Customer Reviews

Chess for Kids

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This would be a very nice book if you are a parent who will be reading it to a younger kid who cannot read very well yet. Otherwise the reading is more at a teenage level at least.
The pictures and graphical things are very good! Some of the more advanced rules are a little confusing.

This book has inspired both of my children, ages 11 and 8, to play chess. Learning chess is an overwhelming subject, but the way Michael Basman presents it makes it very manageable and understandable for kids. The pictures are wonderful, and there is a section describing each piece, so kids can easily refer to the book as they play. The book gives basics, then more complex information, but this information is separated so that it is easy for a child to read only the part he is interested in at the time. This makes the book an excellent choice for both younger kids and older kids, and even for adults.

I like the pictures in the book. The book has a lot of things in it. But the reading is too hard for me (I am a good reader for 8) so my parents said I should let other kids know that for young kids like me it is hard reading. But the book is still good.

This is a GREAT book for kids (or adult) learning chess. One doesn't need to want to become a master of chess to buy this book. It has simple games that anyone can enjoy (my two kids are 3 and 6). Just the simple pawn game is well worth the money. In the end, it demystifies chess and makes the game fun and accessible to little kids. Worth every penny!

This is indeed a book where pictures are used for entertainment purposes and not a serious book for an older kid to learn from.
OK for smaller kids.

A typical DK book full of great pictures illustrating the game. But it has nothing for children who already know how to play the game and are looking for advanced topics. In my opinion, this book can get a kid started on Chess.

Before this book has been written, there aren't many chess books for kids in those days, but here comes a book that is specially designed for kids and is readily accessible whenever kids wanted it. Since his years as an international master, Michael Basman has devoted his time to teaching schoolchildren chess, and years after that he set up the UK Chess Club, a chess tournament which attracts thousands of players every year.
Since I haven't got time to write down Michael Basman's bio in this review, I feel his kids chess book is worth having and is highly recommended to any kid. You know, many kids will hate a book that is unatrractive and dull and will soon get rid of it but Michael Basman's book has very attractive pictures, that'll show kids the game positions, and they are very clear, only to find them done in digital photography!

Chess is a battle of wits between two players and checkmating the opponent is a very difficult task, requiring your skill and knowledge. Michael Basman explains this in his book with a very accessible text that'll allow kid readers to understand the game concepts and is simple enough to apprehend. Heck, if I'm a kid right now I'll be able to read through the book like water!

Apart from the very clear pictures and simple text, Michael Basman uses his teaching experience to let kids gain a clearer understanding of chess pieces through the ''Check it out!'' section of the book and this section offers a brief explanation of the piece in terms of history and piece effectiveness.

The book is well laid out, thorough and kid-friendly and is always there when kids need it. It covers all of the most important aspects of chess, including the basics. Most of all, it's highly informative and that means kids can have all the info they need in order to play chess correctly.

What more could I say, this is a great book, and I swear Michael Basman made it by heart and by using his chess experience not anything else! The book is well laid out, clear, thorough and easy to use anytime. The book CAN teach kids the game so what're you waiting for, get your chessboard and pieces and let the games begin!