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FOR BEGINNERS

General Instruction
Tactics and Drills
Chess Kits

 
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Chess for Beginners Chess for Beginners   by I.A. Horowitz
 
In this book, I. A. Horowitz, Chess Editor of the New York Times and former U.S. Open Champion, applies some of the ideas and convictions acquired from thirty-five years of playing, teaching and analyzing the royal game. He emphasizes the tactical aspects of the game: how to recognize the big chance and hit hard when it occurs. When you have completed this book, you will be able to play chess with pleasure and some ability.
From the Reviews This is a very good book, no let's say a great book. There are chapters on tactical chances, sections on the opening, basic endgames. If you have a friend, a student, or someone who just learned chess, this is the ideal book to give them!! The greatest teaching tool I have read so far. Horowtiz is obviously a great teacher. This book tells you what needs to happen and why. After that, it shows you simple examples of how to make it happen. The particular version I have is written in the old notation (KN -> KB3). This certainly did not hinder it as a superb learning tool.

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Chess for Dummies Chess for Dummies   by James Eade
 
Chess for Dummies takes the fear and intimidation out of one of the oldest board games in the world and makes the game fun and accessible! Starting with the basics of the chessboard and pieces, this book clearly outlines all of the elements of the game with an inside look at the variety of tactical situatios that occur in a chess match. With Chess For Dummies at your fingertips, you'll find plenty of expert tips, techniques, and suggestions to help you master the game -- and join the millions of chess enthusiasts worldwide!
Inside, you'll discover how to:
  • Set up the chess board with ease
  • Understand the elements, rules, and etiquette of chess
  • Recognize patterns and create special moves to counter them
  • Develop strategies and tactics to challenge your opponent
  • Make a strong opening move that will set the tone for the match
  • Conduct an efficient middle- and endgame to get the results you want
  • Communicate with chess buffs through national, state, and local chess groups
  • Find information on major chess tournaments throughout the United States and Europe
  • Purchase and play computer chess games
  • Locate online chess stuff with a listing of Web sites, forums, and e-mail chess games
From the Reviews Solid, useful book for beginner / novice chess players The book is a very easy read. When I read it ... I felt I was pretty good at chess, but I learned a lot about the game and a lot of the basic principles to success. My wife, who is a total novice, has also been reading it and is already reasonably competent after only a few games. Highly recommended. Great book and loads of fun ... I got a bit fed up with always losing to my dad, but quickly fell in love with the game, so I went out and bought this book. There are other books on playing chess, but to me, this one is the best. It is very easy to follow, written in a way that anyone can understand, and lavishly illustrated with diagrams of various chess situations. It also has a lot of humour in it too, which makes it an enjoyable read as well as very interesting with it's various points of interest scattered throughout, like 'Chess Talk' and 'Rule of Thumb' and 'Warnings'. I highly recommend this book to anyone just starting out or wanting to improve their game. Finally, a good chess book for true beginners! This book really helped me out a lot. It's one of the only books I could find that didn't assume that one already knows notation. In fact, notation isn't even used...

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Chess for Children Chess for Children   by Ted Nottingham
 
Uses the revolutionary Lincolnshire system to explain how to play, enjoy, and master chess and recounts anecdotes about notable players in the history of the game.
 
Present this book/chess set gift package to a youngster of any age and participate in the step-by-step instructions which teach the basics; from piece names and movements to basic strategy. Many games presented in the book are especially designed to teach the action of each chessman.
Editorial review from Booklist Gr. 4-6. Three chess experts explain the history, rules, and strategy behind this ancient "game of kings." Using the Lincolnshire system (developed by Nottingham), the authors introduce each piece from pawn to king separately in practice sessions that demonstrate the piece's strengths and limitations. In the Pawn Game, for instance, players attempt to cross to the opposite side of the board using pawns only. Several famous matches are explained move by move, and frequent sidebars highlight the accomplishments of well-known players. Official terminology, including rank, file, and correct shorthand notation, is used throughout. Clear black-and-white photographs and drawings illustrate each move. Although the title and jacket illustration (which includes milk and cookies) may put off older readers, this useful addition for both school and public library collections will be popular with new chess enthusiasts. Kay Weisman
From the Reviews Perfect for the parent too... I bought this book because I did not want to teach my son poor chess habits. He did not read it (to the best of my knowledge), but I was able to extract a few important things in an appropriate order to tell him as we played. I enjoyed reading it too! Results? My son presses me very hard at chess: if I don't concentrate he trounces me. Sometimes even if I do not have a break in my concentration he still wipes me off the board.

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Simple Checkmates Simple Checkmates   by A J Gillam
 
Here is the classic guide to winning chess for beginners. Recommended by chess coaches the world over, it presents a wide range of specific chess positions and asks the reader to find the next move or series of moves that lead to checkmate -- with two diagrams per page and the answers spelled out underneath. The beauty of Simple Checkmates is that it turns learning into a game. It's fun, it's fascinating, it's fundamental -- an invaluable tool for anyone who wants not only to play chess, but to win at chess. With more than 430 diagrams in all, this book is certain to take you -- or your children -- to a whole new level op play.
From the Reviews Excellent next step for the beginning player. This book begins with a few diagrams showing standard mating positions with various configurations of pieces and pawns. It then gives the student 116 diagrams with White to mate in one. The early positions are very simple and they get more complicated as the book progresses. The second part has over 300 mates-in-two. Again, the early ones are painfully simple and progress to more sophisticated positions. This is a perfect book for young (and older) beginners. It bridges the gap between learning the rules of how the pieces move and having it be a perceptual habit. It demands work from the reader but rewards the reader with many opportunities for success. Highly recommended for scholastic coaches and chess teachers. Helps develop real insight. This book does a great job of helping the reader develop a really strong feeling for the strategies of chess. All of the exercises are in the form of mate-in-one or mate-in-two puzzles, but they are carefully crafted to illustrate the power of different pieces, and how different pieces may work together. This new insight improves one's games tremendously. ..since the material is presented in the form of puzzles, it doesn't contain wordy discussion of strategies. This is good in two ways: 1) it helps develop your ability to see the strategies directly on the board during a game, and 2) it makes this a perfect book for kids (I've used it with kids as young as 8, with a lot of success). My favorite chess book. I own 20-25 chess books and this is the one I pick up most often. It sharpens my game quicker than any other book I own.

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Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess   by Bobby Fischer
 
By the author, Bobby Fischer , February 24, 1999:
Meant for beginners. When I originally wrote this book, I intended it to be for the beginning chess player, regardless of age. The longevity of its availability has proven that it indeed can raise the level of initial play, and can train you to have a "chess eye". Enjoy!
From the Reviews Excellent teaching book on chess ... The book offers programmed instruction on easy chess diagrams that become more difficult as you go through the book. This book will increase your skill in playing chess. Great teaching tool. A beginning level chess player, I found the methods of teaching in this book to be wonderful. Instead of long, drawn-out chapters of theory and history, Mr. Fischer gives an introductory chapter of the basics, and then uses the rest of the book to teach by example. Each page contains a chess board with pieces in various positions. Your objective is to plot the next moves to achieve the goal outlined. The next page gives you the board with the correct move complete. As you go through the exercises, you will begin to "see" the moves as well as understand the theory behind them. ... I have already seen an improvement in the quality of my games. I would recommend this excellent book for anyone interested in learning not only how to play chess, but how to "see" it and "feel" it as well. Essential. One of the finest pieces of literature written for the game. Absolutely essential for beginners. Required reading. I wish I had a nickel for all the kids I've taught to play chess using this book. This is *the* book for teaching kids with a 2nd grade reading level or above to play chess. A teacher's help is still needed to explain the concepts and how they relate to each other, but a student can do a tremendous amount of self-study with this book. I can guarantee that you will see a significant improvement in play after finishing this book. Read me on the bus! Are you just starting out in chess? Do you want to get better? Have time to study, but can not carry around a big board? This is the book for you. I highly recommend this book.

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Square One Square One : The Best Chess Drill Book for Beginners of All Ages   by Bruce Pandolfini
 
A book for children who have just learned the rules of chess and need drills on basic moves and tactics.
From the Reviews Belongs in the top 10 list of any beginner's chess library! I have highly recommended this book to all of my beginning students. Excellent preparation for all wanting to learn the basics & beginning strategy. I add commentary to this book in going over it with my students in the section with example problems a)what is/are the BEST move(s) for the opposite color (opponent) & why and b) what moves would I NOT want to make & why. Very good chess-drills for beginners

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The Kids' Book of Chess The Kids' Book of Chess and Chess Set   by Harvey Kidder
 
An acclaimed introduction to the world's most enduring game. Fantasy art illustrations by Kimberly Buclken Root capture the energy and excitement of chess's origins--the medieval battlefield--while a direct, lively text explains the game and its pieces in light of history. Each chess piece and its movements are explained in connection with the medieval world that influenced its evolution. Plus the book comes along with a custom-designed chess board, a storage box, and a full set of chess pieces. An ideal game for encouraging logical thought and building confidence in children, chess is being taught to young children the world over. THE KIDS' BOOK OF CHESS AND CHESS SET teaches children a game they can enjoy playing with acquired skill and real brain power.
 
Note: This book is recommended for the youngest new chessplayer in the family.
Editorial Review - The New Yorker
"One of the best books of the year..Harvey Kidder explains the game with a clarity that is almost absolute."

 




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