Boost your chess skills this year with the top five chess books of 2025, handpicked by Grandmaster and FIDE Trainer Priyadharshan Kannappan. Whether you’re a club player aiming to sharpen your defensive techniques or an ambitious competitor seeking creative inspiration, these books deliver unparalleled insights and practice material. This is an independent recommendation—not a paid post—and every title below has earned its place through rigorous analysis and practical value.
Mastering Chess Defence by Johan Hellsten
Discover the most comprehensive modern guide to defensive play. Johan Hellsten presents hundreds of instructive examples and dozens of exercises, empowering you to neutralize your opponent’s threats with confidence.
Read more: https://www.newinchess.com/mastering-chess-defence
Converting an Extra Pawn in Chess by Sam Shankland
Learn to transform even the smallest advantage into a winning endgame. Sam Shankland’s step-by-step approach demystifies the art of pawn conversion, making complex ideas accessible through clear explanations and practical scenarios.
Read more: https://www.newinchess.com/converting-an-extra-pawn-in-chess
The Woodpecker Method 2 – Positional Play by Axel Smith
Elevate your positional understanding with 1,000 targeted exercises. Axel Smith guides you through advanced patterns of weakness exploitation, piece coordination, and strategic planning, complete with detailed solutions to maximize your training efficiency.
Read more: https://www.newinchess.com/the-woodpecker-method-2
Mastering Chess Exchanges by Jacob Aagaard & Renier Castellanos
Delve into the nuances of piece exchanges, from tension and colour complexes to king safety and endgame transitions. Aagaard and Castellanos break down each theme with crystal-clear explanations and practical examples, refining your decision-making in critical moments.
Read more: https://www.newinchess.com/mastering-chess-exchanges
Tiger’s Chaos Theory by Tiger Hillarp-Persson
Embrace creativity and unconventional thinking with Tiger Hillarp-Persson’s unique perspective. This book treats extraordinary play as a skill that can be learned, providing exercises and game analyses that challenge you to think outside the box.
Read more: https://www.newinchess.com/tiger-s-chaos-theory
By incorporating these five books into your study routine, you’ll gain deep tactical, positional, and creative tools to advance your game. Ready to put your newfound knowledge into practice?
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