Simple: Chess Tactics

by A.J. Gillam

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1978

About the author

Anthony John Gillam

other names:
- Tony Gillam, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Thomas Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just, "these are forks, pins, skewers, discovered and double attacks," but also, "here are situations where /escape/ is possible from such multiple threats." 438 find-the-successful-attack-or-defense positions, 4 per page, with answers & explanation. 1973.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple Checkmates
and
Simple Chess Tactics

by Gillam is probably the ideal books for beginners, starting the path on reading future books on tactics

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New Way: Learn Chess - Alexander and Beach
Simple Checkmates - Gillam
Simple Chess Tactics - Gillam

Are probably the best thing for someone's first books on chess

and will help going from 800 Elo to 1200 Elo

[Bill Magill · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to be competitive in chess then you have to go beyond strategy. Strategy is necessary to be a good player but so is tactics. This book contains 438 different situations, four per page, with answers at the bottom. Great practice. Forks, pinning, skewers, defense, check mates, etc. It assumes you already know the rules of the game. It is marketed as a book for beginners but many have said, including me, that it is also helpful for the seasoned player. I got a lot out of it, and I feel I am a better chess player as a result of doing every exercise in the book.