Chess for Children [Paperback]

Ted Nottingham (Author), Bob Wade (Author), Al Lawrence (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

"Three chess experts explain the history, rules, and strategy behind this ancient `game of kings'....The authors introduce each piece from pawn to king separately in practice sessions that demonstrate the piece's strengths and limitations....Several famous matches are explained move by move....Clear black-and-white photographs and drawings illustrate each move....This useful addition for both school and public library collections will be popular with new chess enthusiasts."--Booklist.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. Three chess experts explain the history, rules, and strategy behind this ancient "game of kings." Using the Lincolnshire system (developed by Nottingham), the authors introduce each piece from pawn to king separately in practice sessions that demonstrate the piece's strengths and limitations. In the Pawn Game, for instance, players attempt to cross to the opposite side of the board using pawns only. Several famous matches are explained move by move, and frequent sidebars highlight the accomplishments of well-known players. Official terminology, including rank, file, and correct shorthand notation, is used throughout. Clear black-and-white photographs and drawings illustrate each move. Although the title and jacket illustration (which includes milk and cookies) may put off older readers, this useful addition for both school and public library collections will be popular with new chess enthusiasts. Kay Weisman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

...this useful addition for both school and public library collections will be popular with new chess enthusiasts. -- Booklist

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (June 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806904534
• ISBN-13: 978-0806904535
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #715,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An OK book for a kid to start with, January 31, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Chess for Children (Paperback)

This book rates just ok with me because I have seen and read better books to get a kid started in chess.

This book needs some serious updating in graphics (it reads and looks like it was written long ago and the explanations could be made more clear). When I was smaller I learned how the pieces moved with "YOU CAN PLAY CHESS" which had fun pictures for me. When I got older I found that "CHESS FOR JUNIORS" was great and had a lot of detail in not just rules but the strategy you need to get started and then some!

I hope they update and upgrade this book. It would be a really good book then.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars OK at best and certainly not the best beginners book, September 27, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Chess for Children (Paperback)

I have this and "Chess For Juniors" (Random House). This book is just ok. It doesn't build on the lessons and does not come accross nearly as clearly as "Chess For Juniors".

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Beginning Resource for Teaching Kids the Game, January 1, 2003

By 

S. Miska (Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chess for Children (Paperback)

I bought two books for my son (7) and daughter (5) to help continue their developing interest in chess. The two books are Chess For Children and How to Beat Your Dad at Chess. The latter turned out to be too advanced for my kids, but Chess For Children is exactly what my kids needed to learn about the game. Written by teachers in Lincolnshire, England, the book uses great techniques to help children understand basic skills. My children already know how to set up the board and how each piece should move on the board, but the methods in Chess For Children help them go beyond "how" a piece moves to "why" they should move it.

For example, the book features the Lincolnshire System, or the "Pawn Game", teaching kids to play with only the pawns. This method develops an understanding for how to use pawns in concert and how quickly the picket line can dissolve when a player doesn't ensure the pieces mutually support each other. The authors also present several other interesting techniques for teaching youngsters how to maneuver (instead of move) knights, rooks and bishops around the board. My daughter's favorite game is the Mad Queen, pitting the queen on one side against all of the pawns of an opponent. The opponent must attempt to get one pawn to the far side before the queen kills them all.

My kids love the games and techniques outlined in Nottingham's book. The authors weave a mix of chess history, years of enthusiasm teaching youth, along with the basics of chess. The product reflects a wealth of experience and a passion for both children and the game of chess. Bravo! Highly recommended!