Customer Reviews

Primer of Chess (Algebraic)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

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!

Solid info is contained in this book. but like the title says its a primer. From the material contained in the book i think it would benefit the beginer to someone rated around 1300.
if you dont have a book on chess this would be a great first book!! its definetely comparable to silman's HOW TO REASSESS YOUERE CHESS. though the content is more in silman's book. its mostly rules about how to think like him. and capablanca tries to help you develop youre own style.
i know people put this book down because its in descriptive notation, but it has a small section in the begining that shows you how to read it. Plus youll be able to buy other great books that are descriptive too! like botvitnik and alehkhine's books.
why not study with the greatest? i know people devate alot about who is the greatest. But he was in an era where he played against some of the best ever! like alehkhine, lasker, Nimzowich, tarrasch, and more. if youre a beginer theyre is no reason you should not have this book!

I have to underline or highlight passages when I read, so I ordered what I thought would be possibly a used book. I got Capablanca within just a few days. The paperback book looks like it has never been opened. I can not be more please. If you are just a beginning chess player or have some experience, I am convinced that all of Jose Raul Capablanca's books will improve your understanding of the moves in chess. Giving a recommendation any higher than that is not possible.

PS: My purchase was one dollar cheaper than any where else!

It is difficult to share the insights with my daughter. She has only learned the algebraic notation. Each of the other books we purchased have been translated into this format and it is much better for learning!