, covers everything but 6.Bg5. For players 2000 and above.

THE COMPLETE RICHTER RAUZER by Peter Wells (320 pages, Batsford). The best book ever written on the Richter Rauzer Variation. For players 1800 and above.

Books on the Queen’s Gambit:

THE COMPLETE SEMI-SLAV by Peter Wells (304 pages, Batsford). Another great effort by Wells. You really should own this if you play either side of the Semi-Slav. For players 1800 and above.

THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT ACCEPTED by Ward (160 pages, Batsford). The QGA has become very popular, and this is the best book on the subject. Far from definitive, but extremely useful nonetheless.

Books on the Tromp:
THE TROMPOWSKY by Gallagher (144 pages, Chess Press). A useful book to own if you play or have to face the Trompowsky.

MIDDLEGAME

OPENING PREPARATION by Dvoretsky (304 pages, Batsford). These six Dvoretsky books are already classics. For players 1800 and above.

TECHNIQUE FOR THE TOURNAMENT PLAYER by Dvoretsky (240 pages, Batsford).

SECRETS OF CHESS TRAINING by Dvoretsky (275 pages, Batsford).

SECRETS OF CHESS TACTICS by Dvoretsky (216 pages, Batsford).

TRAINING FOR THE TOURNAMENT PLAYER by Dvoretsky (189 pages, Batsford).

POSITIONAL PLAY by Dvoretsky (288 pages, Batsford).

GAME COLLECTIONS

FRANK MARSHALL, UNITED STATES CHESS CHAMPION by Soltis (383 pages, hardcover, McFarland & Company, Inc.). I loved this book. If you are interested in Marshall, then this is too good to pass up.

THE GAMES OF TIGRAN PETROSIAN (Vol. 1, 1942-1965) by Shekhtman (480 pages, hardcover, Pergamon Chess). An incredibly thorough two volume set on the life and games of this often unappreciated World Champion. Both are on the “must own” lists of Petrosian fans and chess connoisseurs.

THE GAMES OF TIGRAN PETROSIAN (Vol. 2, 1966-1983) by Shekhtman (448 pages, hardcover, Pergamon Chess).

MAGIC OF MIKHAIL TAL by Gallagher (224 pages, Everyman Chess). This newest book on the amazing World Champion from Riga is worth every penny. With lots to read about, and extremely deep annotations to the games, I was delighted to receive it.