Chess for Children (Hardcover)

~ Murray Chandler (Author), Helen Milligan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

With this charming book, children will delight in learning the basic moves of chess - the most popular and challenging strategy game of all. All the rules of chess are clearly explained, step by step, assuming no prior knowledge. The lessons are reinforced by the inventive tales that George is told by his pet alligator Kirsty, self-proclaimed Grand Alligator of chess.

Chess is recognized in many countries as a useful tool for developing creative thinking in children. Although chess can be regarded as a rather complex and mysterious game, the rules themselves are straightforward. It doesn't take long to learn how the pieces move, and even children as young as five can enjoy exciting games. They will also thoroughly enjoy outwitting friends and relatives!

From the Publisher

Gambit Publications specialises in chess and has an unrivalled reputation for originality and editorial excellence. The company is owned and staffed entirely by leading chess masters and grandmasters.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Gambit Publications (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904600069
• ISBN-13: 978-1904600060
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,492 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Board Games > Chess
  #21 in	Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Games

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicest introduction to chess I have ever seen, February 21, 2006

By	Alan__Sutton (Sheffield, UK) - See all my reviews

I have seen countless books on chess aimed at youngsters over the years, but this is probably the nicest introduction I have ever seen, aimed at primary school children. The problem with so many books is that they are too ambitious, too wordy or just downright boring, but such criticisms in no way apply to this latest addition.

The game is taught through the medium of a cartoon character, George, and his pet alligator, Kirsty, a self-proclaimed Grand Alligator of Chess. The large format pages and large diagrams are easier on the young eye, and the language is readily accessible to a young age group.

The book consists of six parts. Part One covers the basics of how the pieces move, then subsequent parts take the young beginner through a succession of easy, welldefined stages, until by the end of the book you are able to play through and understand a complete game. The book is also very much inter-active, as there are tests interspersed at regular intervals throughout.

As I said earlier, over-ambition is the main problem with so many beginners books, but here the authors have set out with the very limited objective of getting the child started on a very basic level. Opening theory, middlegame strategy and endgame technique have no place here. The emphasis is on learning the basics in an enjoyable manner. If you have a young child or relative who wants to learn chess, then I can thoroughly recommend this book, which in addition to everything I have already said comes at a very reasonable price.

This review first appeared in the magazine En Passant.

81 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A little bit to much of a baby book for me, September 5, 2005

A Kid's Review

The picture stuff is a little too much for a slightly older kid like me. I am on the chess team at my school and thought it would be a good idea for me to read up some. But for someone in 6th grade I found I needed a more serious book (I think the pictures are cute for little kids, not for anyone beyond first grade). It was not consistant that some parts of the book are for little kids, but the reading level needed was way beyond that. But the book isn't bad. It still had somegood learning things in it.

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Re-discovered chess with this excellent teaching book, November 8, 2005

By	Home Enthusiast - See all my reviews

We took the extended family on a trip to Florida a couple of months ago, and picked up a plastic chess set together with this book for the children. We hoped they might learn, but we could hardly predict they would become besotted. The book was a mega-hit.
Although both my father-in-law (from Switzerland) and I had played a fair bit of chess in our younger days, neither of us were completely up with the rules. Having this book was useful as both a refresher course and to consult in case of dispute.
I had expected CHESS FOR CHILDREN would be at least an adequate book, as a local chess coach had steered me towards it, but it was better than that, which has prompted me to do this review. The content is brilliant, and I can only agree with other reviews that this has the clearest lay-out of any chess beginner book.
Another unexpected bonus was that the kids were able to follow everything in the book without the help of an adult, even learning chess notation. Visually the book scores well, being a solid hardcover with a good mix of chess moves and illustrations.
The book divides nealy into six parts, starting with setting up the chessboard, and progressing to how each piece moves and some elementary advice on strategy. The first holiday where arcade games were almost forgotten!
Highly recommended.