Principles

Chess Fundamentals

by José Raúl Capablanca

A world champion’s short course in how chess works, starting from simple endings and building up to strategy.

Under $25Widely available in print and as an ebook

Best forImprovers who want clear principles from a great player

Author: José Raúl Capablanca
First published: 1921
Level: Improver
Topic: Principles

Why we picked it

Begins with endgames, as Capablanca advised
Short and lucid
A century old and still in print

Keep in mind

Terse. You need to set the positions up and work through them.

Compare

Alternatives at a similar price.

See all 19 chess books

First stepsBobby Fischer Teaches ChessBobby Fischer, Stuart Margulies and Donn MosenfelderA programmed course of hundreds of one-step questions that trains you to spot checkmates, especially on the back rank.Under $25Under $50
For kidsChess for ChildrenMurray Chandler and Helen MilliganA colourful, friendly introduction written for young children, with cartoon diagrams and short chapters.Under $25Under $50
First stepsPlay Winning ChessYasser Seirawan and Jeremy SilmanA grandmaster’s friendly first course: the basic principles of force, time, space and pawn structure, explained with stories.Under $25Under $50
Puzzles1001 Chess Exercises for BeginnersFranco Masetti and Roberto MessaA thousand short tactics puzzles grouped by theme, from forks to mates, with a little teaching before each set.Under $25Under $50

Goes well with

Complete the kit.

Best first smart boardSmart boards · Smart boardChessnut AirChessnutA compact board that recognises every piece and lights up your opponent’s moves. It is the board most people buy first.$249.99$150 to $400
Best self-moving boardSmart boards · Self-moving boardChessnut MoveChessnutA robotic board: magnets under the surface slide your opponent’s pieces, and it can reset every piece at once.From $719Over $400
Best for learningSmart boards · Teaching smart boardChessUp 2Bryght LabsA Wi-Fi board with a touchscreen that shows legal moves and rates your choices as you play. Chess.com supports it officially.$349.99$150 to $400
The set everyone needsSets · Club setInspiration Club SetChess HouseTriple-weighted modern Staunton pieces on a thin flex-pad board that rolls or folds. The kind of set you see at every club.$42Under $50

Chosen because players widely use and recommend it, not because a maker paid to be listed. We don’t earn commissions from these links. Prices change often; check the store before you buy. About this guide