Last updated: Jul 10, 2025

Best Chess Books to Sell

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In this blog we explore how to make the most out of your unwanted chess books, discussing topics such as why you should sell your chess books, which chess books are worth selling, and how to sell chess books. So, get ready to finally clear out your shelves, and prepare to cash in!

First developed in the 6th century, chess has steadily become one of the most popular games in the entire world, with players of every level spanning the globe. In the UK alone there are hundreds of thousands of players, and this begs the question, what happens to all those 'How to play chess' books that are just forgotten about once the first games are out of the way? That's what we are going to look at in this article.

What Are Chess Books?

So, what do we mean by chess books? When we say ‘chess books’ we aren’t talking about the latest copy of The Queen’s Gambit, although it is a great book, we are talking about non-fiction books – the ones that teach you how to play, analyse the game, and explore the lives of the most renowned chess players of all time.

Why Sell Your Chess Books?

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We could sit here for hours talking about all the reasons you should sell your chess books, but to save you some time we have trimmed our list down to the four key reasons:

High Value: Thanks to the growing popularity of chess, the books that teach you how to play are in high demand, which means people like us, here at WeBuyBooks are willing to pay more for them!

Improve Your Skill: You have a few wins under your belt and you can no longer call yourself a beginner, it's time to get rid of all your learner's books and start thinking about how to improve your game. So, why not sell it and use your earnings to invest in the materials you are going to need to become a chess master?

Earn Money: The simplest reason to sell your old chess books is for the money. Selling your unwanted chess books is a quick and easy way to earn cash.

Clear Out Space: Clearing out your old books is a great way to clear out some space on your book shelves. You may need to make the difficult decision of letting go of your beloved chess books but once they are gone you will feel that much lighter for it.

How to Sell Chess Books

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Selling chess books with WeBuyBooks is so easy. The process is easy to follow and only takes a few minutes.

Check out this step-by-step breakdown to see how you can start turning your old chess books into cash right now!

  • Visit the WeBuyBooks website or download the WeBuyBooks app
  • Scan the barcode on your books or enter the ISBN into the search bar to find your books
  • Get an instant valuation and choose to accept or decline
  • Box up your books and send them off using your free postage label

Selling through WeBuyBooks costs absolutely nothing, you don’t even need to leave your house with the free home collection service.

Which Chess Books are Best to Sell?

Not every chess book is going to be worth the same, prices will vary dramatically depending on several factors including author, age, rarity, etc. To give you a better idea of which books sell well, below is a list of some of the best chess books to sell on WeBuyBricks right now:

Magnus Carlsen: 60 Memorable Games by Andrew Soltis

Magnus Carlsen 60 Memorable Games book cover.png Magnus Carlsen: 60 Memorable Games is a curated collection of Magnus Carlsen’s most instructive games, making a great tool for improving your chess strategies and endgame skills.

My 60 Memorable Games: chess tactics, chess strategies with Bobby Fischer by Bobby Fischer

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My 60 Memorable Games: Chess Tactics, Chess Strategies with Bobby Fischer is a highly detailed showcase of Fischer’s most legendary games which highlight his tactical brilliance and competitive mindset.

I Was a Victim of Bobby Fischer (Chess Classics Series) by Gene H. McCormick

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I Was a Victim of Bobby Fischer is a semi-fictional work that offers comical insights into what it’s like to play against Bobby Fischer, featuring a blend of comedic anecdotes and creative storytelling.

Garry Kasparov on My Great Predecessors, Part One by Garry Kasparov

My Great Predecessors book cover.png Garry Kasparov on My Great Predecessors is an epic historical that explores the lives, achievements, and playstyles of some of the world’s greatest chess players.

My System: A Chess Treatise by Aron Nimzowitsch

My System book cover.png My System: A Chess Treatise has pioneered the realm of chess tutorial books, introducing key strategic concepts like prophylaxis and centralization, of which, both are still taught at the highest level of chess.

How to Reassess Your Chess: Chess Mastery Through Imbalances by Jeremy Silman

How to Reassess Your Chess book cover.png How to Reassess Your Chess is the perfect tool for players who are looking to break out of beginner territory as it teaches players to think in terms of positioning and balance, rather than how to just take their opponent's pieces.

Logical Chess: Move By Move: Every Move Explained (Batsford Chess Book)

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Logical Chess is a beginner-friendly introduction to chess that gives new players a solid foundation to work on. The book breaks down every move across 33 different games, offering insights into how and why each one was used.

The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal (Chess Games Collection) by Mikhail Tal

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Written by former world champion and notoriously creative chess player Mikhail Tal, this book is a blend of autobiographical and annotated records of some of his most memorable games.

Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953 by David Bronstein

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Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953 is an in-depth instructive tournament book that dives into the psychology of chess and analyses the game to provide the perfect guide for top-level players to improve their game.

Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner to Master by Jeremy Silman

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If you are looking to improve your endgame then this is the book you need. Helpfully divided into chess rating levels, Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner to Master can help every player improve their game regardless of their rating.

100 Endgames You Must Know: Vital Lessons for Every Chess Player by Jesús de la Villa

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This is a book that every serious chess should read. Inside 100 Endgames You Must Know: Vital Lessons for Every Chess Player covers every endgame tactic worth knowing, making it a must-read.

Art of Attack in Chess by Vladimir Vukovic

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If you favour an aggressive playstyle then Art of Attack in Chess is the book for you. This book contains a full roster of classic manoeuvers and the attack patterns that will improve your game no end.

Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual by Mark Dvoretsky

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Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual is, as you might expect, a reference guide to help high-level chess players and professionals master their endgame techniques. Filled with useful guides, examples, and insightful scenarios, this book is a must for anyone looking to perfect their game.

Chess for Zebras (Chess Thinking) by Jonathan Rowson

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Focussing more on the psychological element of chess, Chess for Zebras is a walkthrough of the mental barriers that prevent players from improving their game, offering a fresh perspective on how to think about your approach to the game.

Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most Out of Your Chess Books

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So, you have reached the point where you have decided to say goodbye to your old chess books, you have learned everything you can from them, and it's time to start searching for the next milestone in your career. It’s time to sell, before you do, here are a few tips and tricks to make sure you get the best deal on your unwanted books:

  • Clean your books: The first step is to make sure all of your chess books are clean. You don’t want to get to the end of the sale and have half of your books sent back to you because they are dirty.

  • Check the condition carefully: Next on the list of things to do is to check that all your chess books are in good condition. Getting some repairs done professionally or doing some minor patch-ups yourself can save you money in the long run.

  • Time your sale: It might be an idea to keep an eye on when major chess events like the world championships are taking place, as these may lead to a spike in the value of your books.

  • Organise your books: It’s pretty common in the book community to see books that are part of a collection being valued higher than books that are on their own, so it’s always a good idea to organise your books into appropriate collections.

  • Choose a free postage provider: Sell your chess books with WeBuyBooks so you don’t have to pay a penny on the postage.

  • Pack your books: When it comes to posting your books, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to make sure they are all stowed properly, to reduce the risk of them getting damaged in transit.

  • Read before you sell: The last thing on the to-do list is to read your books! Ensure you squeeze every last ounce of knowledge out of them before you sell them.

So, that concludes our guide on what to do with your chess books. Now it’s up to you to make the next move, start scanning the barcodes on the back of your books with the WeBuyBooks app to get an instant valuation.

Created on: Jul 10, 2025

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Most Valuable Chess Books and How to Sell Them