Chess for Juniors: A Complete Guide for the Beginner (McKay Chess Library)

Rating:
Summary: Best Seller For a Reason
Review: This book is a best seller for a good reason. It contains lessons formatted based on many, many years by the author who has taught chess to over 160,000 children and 35 of them have won the National Championships.
The book contains 20 lessons. The lessons build on one another starting with the basic rules (explained in the clearest language I have seen anywhere - a 7 year old can understand it). Humor is used to enhance children's interest - not pictures but words! "A Knight on the rim is dim, its chances are very slim". And, many funny stories, relating to the lesson at hand.
A nice introduction to the opening, endgames and tactics is provided giving the beginner a well balanced introduction. This is indeed the best introductory book (and great for the advanced beginner too!) - look no further - BUY IT!

Rating:
Summary: Absolute Best Beginners Book
Review: This book popped up as AMAZON.COM's most popular chess book! And, I own both the 1991 and 2003 editions! This is not only the very best beginning book for kids (ages 8 on up), but a wonderful guide for parents and chess teachers! I own over 500 chess books.
I will start by saying that the cover and last chapter have been updated with new material in 2003. So it is as current as you can get.
The book is set up so the student progresses through lessons. Starting with basic rules, which are explained in a clear and easy to understand language for kids to understand themselves. This is unlike many other beginning books where it requires the parent to read and explain the book to the kids. It also doesn't contain massive pages filled with pictures for entertainment. The book uses words for entertainment through a variety of stories and funny sayings that tie in directly with the material that is being covered. In other words this book is darn serious when providing the information, yet delivers it is an entertaining way for kids.
After the basic rules the lessons get into strategy. Each lesson builds on the early lessons with a spread of Openings, Endgames and Tactics that gives a good overall building for a solid foundation. Toward the end the author sets the stage for his next book, "Unbeatable Chess Lessons For Juniors", by including excellent games designed for instruction with analysis and comments on every single move. The diagrams in the book have the algebraic notation around them to make it easy to follow the moves (this is important for a beginner's book). The author coverage of how to read and write moves covers a tool for learning the game better than any book I have seen.
When you finish this book move right onto "Unbeatable Chess Lessons For Juniors". I wonder what the author may have up his sleeve for another book? Whatever it is, I will get it! Just hopefully he will not take another 12 years to write another book (this author seems to have QUALITY instead of QUANTITY in mind - so if it takes another 12 years, then so be it!).
If you are a parent, teacher or a kid reading this - go no further: buy CHESS FOR JUNIORS!

Rating:
Summary: This Book Rules!
Review: This is the Book! I love it from cover to cover!
I got this book some years ago and then pulled it out and read it again to refresh my memory. I thought I had learned everything in it, only to realize that I had forgotten certain things. But then on the other had there was a lot that I realized I had learned some years back simply due to the teaching style. "A Knight on the Rim is Dim!", "The Rook Roller". The book puts into simple phrases things that help you remember. Gosh! This book is simply the best!

Rating:
Summary: My favorite beginner's book
Review: This was my first chess book that I got a couple of years ago when I was in [school]. After reading it I greatly improved my game and was able to go on to advanced books.
The book has 20 lessons. Lessons are on rules, and the different parts of strategy like openings, end games, problems with checkmates and winning pieces. Each lesson gets more advanced and builds on the earler lessons.
The book as great sayings and stories that makes it fun to read. Also, it is a very easy book for a kid to understand. The other kids in our school chess club (...) really like it too.
I have not seen any chess book written as well as this one.

Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best Introductory Chess Book
Review: This was the first chess book I read. Now after seeing a reading numerous other books I can feel confident in saying that there is no better book that introduces basic rules and strategy than "Chess For Juniors".
I love the author's teaching style. He uses the right touch of humor for kids, and adults who understand that this book was written from students in the age 8-14 range will enjoy the humor as well. The humor is tied into what is being covered that makes the material more easily remembered. The material in the book is formatted so that it has a logical progression that provides exceptional clarity. This would make the perfect texbook for a chess school or any teacher who wants to offer a chess class to kids or adults! If you are a parent get this book for your kid!