Chess for Kids [Hardcover]

Michael Basman (Author), Mary Ling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2001 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Making chess accessible to kids. International Master Michael Basman invites you into the challenging and exciting world of chess. His simple and accessible text presents the beginner with the rules, skills, and techniques of the game. Every aspect is illustrated with clear step-by-step photography, from setting up the board and basic moves, to more advanced tactics and strategy. A must for any budding Grandmaster!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4-8. International Master Basman puts 20 years of experience teaching children how to play chess into this systematic, succinct, and thorough book. Dedicating each page to a different topic, he guides readers through the rudiments of the game, from explaining the pieces and setting up the board to special moves, essential techniques, and attack and defense strategies that players must know to win. Especially interesting for readers entirely new to the game are anecdotes in the "Check it out" section, which explain the origins of chess and how the game has figured in literature, language, and even history. A solid introduction for novices and good for skilled players wanting to develop their strategies and find out about chess clubs and tournaments. Roger Leslie
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Michael Basman became hooked on chess at the age of ten and has been playing ever since. He has taken part in several Olympics and in 1973 swept the board at the British Chess Championships. Since becoming an International Master in 1981, he has dedicated his time to teaching school children, and in 1996 set up the UK Chess Challenge, an annual event that attracts thousands of new players every year.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN (January 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078946540X
• ISBN-13: 978-0789465405
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #407,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

129 of 132 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat Confusing Methodology and Order of Progression, October 30, 2005

By 

Z. Helms (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chess for Kids (Hardcover)

No doubt about it - the graphics and picutures in CHESS FOR KIDS are excellent. This is what I consider to be the good points of the book, now on to the weaknesses,

The weaknesses are:

The order in which the material is given needs some improving. This is not the exact order that a kid (or an adult) should be taught. This creates a degree of confusion.

The level of reading is not well suited for young kids to learn from, and

Some of the ways that things are explained, such as in the rules and certain aspects of strategies could use some improvement.

95 of 98 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the Greatest Book to Begin with, December 19, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Chess for Kids (Paperback)

CHESS FOR KIDS will get you started with the the very basic rules and will teach you some starting strategies and tactics.

Good Things about this book:
1) It covers the rules you need to know as a non-tournament player.
2) It covers just enough strategy and ideas to get you started.
3) Lots of Colour - makes it look attractive.
Not Good Things about this book:
1) It is written so that young kids cannot understand the level of reading level (should come with a notice: Batteries Required, Opps! I mean older reader required to help young readers),
2) The order of things is out of wack sometimes. This can make the learning confusing.

There are better books written for the beginner or children. For a teen or older Learn Chess by Alexander and Beach is much better organized and has a lot more depth. There are a couple chess books for the junior beginner that have a lower reading level.

70 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not that great, November 30, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Chess for Kids (Hardcover)

I have read about 6 chess books in my school library. I didnot find the teaching to be as serious as it should be for kids over 8 years old. I learned a lot more from "Chess For Juniors" and "ideas Behind the Chess Openings" in the library.