Chess: The History of a Game (Hardcover)

~ Richard Eales (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Not since Murray in 1913 has there been a seriously researched history of chess which is also readable. Eales concentrates on what can be identified through archaeological and written evidence. The key text for lovers of chess history. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File; 1st edition (May 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816011958
• ISBN-13: 978-0816011957
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #618,619 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the most readable chess history, July 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Chess: The History of a Game (Hardinge Simpole Chess Classics) (Paperback)

murrrays history of chess is the one usually quoted but the book by richard eales is vastly more readable-the print is better and clearer-it is not packed with obscure footnotes and it is much more up to date. also - even if you cannot play chess at all -there is still plenty in this book to enjoy-no knowledge of the moves is required at all.eales also has the advantage of having written after the ussr took such an interest in chess and after bobby fischer had made his impact.for a good read on the history of the game this book has no equal.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Evolution of Chess, July 31, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Chess: The History of a Game (Hardinge Simpole Chess Classics) (Paperback)

Who better to write about the History of Chess than a chess master and well established historian? In Eales' 'Chess - The History of a Game', we are taken through the various influences that cultures and social circles have had on chess through the years. Not only will this book interest the regular chess enthusiast - it will also provide a fascinating read for anyone interested in the evolution of a game - a game that ' has been variously described as a sport, a science or an art' and has captivated peoples for over a thousand years.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Writing, Poor Text, May 25, 2004

By	Centerra "centerra" (NH USA) - See all my reviews

This is written for the Hardinge Simpole 2002 softcover. The narrative in this book is excellent. Eales writes a history readable for the layman. It is a complete history, from the origins in Islam through to the 1980s. This is, after all, a digital reprint of the 1985 publishing. Which brings me to why I rated this only 3 stars: the print is blurry. Simply put, it looks like poor quality photocopying. With the small font (definitely smaller than 12pt) the fuzzy quality is quite the eye strain.