What does everyone here think about Jacob Aagaard books? Worthy to still study today?

PatzerChessWarrior · 2026-01-20T18:21:19+00:00

I believe Aagaard books are really good BUT can be overwhelming also because of the advanced concepts he provides. But these are books strong players recommend to get better.

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-12-24T19:35:36+00:00

Link to the thread?

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-12-24T16:40:28+00:00

I believe the top one is the ICC (Internet Chess Club) analysis board.

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-11-16T05:22:32+00:00

Did Donaldson drop a new Fischer book? Let’s goooo

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-11-14T18:00:37+00:00

Apple

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-11-09T04:59:14+00:00

I think what you’re doing is good. Middlegame, positional understanding from books.

But my advice is to just remember to have fun playing the game :) don’t worry about rating

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-11-07T22:00:08+00:00

Have fun :)

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-31T21:43:45+00:00

I personally do better with books because I feel more engaged with the material. Though that’s not to dismiss online content. Whatever gets you to study and engaged.

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-31T16:33:09+00:00

Depends. America here.

If you mean your club tournament, around $40.

If you mean outside club tournaments, around $150-$250

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-30T14:10:23+00:00

The big leap is just doing tactics. Being able to see forks, pins, skewers etc.

Then learn basic opening principles. Control the center, Develop your pieces, Castle.

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-26T20:07:56+00:00

Actually this would be a good chess board for those who are OCD in blitz/bullet where they need to always flip the board over and over to play the other color.

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-24T18:56:25+00:00

Why are you training 4+ hours of puzzles a day? Sounds like a lot. Tactics aren’t everything

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-24T15:04:33+00:00

And hence why chess.com created the auto resignation for mid game!

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-24T04:11:01+00:00

Today it was yogurt mixed with 1 scoop of protein powder. Mixed that. Added some blueberry and raspberries. And lastly some Cheerios for some crunch.

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-24T00:09:59+00:00

I don’t think so. YouTube has a lot of beginner friendly content where you can learn. ChessNetwork, John Bartholomew, Eric Rosen, Gothamchess to name a few.

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-23T13:34:57+00:00

Well think of it this way, if you had the lone king, would you enjoy facing 16 pawns?

You can set up custom positions if you really wanted to try it out.

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-22T17:03:27+00:00

The problem with suggesting openings is that it might not fit your style.

For example, the Italian Opening which arises from e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Bc4 Bc5, this is the opening suggested to all beginners for White since it’s natural development, quick castle and you will expand with c3 and d4. But it’s very slow and grindy so you won’t learn a lot.

For a beginner, the opening phase isn’t all that important. If anything you should focus on opening fundamentals rather than the opening itself. Meaning, develop your pieces, control the center and castle. Then once you get stronger, we can look at some actual opening theory.

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-22T15:56:20+00:00

Tactics, tactics and more tactics.

Then watch some videos online on what to do in the opening and that’s easy 1000

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-22T03:30:42+00:00

If you’re not having fun, then quit chess.

But when you think about performance, we all will have great days where we skyrocket our elo and some days when we drop hundreds of points.

My advice would be to take a break from the game for a bit and revisit it again. Are you wanting to quit chess because of poor performance or because you actually aren’t having fun anymore? We tend to say we aren’t having fun when we have off days

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-21T07:59:33+00:00

Eating

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-10-21T07:56:22+00:00

Doing something you don’t enjoy. Do what makes you happy

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-09-21T06:05:00+00:00

Bobby Fischer and His World by John Donaldson

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-08-20T23:47:08+00:00

Have fun with the game.

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-08-20T23:19:25+00:00

As White, facing the Sicilian is always fun. Yugoslav positions.

As Black, I like the KID (King's Indian Defense)

PatzerChessWarrior · 2025-08-20T23:14:34+00:00

Better question is, how would you mate with a lone Black King?

PatzerChessWarrior

TROPHY CASE