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Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining chess, but not that instructive.
Review: A great book for its entertainment value. Full of "bolt out of the blue" swindles. However, you're not likely to encounter these types of positions in most of your games, so it is probably of limited instructional value. Descriptive notation.
Rating: 
Summary: Eternally entertaining
Review: I am ordering my third copy of "Chess Traps" since it was published in 1980. The first two have simply fallen apart from over use.
It is fascinating to see the most innocuous moves lead to such devastating conclusions.
"Traps" is instructive and yet is also an entertaining read for the chess player at any level.
Rating:
Summary: One Of My Favorite Reads
Review: I am ordering my third copy of "Chess Traps" since it was published in 1980. The first two have simply fallen apart from over use.
It is fascinating to see the most innocuous moves lead to such devastating conclusions.
"Traps" is instructive and yet is also an entertaining read for the chess player at any level.
Rating:
Summary: Eternally entertaining
Review: I've had this book for years,and every time I pick it up I am captivated.It is packed with instructive examples and humour.Good fun for players of all strengths.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time
Review: Reinfeld, though an excellent writer on many chess books, had a tendency to put out books just for the sake of doing it. This is one of those books. I fear that Horowitz may also be culprit here, too, as his slipshot approach to writing is evident here. All the traps are taken from master games, with a number of them showing the master swindling an amateur. Most of the 'traps' are taken from middle-game positions, with only a dozen or so showing opening traps. Also, even though the book has 223 diagrams, some of the traps take up several diagrams leaving much less real substance to this book than one might think. The layout of the book is reads like a novel, but is poor for studying. Each 'trap' often covers several pages, having much prose and anecdotal filler accompanying each throughout the book, as well as having very superficial analysis. There is no index or contents revealing players, openings, etc., so you can't use this book as a reference of any sort. It reads like a disorganized version of Chernev's 'Combinations: The Heart of Chess'. I originally bought this book some 15 years ago on the recommendation of a friend. I was hoping for something like Chernev's 'Winning Chess Traps', which is a classic as far as opening traps books go. Ultimately, this book fails in the role as an opening traps book and middle game puzzle book for all of the above reasons. As a result, it has remained on my bookshelf in virtually unused condition. This is not a book one reads to improve their game, and hence, can't be recommended.
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Summary: Deja vu, all over again!!!!!
Review: There must be a time warp aspect to some of these reviews. This book was in print by at least 1965. My dad was stationed in Germany in the mid-sixties, a rather remote area without TV or radio even to speak of. My indulgence in chess was enhanced by this book to provide thoughtful provocation in an intellectual wasteland. It did, indeed. Foremostly, it demonstrates how not to ever surrender; rather, manipulate through the opponent's greed to commit the blunder necessary to salvage victory. I am a sloppy player nowadays. But I plan on repurchasing this book, as it's great combat training for the chessboard. And beware the unwary online when I'm done! NO PRISONERS!!!!!!
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Summary: First book I ever bought on chess!
Review: This was the first book I ever bought on chess. It was a joy to read, and pulled me in to the richness and complexity of the game. Highly recommended. It doesn't really require much chess sophistication to read - but will stimulate and educate the reader. Bill Parr
Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your time
Review: When you see a book like this with 4 1/2 stars and it says based on 6 reviews don't believe it! Try to look at and read the reviews. I purchased this book many years ago and it is a very poor book. When I saw a 4 1/2 star rateing I just about fell out of my chair. If you are just looking for something to read then you won't be too upset with this book. If you are looking to improve your chess skills then don't bother. This book may have some entertainment value but not much educational value. You will never find this book on a recommended reading list. This is just another in a long line of poor chess books from Fireside Chess Library.
I have over 100 chess books (sickness) and this is one of the worst. It took me a couple years before I figured out a good method of buying new books. I made many poor choices and wasted hundreds of dollars. I have a huge book collection but only about 20% of the books are worth the paper they are written on.
If you click on my name you will get my personal information and see a recommended study list. I put together this list of books and software with only one thing in mind...to improve your game without wasting your money. If you want to get better at chess this list will give you the most bang for your buck.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't be fooled !
Review: When you see a book like this with 4 1/2 stars and it says based on 6 reviews don't believe it! Try to look at and read the reviews. I purchased this book many years ago and it is a very poor book. When I saw a 4 1/2 star rateing I just about fell out of my chair. If you are just looking for something to read then you won't be too upset with this book. If you are looking to improve your chess skills then don't bother. This book may have some entertainment value but not much educational value. You will never find this book on a recommended reading list. This is just another in a long line of poor chess books from Fireside Chess Library.
Rating:
Summary: The title says it all. Combination types with entertainment!
Review: Worth the price in my opinion
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