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Rating: 
Summary: There are better books
Review: First, this is not a book for a complete novice. It does not teach the rules. It is for a beginner looing to improve.This was once a fair book amongst those available (certainly better than most of Reinfeld's rushed pot-boilers). But not anymore. It's very wordy, maybe too wordy. On the plus side, refutations of bad moves are often mentioned. But that doesn't make up for the plain-jane presentation. For a similar book, try any of the following: Purdy: Guide to Good Chess
Seirawan: Play Winning Chess
Capablanca: Chess Fundamentals
Idiot's Guide to Chess
Chess for Dummies If you like Horowitz (and note that most of his old books are in Descriptive Notation) then look for this used. But if you like that sort of book, then Euwe's Chess Master v. Chess Amateur is a much better choice.
Rating:
Summary: Not a bad little book...
Review: I actually like this book, but I do have some reservations. I think players in the 900-1200 range will learn quite a bit from this book. There is lots of good instruction in here -- Horowitz, in particular, has a knack for clear explanations of topics that can seem very murky to beginners. The opening repertoire, however, doesn't seem especially good for beginning players. I think the Queen's Gambit is a good choice and there is something to be said for the Bird's Opening for beginners, but the Sicilian Dragon is way too complex for players of this level. There are too many tactical possibilities to keep track of and in quieter variations the strategic aspects are way beyond a "D" player's comprehension. Additionally, theory in the Dragon has come light years from the days when this book was written. The Yugoslav Attack is not even covered and I can foresee loss after loss coming for players uninformed of even a few of its mind-spinning variations and transpositions. Still, an aspiring player could do a lot worse than to study this little book. Just stay away from that Dragon!
Rating:
Summary: Not a bad little book...
Review: I actually like this book, but I do have some reservations. I think players in the 900-1200 range will learn quite a bit from this book. There is lots of good instruction in here -- Horowitz, in particular, has a knack for clear explanations of topics that can seem very murky to beginners. The opening repertoire, however, doesn't seem especially good for beginning players. I think the Queen's Gambit is a good choice and there is something to be said for the Bird's Opening for beginners, but the Sicilian Dragon is way too complex for players of this level. There are too many tactical possibilities to keep track of and in quieter variations the strategic aspects are way beyond a "D" player's comprehension. Additionally, theory in the Dragon has come light years from the days when this book was written. The Yugoslav Attack is not even covered and I can foresee loss after loss coming for players uninformed of even a few of its mind-spinning variations and transpositions. Still, an aspiring player could do a lot worse than to study this little book. Just stay away from that Dragon!
Rating: 
Summary: I recommend this book to everyone I beat!
Review: I've read and enjoyed this book several times and keep getting new insights each time. It took me from making almost random moves that seem good at the time to playing with purpose and patience. I have started winning more often and when I lose, I can understand and analyze the reasons why. The sample game explanations are clear and entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: I recommend this book to everyone I beat!
Review: I've read and enjoyed this book several times and keep getting new insights each time. It took me from making almost random moves that seem good at the time to playing with purpose and patience. I have started winning more often and when I lose, I can understand and analyze the reasons why. The sample game explanations are clear and entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: just awesome, baby
Review: want to improve your chess? read this book. most of the people i brutilize think they can win just because they want to. not so. these are the players i smash to smithereenes. and they do pack it up and run. you want to enjoy brutalizing your opponent? read this book.
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