Chess Basics

Rating:
Summary: A Winner
Review: I bought a Lego chess CD for my 6 year old son this past summer just for fun. At the time we were not chess players. We quickly got interested in the game. Basic Chess became the first book I read on this great game. This is truely an introductory book. It combines a little bit of history with an introduction to each of the pieces and their movement around the board. You are introduced to algebraic notation and other important terminology and symbols. Some tatical elements are dicussed such as forks, gaurds and skewers. They are however not given in any particular context (but that is not a big deal). Basic checkmate patterns and castling is covered. The most fundamental principles of chess are emphasized by Short which include: control the center, develop your chessmen and castle early. Other things included are the "en passant" rule and conditions for a draw. Many rules are not included but you can only do so much with 94 pages. It is easy to read and no real typo's to mention. Good sized font. My son now takes private lessons and does puzzles most days. I enjoy reading other chess books a may start taking formal lessons as well although I do play against the computer on Chessmaster 5000. For a "true" beginner it is a winner!!!

Rating:
Summary: A Winner
Review: I bought a Lego chess CD for my 6 year old son this past summer just for fun. At the time we were not chess players. We quickly got interested in the game. Basic Chess became the first book I read on this great game. This is truely an introductory book. It combines a little bit of history with an introduction to each of the pieces and their movement around the board. You are introduced to algebraic notation and other important terminology and symbols. Some tatical elements are dicussed such as forks, gaurds and skewers. They are however not given in any particular context (but that is not a big deal). Basic checkmate patterns and castling is covered. The most fundamental principles of chess are emphasized by Short which include: control the center, develop your chessmen and castle early. Other things included are the "en passant" rule and conditions for a draw. Many rules are not included but you can only do so much with 94 pages. It is easy to read and no real typo's to mention. Good sized font. My son now takes private lessons and does puzzles most days. I enjoy reading other chess books a may start taking formal lessons as well although I do play against the computer on Chessmaster 5000. For a "true" beginner it is a winner!!!

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I took my time browsing through the chess section at a local monster book store, and selected this--I couldn't have been more pleased. The text is well-written, highly informative, the examples outstanding, the overall 'look' very agreeable and easy on the eyes. This is easily the best beginner's book on chess, and a great all-around reference source. Why aren't all short books this good?

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I've been playing chess for two years now, and until I found this book, I was very frustrated with the choice of chess books available. I've never seen a better book for both learning the game, and as handy guide to rules and basic strategies. In less than 100 pages Nigel Short shows how the game works, gives basic strategies lessons, and teaches chess notation. Both the written instructions and illustrations are superb, crystal clear and straight to the point! While I'm not a beginner at Chess, I'm no grand master either. I keep Chess Basics by my chess board as both a refresher if I haven't played in a while, and as a very handy reference to some of the more difficult to memorize rules (such as En Passant!). I highly recommend this as a "Chess Bible" both as an introduction for the beginner and a practical reference for the casual chess player.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book for the Casual Chess Player!
Review: I've been playing chess for two years now, and until I found this book, I was very frustrated with the choice of chess books available. I've never seen a better book for both learning the game, and as handy guide to rules and basic strategies. In less than 100 pages Nigel Short shows how the game works, gives basic strategies lessons, and teaches chess notation. Both the written instructions and illustrations are superb, crystal clear and straight to the point! While I'm not a beginner at Chess, I'm no grand master either. I keep Chess Basics by my chess board as both a refresher if I haven't played in a while, and as a very handy reference to some of the more difficult to memorize rules (such as En Passant!). I highly recommend this as a "Chess Bible" both as an introduction for the beginner and a practical reference for the casual chess player.