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Simple Chess: New Algebraic Edition
Written by a young Grand Master, this introduction to chess strategy is aimed primarily at players for whom a game plan is utterly enigmatic. By isolating the basic elements and illustrating them through a selection of Master and Grand Master games, Simple Chess breaks down the mystique of strategy into plain, easy-to-understand ideas — only a knowledge of basic chess terminology is assumed.
More than a lesson in chess fundamentals, this book illustrates an increasingly prevalent and successful style of play — a method that begins by slowly accumulating small but permanent advantages, saving the outright attack for later in the game. Newly converted into the current algebraic chess notation, this edition of Simple Chess offers a strategic weapon for players at every level of expertise.
More than a lesson in chess fundamentals, this book illustrates an increasingly prevalent and successful style of play — a method that begins by slowly accumulating small but permanent advantages, saving the outright attack for later in the game. Newly converted into the current algebraic chess notation, this edition of Simple Chess offers a strategic weapon for players at every level of expertise.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2003
155 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 23, 2015
This is a remarkable book. It is easily accessible to any chess player who is past the phase where tactical methods are a mystery. At that stage of development, what is needed is a way to understand how to create positions from which tactics could spring (or where you can just win the endgame).
I took a long time to read this book, building up a collection of 55 games in my database and entering every variation and comment along with my own notes. This is the approach I would take for a semester-long undergraduate course, and that is about how long it took me to finish. I enjoyed every minute and think it was totally worth it.
I have never really studied a chess book, and I think you could do worse than to start here. First, it's only 160 pages long, and the explanations are gold. Second, GM Stean explains the strategic aspects of chess in a way that is easy to understand.
The book is from the late 70's and almost all of the analysis holds up to computer checking. I didn't understand some assessments and after trying, with my limited skill, to get what was going on, I checked some lines with an engine. Again and again the explanations were spot on. In a few places, moves are suggested for one side or the other which are not as strong as engine moves, but this never changed the point of the lesson. This is a big deal to me in an age where people constantly claim to find "mistakes" and then dismiss older chess books. This type of engine checking misses the point and makes it seem like the lessons are not correct. This (and many other) books show that many times it doesn't matter what the engines say: if you can understand the ideas being taught, then the lesson is valuable.
The topics of Simple Chess are those of a classic strategy book (Outposts, Weak Pawns, Open Files, Half-open Files, Color Complexes and Space), but Stean's point is that if you play with these ideas to build a better position, you won't have to solve super-hard problems and you won't have to find super-strong tactics, they will just come from the position:
"Simple chess always requires flexibility of thought. The opponent can always avert one form of weakness or disadvantage by accepting another somewhere else."
This quote has had a bigger impact on the way I think about chess than anything I've ever read (or may ever read).
This book is a classic and should be studied, not just read.
I took a long time to read this book, building up a collection of 55 games in my database and entering every variation and comment along with my own notes. This is the approach I would take for a semester-long undergraduate course, and that is about how long it took me to finish. I enjoyed every minute and think it was totally worth it.
I have never really studied a chess book, and I think you could do worse than to start here. First, it's only 160 pages long, and the explanations are gold. Second, GM Stean explains the strategic aspects of chess in a way that is easy to understand.
The book is from the late 70's and almost all of the analysis holds up to computer checking. I didn't understand some assessments and after trying, with my limited skill, to get what was going on, I checked some lines with an engine. Again and again the explanations were spot on. In a few places, moves are suggested for one side or the other which are not as strong as engine moves, but this never changed the point of the lesson. This is a big deal to me in an age where people constantly claim to find "mistakes" and then dismiss older chess books. This type of engine checking misses the point and makes it seem like the lessons are not correct. This (and many other) books show that many times it doesn't matter what the engines say: if you can understand the ideas being taught, then the lesson is valuable.
The topics of Simple Chess are those of a classic strategy book (Outposts, Weak Pawns, Open Files, Half-open Files, Color Complexes and Space), but Stean's point is that if you play with these ideas to build a better position, you won't have to solve super-hard problems and you won't have to find super-strong tactics, they will just come from the position:
"Simple chess always requires flexibility of thought. The opponent can always avert one form of weakness or disadvantage by accepting another somewhere else."
This quote has had a bigger impact on the way I think about chess than anything I've ever read (or may ever read).
This book is a classic and should be studied, not just read.
May 14, 2021
Michael Stean’s ability to provide a complete foundation of positional chess principles in such a concise manner makes Simple Chess a masterpiece. I was unsure if I would learn much from this book because it didn’t look like anything new to me from the table of contents. But instead I found myself highlighting all over the place, as so many of the other things I’ve studied started to make more sense. He has a unique ability to explain the simple “why” behind the concepts that make chess such a rich and beautiful game. I loved the approach of using just a few annotated games without overwhelming analysis to hammer home his points.
I believe any beginning or intermediate player can improve from reading this book.
I believe any beginning or intermediate player can improve from reading this book.
September 21, 2020
This is essentially an introduction to "positional chess" - how slow and steady improvements in your position can win you the game. Every game and chapter is full of wisdom, and it opened my eyes to how deep chess is basically about implementation of simple positional principles. I especially enjoyed the chapter on pawn weaknesses and outposts.
August 19, 2008
This is an outstanding introduction to positional chess, emphasizing the simplicity of strategic thinking as opposed to highly tactical chess. I highly recommend this book to anybody without a solid understanding of positional chess, and even to anybody below 2000.
September 10, 2022
I'm old enough to remember when Michael Stean was a young, active Grandmaster :o)
I had this book in the 1970's, but never got round to reading it. I bought it again recently, and I can honestly say it's the first chess book I've read from cover to cover for many years, I should probably explain that I'm 59 yo, and a sporadically active weekend congress player. I'm rated about ECF1750, and I play bullet chess most days online.
Well, that's enough about me. The book is (still) a superb introduction to positional chess. I wanted to revise the basics of positional play before moving on to more advanced books, and I now feel confident to do so.
Left to their own devices, chess players can sharpen their tactics through playing and online/book exercises. Improvement in positional play is more elusive, but this book is an excellent start for the improving/curious player who wants to understand good/bad pieces, space, weak squares, outposts etc.
Very highly recommended, but don't be fooled by the title. It's not for beginners, Even experienced players can enjoy the illustrative games with their excellent annotations.
I had this book in the 1970's, but never got round to reading it. I bought it again recently, and I can honestly say it's the first chess book I've read from cover to cover for many years, I should probably explain that I'm 59 yo, and a sporadically active weekend congress player. I'm rated about ECF1750, and I play bullet chess most days online.
Well, that's enough about me. The book is (still) a superb introduction to positional chess. I wanted to revise the basics of positional play before moving on to more advanced books, and I now feel confident to do so.
Left to their own devices, chess players can sharpen their tactics through playing and online/book exercises. Improvement in positional play is more elusive, but this book is an excellent start for the improving/curious player who wants to understand good/bad pieces, space, weak squares, outposts etc.
Very highly recommended, but don't be fooled by the title. It's not for beginners, Even experienced players can enjoy the illustrative games with their excellent annotations.
February 9, 2021
Even as a novice player, I took away much from Stean's book. Every chapter has several illustrative games to emphasize the chapter's theme. I highly recommend playing the games on a board, or playing them on a device using a site like chessgames.com, where most reside. I progressed through the book that way and took away much. My favorite chapter was "Space", from which I now have a new approach to development and a new appreciation for pawn-structure. " Black squares and White Squares" was also very instructive for me, as was the entire book. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
April 11, 2021
This could be a good Strategy book once you are familiar with basic strategy concepts. It doesn't explain the basics but it has a lot of good material.
It's a small book that packs a lot of information. In particular I like that it has games that are not very famous. I also feel like I actually learned some more advanced concepts (when possession of an open file matters or how a weakness in a particular color complex can be exploited).
Recommended for players who want to learn Strategy and already know the basics!
It's a small book that packs a lot of information. In particular I like that it has games that are not very famous. I also feel like I actually learned some more advanced concepts (when possession of an open file matters or how a weakness in a particular color complex can be exploited).
Recommended for players who want to learn Strategy and already know the basics!
April 24, 2021
This is fastest I have studied and finished a chess book and I have read a lot of them! I just couldn’t stop taking notes and playing out the master games on my physical chess set! The authors approach of keeping it “simple” really resonated with me and I love understanding/studying the positional and structural aspects of the game. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any other books by this author, but if you enjoy chess, you will enjoy Simple Chess!😎
March 20, 2014
Wonderfully instructional. Written in clear prose with just enough games to illustrate the author's point. Highly recommended.
June 18, 2019
GM Nigel Short recommended this book!
September 7, 2021
Highly recommend as a first chess strategy book! Great introduction into how various weaknesses can be exploited through careful strategic planning.
July 5, 2023
Wonderfully written. I love it when a chess grandmaster so many tiers above us can simplify the game to concepts and simple language. For context, I'm a beginner to intermediate chess player and I found it very insightful. This book will teach you six main concepts:
(1) Outposts
- how to identify them
- how to create them
- where to create them
- what to do with them
- how to contest them
(2) Weak pawns
- what weak pawns are
- how to exploit them
- weak pieces
(3) Open files
- how to exploit them
- when are they dangerous ie. the concept of "entry points"
(4) Half-open files: the minority attack
- how to utilise the minority attack
- how to prevent/contest it
The last two chapters are rather advanced and cannot be covered in the span of a short book. There could be entire books written on these topics alone. Nevertheless, Mr Michael Stean writes in an interesting manner to distill a lot of knowledge to us mortals.
(5) Black squares and white squares
- what the weak squares are and how to exploit them
- what pieces to trade, what pieces to place and where
(6) Space
- how to identify which side has more space
- what to do if your position is cramped
- how to convert a spatial advantage
Overall a wonderful book. I loved every moment of reading and analysing it.
(1) Outposts
- how to identify them
- how to create them
- where to create them
- what to do with them
- how to contest them
(2) Weak pawns
- what weak pawns are
- how to exploit them
- weak pieces
(3) Open files
- how to exploit them
- when are they dangerous ie. the concept of "entry points"
(4) Half-open files: the minority attack
- how to utilise the minority attack
- how to prevent/contest it
The last two chapters are rather advanced and cannot be covered in the span of a short book. There could be entire books written on these topics alone. Nevertheless, Mr Michael Stean writes in an interesting manner to distill a lot of knowledge to us mortals.
(5) Black squares and white squares
- what the weak squares are and how to exploit them
- what pieces to trade, what pieces to place and where
(6) Space
- how to identify which side has more space
- what to do if your position is cramped
- how to convert a spatial advantage
Overall a wonderful book. I loved every moment of reading and analysing it.
February 24, 2024
I should clarify something upfront - my five-star rating is of the material in the book and the writing. The New Algebraic Edition is fairly shoddily done; there's at least one notational typo per chapter, and I noticed a couple of spots where a move is completely omitted from a variation or even a main line. I was never incapable of getting back on track using context and later moves, but it was a continual annoyance throughout.
Considering just the content of Simple Chess, this is a really fantastic book, covering essential conceptual material with brevity, precision, clarity, and just enough humor. The examples are well-chosen, all explained beautifully and tied back to the core ideas of the chapter. Some of the notes certainly don't hold up to the scrutiny of a modern engine, but then again, neither does the play of your average tournament player.
I learned a ton from this book, and every time I'd play a training game after studying it, I found I could easily apply the material. A true classic of positional chess instruction, great for players up to even the master level, and a wonderful source of material for coaches.
Considering just the content of Simple Chess, this is a really fantastic book, covering essential conceptual material with brevity, precision, clarity, and just enough humor. The examples are well-chosen, all explained beautifully and tied back to the core ideas of the chapter. Some of the notes certainly don't hold up to the scrutiny of a modern engine, but then again, neither does the play of your average tournament player.
I learned a ton from this book, and every time I'd play a training game after studying it, I found I could easily apply the material. A true classic of positional chess instruction, great for players up to even the master level, and a wonderful source of material for coaches.
July 2, 2023
Finally got around to studying this slim but well-regarded book after many years on my shelf. I’m currently 1702 USCF, and I would say that the material covered is suitable for a precocious 1500 to about the 1800- 1900 range. It certainly filled in some gaps in my knowledge. The games chosen, the explanations and writing style are all excellent. By far my biggest gripe is with all the typos in both the text and even the game scores. All are discernible to an advanced player, but a weaker aficionado might get confused a couple of times at the mistakes. (Inexplicably, the 1978 text was “edited” in 2002.) Besides that, I wish the book was longer and covered more topics. Its reputation is well-deserved.
May 6, 2022
Incredibly well written book on positional chess. I absolutely love this book as the contents are so well presented. The explanations are concise, which is important, because it allows the reader to focus on the essence; the text feels nowhere dry though. There is a very well thought out didactic progression in the book and Stean makes many connections with topics presented earlier. A definite must read for post-beginners who want to learn more about positional chess.
July 23, 2025
Great thought-provoking chapters with clear, intelligent writing, but some of the examples were not the best, especially when reviewed with a modern chess engine. A lack of any type of short exam or quiz at the end of each chapter also detracts from the quality of the lessons. Still, it is an engaging book with much to like, and I would highly recommend it for anyone of intermediate playing strength.
May 26, 2022
I've gotten reinterested in chess these past couple of months and decided to look at this. I do remember MANY years ago that after the opening was complete that I was flummoxed as to what to do.
So I'm combining my study of chess tactics with some basic strategy.
I will need to reread this at some point. Parts of the book are a little above my level but I did learn something.
So I'm combining my study of chess tactics with some basic strategy.
I will need to reread this at some point. Parts of the book are a little above my level but I did learn something.
July 19, 2023
A brilliant introduction to positional chess with lucid explanations and clear examples (when is an open file not an open file?); could honestly be read and re-read for added benefit - definitely a strong recommendation for anyone who has felt they've got the most out of studying tactics for the time being and wants to start understanding a bit more about chess strategy.
March 19, 2024
excellent book but…
There are so many little mistakes throughout that are annoying. Maybe the printed book doesn’t have this problem? It says Qe2 for example and there is a piece already there. You can easily find the right move it just takes a second. Other than that this was a phenomenal read!
There are so many little mistakes throughout that are annoying. Maybe the printed book doesn’t have this problem? It says Qe2 for example and there is a piece already there. You can easily find the right move it just takes a second. Other than that this was a phenomenal read!
March 6, 2025
Good introduction on every new topic
However, the game reviews were based on 20th century events and I don't think I've come across a single topic that would have introduced me on how to think strategically either in an attacking or defending mode. Or perhaps my expectations from the introduction page of this book is incorrect.
However, the game reviews were based on 20th century events and I don't think I've come across a single topic that would have introduced me on how to think strategically either in an attacking or defending mode. Or perhaps my expectations from the introduction page of this book is incorrect.
March 26, 2025
great book for club players...not simple but with clear explanations...recommended if you wanna be a better positional player.
I made mind maps for each chapter and figured out that the information is wonderfully condensed in those model games.
I made mind maps for each chapter and figured out that the information is wonderfully condensed in those model games.
May 17, 2025
Timeless classic chess book detailing in simple way key middlegame ideas. Recommended by pretty much everyone with good reason. I'll probably read it again and find more in it later when I'm a better player - I hope.
April 15, 2018
A good book demonstrating some principles of chess.
December 19, 2020
A masterpiece
January 3, 2021
Very simple, but powerful thoughts to the chess player starting to understand the importance of strategy thinking in chess games.
May 21, 2021
Short with extremely clear explanations.
August 2, 2022
Excellent.
December 12, 2022
Could do with more graphics as my visualisation is less than perfect
December 6, 2023
The best book you can recommend to someone who wants to start playing chess seriously. Must-read.
June 6, 2024
Interesting games. Chapter on space was particularly memorable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews