Chess Thinking: The Visual Dictionary of Chess Moves, Rules, Strategies and Concepts (Fireside Chess Library) [Paperback]

Bruce Pandolfini (Author)

Book Description

Series: Fireside Chess Library | Publication Date: April 18, 1995

A first-of-its-kind encyclopedia for chess players, this volume features detailed explanations and invaluable illustrations for new chess players, those intent on improving their games, and anyone who needs to brush up on both the basics and more advanced play. 140 detailed illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Pandolfini is the author of numerous chess instruction and strategy books such as Chessersizes: New Winning Techniques for Players of All Levels (S. & S., 1991). Here, he also aims to instruct, but his approach is rather unconventional; he offers a dictionary of chess terms with related questions and answers attached to selected descriptions. The entry for Blind Swine Mate, for example, is followed by a brief explanation, a related problem illustrated by a chessboard and pieces, an analysis of the situation, and finally the answer, which also features recommended moves. David Hooper and Kenneth Whyld's more comprehensive Oxford Companion to Chess (Oxford Univ. Pr., 1984) is preferable for library reference collections, but this handy resource with over 100 questions and solutions is a good choice for circulating collections.?Will Hepfer, Buffalo Univ. Libs., N.Y.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Pandolfini is well known to chess enthusiasts, having written several introductory works as well as studies of major players (Fischer and Kasparov), chess openings, and endgame play. His new dictionary contains more than a thousand brief entries and many illustrations which clearly show what is taking place on the chess board.

The author's introduction contains an excellent explanation of "algebraic notation," which is a way to record moves using a combination of letters and numbers. This is an essential feature for beginners wishing to make good use of any book on chess. A classified index lists entries under such subject headings as Tactics, People, Game Variations, Endings, and Pawns. The author's "Short Chess Course" helps anyone understand major moves, rules, and principles.

The new dictionary earns library space by its easily understood, brief explanations and associated illustrations. Two other reference works, The Encyclopaedia of Chess (St. Martin's, 1976) and The Oxford Companion to Chess, (2d ed., 1992), are superior in coverage and designed for the seasoned player. They include short essays on history, hundreds of major players, strategies, chess commissions, laws of chess, tournament results, photographs of chess champions, and more detailed explanations of terms. A third work, The Chess Encyclopedia (Facts On File, 1990) is strong in biographical information, including play-by-play accounts of famous games. As a dictionary for terms, it is not as useful. Compared with these three works, Chess Thinking is more suited for the circulating collection.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (April 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671795023
• ISBN-13: 978-0671795023
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,639,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Dictionary For Very Young Beginners, August 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Chess Thinking: The Visual Dictionary of Chess Moves, Rules, Strategies and Concepts (Fireside Chess Library) (Paperback)

Although most chess terms are readily understandable in context, if you really need definitions, this book has them. Having gone through the book, I would think that the only players who would benefit ("improve") from this book would be children or inexperienced beginners. And then only because virtually any study would benefit them.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Buyer Beware..., January 3, 2002

By 

Blaze Jericho "Beretorn" (Blashyrkh, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chess Thinking: The Visual Dictionary of Chess Moves, Rules, Strategies and Concepts (Fireside Chess Library) (Paperback)

The name is a bit deceptive to say the very least... More of a book explaining terms and filled with useless things... Maybe Pandolfini has a few good books, this is not one of them... Perhaps someone that is very new to the game could learn something from this... Yet they will not get better from or because of this book... If you want something with chess thinking this isnt the best book... Maybe Art of Attack, Art of Middlegame, Sorcerer's Apprentice, Zurich 1953, Advances Since Nimzo, Tal Life and Games and Botvinnik one hundred selected games... Would help you more with that aspect of the game just to name a few books... Well it is your money so if you wanna spend it on this book... Nobody is gonna stop you, just remember you were warned... Do not get this book thinking its gonna help you formulate an iron clad strategy... Nor that it will help your tactical or positional play... Basically all this will help is lesson your bank account... Perhaps waste some time of yours reading it as well...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I've got to put in a good word for this book!, April 11, 2008

By 

Christy (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chess Thinking: The Visual Dictionary of Chess Moves, Rules, Strategies and Concepts (Fireside Chess Library) (Paperback)

After reading all the negative reviews of this book, I have to put in a good word for it. It's a good thumbnail review of concepts you've probably learned in other books, and will jog your memory regarding lessons you've learned in your games. I'm a "developing player," rated about 1300-1400, and I gained a lot by just skimming through, following the diagrams, and figuring out the puzzles. Give it a try!