Does anyone know of a good book or resource that focuses on openings and mid game? My training rating is in the 1500s, but my actual lichess rating fluctuates between 1200 and 1300. I'm thinking this is due to a lack of opening and mid-game training.
I think for a beginner, basic opening knowledge about pawn structures, developing pieces, etc. is good enough to get by - and you should mainly focus on tactics and endgame technique. There are lots of websites to help you train your tactical ability, including lichess. As for endgames, I like Silman's Endgame Course, as well as Dvoretsky's Endgame manual (Silman's is perhaps better for beginners).
If you are set on learning openings, however, there are many opening databases and other resources available to learn specific openings. I'm not a fan of very many opening books, as a lot of them are outdated and not laid out well, but the two opening books by Alburt, Roman, and Perelshteyn (one for black, one for white) are good.
Good luck!
If you are set on learning openings, however, there are many opening databases and other resources available to learn specific openings. I'm not a fan of very many opening books, as a lot of them are outdated and not laid out well, but the two opening books by Alburt, Roman, and Perelshteyn (one for black, one for white) are good.
Good luck!
Mandeep, I second the recommendation of the book "Chess Openings Explained for White/Black". The books mainly focus on ideas behind several openings instead of a truckload of unexplained variations as most opening books consist of. When you know the ideas behind the opening, there's no need to memorize multiple variations until you reach expert level.
The Amateur's Mind, Reassess Your Chess and Silman's Endgame Course are probably all you need to reach a decent understanding of the game. After you've thoroughly studied the material, which will take some time, try and study grandmaster games. The "My Great Predecessors" series by Kasparov and "Fischer's 60 Memorable Games" are a good read when you've more or less an idea what's going on at the board.
The Amateur's Mind, Reassess Your Chess and Silman's Endgame Course are probably all you need to reach a decent understanding of the game. After you've thoroughly studied the material, which will take some time, try and study grandmaster games. The "My Great Predecessors" series by Kasparov and "Fischer's 60 Memorable Games" are a good read when you've more or less an idea what's going on at the board.
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