Beginner's Chess Course

Rating:
Summary: Good introduction and good annotations
Review: It had been a few decades since I had played, so this book provided a good reintroduction (and training on newer notation). Heyken gives a brief history of the chess world champions (through 1996) and this gives a taste of the individuals whose games you will see later in the book. The rules, and moves of the pieces are quickly introduced, and unique section entitled "If Chess Pieces Could Talk" gives a humorous perspective on the strengths of the pieces. The meat of the book is in looking at strategies and six complete games are played through along with analysis of the strength of key moves. There are ample diagrams included, and I found it helpful to play along on an actual chess board.

Don't neglect the 20 exercises included in the 3 tests. Particularly in the 9 exercises in test 3, it is worthwhile after answering (and there are two hints included for each question) to play the complete game included in the answers.