Customer Reviews

101 Questions on How to Play Chess (Dover Chess)

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This is an excellent beginner's book as well as a quick refresher for intermediate players. Fred Wilson poses and answers 101 questions ranging from "4. Is there a special way the board should be placed?" and "26. How does the knight move?" to "73. What exactly throws off beginners in the endgame?"

The book is only 76 pages and, as a Dover publication, costs about a dollar. I give one of these away to every friend and acquaintance I teach chess to, and so far I've always been thanked for it. Of course, I also keep one for myself, to help me remember the important points of endgames and what terms like "fianchetto" mean. Fred Wilson covers a great range of beginning chess topics in a very small and inexpensive volume. There's no reason not to buy a copy or two.

The usual definition of a classic is something that endures the test of time. By this criteria the game of chess, which originated in India nearly 1,500 years ago, with its millions of devoted players certainly qualifies. But, it is posessed of an intimidating learning curve that can throw off the potential newcomer. Fred Wilson's 101 Questions on How to Play Chess is an ideal primer. This thin volume capably explains the fundamentals and breaks down the walls of complexity-even suggesting titles for the reader reader who wishes to learn more and, more importantly, rates them by experience level. I would reccomend it highly.

I got this book in combinatation with "Chess For Juniors". Wow! I really improved. These books go very good together for a new player or person who has been playing but has not read much on chess before.

I was in a tournament two weeks ago and first I read his book and I finished Second out of fourteen schools. I owe all of my success to Fred Wilson. I just want to thank him for publishing such a great book and I will read further books that he writes so I can become a better chess player

Fred Wilson's 101 QUESTIONS ON HOW TO PLAY CHESS is an explanation of the basics of the game in, as one can imagine from the title, question and answer format. Wilson starts from the very beginning, listing how the pieces move, how the board is arranged, and the rules of check and checkmate. He introduces the concept algebraic notation very early, and then proceeds to use it throughout. The book runs through some very basic strategy, and then ends with some guidance on periodicals and joining a club.

If you are a total beginner at chess, this book may work as well as any other introduction to the game. However, you'll want to pick up Tim Harding's Better Chess for Average Players (New York: Dover, 1996) because Wilson's book doesn't really prepare you to hold your own against stronger players. If you are no longer a total novice at chess, this book may still be worth buying. There's a totally annotated game here that holds some interest, as well as a bibliography of various useful books for players from beginning to intermediate. Since the book was published priced as low as the Dover Thrift Editions, it may be worth it.

Everyone complains of not spending enough time with their children. We are constantly involved with electronic pursuits. For less than four dollars you can buy a passport to an hour of thoughtful pursuit and conversation with your child. Chess improves thought patterns and encourages long term thought. The book is easy to read, helpful, concise and you can buy the game of Chess on Amazon. Nuf said.

If you are a scholastic chess coach I highly recommend that you by a stack of these and give them to your kids. At this price anyone can afford to get a good start at chess!

I highly wants to thank the arthur of this book for writing such a good book which improves the strategy in playing chess.Some weeks ago there was the "inter school chess competition" of Nepal. I participated in that tournament . Finally i became first in that competition . All the credit of my success goes to this book.