64 Things You Need to Know in Chess [Paperback]

John Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

This is a basic primer for those who know how to play chess and are seeking to improve. Each 'thing' is explained in an easy-to-follow lesson, which is followed by exercises that enable the reader to check that he or she has fully understood the concept. Topics include: the basic checkmates; essential endgame knowledge; tactics and combinations; middlegame themes; typical checkmating patterns; opening play.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Walker's accessible writing style has gained him many fans. This is his first book published under the Gambit imprint.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Gambit Publications (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1901983676
• ISBN-13: 978-1901983678
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,010,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best for Improving Players, August 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: 64 Things You Need to Know in Chess (Paperback)

I am a strong (A) player with a large library of quality books. I purchased this one to use in teaching my friends the joys of this ancient game without scaring them off with reams of variations. The beauty of this book is that it presents the most essential chess concepts in a manner that will not scare off newer students to the game. I especially enjoy how the book starts with the endings and tactics and then progresses to strategy.

I am a HUGE fan of Tarrasch's the Game of Chess and Lasker's famous Manual--however both of these works are quite verbose and will not foster a love from the game in most newbies. Get this book and use it to teach your friends how to play a solid game of chess. Get this and use it in combination with some of the classics (may I suggest art of the middlegame?) and begin the climb to expert status!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for introduction, September 29, 2007

By 

Thomas T. Verga (Staunton, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 64 Things You Need to Know in Chess (Paperback)

This book will improve your play.
Walker goes through step by step how to improve your game.
He starts by making sure that you understand basic tactics, then where others go to openings he goes straight for the end game. By using this approach he shows you how to win from established positions. Once again it is about tactics.
From here he moves to openings, he gives you standard openings, then explains the principles behind them, once again it is tactics.

I strongly reccomend this book especially to beginners and average players, but I beleive that everyone will come away with something from it