Customer Reviews:
Tactics Workbook - Nice and Big Format.......2006-09-22
I really like the "large" (about 8" x 11") workbooks that I have gotten on both very basic tactics ("Chess Tactics for Students) and on chess opening traps ("Winning Chess Traps for Juniors").
The print is big and easy to see with big diagrams. I don't like books with tiny little print and diagrams so small you need a magnifying glass (should be included with the book!). I don't have s seeing problem, but I just like my tactics and trap workbooks in the large print format.
"Chess Tactics for Students" was my starting tactics book. It is good for beginners. My only small grips are I found some printing mistakes and wish it had more puzzels to work on (but maybe that is a plus!).
This is a good book for a beginner after they learn how the pieces move.
Good Tactics Problems for Beginners but lots of mistakes.......2006-08-04
If it wasn't for the mistakes in both solutions and some obvous typos this would be a very good first tactics book for any age. It needs to be corrected and a couple of problems removed that do not work and replaced by some that do. A better quality control was needed!
Now I feel tactics are one of the most important things for students who are new to improve their game. Getting some tactics workbooks and opening chess traps books are a good way to accomplish improving over all tactics.
This book will still help you get started, but there are a lot of choices of simular books without so many mistakes.
Nice book but has flaws.......2005-10-19
This is a good book for students. My only complaint is there are a number of errors. It should have been checked by Fritz
The multiplication tables of chess.......2004-12-23
I won't repeat what other reviewers have said, but merely add my advice: please don't start by thinking you can read this book once and then move on.
Let me ask you a question. What's 4 times 8? What's 6 times 7? Chances are you didn't have to "think" about the answers. The numbers 32 and 42 just popped into your head. Right?
That's what this book should be to you.
To get the best value out of this book you need to MEMORIZE these positions until you are sick to death of looking at them. Although you may not encounter them at first: Trust me - these positions will occur in your games.
I suggest going through the book once in 10 days, then take 8 days, then 7, then 5, then 3, then 2 days and finally do all 400 exercises 1 day. By that stage, completing the book in one sitting should take no more than two hours.
This will increase a beginner's rating by 200 points MIMIMUM and cost no more than the price of the book and a month of 20 minute-a-day practice.
Try it if you don't believe me. Or forget my advice, and I hope to play you one day. Prepare yourself for a thrashing. ;)
Just ok.......2004-10-25
This book provides some good exersizes for kids to go over. I found a few mistakes in the solutions. Could use a little improvement there. Otherwise it is well organized.
Average customer rating:
- Kids' Book of Chess Review
- Chess Set and Book together for Beginners
- Pieces may crack but the book is good
- Two of the pieces got cracks after about a year
- good
|
Kids' Book of Chess and Chess Set
Harvey Kidder
Manufacturer: Workman Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Board Games
| Games
| Sports & Activities
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Games
| Sports & Activities
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sports & Activities
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Baby-3
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Baby-3
| Children's Books
| Boxed Sets
| Formats
| Books
Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Boxed Sets
| Formats
| Books
Sports & Activities
| Children's Books
| Boxed Sets
| Formats
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Starting Chess (First Skills)
-
Chess for Kids
-
Chess for Children
-
How to Beat Your Dad at Chess (Gambit Chess)
-
Chess Tactics for Kids
ASIN: 0894807676 |
Book Description
Illustrated Chess for Children was originally published in 1970. Now renamed, updated, newly illustrated, and presented with a custom-designed chess board and full set of chess pieces, the kids' book of chess and chess set introduces kids to the game that's inspired passion and challenge for over 900 years. Fantasy art captures the energy and excitement of chess's origins-the medieval battlefield-while a direct, lively text explains the game and its pieces in light of history. Readers are led through the fundamentals of beginning, middle, and end game, and shown winning strategies for offense and defense.
Selection of the Book-of-the-Month and Trumpet Book clubs. Suitable for ages 8-12. 792,000 copies in print. Illustrations by Kimberly Bulcken Root.
Customer Reviews:
Kids' Book of Chess Review.......2007-08-10
Kids' Book of Chess and Chess Set is a wonderful introductory product for kids learning to play chess. I have no problem with the product at all, the problem that I had was with Amazon. I ordered a number of these books and called to speak to a customer service represenatative about the order number which I was told was fine. I was ordering for a special school program and needed the total number by a certain date. Even with talking to a customer service represenatative, the order was botched and did not arrive until after the program ended, which meant that we had to mail the items to the students instead of give them out in person as part of our culminating activity. Yes, Amazon was finally able to deliver the number of sets that we needed, and yes, when all was said and done they covered the cost of shipping, but I wish the customer service represenatative could have provided me accurate information so I could have made an informed descision about where to purchase the product. If that would have happened, I wouldn't have had to go through all of the inconvenience. And isn't that what real customer service is about anyway?
Chess Set and Book together for Beginners.......2006-09-17
Actually, for a starters chess set for someone who might not get into chess seriously (by joining the school chess club) the chess set is ok. My pieces did not crack, but I only used them a short time before getting a regular tournament design chess set and roll board for playing at the school chess club.
The book is not so bad if once again if you are not sure if you are going to get very involved in chess. If you think you are then the book is not very deep and you will outgrow it very fast after reading it. If you think you might be joining your school chess club look at the "Chess complete guide for the beginner" or "Learn Chess" by Alexander for a book that will take you deeper into the strategies.
But, this set and board is a bargin if you are a kid who does not really want to get into chess deeply or be involved in the school club or any tournaments.
Pieces may crack but the book is good.......2005-12-13
I got this set and book two christmases ago. I feel that the book is good if you need to learn how the pieces move and a little bit about how to use simple strategies (it is very basic). After two years I have only had one of the pieces form a crack and used glue on it, so it was no big deal. I ended getting a regular staunton tournament set that was solid anyway.
For the price this is still not a bad deal if you plan to eventually upgrade your set, and the book anyway. Don't expect anything fancy.
Two of the pieces got cracks after about a year.......2005-12-11
I wanted to let you know that on the rook and the king they formed cracks on them after I used the set for about a year (played about one time a week with it). The book is fine, but the set was made well enough to last. Time to get a new set!
good.......2005-08-24
This is a pretty good book for beginners, especially if you're a kid. I was about six or seven when I got this and first learned to play, but it was not until I was eight or nine that I really started being able to play well enough to put up a fight against my dad(who repeatedly conquers me, though I don't go down easily). I think if you're over eleven, you'll probably want something more advanced. However, it's a good start, and it's how I learned to play. Just beware, everyone: I might be a chess master in the making. When we got out of the car and brought it into the house, my dad still had to do one or two things. While he was doing them, I told my sister I was, "just going to set them up however, and then really do it when dad shows me how and when I read the book". Remember, I had never played before. I set them up. Eerriely, when I checked it with the book, I found that I had set all sixteen pieces up in their correct places. Grandmasters, here I come! Overall, it is a good book. Try it!
Book Description
In 1956 Stella Chess and Alexander Thomas launched the pioneering New York Longitudinal Study, a systematic investigation into the concept of temperament that has been pursued to the present decade. The findings from this study - that temperamental profiles of infants, children, adolescents, and adults show specific individual behavioral characteristics - are accepted as basic to the psychological mechanism of behavioral functioning. Now, these two preeminent authorities and teaches in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry present an essential introduction to their internationally recognized work. This volume takes the reader from concept - including the definition of temperament and the studies that support and expand upon that definition - to specific explorations of temperament and its impact across various practice settings and special populations.
Book Description
This wonderfully entertaining book also happens to be quite effective.
Everything any child will need to know about chess strategy and more is here in this book, which is well laid out and easy to follow.
Part of the fun factor for kids is that the book is replete with cartoon images of chess characters to help make the learning experience more exciting.
A bright and colorful cover, as well as the large workbook format and algebraic notation make this a book which will occupy your child's attention for many hours.
The flexible "perfect binding" makes it easy to turn the pages and have them stay in place.
Customer Reviews:
A unique and instructive chess puzzle book for players rated 1300-1600........2007-02-10
This chess puzzle book contains 100 pages with 9 chess puzzle each page. Each page contains 3 checkmates, 3 material win, 1 defence, 1 planning and 1 endgame problem. The solution part is very instructive. So this is high class chess puzzle book. Together with a puzzle book like "Chess Exam and training guide" (which is even more instructive) this is the best puzzle book for people rated in the middle of 1000. Thanks to Dan Heisman and his Internet site for recommending this book. My advice about books on tactical improvement depending on the rating:
900-1100 : Chess Tactics for Student
1300-1600: Winning Chess Exercises for Kids
1700-2000: The Ultimate Chess Puzzle Book
2000-> : John Nunn's Chess Puzzle Book.
Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant........2006-11-10
You will not find this book up at your local B&N bookstore.
Rather than be disappointed, I am actually glad. I feel that anyone who gets rewarded with a treasure like this ought to have looked around or taken a little effort to know of its existence before they laid their hands on it!!!
I can't stop gushing about how good Coakley's books are for players ramping up to an intermediate level and want to be absolutely sure they have no holes in their chess knowledge. (I'm about USCF 1579 at the time of writing this and I feel that the exercise positions in this book have so much to offer me.)
The delivery of exercises ( 9 per page ) and the quality of the answers at the back are very impressive. A tactics book that has non "find the mate or find the best move to win" positions is a rarity these days.
His Number 9 position on each page offers a wealth of instruction if you haven't seen those positions before. I've even started to document those in my own training notes, as positions that I should know COLD in order to be competitive at my level.
Overall, one of the finest tactics+non-tactics exercise books I've seen.
An ok book on tactical puzzles.......2006-06-08
There were plenty of chess puzzles to learn from. I found that the order that the puzzles were set up to work on could have been switched around for better learning purposes. I also found some mistakes in the solutions and some typos. I enjoyed "Winning Chess Tactics for Juniors" by Hays and "Winning Chess Traps" to be far more helpful books.
Chess Tactics.......2004-05-11
The main part of this book consists of 100 pages of exercises with nine diagrams on each page. Three diagrams are devoted to checkmate problems; three are win material type of problems; one is a defensive problem ("White to move and not lose"); one problem is more general; and one problem is an endgame problem. The solutions are in the back of the book and are very detailed. They often give not only the winning line, but also the reason why other moves don't work. As a chess coach, I've looked at a large number of books which teach tactics, IMO this is perhaps the best I've seen for students
Book Description
This is not just a book for kids - for 'Dad' read any opponent who beats you regularly! This book teaches the 50 Deadly Checkmates - basic attacking patterns that occur repeatedly in games between players of all standards.
Each mating motif is carefully and simply explained, and several illustrative examples are given. A final test enables the reader to grade his pattern recognition abilities, and the last chapter explains what to do if your Dad is Garry Kasparov.
Fun, instructive - and guaranteed to improve your game.
Customer Reviews:
Amazing book for wannabe attacking players.......2007-06-12
Before reading this book, I played chess like a scared chipmunk, obsessing about little details like whether pushing this pawn would weaken my position by a picounit. This book helped me see that the way to win games at the amateur level is to attack, to be aggressive, to go after the enemy king like he is your nemesis, to crank open his position like a sardine can and commit regicide.
The book's title is somewhat misleading in that the book is very narrow in scope (a full book on how to beat dad would have to include discussion of openings, endgames, and more general chess strategy and tactics). Rather, it contains fifty practical checkmating patterns that frequently come up in real games. If the basic mating patterns (e.g., how to mate with a King and Queen versus a lone King) are the alphabet of checkmate, this book is the grammer of checkmate. The patterns consist of beautiful 3-5 move combinations that you will have opportunities to apply in many of your games.
If you are looking for a beginner chess book, get the Idiot's Guide to Chess. That is the best place to start from square one. Then learn some very basic tactics (e.g., Pandolfini's Beginning Chess). Then get and read this book. Over and over. With these patterns ingrained in your mind, you will spot them in the far distance during games, aim for them, and go in for the kill. Sure, sometimes you will crash and burn, but that will only make you more prepared for the next game.
Thanks to Chandler for writing this book. It has made chess fun for me again.
good book.......2007-04-27
This book isnt really about how to beat your dad at chess, because your dad could be bobby fischer or not even know how to play chess (just wanted to clear that up for u guys)
This book has 50 mates and its about pattern recognition, that means pretty much just pounding it into your head so u can remember to use it when you have the chance. its a really good book, i would get it.
Chess Nuts Boasting.......2007-04-18
Great book. I love the premise- and the careful way the Mr. Chandler explains it- which is that pattern recognition is a more powerful tool than in-depth computation analysis. It serves as a nice illustration of Gladwell's "Blink" theory, that less information can be more when the brain is finely tuned in to the right information. Chandler points out that a human chess pro is better than a computer because our brains can quickly filter out the irrelevant info and just recognize the broad pattern, such as a set-up for a standard mate possibility. The computer is inferior, per the author, because while it might come to the same conclusion, it has to do it by generating every single possible move with every single piece on the board, following out hundreds of thousands of possible subsequent sequences to arrive at the checkmate. Of course, I would suggest that the computer is actually superior in this respect because, even though it has to analyze hundreds of thousands of possibilities, it really doesn't mind. It doesn't get bored, fatigued, or seduced by a bold capture. But, still, I appreciate his point.
The author gives examples of fifty standard checkmate motifs, and uses good illustrations to help recognize the pattern when it is there and understand the sequence of events. My only beef with the book, for which I've docked a star, is the sexist title. I can't help but comment on this in this post-Imus era. The author tells us from the start that it is really a book on how to beat anyone in chess so the title is just an eye-catcher. But I don't want to reinforce the many messages that young girls get about what they should or shouldn't be good at. Okay, to be truthful, in all the chess playing families that I can think of off the top of my head, it is in fact the fathers who are the chess nuts, who hand the game down to the next generation. But lets not reinforce the not uncommon notion that men are naturally superior chess players. I've even read the likes of Camille Paglia, in one of her faux-academic pieces, use the fact that chess champions are all men as evidence for a male superiority in spatial and mathematical reasoning. Without going too far into what is a complicated and emotionally loaded argument, I would just direct people to do a little internet search on Judit Polgar if you are not already familiar.
Still, overall, thumbs up. A good book, really for beginning to intermediate chess fans of any age, which will increase your arsenal of offensive tricks and improve your defensive vigilance.
A must for kids with rating up to 600 (approx).......2007-04-08
We purchased this book for my two kids, and saw an immediate improvement. It is written in a very easy to read style, and it goes to through a lot of the tactics needed to improve their game... The only disadvantage was that I had to improve my game too to keep ahead of them!
Well-organized and useful to players of any ability.......2006-12-31
This is a very well-organized and highly readable book on various types of checkmates. Since this is the whole purpose of the game, it is an obvious area of emphasis from both offensive and defensive perspectives. In other words, if you want to be a winner you need to always be looking for checkmate whether you are on the "giving" or "receiving" side! I think the author is correct to be emphasising this early and teaching people to recognize patterns than come up that lead to checkmate. This will both prevent you from being checkmated by surprise and to see checkmate opportunities in real game situations that you might otherwise miss.
The other reviewers are correct in their observations that this book is suitable for players of any age. In fact, I would say it is even a bit misleading to position it as a book for kids. It seems to me that one would need to be at least 12 years old to fully appreciate and benefit from the contents. It might be a difficult read for younger kids, but one they can grow into over time. I wouldn't buy it for someone is 6 years old, but it certainly is a possiblity for a bright 9 year old.
I don't really have anything critical to say about the book. It gets to the point quickly and focuses on principles and patterns that come up again and again in chess. If you are serious about chess, but haven't really studied it, this would be a great place to start. The contents are not overwhelming and the book covers a lot of ground without becoming boring.
Finally, if you are a beginning chess player and you really want to beat your dad, this book will help enormously. The other books by this author are also very good. In addition, I would recommend getting a good chess program. This is one of the best ways to improve your play.
Book Description
Maurice Ashley immigrated to New York from Jamaica at the age of twelve, only to be confronted with the harsh realities of urban life. But he found his inspiration for a better life after stumbling upon a chess book and becoming hypnotized by the game. He would eventually break the chess world's color lines by becoming an International Grandmaster in 1999.
Ashley realized that chess strategies could be used as an educational tool to help children avoid the pitfalls often associated with growing up. In this book, he serves up compelling anecdotes about how chess has positively affected young players. He also offers tips on technique, how to make the game fun for children of all ages and levels, and how to overcome the myth that chess isn't cool. Through his guidance, readers will understand how chess strategies can improve a child's mental agility, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Chess for Success is a much-anticipated resource for parents, teachers, counselors, youth workers, and chess lovers.
Customer Reviews:
A Good Read.......2006-09-04
Before I read this book, I knew chess was a great game. What I did not know was what the author establishes to a high degree of probability: Learning, playing and studying chess can bring about a personal transformation as well as almost anything shy of a religious conversion.
My only strong criticism of the book is that there are a few howlers, such as the one on page 229 under Calculate: "Grandmasters can routinely see ten moves into the future of a position, even more in some situations." Yeah, right. Occasionally a grandmaster accurately calculates a ten-move-deep combination. Nobody routinely does anything of the sort.
Never mind the occasional feel-good sentimentality or factual error and just sit back and enjoy this book. I recommend this book to non-players at least as much as to hardcore chess addicts. You needn't know anything about chess to enjoy GM Maurice Ashley's book and his entire approach to the game.
New Life to an Old Game.......2006-01-04
Who better to write a book about chess than the first (and so far only) Black International Chess Grandmaster Maurice Ashley? In CHESS FOR SUCCESS, he discusses the important role chess has played in his life, the history of the game, its impact on cognitive development, and its usefulness in educational settings. In addition, he debunks many of the common myths related to the game, allows some of his former students to share their experiencs in their own words, and provides tips for keeping the game fun and keeping children engaged.
Maurice Ashley's personal story is an interesting one. He was born in Jamaica where he and his siblings were primarily raised by their grandmother in poverty. His mother had left for the United States where she was working in order to help support her family back home and save enough money to send for her children. Maurice struggled with feelings of abandonment, all the while fantasizing about the wonderful life in America that would soon be his. After ten years of living apart, he was finally reunited with his mother when he came to live with her in New York City. Aside from the awkward period of adustment to living with his mother, Maurice also had to deal with the shock and disappointment when he realized that although he was now in the U.S., he would continue to live in poverty. As an intelligent young boy, he had little trouble adjusting to the new school academically. However, he struggled socially, as there was no real group with whom he fit. Maurice truly found himself when he ran across a book in the library about chess, this was but the beginning of a lifelong love.
The author also takes a list of 40 developmental assests (established by the Search Institute) and identifies ways in which the game of chess fits into many of those assests (he does a similar analysis using parts of Bloom's Taxonomy), such as self-esteem, sense of personal power, and achievement motivation. He also provides an overview of empirical research about chess and highlights some interesting chess programs across the country. While the book is heavy on research, it is presented in a highly readable and interesting manner. Further, it is supplemented by real life stories from students whose lives have been changed because of the game. These stories really drive the author's message about the usefulness of the game home. Finally, he provides activities, the rules of the game, additional resources, basically everything you need to get started with the game but the chess board. I am not sure what I expected when I picked this book up, but it far exceeded whatever expectations I had. He not only reignited my personal interest in the game, but has convinced me to introduce the game to my own son when he is older.
Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
Coach, Maurice Ashley.......2005-08-12
Intended primarily for parents or educators whos kids are just beginning chess, and written at a level children themselves can find accessable, CHESS FOR SUCCESS is a unique kind of chess book. The book itself is not even shelved in the "chess" section of the bookstore.
The book is written as a kind of pean to the benefits of chess play for children, and Ashley lists the kinds of success chess has created for inner-city youth across the United States. There are testimonials (somewhat overdone), as well as sections where Ashley backs up these testimonials, citing specific studies. These studies include sections where Ashley regurgitates research on the psychology of "flow", as well as where Ashley presents digested explanations of chess's relationship to the "40 Developmental Assets" and to Bloom's taxonomy theory. With all the chearleading and feel-good stories, at times this book reads like a drawn-out Reader's Digest article, but the book has enough meat, however, to transcend that stereotype, and there are enough concepts repackaged and digested to make the reading worthwhile. Early in the book, Ashely presents the reader with a brief history of chess (presumably written to get the chess neophytes up to speed).
There is a well-written chapter on how to motivate young girls to play chess, and there is a final chapter where Ashley waxes philosophic about psychological aspects of chess play. This last chapter is the best, and reminds me of the interview Ashley gave in Chess Life, in 1999, right after he became a Grandmaster. In this last chapter, Ashley talks about how to handle "chaos" over the chessboard and how to "think like a child" again. The best written passage of the entire book is on the third to last page where Ashley describes how he (and I'm paraphrasing here) "saw a knight again for the first time." Compelling stuff.
If you're willing to plough through the feel-good testimonials and the occasional typo and punctuation error, I recommend this book. This is a quick read; Ashley is an inspiration.
Product Description
A large-format (8.5"x11"), fun, comprehensive workbook and instruction book for children (and adults!) who are new to chess or who are in the beginning stages of learning to play the royal game. Ten basic chess lessons and chess rules are presented in detail. Chess Workbook for Children can be used in conjunction with the book Teaching Chess in the 21st Century, a teaching guide for teachers or parents, complete with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards.
National Chess Master Todd Bardwick is one of the nation's leading full-time chess instructors and runs the Chess Academy of Denver and the Rocky Mountain Chess Camps. Mr. Bardwick is also the chess columnist for the Rocky Mountain News and a columnist for Chess Life magazine.
Chess Workbook for Children includes:
~Chess rules and basic strategies
~200 problems with comprehensive answer key at two skill levels: Basset Hound (beginner) and Chess Detective (Intermediate)
~Tried and true tested analogies that children will relate to so that they will learn chess in an effective and fun way
~Chess crossword puzzles and word searches
~Chess quotes from famous people
~Fun and entertaining illustrations
Customer Reviews:
Finally... a chess workbook!!.......2007-09-27
I am the Gifted Children's Coordinator for Mensa, in Denver, CO. As such, I am always on the look-out for books and resources that might benefit gifted children (especially ones that play chess). I am highly impressed with this chess workbook. It has a clear, logical flow from chapter to chapter; an easy-style prose that renders the main points obvious as opposed to being lost in a clutter of complicated sentences, and has the ability to improve one's chess play almost immediately, via its numerous hands-on exercises. My 8 year old son, an avid chess player and also a Mensan, saw instant improvement in his chess tactics after completion of the exercises in this workbook, which by the way were fun enough for the whole family to practice! If you're looking for a great chess workbook that isn't "stuffy" or over-whelming, then look no further. Get this book!
Incredible Insight Made Child-Friendly.......2007-09-26
As someone who has run children's chess clubs and taught chess to children, I can confidently say that this workbook is an outstanding way for children to learn the skills they need to be contenders in the fantastic world of scholastic chess. Chess Master Todd Bardwick presents a series of lessons in language that is kid-centric without being condescending. Each lesson culminates in two sets of exercises - one set is for beginners, the other for more advanced students. The diagrams for both sets are large and clear, and the exercises often have an original flair that makes them stand out from the run-of-the-mill repetition of the same old and dry examples you can find in other books. Yet the place where this book really steps up to be head and shoulders above its competitors is in the ANSWERS to the exercises. Master Bardwick has packed a tremendous amount of information into the answer key, often developing and extending the key ideas of each exercise. At times it seems like the answer key could stand alone as a book in and of itself! Buy this book - the fundamentals of chess are presented here with simplicity and clarity.
Best book available.......2007-01-19
My 7 year old son and I are learning to play chess. This book is a clear, concise and outstanding resource. Each chapter provides a conquerable amount of information with examples that build upon the stated points, facts and strategies. The problems at the end of each chapter are a unique resource among the available chess books on the market. Each problem clarifies or elucidates a point in the chapter. The explanations give not only the correct answer for each problem; but also, explanations of the most commonly made mistakes (solutions that don't solve the chess challenge). This is very helpful as one often wonders why a different move would not accomplish the same goal. Finally, the word searches at the back of the book are good ice breakers and rewards for the kids. Other members of our family are now reading the book and learning chess. This is the book to get and the best book that I have found for any adult, teenager or child learning the royal game.
Outstanding Chess Workbook.......2006-11-04
This chess workbook is written to help children develop their basic chess skills. It is very well organized and easy to read. Each lesson describes a skill or strategy with a text description followed by examples and problems to reinforce the learning. The lessons build upon each other throughout the book. The chess position diagrams are easy to understand and many fun graphics are included which children will enjoy. An added bonus is a collection of chess crossword puzzles and word searches for children at the end of the workbook.
I highly recommend this workbook for use in individual instruction and chess club activities. Kids love it!
Wonderful Scholastic Chess Resource.......2006-09-30
"Chess Workbook for Children" is an excellent training aid for the scholastic player and an outstanding resource for parents or chess coaches. I have been working through the book with my first grader. He loves the lessons and illustrations. The analogies Mr. Bardwick uses make it easy for kids to understand and remember concepts that are difficult for scholastic players.
My son has already (3 weeks or so) improved noticably! He does much better at developing his pieces in the opening, defending effectively against the Scholar's Mate, and can even checkmate (and avoid stalemate) using a king and a queen against a lone king. We are working on the chapter on tactics and he now notices simple pins, forks, and skewers much more readily than he did before.
I strongly recommend this book.
Book Description
Robert Snyder, national chess master and noted teacher, introduces this timeless game to the young beginner. Snyder teaches the basic principles and then builds on students' knowledge, giving clear instructions on how to choose and employ opening, middle, and endgame strategies to win. In twenty graduated lessons, with over 275 diagrams, Chess for Juniors covers:
-- Basic Rules
-- Check, Checkmate, and Castling
-- Opening Systems, including the Ruy Lopez, the Sicilian Defense, the Nimzo-Indian, the Queen's Indian Defense.
-- Basic Endgame Strategy
-- Tactics such as the Hanging Piece, the Fork, and the Pin
-- And more.
Robert M. Snyder's students have included the 1989 and 1990 national elementary and junior high school champions. He is the founder of the Chess for Juniors chess club in Garden Grove, California, the country's largest club for young people, and his school seminars have been attended by a total of over 50,000 students.
Customer Reviews:
Will get the next edition in addition to the copy I have.......2006-03-12
I got this book a couple of years ago and now am chess club presendent at my school chess club in 7th grade. I loaned it out so many times it is getting worn out.
When I went to get a copy now I found out it is temporarily not in print because it is going to be made a new edition. I plan to get the new edition for the chess club.
What I liked about this book is that it isn't a silly little kids picture book. It teaches serious material using an easy to understand method by making the language basic enough and organizing it in an order to make it learning friendly. It would be good for anyone who can read as well as an average third grader right on up to adults. The index in the back makes it easy to find things and relook things up like terms, openings and rules.
Everyone in the school chess club likes it and uses it for continued reference even after having read it. I think this is the best first book for kids and adults.
It's Everything They Say It Is.......2006-02-07
"Chess for Juniors" is obviously the work of superb teacher whose mind and heart have fully committed themselves to the playing and teaching of chess over a number of years. It's perfectly organized and will turn any prospective or current player who carefully studies and absorbs its twenty lessons into a 1200-1300 player at least. I'm looking forward to diving into Snyder's "unbeatable Lessons" books if they're as valuable as this one.
Since I already knew the basics of chess before I bought this book, I was most interested in the approach Snyder took once he directed his readers on to the next step, since this is where introductory books on chess really show their true colors.
Snyder covers the pins/forks/skewers tactics as well as anyone, but the best part is the in-depth attention he gives to openings, defenses, and what he calls "Tactical Motifs." What this entails are insightful, detailed looks at the Ruy Lopez (the "Spanish") and Giuoco Piano (the "Italian") openings, and a group of the best-known gambits (From's, King's accepted and declined, Bishop sacrifices, Petroff's Defense). He also looks at those three to four-move checkmates like the Fool's and Scholar's--how they can be sprung on novice/unsuspecting opponents and how they can be avoided so easily if you develop the sound opening principles Snyder sets forth. If you play over and completely absorb all these openings and the basic variations as Snyder sets them down here, you'll develop a strong sense of space and begin to understand the tactical and strategic consequences of the moves you make.
Snyder also gives great explanations of some defensive responses, especially the Sicilian, the King's Indian and the Nimzo-Indian if you're playing black. The depth of Snyder's explanations is perfect, so that you learn what to do and why to do it without getting bogged down in needless details and variations. His lessons on King-Pawn, Queen and Rook endings are also perfectly set out. End games are essential of course but they are a bit dull to have to study. Again, I feel Snyder gives you just what you need to know so that you won't blow an end game with a loss, draw or stalemate when the use of a few core techniques could have made the game yours. Finally, there are a couple of instructive games which look especially at attacks on the weak f7/f2 squares and their outcomes, around which many wins or losses can revolve.
All in all, this is a superb beginner's book, either for youths or adults. I would say that there are other good ones out there too which can be fruitfully studied in conjunction with Snyder--the beginner's books by Yasser Seirawan (Play Winning Chess), John Nunn (Learn Chess), and I. A. Horowitz (Chess for Beginners). I do think it's shameful that many advocates of Snyder's fine work try to undermine these other works by pumping "Chess for Juniors" and pushing down all positive reviews of his competitors by marking these reviews "unhelpful." There seems to be some kind of strategy at work, since they always put Snyder's title in upper case letters, recommending it after they have put down the other work. Sometimes they won't even review the other work, but will just mention Snyder's. It all seems orchestrated. I'm sure an author and lover of chess such as Snyder must be too classy a man to advocate this kind of lowball campaign. Apparently his students are not.
NEW REVISED EDITION: Should be worth waiting for!.......2006-01-30
I run two after school chess programs at elementary schools and use "Chess for Juniors" as the text book. At first I was disapointed to see that this book has become difficult to get (if you can get a used copy grab it!). However, I found out is is going through a complete revision and will be a second edition when released later this year (as well as the entire "Chess for Juniors" series of books, including some new ones to be released).
"Chess for Juniors" is the perfect text book for teachers who are running a class for elementary age students on up (yes, it is suitable for a class for adults) beginning with an introduction to the basic rules and leading into a lot of basic material on strategy found in all aspects of the game.
What I found that sets "Chess for Juniors" (and the entire series) in a class by itself is the readability (ease of understanding the material) and comprehensiveness of the book.
Whereas, a 3rd grade reader of average reading skill can understand it, it is not going to insult an adult who wants to learn from it. It is is structured so any teacher conducting a class can easily follow the building lessons (it provides the perfect format for a ready-made class outline!).
Please hurry with the second edition!!!
LEARN CHESS: Made easy with all the material you need!.......2005-12-30
Want to learn chess? If you are an absolute beginner or someone who has mastered the very basic skills then look no further! CHESS FOR JUNIORS will do the job for you. Yes, I am into advertising, but not as a profession for this book (if you know "Mr. Clean", "Hey, Mikie likes it" or "Where's the Beef" I was the person who made this possible on national TV". OK, you have got it! I am an old timer writing about a book with the "Youth Market" in mind. But then why has it been since it publication date of 1991 the #1 best selling chess book? It is GOOD, VERY GOOD!
-->
WHY:
1. VERY CLEAR (Mr. Clean can see everything)
2. VERY UNDERSTANDABLE (an 8-year-old or older name Mikie will like it)
3. LOTS OF MATERIAL (you will not be left saying, "where is the beef!")
4. WELL ORGANIZED (just like a "box of chocolate" - I was involved in that too!)
5. BEST SELLER (couldn't be all that bad! - it is ranked as #1)
-->
SOME THINGS I LIKE:
1. If you are using this book to teach someone who doesn't know a thing about chess (maybe you or your kid or your student?) then it starts off assuming no knowledge (everyone was once a beginner)
2. Once you finish you can go back and find almost every important term or concept in the index (doesn't require a college education to find something - Gommer Pyle would find what he wants!)
3. Written in a mature manner that an old guy will appreciate, yet the humor that kids will like in the book offers a perfect balance to make this a book for anyone who can read. (must only be beyond the reading level of - see spot run, run spot run)
-->
HOW:
1. You have ordered here before (go for it you button pusher!)
2. New, Used, or a Collectible Autographed Copy (like I have - I try and get whatever I can autographed just click on the right button of your choice)
Now I absolutely love this book. My grandkids, parents and I all have a copy and so should you. Next time you are watching TV and see a commercial, or see the author's students "Will Smith" or "Nicolas Cage", then you will be reminded of this particular book!
NOT JUST FOR JUNIORS * * * * * A complete and well organized book on all the basics of chess for ANY AGE!.......2005-12-27
"Chess for Juniors" is easy to read and understand for anyone who is a third grade reader on up to an adult. It makes learning everything from the basic rules of chess right on up to important strategies (tactics, endgames, openings, traps at all parts of the game).
In addition to containing a nice quantity of material it is organized so you can learn and grow in chess as you progress through the 20 lesson chapters. It has two very nice games toward the back of the book that spends lots of time going over all of the moves. When it teaches openings it tells you the ideas behind the moves. If you are starting out without knowing anything about chess, then it explains about the rules very clearly, without taking up most of the book to do it.
I had another beginning book before getting this one. It was one that was for kids, but when I was done I still felt like I was a beginner. It didn't have enough learning material and was not serious enough (it dwelled on the basic rules for like half the book and took up too much space with fancy pictures). When you finish "Chess for Juniors" you will feel plenty advanced enough to move on to more advanced books.
Average customer rating:
- Not the Greatest Book to Begin with
- Somewhat Confusing Methodology and Order of Progression
- Good Pictures but the way it is layed out is just ok
- Nice book from a good promoter of chess
- Good pictures, lots of stuff but some times hard to read
|
Chess for Kids
Michael Basman
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Board Games
| Games
| Sports & Activities
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Board Games
| Games
| Sports & Activities
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Starting Chess (First Skills)
-
Chess Tactics for Kids
-
How to Beat Your Dad at Chess (Gambit Chess)
-
Chess for Children
-
Kids' Book of Chess and Chess Set
ASIN: 075661807X |
Book Description
International Master Michael Basman puts 20 years of experience teaching children how to play chess into this systematic, succinct, and thorough book.
Customer Reviews:
Not the Greatest Book to Begin with.......2006-12-19
CHESS FOR KIDS will get you started with the the very basic rules and will teach you some starting strategies and tactics.
Good Things about this book:
1) It covers the rules you need to know as a non-tournament player.
2) It covers just enough strategy and ideas to get you started.
3) Lots of Colour - makes it look attractive.
Not Good Things about this book:
1) It is written so that young kids cannot understand the level of reading level (should come with a notice: Batteries Required, Opps! I mean older reader required to help young readers),
2) The order of things is out of wack sometimes. This can make the learning confusing.
There are better books written for the beginner or children. For a teen or older Learn Chess by Alexander and Beach is much better organized and has a lot more depth. There are a couple chess books for the junior beginner that have a lower reading level.
Somewhat Confusing Methodology and Order of Progression.......2005-10-31
No doubt about it - the graphics and picutures in CHESS FOR KIDS are excellent. This is what I consider to be the good points of the book, now on to the weaknesses,
The weaknesses are:
The order in which the material is given needs some improving. This is not the exact order that a kid (or an adult) should be taught. This creates a degree of confusion.
The level of reading is not well suited for young kids to learn from, and
Some of the ways that things are explained, such as in the rules and certain aspects of strategies could use some improvement.
Good Pictures but the way it is layed out is just ok.......2005-10-23
This would be a very nice book if you are a parent who will be reading it to a younger kid who cannot read very well yet. Otherwise the reading is more at a teenage level at least.
The pictures and graphical things are very good! Some of the more advanced rules are a little confusing.
Nice book from a good promoter of chess.......2005-01-30
Before this book has been written, there aren't many chess books for kids in those days, but here comes a book that is specially designed for kids and is readily accessible whenever kids wanted it. Since his years as an international master, Michael Basman has devoted his time to teaching schoolchildren chess, and years after that he set up the UK Chess Club, a chess tournament which attracts thousands of players every year.
Since I haven't got time to write down Michael Basman's bio in this review, I feel his kids chess book is worth having and is highly recommended to any kid. You know, many kids will hate a book that is unatrractive and dull and will soon get rid of it but Michael Basman's book has very attractive pictures, that'll show kids the game positions, and they are very clear, only to find them done in digital photography!
Chess is a battle of wits between two players and checkmating the opponent is a very difficult task, requiring your skill and knowledge. Michael Basman explains this in his book with a very accessible text that'll allow kid readers to understand the game concepts and is simple enough to apprehend. Heck, if I'm a kid right now I'll be able to read through the book like water!
Apart from the very clear pictures and simple text, Michael Basman uses his teaching experience to let kids gain a clearer understanding of chess pieces through the ''Check it out!'' section of the book and this section offers a brief explanation of the piece in terms of history and piece effectiveness.
The book is well laid out, thorough and kid-friendly and is always there when kids need it. It covers all of the most important aspects of chess, including the basics. Most of all, it's highly informative and that means kids can have all the info they need in order to play chess correctly.
What more could I say, this is a great book, and I swear Michael Basman made it by heart and by using his chess experience not anything else! The book is well laid out, clear, thorough and easy to use anytime. The book CAN teach kids the game so what're you waiting for, get your chessboard and pieces and let the games begin!
Good pictures, lots of stuff but some times hard to read.......2004-11-30
I like the pictures in the book. The book has a lot of things in it. But the reading is too hard for me (I am a good reader for 8) so my parents said I should let other kids know that for young kids like me it is hard reading. But the book is still good.
Book 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!
Customer Reviews:
Excellent primer .......2007-01-18
This book is an excellent place to start teaching children chess. I almost gave it four stars because I don't think children under 7 or 8 will be able to tackle it themselves without an adult. It would still serve as an excellent guide for older children and teens and with an adult's help any younger child would love it. It has great outlines and pictures of how the pieces move, the rules, special rules (en passant for example) and can be referenced easily by anyone. Great job by Mr.Chandler.
Nicest introduction to chess I have ever seen.......2006-02-22
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.
Re-discovered chess with this excellent teaching book.......2005-11-09
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.
Good First Book on Chess.......2005-10-25
I enjoyed it because it does a good job in telling you about the rules of chess and gives you some strategies to. It has good pictures and was enjoyable to read. A sixth grader will probably not like it as much as a second grader because of the lay out, but it is still good for both of these ages.
A perfect present for my friend's son.......2005-10-13
This lovely hardback book proved the ideal present for the son of a friend (who had begged me not to buy him another computer game!). I had previously been impressed with other books by one of the co-authors (see Chess Tactics for Kids) and I was very pleased with this purchase also. The illustrations are unusual, but relevant to the text, but where the book really scores is the carefully considered running order and thoughtful attention to detail.
Anyone aged six and above could learn the rules of chess and the moves of the pieces from this book. A nice feature is the insertion of lots of little extras to maintain a child's interest. This was successful in the case of Peter (my friend's son). He can now play a full game of chess, and has become so entranced with the game that he is talking of joining the school club.
Books:
- Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas
- Clifford Plush, Big Red Dog
- Consumed: How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults, and Swallow Citizens Whole
- Cultural Amnesia: Necessary Memories from History and the Arts
- Deadly Persuasion: Why Women And Girls Must Fight The Addictive Power Of Advertising
- Devil May Cry (A Dark-Hunter Novel, Book 11)
- Draw 50 Horses (Draw 50)
- Drow of the Underdark (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)
- Dungeon Master's Guide: Core Rulebook II (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)
- Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebook Set (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying, Three Book Slipcased Set)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Phrases That Sell : The Ultimate Phrase Finder to Help You Promote Your Products, Services, and Idea
- Farmer Boy
- A Field Guide to Monsters: This Book Could Save Your Life
- Barbarian Lens: Western Photographers of the Qianlong Emperor's European Palaces
- Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess
- Dosage Calculations
- Central Park, An American Masterpiece: A Comprehensive History of the Nation's First Urban Park
- Executive's Guide to Web Services
- Aat Study Text: Final Paper 9 - Financial Accounting
- Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Wh
Everyone's 2nd Chessbook*
Winning Chess Exercises for Kids
Looking for Trouble: Recognizing and Meeting Threats in Chess
Winning Chess Strategy for Kids
The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played: 62 Masterpieces of Chess Strategy
![Unbeatable Chess Lessons for Juniors [McKay Chess Library for Kids]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/081293511X.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
