Complete Book of Chess (Usborne Internet-Linked Complete Books) [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Dalby (Author), Adam Constantine (Designer), Ruth Russell (Designer)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Usborne Books (February 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0794503713
• ISBN-13: 978-0794503710
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #613,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best illustrated guide for beginners and beyond, September 30, 2004

By 

Chess Parent (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Book of Chess (Usborne Internet-Linked Complete Books) (Hardcover)

Superbly illustrated including lots more chess board diagrams than other childrens guide. It has much more "beyond the basics" content than any of the other usually classic illustrated children's guides from Dorling Kindersley, Kingfisher, and even the others from Usborne itself.

Most of the other childrens guides merely show what the pieces look like (a pawn is a pawn is a pawn)and how they move with a teensy bit of strategy very reluctantly put in so as not to frighten the horses. This seems to be the one illustrated childrens book which not only simply explains but also graphically SHOWS the strategy in much much much more detail with copious illustrations. If a picure is worth a thousand words then this book is worth millions and is a quantum leap above the others. If you want science fantasy 3D abstract illustrations which are beautiful for adults to look at (but either confusing as hell or simply irrelevant in learning chess) then the Kingfisher guide is superb. But if you want your kid ( and maybe yourself) to really understand what the pieces are actually doing and the finer points of strategy involved, then the many many more colour (usually) 2D pictures in this book can't be beat.

It packs more content which is easy to understand in a 108 page beginners guide than some of the 3oo plus pages pot boilers written for adults by some grandmaster players who can't teach for nuts. This Usborne guide has quite comprehensive sections on the opening, middle game and end game with lots of examples and board shots. It also has quick internet chess links on the Usborne site which are aimed at helping kids and beginners understand. I must admit I have learnt quite a bit from the book myself and it is a very suitable guide also for adults from beginner to imtermediate and perhaps even to the threshold of advanced.

In case you were wondering I like this book. Much more importantly my kids ( 5 years) love it too and beg me to get the set out and try the early things in this book. If you can only buy one book to help your kids ( or even yourself) with chess you won't be disappointed with this. My only caveat is that if your kids are really young then the amount of illustrated info on each page may be a bit daunting and for pre- readers one of the more basic guides from Usborne, DK or kingfisher may be an easier (but more limited) starting point.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superbly organized and "kid friendly" guide, January 15, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Book of Chess (Usborne Internet-Linked Complete Books) (Hardcover)

The Usborne Internet-Linked Complete Book Of Chess is a straightforward introduction to the classic game of chess written by Elizabeth Dalby, and highly recommended for young players. From a fundamental tutorial about basic moves, to deadly and complex traps for enemy pieces, to solid attack and defense strategies, to 80 brain-twisting chess puzzles, and so much more, The Usborne Internet-Linked Complete Book Of Chess is a superbly organized and "kid friendly" guide featuring full color illustrations, diagrams, and offering a wealth of useful internet links.

5.0 out of 5 stars Never Played Chess Friendly, November 3, 2011

By 

Karen Platt - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Usborne Complete Book of Chess (Paperback)

My husband, son, and I all learned to play chess at the same time. My son was five at the time. Once we got the moves down we needed a book to guide us in a more thought out game. My son is 9 now and I bought this book a few months ago. I had read part of it and learned how to Castle and showed my son. He thought it was pretty cool when he beat his dad with the move. Dad thought it was pretty cool to and insisted my son show him how it was done.
Anyways, long story short, my son and husband are now in competition with one another and have been taking turns reading this book. The last game I played with my son I started to explain something to him that I had just read and he said, "yeah mom I know." I asked him how he knew and he went on to tell me that he learned it out of "that chess book" and after questioning him I was astounded by how much he comprehended and applied.
This is a great book for anyone who learns best by example as the the pictures and instructions are very clear and delivered if digestible bits.