Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

Well guys to tell you the truth when i first had the book it seemed like a big waste of money but after giving it a chance ,i was realy happy to buy it becuase you can benfit from every page in it ,when i was teaching my brother the game ,he almost asked me all those bloody QQQQs so i went back for things that i couldn't have the right words to describe.I think it is a good Ref,and it is better than a lot of claimed chess books...

This book does what a fortune teller does by being very general. And too general to be of much use. This book doesn't contain examples using real chess positions. Just a lot of written words and no exact examples of how to use them. You are better off buying another chess book.

Basically this book isnt worth the trees that were killed for the paper. If you really wanna throw your money away, why not donate to charity. Do not give money to some bogus over rated no talent coach who writes book after book. As you read the stupid questions asked, you ask yourself what was I thinking. The final question in this book is "What is born every minute?". You can answer this question two ways, buy this book, or realize the truth...