Product Details

• Actors: Josh Waitzkin, Bruce Pandolfini
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Tapeworm Video Dist
• VHS Release Date: March 23, 1998
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304943563
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #335,642 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Billboard, February 1998

The best introductory chess video there is.

Product Description

Private chess lessons from the real characters in "Searching for Bobby Fischer"

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Beginners, Young and Old, February 25, 2003

By 

Randy Given (Manchester, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chess Starts Here [VHS] (VHS Tape)

My son is nine years old and just starting to play chess. Although I have played chess for decades, both tournament and just for fun, I have not pushed him into. Now that he is interested, I checked out the current spread of books, videos and software.

Many of the books are either too simple or too difficult. Most of the computer software is much too difficult to beat (even on simple levels) and / or does not have adequate training abilities (if they have any at all). Some of the now-obsolete dedicated handhelds or tabletops with 64 LEDs would be ideal, but they are hard to find. The next stop was videos.

One of the great things about videos (or personal training from chess coaches) is that someone else is doing the coaching. The good part is NOT that someone ELSE is doing it, but the fact that almost all kids are quick to believe anyone else but their parents are the experts (i.e., parents know nothing, but for some mysterious reason, someone else's parents know everything).

In this case, the chess coaches are great. They are the "real deal" behind the excellent movie "Searching for Bobby Fischer". That alone is a great draw for this video. The fact that the wise-old-master and the young-tiger both do very well is an added bonus.

My son greatly improved his knowledge in just one viewing. His "chess vision" is already a leap ahead of where he was just before seeing the video. Probably the best thing taught in the video is Josh reinforcing the idea of not to react in fear -- take a deep breath and look for a good move, better moves and then find the best move. Don't react in fear. My son got that point and I was pleased.

Overall, I am very happy with this video and recommend it to all beginning players. Even more advanced players will like Bruce and Josh giving a "personal" lesson.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Beginner's Chess Video, June 29, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chess Starts Here [VHS] (VHS Tape)

As a scholastic chess coach, I was extremely impressed with this instructional video. The professional graphics, along with their well organized approach, makes this video a great instructional tool. Rather than just covering the basics of chess, it emphasizes the importance of thinking prior to moving. In addition, it's designed to motivate players to learn and play our great game!! Mark D. Harrington

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!Learn all the cool things you need to know about chess, November 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Chess Starts Here [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Before I saw this video, I could never beat Dad at chess. And I lost to my friends at school. Josh Waizkin, who I saw in "Searching for Bobby Fisher" explains the basics very clearly. I keep looking at the video and I learn different things every time. I don't like to share the video with my friends. I want to keep my secrets to myself.