Books for Beginners

1001 CHESS EXERCISES FOR BEGINNERS

Ref: n1397

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Franco Masetti & Roberto Messa
1001 Chess Exercises for Beginners is a great first tactics book. It helps you in identifying weak spots in the position of your opponent, in recognizing patterns of combinations, and in visualizing tricks.
Each chapter introduces and explain a new tactical idea (pin, skewer,fork, discovered attack etc.) with a few examples and then presents the reader with a series of test positions for solving.
By solving the numerous examples the reader becomes familiar with the basic tactics used in winning chess games.
Chess masters Franco Masetti and Roberto Messa have produced an excellent first book on chess tactics. It can be used as a course text book as well as for personal improvement.
Published 2012, softback, 144 pages.
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CHECKMATE FOR CHILDREN

Ref: n1309

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Kevin Stark
This training book aims to provide a systematic knowledge of checkmating patterns to beginners who know only the rules and how to move the pieces. Each checkmating example is illustrated with a diagram and an explanation of basic concepts and how the pieces work together. There are quizzes throughout the book, finishing with the "great test" - 60 diagrammed checkmating puzzles for the reader to solve.
Checkmate for Children is both an instructive and a fun way to learn how to checkmate your opponent. It is packed with helpful explanations and practical advice.
Kevin Stark is an experienced chess coach.
Published 2010, softback, 143 pages.

CHESS FOR CHILDREN

Ref: g0006

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Murray Chandler & Helen Milligan
This large format book is an ideal introduction to chess for younger players being illustrated throughout with cartoons and large diagrams. The lessons are reinforced by the inventive tales that the central character George is told by his pet alligator and teacher Kirsty. All the rules of chess including the moves of the pieces, check and checkmate, basic tactics and different opening moves are covered with practice positions and tests included in each chapter and no prior knowledge is required to learn from this book. Murray Chandler is a Grandmaster and Dr Helen Milligan is a former British Ladies Champion.
Published 2004, hardback, 111 pages.

CHESS FOR KIDS AND PARENTS

Ref: q0045

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Heinz Brunthaler
It is widely accepted that learning chess has a very positive effect on children. Many parents want to help their children to study chess, but don’t know how to do it. This book offers a solution. It is a practical handbook that teaches the mysteries of chess with a light touch. All rules and aspects of the game are covered but the authors assume that the reader already knows the basic rules of the game (i.e. how the pieces move and capture and the concept of checkmate and check). This book will help children progress from beginner level to playing in tournaments. It contains a simple but effective training programme that includes topics such as openings, tactics, simple checkmates, endgames and many more. Many tests are included, with clearly explained solutions, to ensure the reader has understood the lesson.
Published 2006, softback, 210 pages.

CHESS KID'S BOOK OF CHECKMATE

Ref: n3594

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David MacEnulty
In The Chess Kid’s Book of Checkmate, chess teacher David MacEnulty teaches different forms of checkmate in a style aimed at players between the ages of 6 and 10. Many checkmates fall into well-known patterns and the player who remembers common checkmate patterns will have an advantage over the one who doesn’t. Step-by-step, with more than 170 diagrams, The Chess Kid’s Book of Checkmate reveals how to recognize basic checkmate patterns, how to force checkmate with different combinations of pieces and the special circumstances involving checkmate with one piece acting alone. It is packed with diagrammed examples and puzzles for the reader to solve. David MacEnulty is a chess teacher and coach living in the Bronx, New York.
Published 2004, softback, 206 pages.
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CHESS OPENINGS FOR KIDS

Ref: g5426

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John Watson & Graham Burgess
This introduction to the chess openings looks at 50 of the most popular openings and gives a flavour of each with some sample lines of play, explanation of both sides' ideas and diagrams of key positions. The book is aimed at younger players who have learned the basics of the game and need to choose openings which will suit their style of play.
It is important to choose your opening moves carefully so as to reach the kind of position you play well and a helpful guide like this will give you a good idea of what to expect from each opening. The book also highlights various devastating opening traps to be utilised or avoided! After reading this you will have fun posing difficult problems for your opponent in any opening!
Chess Openings for Kids makes learning the chess openings fun. Playing these powerful openings will help you develop an understanding of how the pieces work together.
International Master John Watson is a former US National High School Chess Champion. He is arguably the world's foremost writer on chess openings, and the author of award-winning books on chess strategy. FIDE Master Graham Burgess has written more than twenty chess books, ranging from general guides to works on specific openings. He also holds the world record for marathon blitz chess playing.
Published 2011, hardback, 128 pages.
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CHESS TACTICS FOR KIDS

Ref: g8399

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Murray Chandler
Chess enthusiasts of all ages and levels will find this book an instructive delight. In a simple, easy-to-understand format it explains how to bamboozle your chess opponents using commonly occurring tactical motifs. The illustrative positions, all taken from real games, show the 50 Tricky Tactics that experienced chess masters use to win their games. Recognising frequently occurring tactical ideas is vital to success in chess. One of the fastest and most enjoyable ways to improve at chess is by learning these thematic manoeuvres. Beginners will benefit from the clear explanation of basic concepts, such as how to utilise a fork, pin, or skewer. Advanced players will delight in the many devious middlegame tricks - some classified here for the first time - which can catch out even grandmasters. Chess Tactics for Kids makes improving easy and fun, and is full of helpful explanations on how to approach chess games with confidence - and success.
Published 2003, softback, 128 pages.

COMPREHENSIVE CHESS COURSE VOL. 1

Ref: c2323

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Roman Pelts & Lev Alburt
5th edition
Part one of the Comprehensive Chess Course is aimed at those teaching chess in schools & clubs or just teaching themselves! There are 12 lessons here which show how the pieces move & capture, chess notation, castling, en passant, check & checkmate, the relative value of the pieces and how to open a game. There are review questions and homework tasks for each chapter and the final chapter contains a series of 20 tests on all the material covered in the book. Lev Alburt is a Russian Grandmaster and 3 times U.S. Champion. Roman Pelts is a famous Ukrainian chess teacher who taught Lev Alburt and presents his teaching course in this series.
"GM Lev Alburt, a highly successful chess coach, here offers for the first time the once-secret Russian method of chess training." - Garry Kasparov, former World Chess Champion.
5th edition Published 2011, softback, 140 pages.
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DISNEY'S CHESS GUIDE

Ref: b8335

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Anatoly Karpov
A colourful cartoon introduction to chess in which Goofy & co. show you the moves of the pieces, basic rules, check & checkmate and a few traps and tactics. Aimed at younger players this book includes cartoon drawings and diagrams throughout and was written with the guidance of former World Champion Anatoly Karpov.
Published 1997, hardback, 120 pages.

HOW TO BEAT YOUR DAD AT CHESS

Ref: g8305

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Murray Chandler
In the context of this book 'Dad' means any stronger opponent who regularly beats you! GM Murray Chandler contends that a major difference between strong and weak players is the former use pattern recognition to a far greater extent in their games, thereby reducing the need for excessive amounts of time wasting calculation. They instinctively know how to coordinate their pieces into attacking formations from memory. Here Chandler presents the 50 Deadly Checkmates, all examples of attacking or checkmating patterns which occur regularly in play. Recognition of these patterns can help any player to form an attacking plan quickly and effectively. Plenty of practical advice is combined with diagrammed examples.
pub. 1998, hardback, 127 pages.

LEARN CHESS

Ref: g8330

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John Nunn
A step by step guide to learning chess by world famous author GM John Nunn. By the end of the book a complete beginner will be ready to take on opponents over the board or internet. Topics include the rules of chess, notation, winning material, attacking play, the opening, the middlegame, the endgame and chess psychology.
pub. May 2000, softback, algebraic, 192 pages.

LEARN CHESS QUICK

Ref: b8866

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Brian Byfield & Alan Orpin
• A fun and exciting beginner's guide to chess
• Packed with hilarious cartoon illustrations by Gray Jolliffe, creator of Wicked Willie, plus useful board diagrams
• Accessible style means it appeals to everyone, from teens upwards

This fun and chatty book provides the ideal way to learn the world's greatest board game - the easy way. From basic information on which piece does what, to nifty tricks and pins you can use to wipe the floor with your opponents, it covers everything you need to learn chess, with lots of laughs along the way.
Packed with fantastic illustrations from Wicked Willie creator Gray Jolliffe, Learn Chess Quick is an exciting introduction to the game of masters. Best of all, this book shows how amazing it can feel to train your brain, and win the game!
Published 2010, softback, 144 pages.
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PLAY CHESS IN 10 MINUTES

Ref: b4015

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Brian Byfield (Illustrations by Gray Joliffe)
Most people think chess is a difficult game to learn. But that really isn't the case. By the time you've read this helpful little book, you'll have absorbed all the information you need to know to go off and play your first game. In clear, simple, humorous text, backed up with useful chessboard diagrams and illustrations, the author shows you round the board, introduces the pieces and how they move, and lets you into the secrets of special moves such as castling. It finishes off with some invaluable advice on how to marshal your troops and win the game: why you need to avoid the sides of the boards, and how to see every threat as an opportunity, and every opportunity as a a potential minefield. Armed with the information in this book, you'll become a real chess player - in super-quick time!
Brian Byfield has held a passion for chess and bridge throughout his career in advertising, film and TV. He lives in London. Gray Jolliffe is an award-winning cartoonist and illustrator whose best-known work is the Wicked Willie series, first published in the 1980s. He lives in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
Published 2011, hardback, 64 pages.

PLAY WINNING CHESS

Ref: p4331

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Yasser Seirawan
This is undoubtedly one of the best beginner's books ever written owing to it's clear uncluttered style and the obvious enthusiasm of the author. After an introductory chapter explaining the moves of the pieces and how to write them down Grandmaster Seirawan introduces the four principles of force, time, space and pawn structure which alone make sense of the myriad possible moves, openings and strategies available to the novice. He shows why material advantage is important and how to gain such an advantage with simple tactical ideas; why rapid development of your forces matters; why controlling more space than your opponent is a path to victory and why pawn formation matters in chess. He also includes a section of annotated games to illustrate these ideas and a glossary of chess terms; useful for beginners. Each chapter has a series of tests at it's end and solutions are provided so the reader can check his or her understanding of that chapter. Palestinian born Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan is a four time US Champion and respected chess coach.
Published 2003, softback, 232 pages.

POWER CHESS FOR KIDS

Ref: n1330

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Charles Hertan
A power move, explains experienced chess teacher Charles Hertan, is a winning master tactic that requires thinking ahead. To become one of the best chess players in your school you need to be able to think just 1.5 moves ahead, and this book teaches the four basic tricks do so. You will learn how to weed out silly moves and just consider a few important ones.
Charles Hertan introduces the four main characters who will help you to learn these basic skills: Zort (a teenaged computer from the planet Zugszwang), the Dinosaurs, Power Chess Kids and the Chess Professor. The most complete and fun kids book ever on learning how to win games!
Charles Hertan is a FIDE Master from Massachusetts, USA with decades of experience as a chess coach.
Published 2011, softback, 159 pages.
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STARTING CHESS

Ref: u4830

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Harriet Castor
Learn chess from scratch with this pictorial guide for children aged 5 upwards (Key stage 1)
Simple diagrams make examples easy to follow
Test-yourself puzzles with answers at the back
Clear cross-referencing of chess rules as players progress through the book
Published 2002, softback, 32 pages.

STARTING OUT IN CHESS

Ref: p4226

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Byron Jacobs
A user friendly beginners book showing the moves, how to checkmate, how to win material, basic tactics, how to open a game and basic strategy. Plenty of diagrams and reasonably large print make for ease of access.
pub. 1999, softback, 128 pages.
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TEN WAYS TO SUCCEED IN THE OPENING

Ref: o1000

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Tim Onions & Dave Regis
A first openings book for juniors who know the moves but wonder what to do next! This book helps you play the opening moves better by explaining the key principles and introducing a couple of openings for the reader to try out in his/her own games. Written in clear English with lots of tips, diagrams and cartoons to break up the text. Tim Onions is an experienced junior chess teacher and organiser based in Devon. Dave Regis is a coach in Exeter Chess Club.
Published 2001, softback, 82 pages.

TEN WAYS TO SUCCEED IN THE MIDDLEGAME

Ref: o1002

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Tim Onions & Dave Regis
A first middlegame book designed with young players in mind. Learn about tactics and combinations, planning, how to think about your move and how to make the most of your pieces. Written in an easy-to-follow style with lots of tips, diagrams and cartoons to break up the text. Tim Onions is an experienced junior chess teacher and organiser based in Devon. Dave Regis is a junior coach in Exeter Chess Club.
Published 2004, softback, 74 pages, stapled binding.

TEN WAYS TO SUCCEED IN THE ENDGAME

Ref: o1001

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Tim Onions & Dave Regis
A first endgame book for juniors which offers some general advice on endgame play including tips on king activity, pawn promotion and structure, how to use your pieces and thinking about what to swap off. Written in clear English with lots of tips, diagrams and cartoons to break up the text. Tim Onions is an experienced junior chess teacher and organiser based in Devon. Dave Regis is a coach in Exeter Chess Club.
Published 2001, softback, 53 pages.

TIPS FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

Ref: p4231

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Matthew Sadler
An excellently conceived and presented book aimed at players who have learnt the moves and rules of the game but want to play chess with a purpose! It is absolutely packed with advice and examples on every area of the game and Sadler, although a top GM, is a natural teacher, constantly emphasising the battle of ideas which makes up modern chess. Chapters on how to play openings, middlegame play, tactical training and endings are filled with thought provoking comment. Sadler suceeds in explaining how strong players think about chess in a way which a younger reader can understand.
Published 1999, softback, algebraic, 160 pages.

WORLD CHAMPION'S GUIDE TO CHESS

Ref: n3653

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Susan Polgar & Paul Truong
This book for complete beginners offers a step-by-step guide to playing good chess, based on the methods learned by Susan Polgar when she was growing up and on the training techniques she has developed to teach her students over the years. You will learn how the pieces move and capture, how to checkmate, all about pins, forks and skewers, pattern recognition and key endgame positions. With plenty of test examples throughout this book is a truly interactive way of learning chess. Grandmaster Susan Polgar is a four-time women's world champion and one of the famous Polgar sisters.
Published 2005, softback, 380 pages.
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