Customer Reviews

The Kids' Book of Chess and Chess Set

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Actually, for a starters chess set for someone who might not get into chess seriously (by joining the school chess club) the chess set is ok. My pieces did not crack, but I only used them a short time before getting a regular tournament design chess set and roll board for playing at the school chess club.
The book is not so bad if once again if you are not sure if you are going to get very involved in chess. If you think you are then the book is not very deep and you will outgrow it very fast after reading it. If you think you might be joining your school chess club look at the "Chess complete guide for the beginner" or "Learn Chess" by Alexander for a book that will take you deeper into the strategies.
But, this set and board is a bargin if you are a kid who does not really want to get into chess deeply or be involved in the school club or any tournaments.

I got this set and book two christmases ago. I feel that the book is good if you need to learn how the pieces move and a little bit about how to use simple strategies (it is very basic). After two years I have only had one of the pieces form a crack and used glue on it, so it was no big deal. I ended getting a regular staunton tournament set that was solid anyway.
For the price this is still not a bad deal if you plan to eventually upgrade your set, and the book anyway. Don't expect anything fancy.

As a sixth grader I found the book to be written more for a parent to be able to read, but to a small kid. It covers the very basics and is ok. I didn't really need the cheap chess set that came with it - but the chess set would be fine for a first time kid. I enjoyed my CHESS FOR JUNIORS book alot more which had far better lessons and ART OF THE CHECKMATE.

I wanted to let you know that on the rook and the king they formed cracks on them after I used the set for about a year (played about one time a week with it). The book is fine, but the set was made well enough to last. Time to get a new set!

I like the book. It gives me a lot of information and is worth four stars. Sometimes the book is a little hard to understand but still mostly very good.
The chess set is certainly cheaply made. But then again it is not designed for tournament use, but just to get you by with the book.

This magnificent and visually stimulating chess set contains a 96-page beautifully illustrated book, chess pieces and a custom chess board.

The book begins with a fascinating, detailed description of the history of the game and how it derived from medieval times. It is incredibly detailed and exquisitely written. Although I am not particularly a fan of medieval or military history, I found this section to be most engaging, and it certainly helped deepen my love and appreciation for the game. A basic example -- We learn that in medieval times the pawns were the serfs, the poor laborers, the foot soldiers and as in any society there were usually more of them than anyone else. If we were to imagine them in real life they would be traveling on foot and "carrying a long spear called a pike. On the battlefield he was known as a pikeman. Pikemen also carried shields, which they held directly in front of them for protection. This meant that they had to point their pikes to either side of the shield. Similarly, because of his shield, a Chess pawn is unable to strike directly in front of him. He can attack only on the diagonal." When presented with details in this manner you come away with a better understanding of why certain rules exist in the game.

The second chapter is an introduction to the chessboard itself. The only thing missing here (and it is a very important omission) is a discussion of rank and file. Subsequent chapters over each piece in depth; its significance in relation to the other pieces on the board and how it moves. Towards the end are chapters explaining how to play the game, (accompanied by interesting military history tidbits highlighted in boxes throughout), and basic play strategies (and I mean BASIC in every sense of he word. If you are looking for a more involved strategy-oriented text, then definitely consider buying Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess).

This book does a nice job of covering all the basic elements of the game in an entertaining manner. Your student will come away with a comprehensive understanding of, and appreciation for, the oldest war game of all.

Five stars. An absolute must for every budding and experienced chess enthusiast.

The book was my first chess book. I liked it a lot becuse it taught me to basic points of chess and was fun to read. I give the book four and one half stars. The Chess Set I didn't like becuse it is very cheaply made and the pieces are not sturdy like the second chess set I got. I suggest if you can buy just the book get it, or look for another book if you cannot buy it alone. Forget the chess pieces as they stink. I give the chess set one and a half stars (I have though seen worse ones).

The reader comments below are on-target, especially the one from North Dakota. I found this book at a local bookstore, sale priced with a plastic chess set and board. My 8 year old son took an immediate interest, and was fascinated with setting up the strategies described in the book with aid of the set. This book not only instructs well, it has the equally important quality of inspiring interest to learn the game. I do hope the publisher will bring it out in another printing if it is currently out of print. Kids deserve this kind of reading!

Harvey Kidder's Kids' Book of Chess is a treat for grown ups and kids alike. Kidder describes in vivid detail the history of "the oldest and greatest skill game ever invented." He brings the pieces of the game to life with rich characterizations of the types of people and institutions they were meant to represent. Beautiful illustrations portray queens, kings, knights, and castles. Diagrams illustrate positioning of the pieces and how they move. In the "How to Play" section, Kidder gets the reader off to a running start by explaining the Blitzkrieg, then moves into greater detail in describing the basic strategy of the game from beginning to end. The book is easy to follow, and the sections make sense standing alone. It's fascinating and fun reading, even if you don't play chess and a wonderful introduction to a classic game.

This was an excellent first book on the game of chess. A friend gave it to us and my 8-year old son and I read it together one evening and were playing chess that same night. If you've ever wanted a simple book on how to play chess (for kids and adults) this is it.