Best book for chess tactics?

[newb]

Inspired by a previous thread about chess books, I would like to know wich books people consider the standard on chess tactics.

I am a casual player and would like to devote a lot of free time to chess.

Someone suggested chesstactics.org, wich I liked, but I hate to read of my monitor. (I know it is available in book form, but it´s rather expensive)

Please be so kind to suggest some titles.

[Erudito]

Chess Tactics for Advanced Players by by Yuri Averbakh.
Very simple theory: DOUBLE ATTACK !!!

[OHFreak]

http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Chess-.../dp/1572312106

Pretty basic but good to use as a foundation before you move onward and upward!

[newb]

Thanks for the recommendations, the Seirawan book seems to be what I´m looking for

[Montrealcorp]

this book as been recommended by chess author..
the art of chess combination by eugen znosko-borovsky..it coevrs everything...

[villainy]

I was about to write a snide comment about some of the selections....
then I see a first class recommendation.

So here is what I recommend:

Eugene Znosko-Borowski "The Art of Chess Combination"
Rudolph Spielman "The Art of Sacrifice"
Informator "The Encyclopedia of Chess Middlegames"

The last is simply a book of positions from actual games
where you are supposed to try and figure out the tactical
scheme that leads to overwhelming victory....ect.
and as a supplement I would recommend you study the games
of Morphy, Anderssen, Marshall and even Alekhine and Tahl.

These recommendations come from a player who was near master in
my late teens before becoming a top flight bridge player.

[JohnG]

A lot of these recommendations don't seem suited to the level of a casual player.

I think the Seirawan 'winning chess tactics' is a good choice. A good introduction for a beginner.

If you then want a book of problems for practice, rather than software, the Laslo Polgar book is recommended.'Chess:5334 problems, combinations and games'.

[newb]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[PhilKiller]

As mentioned earlier in this thread, the best book will depend on your level. "Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess" is a book you can keep for life, inexpensive, covers and reinforces most tactical points. I also like that the problems generally increase in strength as you go through, and because each page is a problem, you can pick it up and put it down whenever you get to it.

The best book, IMO, for the more advanced player is "The Art of Attack" by Vladimir Vukovich. This is simply one of the best 10 chess books you would want to have with you if stranded on a desert island.

PK

[EGO]

[ QUOTE ]
"The Art of Attack" by Vladimir Vukovich.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, yes. This book is beyond excellent.

As far as general tactics books go, Yasser's tactics book is pretty good (previously metioned). It describes all the different motifs very well. I'd recommend Art of Attack, Yasser's tactics book, and "Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations, and Games" by Laszlo Polgar. Also, find some old opening books featuring the King's Gambit ( 1.e4 e5 2. f4 exf4), Two Knights Attack (1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 ...), and the Cochrane Gambit (1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7?! ...) I actually lost a class "C" state championship game against the Cochrane, and won one from the white side in a correspondance game. It might not be sound, but it's great against players who aren't so good tactically.

There are TONS of games online to study. For tactical players, you'd want games by Tal, Ivanchuk, Anand, and many games where a master is playing against someone not so masterful. For some practical experience, play a computer program that is far superior to you (winboard + dled opponents), or Fritz, if you can spring for the cost (worth it). At sub-master level games, tactics decide the outcome the majority of the time. As a sub-expert level player, I can vouch for this personally.

To play other people online, look for FICS. Free Internet Chess Server. They used to cover tournaments. I don't know if USCF still does, I haven't been a member since I discovered a mind-game that pays.

Whew, didn't know I had so much to say about chess... Looks like I'll have to dig my old vinyl board out from the back of the closet and teach my daughter to play. Thanks for the memories!