Chess (Teach Yourself) [Paperback]

William R. Hartston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1992 | Series: Teach Yourself

This work provides a comprehensive guide to learning chess without being complicated. It is aimed at the absolute beginner.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bill Hartston is an experienced Chess player and writes the Chess column in The Independent. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Ntc Pub Group; 2nd edition (August 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844239135
• ISBN-13: 978-0844239132
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,963,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent teaching book for the total chess beginner!, September 29, 2002

By 

Brian A. Glennon "BAG" (South Boston, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teach Yourself Chess (Teach Yourself (McGraw-Hill)) (Paperback)

TEACH YOURSELF CHESS (c.1996) by Bill Hartston, is a great book for the absolute beginner in chess for its ability to answer questions, and in its facility to instill a curiosity to further pursue the game!

The author immediately brought the novice up through the ranks, step-by-step, with simple direct language, which avoided confusion and dispair. From a good description of all the moves of each individual chess piece; to a prudent explanation of the need to know chess notation if you ever plan on improving your game through other books or just to follow a tournament in a newspaper; to an good introduction of the rules; followed with important basic endgames, and elementary tactics; leading up to endgame strategy, strategic planning, then basic opening strategy. Bill Hartston never applied pressure to the beginner to learn more than they should discouraging interest.

The author then did a valuable thing - he included a chapter on illustrative games from Grandmasters in chess and from World Championships. This can only increase an appreciation of the game and to promote a sense of identity and purpose onto the beginner for the pursuit of more chess knowledge.

Still TEACH YOURSELF CHESS was initially a little over my head, and I would recommend SAMURAI CHESS as a primer for its ability to make a comparison with a familiar theme - the martial arts. Only then was I able to draw analogies and absorb basic chess theory with application from Bill Hartstson's work. For example, the chess 'Expert' rating was explained in SAMURAI CHESS to be the equivalent of a Shodan, or, a first degree black belt, which immediately imparted to me a sense of proportion to all the chess ratings and abilities mentioned by Bill Hartstson. (For instance; unless you're a prodigy, it takes 8-10 years of hard work for a black belt in Judo and everything that goes with it, so I assume its the same for chess).

TEACH YOURSELF CHESS is a valuable tool for the autodidatic chess enthusiast which will allow them to apply its knowledge directly to a game of chess; and with its chapter on chess notation and illustrative games, this book allows one to increase their ability in the game. TEACH YOURSELF CHESS by Bill Hartstson is definately a well thought out learning implement for self starters. This is a book to give your son, daughter, young relative, or pal as soon as they show an interest in chess!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A BEGINNER'S SELF-HELP, May 11, 2003

By 

reviewer (Zurich, Switzerland.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teach Yourself Chess (Teach Yourself (McGraw-Hill)) (Paperback)

For the very beginner, the arrangement of the contents of this book may seem haphazard, but its narratives are smooth-flowing.
Every introductory detail concerning the chess board and the chess pieces were included. The self-help outlook of this book ensured that its pages provided enough directives on how a chess beginner can develop space, coordinate his/her pieces, and plot strategies.
Overall, reading this book is a fine beginning step. Its lectures on how to utilize board space and pieces are commendable. I like the way it introduced popular gambits like 'Giocco Piano' and 'Sicilian Defence', although that it did not offer much on how to deploy and coordinate pawns as a territory conquering force.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My views on Bill Hartstons very well done chess book, November 24, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Teach Yourself Chess (Isis Large Print Nonfiction) (Hardcover)

I totally agree with the way that Bill Hartston starts off with endgame technique, since this phase is extreamely important. Its like soccer youve brought the ball right into the oppositions penialty area you know youre in a solid pace to shoot, however youre not sure weather to attempt to pass it; or to go straight for the smash. You hesitate, next second the ball gets sweepted away form you.

This is very similar to chess endgames one mistake can turn the game against you. This is why its important to fine tune technique. The same goes with Maths, once you enjoy anything you can make remarkable progress.

I have throughly enjoyed this book, it seemed to have just the right balance of everything. Just in case youre wondering My name is Alexander Singer, Im 14 years old and goto Burnside High School.