Chess for Dummies (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It was inevitable, thank goodness, that the Dummies series would give us an introductory chess book. The light touch is perfect to offset the sober aura of mystery that surrounds the game in many people's minds. And the extras that reach beyond the well-written move explanations, strategies, and pattern-recognition make the book a real winner. It won't take much playing for readers to appreciate the section on chess etiquette, for example, or the one on uncommon moves, subtitled, "The Ones That Start the Fights." Informative tips and amusing bits of trivia add to the fun.

Product Description

Many consider chess to be the best game ever invented. Chess imposes a set of rules and has finite limits, but just as you start to think you’re finally solving its mysteries, chess thwarts you. Sometimes, therefore, the game is frustrating, but far more often, chess proves both surprising and delightful. The deeper you get into chess, the more of its secrets you unearth — but the game has never been tapped out. Even today’s monster computers are far from playing the theorized “perfect” chess game.

Chess For Dummies is for anyone who wants to become a better chess player. Whether you’ve been playing chess for years or never played at all, this clearly written and easy-to-understand guide will help you to

Apply the rules of chess to maximize winning

Understand the lingo involved in the game

Find other players who are just about at your own level

Teach others how to play the game

Explore move-by-move what it takes for you to be the one proudly saying, “Checkmate” at the end of your chess game. Chess For Dummies also covers the following topics and more:

Setting up the board

The pieces and their powers

Pattern recognition

What to do throughout the game, from start to end

Whom to play, when, where, and how

Online and computer chess

Chess notation

Ever since chess originated in the 17th century in ancient India, it has grown to become recognized as the most ancient, intellectual, and cultural game of its time. Its combination of sport, scientific thinking, and the elements of art make it one of the most played games in the world. This book shows you everything you need to know in order to unearth the secrets and philosophies of chess.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 362 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (October 10, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764550039
• ISBN-13: 978-0764550034
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #144,118 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

279 of 285 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Comprehensive, April 6, 2005

By	Chris James "Experienced Chess Player & Schoo... - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book looks like a nice thick book when you first see it. It has a lot of pages. What is so disapointing is that it does a terrible job of providing a logical progression of well thought out lessons to help the beginner build a solid knowledge of chess. It is confusing as it skips around, often covering things totally unrelated to what a beginner needs to know. I agree with the other reviewers that the "Idiot's Guide to Chess" is superior (and "Chess For Juniors" for kids is just great).

156 of 157 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very Difficult Book, June 7, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Chess For Dummies (Paperback)

The way this book is set up it does not teach in a good order. It has a lot of things that make no sense when you are given information suddenly that has noting to do with what was covered in the last segment and it is not instructional. Look at getting "Learn Chess" by Alexander as a much better book.

63 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for the FIRST TIME Player: But Not the Best, May 18, 2002

By	IM J. Callahan (NY) - See all my reviews

James Eade is a very solid chess player and a great teacher. I have played him three times in the US Open, and I have kibitzed with him a few times. Eade has a great knowledge of the game of chess, and that was why I was suprised that his beginners book on chess was far less than great.

This book, although acceptable for beginners, is inferior to the Complete Idiot's series on the game. Eade only touches extremely basic principles, and neglects important subjects such as tactics.

Do not buy this book if you have the option of buying Wolff's book- and definentely do not waste your money buying both of them.