Novel

The Queen’s Gambit

by Walter Tevis

The novel about orphan prodigy Beth Harmon that became the 2020 Netflix series, and still the best novel about what chess feels like.

Under $25Widely available in print and as an ebook

Best forAnyone, player or not

Author: Walter Tevis
First published: 1983
Level: All levels
Topic: Novel

Why we picked it

The story behind the Netflix series
Captures the obsession of competitive chess
A perfect gift for a new player

Keep in mind

Fiction. It won’t improve your openings.

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