Bobby Fisher Teaches Chess

by Bobby Fisher

A chess puzzle book written by Bobby Fischer with Stuart Margulies and Don Mosenfelder, published in 1966, when Fischer was US Chess Champion, six years before winning his World Chess Championship match with Boris Spassky in 1972. It is considered the best-selling chess book of all time. Intended for beginners, it uses a programmed learning approach that lets readers go back and retry each question if they get it wrong.

Genres: Chess, Nonfiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1966

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name

Reviews

[inna. · Rating 3 out of 5]

as someone who actively plays chess almost every hour of the day, this book is not very helpful unless you do not know how to play chess
the book contains instructions on how to play the game and just a few mental exercises

[Caroline Johansson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great practice!

[Connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not particularly helpful unless you don't already know about back rank mates.

[Michael Bolls · Rating 4 out of 5]

How does one write a chess book that's informative and challenging to all skill brackets?

That's the dilemma I see with writing such a book. Make it too simple and the experts will say it's not useful. Make it too hard and it isn't accessible to beginners. Yet, this book seem to strike a nice middle ground.

Disclaimer: I am at a 997 elo at the time of writing. So give or take my skill when writing this review.

That's why I sympathize with the authors a bit on that topic. Yet, Bobby Fisher, Stuart Margulies, and Donn Mosenfelder did just that. This book covers the absolute basics to some beginner/intermediate techniques.

The whole book is essentially exercises with some explanations between. Think of it as a collection of chess puzzles and you get the picture.

It does over rely on back rank checkmates. But how else can one set up a simple chess puzzle with 1-4ish moves to checkmate?

I found it a bit fun practice. Some areas I did miss (pins, sacrifices). Yet, all around good fun.

4/5. Written in the 60s yet still useful for today. I guess that goes to show the timelessness of this game.

[Edgar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess was the first chess book I ever read, and it played a big role in helping me understand the game. It's not your typical instructional manual—it’s structured almost entirely around puzzles, which makes it perfect for anyone who enjoys solving problems and thinking a few moves ahead.

The book starts with simple ideas and gradually builds up, so even if you’re new to chess, you won’t feel overwhelmed. It’s especially good at sharpening tactical thinking, pattern recognition, and checkmate awareness. If you enjoy puzzles and want a hands-on way to improve, this book is a great place to start.

It's straightforward, practical, and great for developing your chess instincts.

[Eyera the Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't say that he's teaching chess, but maybe tutoring chess? helping you practice? it has good practice positions, don't get me wrong, but it's not as helpful when you borrow it from a library because it's definitely more of a workbook. I would recommend buying it if you really want the extra practice. or just get a chess.com or lichess account if you can't afford to buy it but still want to practice.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed making my way through the exercises in this book!!
It made me look at chess at a different angle (besides the fact that it's a 2d book)
I highly reccomend this book for anyone who is interseted in chess - whether you are a complete beginner or "familiar with the moves of chess" as Bobby says :)

[Aristos Aresti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book only for very beginners.
Very easy to read, full of examples and no theory really.

A good introduction to chess.

[Maude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun - but I wish it had been called “Bobby Fisher Teaches Back-rank check mates” instead

[Caprise Satterfield]

Great way to learn some chess.

[Lukas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good if you're a beginner. Otherwise pretty useless.

[Christian Brumm · Rating 4 out of 5]

For beginners. I was having fun!

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. Very informative and very fun to work through! More like an ACT workbook than a chess book and that’s why I loved it.

[Poet Felon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books I read on chess.

[Nicolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book for beginners. The concepts are explained in a simple and understandable way, making it easy to get started.

[James Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the basics and fundamentals of chess for beginners. Lots of fun and well explained puzzles.