Pandolfini's Chess Complete: The Most Comprehensive Guide to the Game, from History to Strategy (Fireside Chess Library) [Paperback]

Bruce Pandolfini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1992 | Series: Fireside Chess Library

Chess

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (November 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067170186X
• ISBN-13: 978-0671701864
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,470,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Typical Pandolfini, April 4, 2006

By 

Avital Pilpel "classics_lover" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pandolfini's Chess Complete: The Most Comprehensive Guide to the Game, from History to Strategy (Fireside Chess Library) (Paperback)

Well, lucky us! Finally, there's a COMPLETE guide to the game of chess, "from history to strategy"! One might think that, perhaps, Murray's History of Chess, or the MCO, or Euwe's books on chess strategy, or Fine's basic endgames book, might be a bit more complete on their respective subjects. Apparently we were wrong. It is this 120-or-so page tome which is the MOST comperhensive guide to all those fields. It says so right on the cover, so it must be true!

In reality, of course, this book is anything but "complete". As most of Pandolfini's books, it is nothing but rehashed trivialities for beginners. Three chapters deal almost with nothing but the rules of the game. Once this is done, a couple of more chapters (about 40 pages or so) deal with some very basic tactics and strategy (on the "make sure your pieces are defended" and "rooks belong behind passed pawns" level). Add a chapter of a smatterings of history, and the book is done.

If you aren't an absolute beginner, there would be nothing new for you in this "complete" book, and no reason to but it.

But even if you are, there are MUCH better books out there. Try Purdy's books for beginners, or Capablanca's "Chess Fundamentals". While far older, those books have quite a few advantages: they were written by FAR better players who put FAR more effort into their books, and are available for less than Pandolfini's tomes are.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's get one thing straight:, February 21, 2001

By 

Oscar Arguijo (Dallas, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pandolfini's Chess Complete: The Most Comprehensive Guide to the Game, from History to Strategy (Fireside Chess Library) (Paperback)

This is not a book on how to improve your chess. It is not a book on opening theory or a synopsis on endgame technique. It's a sound, comprehensive work from one of the best known, most respected chess instructors in America. Bruce Pandolfini answers the questions that chess students have asked, or are likely to ask, and he answers them in a complete but concise manner. There are around 540 questions in this book: Dig deep and I'm sure you'll find one that you would likely ask.

A solid reference work that will hold a special place in one's chess library. I just hope Mr. Pandolfini revises the book, if only to update on whatever happened to Bobby Fischer.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I have a question..., March 17, 2003

By 

"victorsefifith" (Cleveland, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pandolfini's Chess Complete: The Most Comprehensive Guide to the Game, from History to Strategy (Fireside Chess Library) (Paperback)

Ever been asked a stupid chess question? or a chess question you know the answer to but don't know how to explain it? or how about a chess question your just not sure of? belive me I've been there.
Well here's the answers simply explained.
I'm not a fan of Pandolfini's book by any means, But this is one of his books I really liked.
545 questions in 13 chapters, like having a masters brain to pick 24/7.