World Champion Chess for Juniors

This World Champion Chess for Juniors is an English-language chess book for younger players who want to improve by studying the games and ideas of the world champions. Written by grandmaster Joel Benjamin, it introduces all seventeen world champions and turns their games into clear, practical lessons.

What this book covers

Rather than relying on long variations, Benjamin focuses on verbal explanations and the key ideas behind each game. The book includes two games from every world champion, with names ranging from Capablanca, Alekhine, Botwinnik, Tal, Karpov and Kasparov to the current champion, Magnus Carlsen.

Readers can see how the great champions opened their games, developed their pieces, attacked and defended in difficult positions. That makes the book accessible for players beyond the very basics and helps build understanding, not just memorisation.

Why it works well for junior players

This is a strong choice for juniors who are ready to move on, and it also works well as training material for coaches and instructors. Benjamin does more than present games: he also points readers towards the next stages of study and the kinds of work that can be most useful.

The book also includes two important American players. Bobby Fischer, the eleventh world champion, appears with games that offer especially clear lessons. Paul Morphy is included as well: the nineteenth-century New Orleans prodigy was never officially world champion, but he was widely regarded as the strongest player of his era.

Edition information

• Language: English
• Page count: 208
• Author: Joel Benjamin
• Subject: the seventeen world champions in chess
• Approach: clear verbal explanations and practical lessons from master games
• Included players: Capablanca, Alekhine, Botwinnik, Tal, Karpov, Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, Magnus Carlsen and Paul Morphy
• Use: self-study for junior players and training material for coaches and instructors