Square One: A Chess Drill Book for Beginners (Fireside Chess Library) [Paperback]

Bruce Pandolfini (Author)

Book Description

Series: Fireside Chess Library | Publication Date: December 1, 1994

A "how to" manual introducing the novice chess player to the game with illustrated descriptions of the board, the different pieces, how they move and their relative worth. It also contains many examples of how to play, with strategies for beating your opponent, producing check and checkmate. There are questions throughout, quizzing your knowledge and comprehension, such as :"Can the attack be blocked?", and "Does the White King have a safe move?". The answer to each question is provided in the back, in complete sentences, and often accompanied by an explanatory diagram showing the relevant moves.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (December 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671884247
• ISBN-13: 978-0671884246
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #889,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The most basic chess book ever written, December 23, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Square One: A Chess Drill Book for Beginners (Fireside Chess Library) (Paperback)

I was amazed. Simply amazed that such space was given to these huge diagrams. Almost nothing except the very, very basics is covered. If you know how the pieces move and the very must basic strategy you could possibly learn you are already past where this book goes.
It isn't a nice picture beginners book like "Starting Chess" (good for parents to read to small kids) or a quality introduction to chess with lots of material like "Chess For Juniors". Get one of these instead.
You will be shocked when this book arrives if you order it!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the most basic book written on chess, but almost!, January 11, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Square One: A Chess Drill Book for Beginners (Fireside Chess Library) (Paperback)

If you want very simple, and I mean a very, very simple introduction to the very basics of chess, then "Square One" is ok. But don't plan to learn much from it beyond the most basic rules and most basic starting strategy.
I want to point out that there is a book that is even more simple called "You Can Play Chess" that teachings the basic rules with cool drawings for little kids that can be coloured (use crayons!). I liked it for that when I was just learning. Like the other review said for a serious older kid "Chess for Juniors" has the most instruction in any beginner book I have seen.
I hope that I have given some good advice for you to find the right chess book for you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for it's intended purpose, see review for details, January 26, 2007

By 

Patrick D. Goonan "see profile for URL" (Livermore, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Square One: A Chess Drill Book for Beginners (Fireside Chess Library) (Paperback)

This book is targeted to someone who is very new to chess. It allows them to quickly learn the rules, notation, how pieces move, elementary tactics and elementary checkmates.

The added value of this book over other similar ones is that it is extremely well-organized, logically arranged and set up so that a beginner can make rapid progress. There are many questions, exercises and drills of various types that reinforce important ideas and plenty of review material. This book is ideal for a parent helping a child to learn chess partly for that reason.

I saw a lot of low ratings for this book and didn't think that was quite fair because perhaps they are not judging it for it's intended audience. For the target audience, however, I really haven't seen anything better.

At one time I was a Director of Education and part of my job was putting out courseware and course materials. In my judgement this book is designed to teach and it takes the shortest path to the goal and present material in way where it is likely to be retained in long-term memory.

If you already know the rules, elementary tactics, elementary checkmates, etc. you still may appreciate the review or you may want to pass on this. One of my favorite beginner books for a general for play for a beginner is HOW TO BE A WINNER AT CHESS by Reinfeld. It's an older book, but very readable and a good next step to this one.