Learn to Play Chess Like a Boss: Make Pawns of Your Opponents with Tips and Tricks From a Grandmaster of the Game

by Patrick Wolff

Stop playing like a pawn and start playing like the king

You already know just how enjoyable--and and challenging--the game of chess can be. For those who play, chess leads to a lifetime of fun. But how do you make the first move to learn the rules and transform from a pawn to a king?

The path to a perfect checkmate is in your hands! In the pages of this book, you'll find an introduction to all the chess pieces including their strengths and weaknesses, tips on how to protect your pieces and prevent their capture, and guidance on when to attack and defend like a boss. You'll also find a bonus tear-out card to take your new tactics on the go!

Genres: Chess

400 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2019

Reviews

[Kira]

going to put this to the side for now... i mean i already have for a year. i want to eventually get good at chess when i have the time, energy and patience to lose a lot before i win.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

In spite of having had this out of the library twice, and both times for the longest period possible, I still haven't finished it. It's not because there's anything wrong with the book. Personally, I think it's the best chess instruction book I've come across. It doesn't consist of pages and pages of notes saying what each move might lead to and what the results would be; instead it gives straightforward examples of each of the kinds of moves you might do at any time, and lets you work through them one at a time. So you're always aware of playing chess rather than just thinking about moves.

So the reason I haven't finished it is partly because I've actually done the detailed work on the sections I have read, but I've run out of time or been out of town more than usual, and so back the book has gone to the library, and the remainder hasn't been finished.

Now of course, someone else has the book out...

[Hollerache · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn to Play Chess Like a Boss is the 2019 edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess (first published in 1997), a beginner's chess book written by once top-100 grandmaster Patrick Wolff. Fundamental rules, notation, opening principles, tactical patterns, middlegame positional play, endgames etc. are covered over about 300 pages of text and diagrams, including nearly as many practice problems (I counted 249). This edition includes exercises taken from positions played in newer top-level games, and a final chapter on advances in chess engines (the author has a special interest in computer chess).

Coming at this as a first chess book for a beginner/novice adult player, I think I was lulled into a false sense of security by the title and kid-friendly writing style. I think the material covered is pretty approachable throughout, but the problem sets got much more difficult than I'd expected (starting around chapter 5). To give you a taste, by chapter 6 you're being asked questions about positions in grandmaster-level games, positions in world champion games by chapter 7, and in chapter 10 you're asked about the "idea" behind a move played in an engine vs. engine game! As a novice with some puzzle practice, thoroughly working these problem sets out took me hours per chapter. Not many ladder mates in this book! I can sympathize with another reviewer who kept hitting his library due date - you might want to get your own copy. Going the completionist route through this was a fun and satisfying experience.

The makeup of the problem sets is consistent with Wolff's belief that the best way for a player of any level to learn is to study the games of top players. This book definitely leans more towards the academic side. Despite the tagline, I don't think Wolff ever recommends any "tricks" here (traps etc.); more "solid", "accurate" play.

Other thoughts:
- The chapter on opening principles comes halfway through the book! Imagine the confusion of a completely new player doing 100 tactics puzzles without knowing what to do on move 1! Maybe skip ahead to chapter 9 before the tactics chapters if you're just learning how the pieces move and want to get playing right away.
- The coverage of specific openings is very light (about 10 pages). Wolff makes a few opening book recommendations in chapter 15.
- Some of Wolff's book and study recommendations seem a bit extreme for a beginner. He really wants your nose in a book of world champion games on day 1.
- Compared to the current top-selling chess book, How to Win at Chess (the GothamChess guy's book), this book seems more geared towards competitive/scholastic play than giving an online beginner an Elo injection. It's an older book. The problem sets are also included within the book here rather than as an online-only supplement.