{"id":4353,"date":"2026-01-13T13:16:50","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T13:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/?p=4353"},"modified":"2026-01-13T13:39:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T13:39:24","slug":"best-books-of-2025-forward-chess-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/best-books-of-2025-forward-chess-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Books of 2025 &#8211; Forward Chess Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>We are two weeks into 2026. The holidays already feel like a distant memory. We&#8217;re back at the board, moving our pieces. With 10 books already out, Forward Chess machinery is running at full swing, with even more plans currently in the pipeline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we move ahead, let&#8217;s pause for a moment to reflect on the year that has passed. The time has come for our customary <strong><em>Best<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Books of the Year update<\/em><\/strong>.<br><br>Grab a bowl of popcorn, your fizzy drinks, and get ready to dive in! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Best Books of 2025!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s an obvious candidate. Most of you would have guessed it. It&#8217;s sitting right in the middle of the room every year, needing to be shooed away from the stats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Forward Chess offers many free books. One stands out with the most copies sold! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chess Fundamentals \u2013\u00a0The evergreen, enlightening treatise on chess by the 3rd World Champion, Jos\u00e9 Ra\u00fal Capablanca. The book was also <strong>our first audio-enabled interactive ebook. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you haven&#8217;t, do check it out and immerse yourself in the hybrid learning experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:36% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/chess-fundamentals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/comforwardchesschessfundamentals581-1635512552.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1211 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/comforwardchesschessfundamentals581-1635512552.jpeg 724w, https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/comforwardchesschessfundamentals581-1635512552-217x300.jpeg 217w, https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/comforwardchesschessfundamentals581-1635512552-150x207.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>#1<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/chess-fundamentals\">Chess <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/chess-fundamentals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fundamentals<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/chess-fundamentals\"><br><\/a>Jos\u00e9 Ra\u00fal Capablanca <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Available as an interactive ebook \/ Audio-enabled!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/chess-fundamentals\">Read Sample<\/a> | <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/chess-fundamentals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the 3rd World Champion gracefully occupying the throne, we wanted to reserve the remaining spots for <em><strong>the top #9 books published in 2025! <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we combed through the stats, a fascinating trend unfolded. Behold! 2025 was the year of strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Readers loved positional themes. The list is dominated by books focusing on middlegame mastery, covering imbalances, exchanges, pawn structures, and deep strategic guides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without holding you much longer, here we are&#8230; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Top #9 New Releases of 2025!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/chess-imbalances\u2013-a-g-m-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"4368\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/chess-imbalances-a-gm-guide-1741601049.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4368\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/chess-imbalances\u2013-a-g-m-guide\"> READ SAMPLE <\/a><\/strong><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/mastering-chess-exchanges\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"4366\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/mastering-chess-exchanges-1741392831.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4366\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/mastering-chess-exchanges\"> READ SAMPLE <\/a><\/strong><\/mark><\/mark><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/opening-repertoire-strategic-play-with1-e4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"4365\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/opening-repertoire-strategic-play-with-1-e4-1734607920.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4365\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/opening-repertoire-strategic-play-with1-e4\"> READ SAMPLE <\/a><\/strong><\/mark><\/mark><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/a-complete-opening-repertoire-for-black-after1...e6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"4362\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a-complete-opening-repertoire-for-black-after-1e6-1739198651.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4362\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/a-complete-opening-repertoire-for-black-after1...e6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> READ SAMPLE <\/a><\/strong><\/mark><\/mark><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/converting-an-extra-pawn-in-chess\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"4364\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/converting-an-extra-pawn-in-chess-1745315923.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4364\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/converting-an-extra-pawn-in-chess\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> READ SAMPLE <\/a><\/strong><\/mark><\/mark><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/squeezing-the-q-g-d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"4367\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/squeezing-the-qgd-1757394112.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4367\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/squeezing-the-q-g-d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> READ SAMPLE <\/a><\/strong><\/mark><\/mark><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/practical-chess-strategy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"4371\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/practical-chess-strategy-1754447832.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4371\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/practical-chess-strategy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> READ SAMPLE <\/a><\/strong><\/mark><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/the-modernized-colle--zukertort-attack-second-revised-and-extended-edition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"4369\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/the-modernized-colle-zukertort-attack-second-revised-and-extended-edition-1739107548-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4369\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/the-modernized-colle--zukertort-attack-second-revised-and-extended-edition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> READ SAMPLE <\/a><\/strong><\/mark><\/mark><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/modern-chess-strategy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"4374\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/modern-chess-strategy-1734349771.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4374\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:#fcb900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/sample\/modern-chess-strategy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> READ SAMPLE <\/a><\/strong><\/mark><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Data has told its story, What about yours? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is there a book you enjoyed in 2025? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.  <br><br>We wish you a successful and prosperous New Year.<br>Cheers to another great year, and we hope you find your winning moves in 2026!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Signing off for now, <br>Team Forward Chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n> READ SAMPLE <\/a><\/strong><\/mark><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Data has told its story, What about yours? <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Is there a book you enjoyed in 2025? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.  <br><br>We wish you a successful and prosperous New Year.<br>Cheers to another great year, and we hope you find your winning moves in 2026!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Signing off for now, <br>Team Forward Chess.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We are two weeks into 2026. The holidays already feel like a distant memory. We&#8217;re&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4386,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[63,64,67,25,66,68,65],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4353"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4353"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4353\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4388,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4353\/revisions\/4388"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}