The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

by Patrick Wolff (Author) "Many people feel intimidated by chess..." (more)
Key Phrases: pawn duo, pawn islands, clearance sacrifice, World Championship, Deep Blue, Patrick's Pointers (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Confused by esoteric chess terms like castling, forking, and making Luft? Can't tell whether you've got your opponent in check or checkmate? This book will tell you everything you need to know to become a budding Kasparov, from the names of pieces and their movements to tactics and strategies, from advanced maneuvers to setting up chess tournaments and clubs where you can test your skills. Also covered: a history of chess, from its beginnings in ancient India to how it became the world's most played game; all the basics of the board and the pieces; elementary rules and object of the game; famous openings and well-know tactics; sneak attacks and other tricky plays; exercises that explain strategies and chess-move annotations (often found in newspapers); and advice for using the Internet and computer programs to better your game and tips on starting a chess club or tournament.

About the Author

Patrick Wolff is a two-time U.S. Chess Champion (1992 and 1995) and an International Chess Grand-master. Patrick writes a chess column for the Boston Globe. In addition, he has been a chess coach and instructor and has appeared in several instructional chess videos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 2 edition (September 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028641825
• ISBN-13: 978-0028641829
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #572,447 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding., December 14, 2000

By	Smaug "Jeremy" (Round Lake Beach, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess (Paperback)

This book is MUCH better than the Chess for Dummies book. This one gets into tactics, strategy, analysis and is STILL easy to read and understand. Where the Dummies book teaches how the pieces are moved, this one suggests ways to play effectively. There are many excercises at the end of each chapter that really contribute to your understanding of the subject. It doesn't go too in depth on opening strategies, or endgames, or any specific part of the game, but it gives you adequate knowledge of everything. That sounds impossible, but then I read this book. Besides, they have whole other books on those subjects so they don't have to cut corners. If you want a book to teach you the absolute basics, buy the Dummies book. If you want not so much detail on how the pieces move, but more on how to move them, this is the one. This one's a keeper.

59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brain Food!, December 14, 1999

By	A.J. Goldsby I "A.J.G." (Pensacola, FL (U.S.A.)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess (Paperback)

If you are just starting out and just learned the moves a few days ago ... or you have been playing tournament chess for a couple of years and you still are not where you want to be; THIS IS THE BOOK YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR!

I am a Life-Master. I bought this book to teach out of. I was not supposed to enjoy it. God forbid, a beginner's book should teach me anything! But this is exactly what happenned.

Not since Capablanca's Primer and Chess Fundamentals has there been such a book. A book like this comes along once every 20 years. Believe me, I have sufferred through enough of the bad ones, I appreciate the good ones.

If you are trying to improve in chess and you can read, this book will help you. Hint: Set up a board and study every position in this book. You will get the maximum benefit from it.

GM and U.S. Champ Pat Wolff will make you a better player. Get it. Buy two. Give one to a friend.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First book I recommend budding chessplayers read, May 20, 2002

By	Timothy Brennan (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There are basically two types of chess players. Those who know how the pieces move and play maybe once a year or so. Then there are people who study the game and take it more seriously. Whenever someone wants to make the jump from the first to the second stage I always recommend this book as the first stepping stone.

There are lots of chess books out there, but this one provides a great gentle introduction to all of the important phases of chess as a hobby. After reading this book you will not feel intimidated talking to a chess geek, who will talk in a special language such as "he played the Sicilian against me".

If you have to choose between this book and Chess for Dummies I would recommend this one more. I liked the content and humor better, and found it more useful in general. This book is not just about how the pieces move, and will get you started towards playing serious chess and enjoying in more ways than you originally might think.