Bookshop

Browse the bestselling books by Mike Basman. For more books, choose from the drop down menu to view our entire collection sorted by area of improvement.

Please note that all payments include shipping costs to the UK only. We may be able to accommodate alternative payment/shipping options, or bulk order discounts if you contact us directly, so please get in touch!


Newly Published:

Everybody’s Talking About the Bird

By Mike Basman

Everybody’s Talking About the Bird

Who was England’s greatest chess player? What is London’s top chess club? Is Doublelot chess superior to Fischer random? Read this book – your chess will never be the same.

£7.50



Our Bestsellers


Chess: From Beginner to Winner

The ultimate beginner’s book. Describes the rules, capturing, value, recapture, the safe threat, meeting threats; also the special rules, basic mates, and the seven rules of the opening. All with 25 timed exercises and a ‘game plan’ for unleashing against the unlucky adversary.

£9.00

UFO’s: Or Play like an Alien

The aliens can teach us a lot about chess. Enter the twilight zone and discover the science of UFOs – leaving Unguarded, Focused attacks, Opening/closing lines – these describe an approach to chess that is neither entirely material nor yet tactical.

£4.00

Two Birds with One Stone

A landmark in chess exposition, these 14 sections and 114 puzzles, assembled by chess teachers Wade, Bott and Morrison give the new player an excellent grounding in tactical motifs.

£6.00

Mate in 1 – out of stock

The Creepy Crawly Opening

This tentacular opening with the soft centre engulfs the opponent from the edges. The introduction shows how opening principles are subtly rearranged. 12 illustrative games follow. Opening begins 1.h3, 2. a3 or 1. … a6.

£4.00

Mate in 2 – out of stock

Activators: All you need to know about Chess.

A superior beginner’s book, which covers the rules of the game interspersed with lively anecdotes, cartoons, tips, and even a rap song. Highly recommended.

£6.00

Find the Mate!

There are 50 positions in this book, but each opens up to make more than one puzzle. A brilliant introduction to the magical world of checkmate. Ideal for group and individual instruction.

£5.00

Chess Traps for your Unwary Opponent

Obligatory reading for all beginners, this contains six of the most common opening traps.

£2.50

Crouching Tiger

A pawn pyramid in the centre is the springboard to explosive middle game attacks

£4.00

100 Death Defying Chess Positions

100 positions specially selected by Mike Basman to improve your tactical skills. An excellent sequel to Two Birds with One Stone.

£6.50

Secrets of Chess

Vital knowledge for chess players, strikingly explained with large clear diagrams and red arrows. Scholar’s mate, the Lawn Mower, the Swap, the Lassoo and ‘Deathtrap Castle’ are some of the subjects amusingly discussed

£6.00

How to Play the Opening like a Master

Explains the rules of the opening that all strong players follow, with five test games.

£3.00

Silent Encounter: A Chess Movie shot in Black and White

A novel way to teach an opening, giving a diagram for every single move played. The opening (Giuoco Piano) is very suitable for beginners and club players.

£5.00

Vizi-Power

The ability to work several moves ahead in the head, without moving the pieces, is a hallmark of a strong player. These exercises, of gradually increasing difficulty, develop this vital skill.

£4.00

Three Steps to Heaven

Or checkmate, as it happens. In an original book, the solver is given three attempts to crack the two-move chess puzzle, each time receiving extra help to unravel the problem.

£5.00

Choose your Move

Elegant format allows you to select one of three options every move and rate your skill in brilliant master games

£7.00

100 Killer Moves

A puzzle book starting with basic one-move mates, and working towards challenging combinations.

£5.00


If you need help choosing the right book for you or for alternative payment, or bulk order options, give us a buzz!