Chess Basics

by Nigel Short

Whether you are a total beginner or just think you'd like to play, International Grandmaster Nigel Short can show you how to play and win the "game of kings." With over 140 two-color diagrams and photographs, learn how to set up the board, the moves and origins of the pieces, how to play, how to study other games by following notation, and finishing off an opponent-with tips on gamesmanship.

Genres: Chess, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1994

Reviews

[hidummies42 · Rating 1 out of 5]

As far as I can see, multiple examples are questionable. This book, probably my last chess book as I've decided to quit chess and devote my 'leisure' time to math, somehow is a most common one at Richmond Public Libraries. Still, in the very beginning there's a word of truth that is worth bearing in mind for beginners,

"But don't forget that chess is about war and it can be extremely vicious - especially against a player who shows no mercy. You need to be skilful and ruthless, while considering you moves."

And that is why I totally empathise with Go Seigen, who kept thinking about moves while his opponent Minoru Kitani fainted - from over-calculating. Basically, both were battling the same way.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I needed.
Covers the requisite set of rules, as well as basic strategy (which is what I was going for).
Playing games before and after having read it I noticed that I felt more certainty in what I was aiming to do after having read the book. The book doesn't make you an expert in chess, but helps bypass some of the early learning curve, which is what I was hoping for.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, this gives really good explanations, mostly practical (how to play, strategy, tactics, endgame) but also gives very brief origins of each game piece & it's name, game terminology, etc. It's a quick read with lots of pictures and diagrams but can take some time if you paly out the examples on a chess board as I often did.

This book is a great introduction to chess for any age reader. I recommend it to any beginner chess player and specifically recommend it to my nephew Cameron because I think he might enjoy learning to play and because I need someone to practice with! (Cameron, I know there are lots more fun things to do when we have family get-togethers at Gramma's house with all your cousins... so maybe I would need to come visit at your house to play!) :)

Side note: There were, I think, I few errors in some of the game notations in the solutions section and in at least one example, I'm pretty sure. I played them out on a board and they didn't make sense. I should go back and find them and write to the publisher but I've already renewed this book the max. # of times and it's due again.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I looked through all the books my library had to offer on learning to play chess. This was by far the best one I found for a novice. The illustrations and the way it is written is easy to follow and actually really helped my chess game! A lot of the other chess books I've seen were way too technical for me to follow, but this one was just right.

[Daveed Waithaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this informational guide. I found it to be very in depth with it's directions though I know the game and how to play, this guide covered rules and other specifics that I was not aware of along with helping me understand notation as well as advance moves.

[Hugo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book but it can be a little confusing on some parts

[Joel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad introduction to chess but I feel other publications have tackled this topic better. It was ok nevertheless.