Primer of Chess (Algebraic) [Paperback]

Jose Capablanca (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1995 | Series: Cadogan Chess Books

A basic manual of chess by the master José Raul Capablanca, regarded as one of the half dozen greatest players ever. Capablanca was noted especially for his technical mastery, and in this book he explains the fundamentals as no one else could. Diagrams.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jos+ Raoul Capablanca (1888-1942) was the World Chess Champion from 1921-1927. He is considered by many to be the finest natural players of all time--he lost only one game between 1914 and 1924. A member of the Chess Hall of Fame, he is honored by an annual tournament held in his name in Havana, Cuba, his home country.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Scribner Book Company; Subsequent edition (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857441656
• ISBN-13: 978-1857441659
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,350,801 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Insights Into A World Champion's Thoughts On Chess, April 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Primer of Chess (Algebraic) (Paperback)

Although originally written as an introduction to chess - and for which it is still quite useful - it also is an opportunity for intermediate players to read the great Capablanca's annotations to twelve games he played against some of the strongest players ever known. We spend a lot of time studying chess books by modern masters and grandmasters and neglect the ideas of a chessplayer regarded for a time as practically invincible. An inexpensive, interesting primer that will repay study for players like myself (ELO 2023) and lesser rated.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a masterpiece of chess instruction, June 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Primer of Chess (Paperback)

Without question, this is the one book for a beginner to get. The book not only is written by what some consider to be the greatest chess player ever, it offers a ton of excellent advice. Capablanca shows what to do in the opening, middlegame and endgame. The end of the book offers his best games for instructional purposes. The best part of the book is his excellent advice and honesty. He does not hide knowledge from the reader. He is open and candid about everything. For example, some have wondered how Capablanca became so good. The answer is in this book. He writes that one should play over the games and examples in the book, and think of similar positions himself and keep going over this again and again. This is the "secret" to Capablancas success as he writes in the book;practice, practice and more practice. That is the key to chess wizadry. This book is excellent because it teaches the truth about chess mastery. It takes the reader from begginner to chess master and beyond. A great, great book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great mind's strategies put in everymans language, July 18, 2006

By 

TC George (Temple City, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Primer of Chess (Paperback)

That pretty sums this book up.I have found this book to be easy to follow as well as very insightful. Capablanca was a world class chess champion, but his terminology for this work is far from aloof. It is down to earth and to the point.He goes over rules, opening moves, middle game and ending. His points on strategy are priceless. I highly recommend this book to any beginner; it will improve your game - fast!