Customer Reviews

Chess (From First Moves to Checkmate)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of two books written at about a high school reading level that I like that will show a beginner the piece movements, rules and simple strategies (like controlling the centre in the openings). The other book is more text bookish, Learn Chess (author is Alexander) with better instruction but not so full of colour and illustrations. I also like the Juniors Chess for Beginners that is at my reading level and very complete. I first learn chess in England, then have been playing in some chess tournaments that are scholastic.
A very good point is that this book is full of colour and the illustrations are very good. Nice to leave on the table top in the living room, and not to be stuck in the boot when driving! Enjoy!

I have used this book as a supplement to teach my three children how to play chess. The book is nicely illustrated, clearly written, and easily read. If you are looking for one reference book to use at home then I would encourage you to consider this volume as a finalist.

Looking in my large public library for an introductory book to teach myself chess, I could not find any appropriate title on the adult shelf. Many sports and games sections tend to be ransacked by borrowers and often titles have been stolen or at least gone missing as far as I can tell! In the teen section, I was surprised to find only Daniel King's primer.

The alluring combination of computer-generated graphics and simple text attracted me. I cannot judge the accuracy of King's technical remarks, but as an absolute beginner, I can attest to the helpfulness of his presentation. The book's only about sixty pages, with lots of art and minimal text. Very little on the game's origins and evolution. But, the board's diagrammed in an easily discerned series of illustrations, taking you from how each piece moves quickly into notation (a very brisk presentation that may well need supplementing with other materials), check and checkmate, and en passant and castling. These latter two options are not always given much detail, however, and the same note as for the notation applies.

Part two enters into what to do once you know how the pieces move. After all, many primers devote much time to what can be memorized, frankly, in a few minutes. King's concerned about openings, whisking you into the charts for forks, pins and skewers before attacks, sacrifices, and draws. He then offers training exercises and test situations (with answers on another page) to hone your knowledge.

The latter part of the book surveys the world of championships, famous players, and fun facts. I'd have preferred that some of this content have been supplemented by more detail on developing a learner's understanding of beginning, middle and end-games, but it's a handsome picture book that lies (in hardcover at least) flat for easy reference (often a point overlooked when you want to prop open a smaller paperback) and can be easily seen at a short distance, enabling you to practice on a board while you read. This feature may prove its utility as well as display its beauty.

All you ever wanted and needed to know about the game of Chess! This book has it all. It tells the laws of chess for beginners and even has puzzles and tips for players who have been playing longer. It doesn't stop there! It goes on to teach about the history of chess and some of it's greatest players.



I enjoyed the full color photos and puzzles.

Yes It's great for children and adults who are interested in the game of Chess.

This is a great book for someone who is learning/ just started to play chess.

This chess book is great for beginners. It shares the history of chess. It reviews many former chess world champions. There is not enough information, regarding opening chess moves, for an average chess player.

As someone who has always wanted to learn how to play Chess, I was ecstatic to come across Daniel King's CHESS: FROM FIRST MOVES TO CHECKMATE. King, an International Grandmaster in the world of Chess, has created a fabulous, easy-to-understand book about the laws of Chess that is perfect for both children and adults. With information about the history of the game of Chess, wonderful digital diagrams, and a glossary full of Chess websites and organizations, this book has it all. CHESS: FROM FIRST MOVES TO CHECKMATE is a must have for beginners to the most advanced players, for it features something for everyone.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

I think this is the one of the best books ever they have the state of the art illustations. But I think if Daniel king makes it more longer and more resourceful it would be the chess book ever. The ones I'm suggesting is the Aspects of all kinds of checkmates from the Art of Checkmate. Tons of quizzess like in Bobbby Fischer Teaches Chess. And a tons of opening book references like in 500 master games of chess. And do teaching board example in another words in the Chessmaster 9000 copy the teachings on the chess chess board but and reword the explaining. And teach how to write hard notation. Like Descriptive, coordinate figurine,algerbraic,and international. To notate all the explaining I'd rather do for beginners is long algerbraic notation. If you had that it would be the best and only higher the price $8 it'll be the reference of chess.