The basic ideas of Chess are well known, and over the years many prominent Masters and Grandmasters have written books designed to teach beginners those rudiments. So it seems reasonable to ask why yet another exposition of this same material is either warranted or necessary. The answer is simple. Learn Chess Fast is clearer, more logically organized, more complete, and, especially, more insightful than anything ever written, progressing smoothly and effortlessly from the most basic concepts to the more complex, and thus making the beginner’s learning task far easier. It does this because it represents the culmination of the author's 50 + years of successful experience in teaching both Chess and Go beginners of all ages, from young juveniles thru older adults. Throughout, key ideas are boldly highlighted in prominent text boxes, so the things most in need of the student’s attention/learning are clearly distinguished from supporting concepts, and all ideas are profusely and clearly illustrated. Early on, the concept is introduced that the “standard’ version of Chess that forms the book’s subject is really only the most prominent variant of an entire complex of similar but sometimes strikingly different games. Then it’s explained that the “special rules” governing such things as Castling and the “En Passant” pawn capture are only the unavoidable residue of the game’s speedup in the Middle Ages, with the result that what other books present as seemingly arbitrary and oft confusing facts to be memorized, here become logical constructs that are easily remembered! The book’s many hundreds of diagrams and clear explanatory text better answer the key questions that all Chess primers must address, and such things as its exposition of the reasons why memorization of the Openings is counterproductive will save the beginner from much unnecessary later trauma. The overall result is a unique, self-teaching primer that speeds learning while increasing the beginner's enjoyment and understanding. As one of its reviewers said "This is the book I wish I had when I was learning to play Chess". Check it out for yourself and discover why Learn Chess Fast is the ideal gift for your own family members, as well as for those friends and relatives who've had difficulty in learning Chess in the past or whom you've never before been able to interest.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Introduction to Chess,
This review is from: Learn Chess Fast with Milton N. Bradley (Paperback)
I've been playing chess for most of my life. My father taught me the fundamentals of the game when I was roughly three years of age, and I've been playing off and on ever since. I've had the opportunity to read many books on all facets of the game. Some of the lessons stuck, some passed over my head. I've been away from the game for a little while now, but I have always been a relatively strong casual player.
If you are trying to learn chess for the first time, you are faced with an overwhelming amount of literature in book stores and libraries. There are a tremendous number of volumes dedicated specifically to teaching the beginner to master chess. Many of these books are written by world-renowned chess masters. Even though there are many books dedicated to teaching the beginner chess, I have not come across one (until now) that effectively is able to convey to beginner the important lessons required for a high level of proficiency in the game. In my opinion, the key to a successful beginner chess book is to teach the student what they want to do, why they want to do it, and how to execute their plan. I have found that most books excel in explaining the how of the game (most of these authors are masters after all), but are less clear in explaining the what and why to novice players. Learn Chess Fast separates itself from the pack in that it clearly and explicitly explains the long-term and short-term goals of the game, why those goals are important, and how to achieve them. It is the first book that I feel adequately demonstrates the link between the first move and an ultimate checkmate. Throughout the book the author explains the principles behind the moves in language that is easy to comprehend for someone otherwise unfamiliar with chess. The focus is on understanding and not memorization. Everything is clearly laid out. As an experienced player who is coming back to the game after a bit of a layoff, I found the book to be very insightful and helpful. Moves I used to make mindlessly are well-explained here, and I feel like I have gained a greater understanding of the game through reading this book that is aimed at the beginner. The bottom line is, if you want to gain a deep understanding of chess in the minimum amount of time, this book is for you. It teaches you the fundamentals that are necessary to understand more advanced books (and in many cases renders those books irrelevant). One-stop shopping. Read this and win more games. I only wish this had been around 20 years ago. It would have saved me a lot of unnecessary work and confusion..
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
At LAST a book that explains chess so you can really play chess!,
By Alloy417 (northern Hudson Valley in NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Learn Chess Fast with Milton N. Bradley (Paperback)
When I was trying to learn to play chess why wasn't this book written yet?? I never got any good at playing chess because all of the chess books I found were boring and dense with endless diagrams and variations and never really explained anything about WHY I would want to play one move instead of another! This book finally explains WHY to play moves and what they aim to do.
The writing is clear and concise. The diagrams and examples are clear and to the point. Gone is the need to guess and try moves, and lose games because you're guessing. I guess you still have to work and practice to get good at Chess, but now I'll know what I am going for! The book starts off in the usual way, so that a rank novice can learn the basics, but as the book progresses the author explains some things that I don't think have ever before been explicitly and clearly explained in print. What was once an impenetrable barrier and complex morass of openings and variations with strange names is suddenly broken down to some principles and ideas that are not all that hard to grasp and follow. The ideas and principles of the middle and late game are explained in terms that make it clear HOW TO WIN a chess game! I'm not even sure that some stronger players that have been playing for some time know these things, they might benefit too. You're never going to figure out what this book reveals in plain english by reading books on chess openings or analysis of great games. After reading this book, a light went on, and I said to myself - aha!! Now that I know these things, maybe I'll go back a try playing chess again... The old saying of "don't judge a book by its cover" is really true on this one! Boy is it ever!! Thanks for writing this book!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fine Introduction to Chess Understanding,
By
This review is from: Learn Chess Fast with Milton N. Bradley (Paperback)
Learn Chess Fast, by Milton Bradley, presents all the principles a beginner needs, not just to play the game, but to have a good idea of what to think about while playing. Starting from the rules and mechanics, it presents and illustrates all the basic positional considerations and tactical motifs clearly and concisely, and discusses how they interact with overall strategy. There are plenty of examples of the kind of spectacular tactics that can occur in chess, each of them with an explanation of why it works.
The book quite properly leaves the treatment of specific openings to a minimum, as modern opening "theory" can be understood properly only when a player has a reasonable grasp of these basic ideas, which require study and practice. As a USCF expert, I recommend it highly, and wish it had been available when I wanted to buy a beginning chess book for a young friend.
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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